TITLE: Warming Our World and Chilling Our Future - University of ...

TITLE: Warming Our World and Chilling Our FutureSpecific purpose: To explain to my audience the causes of the greenhouse effect.Central idea (thesis statement): The people who inhabit this planet should beconcerned about the major causes of the greenhouse effect.Preview: Today in my speech I will discuss what is the green house effect and why weshould be concerned. We need to be concerned, first, about the loss of woodlands,second, about industrial emissions, and third, about overall spectacular increases inworld energy consumption.INTRODUCTIONAttention—arousing and orienting material: Mark Twain story on "exaggerateddeath": death of greenhouse effect also exaggerated. Iceberg broke from Larsen Shelf.NASA report proves "human activity causes ozone hole."Credibility Material: Love outdoors and want to see environment safe for futuregenerations. Audience also has vital stake in topic.Thesis Statement: As a people who inhabit this planet we should be concerned aboutthe major causes of the greenhouse effect.Preview: We need to be concerned, first, about the loss of woodlands, second, aboutindustrial emissions, and third, about overall spectacular increases in world energyconsumption.[Transition: "to body of speech: "First we must understand the greenhouse effect."]BODYI. The greenhouse effect is a gradual warming of the earth caused by humanactivities (Monastersky).A. It comes from a high concentration of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in the air.1. Five tons of CO 2 per person per year in the U.S.

2. 1987: CO 2 at record high [provide temperature data].B. It is producing a hole in the ozone layer.1. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCS) destroy the ozone shield.2. More ultraviolet radiation comes through.C. The greenhouse effect can cause serious problems.1. It can cause climate problems [cite possibilities].2. It can cause health problems [describe potential problems].[Transition: to second main point: "Now let's look at causes."]II.The loss of woodlands adds to the greenhouse effect.A. Lose woods the size of a football field every second.1. Loss from cutting.2. Loss from burning.B. Burning adds more CO 2 because of smoke.[Transition: to third main point: "But loss of woodlands is just part of the problem."]III.Industrial emissions accelerate the greenhouse effect.A. More than 20 percent of all air pollution.B. CO 2 an nitrous oxide released when wood, coal, oil, or gas is burned.C. CFCs from refrigeration and air conditioners.[Transition: to fourth main point: "The last cause may be the most important one."]IV.Increased energy consumption magnifies the greenhouse effect.A. Population and prosperity fuel the problem.1. More people means more consumption.2. Rising living standards = rising expectations = more consumption.B. Energy consumption is the single largest cause of the greenhouse effect.1. Fossil fuel use has doubled since 1950.

2. Fossil fuel use accounts for 90 percent of America's energy consumption.3. Transportation-related energy use accounts for half of all air pollution.[Transition: "In short"]CONCLUSIONSummary Statement: Greenhouse effect threatens our world. It may cause drasticclimate changes and serious health problems. Major causes are loss of woodlands,industrial emissions, and increased energy consumption.Concluding Remarks (reinforce meaning of speech): Gore story about frog in boilingwater.

Adapted from (pp. 246-247);Osborn, M., & Osborn, S. (1997). Public Speaking. (4th ed.). Boston: Houghton MifflinCompany.

Works CitedAnthes, Richard A. “Greenhouse Effect.” The New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia,CD-ROM. Novato, CA: Software Toolworks, 1993.Atkinson, Rick. “Disputes Heat Global Warming Summit.” Commercial Appeal[Memphis] 2 Apr. 1995: A:19.Begley, Sharon. “Ice Cubes for Penguins.” Newsweek 3 Apr. 1995: 56.Elmer-Dewitt, Philip. “A Season in Hell.” Time 19 July 1993: 22.“The Future is Here: Earth at the Summit.” Newsweek 1 June 1992: 15-43.Gore, Albert, Jr. Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit. Boston:Houghton Mifflin, 1992.“The Global Environment: A National Security Issue.” National Academy of ScienceWashington, 1 May 1989.“The Ozone Vanishes.” Time 17 Feb. 1992: 60.Monastersky, Richard. “Consensus Reached on Climate Change Causes.” ScienceNews 24 Sept. 1994: 198.National Issues Forums Institute. The Environment at Risk: Responding to GrowingDangers. Dayton: Kettering Foundation, 1989.“Ozone Mystery Solved.” National Wildlife Apr./May 1995: 6.Schneider, David. “Global Warming is Still a Hot Topic.” Scientific American Feb.1995: 13-14.Wiltze, Alexandria. “Rush is Wrong.” Earth Apr. 1995:14.Adapted from (p. 256-259);Osborn, M., & Osborn, S. (1997). Public Speaking. (4thed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.