Research Paper Drafty Draft
Algeo Rosario
Jim Henry
ENG 100
1 November 2015
Meta-Commentary
Aim
My aim is to show how technology has evolved, and how attitudes have changed towards sustainability. The millennial generation has grown up with the constant advances in technology over the past decades. With that technology came different innovations to help fix sustainability. And with that technology, it helped people become more educated about the topic of sustainability. I want to inform people that millennial do have a positive attitude about sustainability and that technology has advanced to where it can help all of the Earth’s environmental problems.
Authorship
I am an undecided major, however I have to majors in mind. One is Information Computer Sciences and the other is Journalism. For this paper I wanted to see how I could combine the two in some sort of way. I took a look at social aspects of technology and how it’s shaping sustainability. I also looked at different innovations scientists have made using technology. Research-wise, it’s more of a challenge for me because I really do have to look for scholarly sources and judge credibility.
Audience
I hope this paper gets to millennials and past generations. I want to inform them that technology is in fact helping us learn more about sustainability and ways to improve the environment. All generations should learn what is going on in the environment and educate themselves into how we can help.
Drafty Draft
Main Topic: The future of sustainability, how we can help next generations through new media and technology
Intro:
Past problems that the older generations have done?
Sustainability Issues
Technology Advancements
Millennials and their involvement
Possible Thesis?: As time is moving on, so are our generations and our technology, and it is our job to look towards the future of sustainability.
Topic #1: Attitudes Millennials have towards sustainability
In “College Students Who Exhibit Pro-Sustainability Attitudes and Behaviors” researchers studied the attitudes Millennials have over the sustainability of the Earth. Researchers studied Management Information Systems students. Researchers asked them about what they care about on a global scale whether it be politics or the environment. Millennials seemed to have a mindset of “protecting the environment and having a civic mindset appear to be particular concerns of young Millennials” (Valdez-Vasquez). They found out that since they studied MIS students they seem to care more about poverty and helping people, with sustainability being a second concern. Concluding the research, the authors hoped that more education could engage more students in addressing sustainability issues. <— [From the first discussion]
Millennials have more progressive views on sustainability when compared older generations. Majority Millennials believe that they need to do their part in addressing environmental issues. According to a study conducted by Frank N. Magid Associates, 79 percent of Millennials agree that it is “my responsibility to improve the environment” (Madland & Teixeira). Most Millennials feel that dependency on fossil fuels needs to be decreased and that we need to invest in new technologies that give cars energy (Madland & Teixeira). According to a PSP youth survey, renewable energy, such as moving away from oil and gas to wind and solar powered devices, is also supported by Millennials. Millennials are also willing to pay high prices just so that the environment can be protected.
Topic #2: How advancements in Technology and Internet help sustainability
A defining part of the millennial generation is that they grew up with the rapid advancements in technology in such short decades. Technologies such as the internet, radio, and television give people gateways into learning more information about sustainability. Technology has given activists gateways to “communicate, mobilize, and fundraise in ways that are cheaper and easier than ever” (Kim 1). Internet-related technologies have proven to be beneficial with environmental organizations by informing the public of environmental issues. In a 1999 survey,
76 environmental organizations in New Zealand and Australia all said that the Internet has made their organizations more successful (Kim).
Topic #3: Looking towards the future with media
In “Communication, media and environment: Towards reconnecting research on the production, content and social implications of environmental communication,” Anders Hansen discusses the importance of communication the environment through domains such as media. Over the last decades the environment has become a major issue and has been a key concern in political and public issues. For of the last half century advances in mass media and communication across outlets have given powerful ways to inform the public of the issues going on with the environment. Coverage of the environment, which involves journalism and mass media have grown to be more source based. “Indications from more recent research are that the balance of power in the relationship between sources and journalists has shifted increasingly in favour of sources” (Hansen). Environmental groups pressure media outlets look to actively manage and influence communication about sustainability (Hansen). News coverage has encompassed a broad number of environmental issues such as pollution, nuclear power, and global warming (Hansen). Media coverage of environmental issues has contributed to understanding why environmental issues are a concern for the public, what the environmental issues, are and what the solutions are. Visuals and photographs in news coverage of the environment give viewers a sense of what the problem looks like, from natural disasters, to oil spills, chemical spills, deforestation, acidification, open-cast mining and despoliation (Hansen). Ultimately, media coverage influences public understanding and political decision-making. If media coverage continues to grow, then it informs the public about environmental issues. If we implement this use of media towards future generations then those people will gain more understanding of the environmental concerns.
More Topics?
[Once I get a hold of my first three]
Conclusion
- Summarize the main points in a good fashion.