Patt Morrison
The Los Angeles Times
November 24, 2019
In Morrison’s article, “The dirty history of L.A.’s smog,” Morrison interviews Ed Avol, a professor of clinical preventive medicine at USC’s Keck Medical School, about his knowledge of the history of Los Angeles’ smog. Avol gives his perspective of growing up in Los Angeles’ smog and how it affected the lives of residents there. He explains that people in lower socioeconomic groups suffer more from the smog, living closer to freeways and farther from cleaner places of Los Angeles. This has a detrimental effect on their health, and Avol even compares the smog to having lifetime effects similar to smoking. Avol and Morrison also discuss Trump’s policy of ending auto emissions restrictions and how it would slowly cause Los Angeles to revert to the days of higher pollution. Morrison establishes credibility by using Avol’s knowledge as a professor and engineer to make the argument that pollution is a significant problem in Los Angeles, and Trump’s policies would hinder the progress that Angelenos have made. Morrison also appeals to reason as Avol gives accounts of his time growing up in the smog and uses personal experience to justify his claims. Morrison’s purpose is to inform her audience about the urgency of pollution in Los Angeles and persuade them to continue the fight to lowering pollution rates by maintaining auto emission restrictions. Avol also advises those living in polluted areas to avoid exercising outdoors during rush hour or near busy streets. Morrison asks engaging and thought-provoking questions regarding smog and how citizens and policy-makers should handle the problem.
In Morrison’s article, “The dirty history of L.A.’s smog,” Morrison interviews Ed Avol, a professor of clinical preventive medicine at USC’s Keck Medical School, about his knowledge of the history of Los Angeles’ smog. Avol gives his perspective of growing up in Los Angeles’ smog and how it affected the lives of residents there. He explains that people in lower socioeconomic groups suffer more from the smog, living closer to freeways and farther from cleaner places of Los Angeles. This has a detrimental effect on their health, and Avol even compares the smog to having lifetime effects similar to smoking. Avol and Morrison also discuss Trump’s policy of ending auto emissions restrictions and how it would slowly cause Los Angeles to revert to the days of higher pollution. Morrison establishes credibility by using Avol’s knowledge as a professor and engineer to make the argument that pollution is a significant problem in Los Angeles, and Trump’s policies would hinder the progress that Angelenos have made. Morrison also appeals to reason as Avol gives accounts of his time growing up in the smog and uses personal experience to justify his claims. Morrison’s purpose is to inform her audience about the urgency of pollution in Los Angeles and persuade them to continue the fight to lowering pollution rates by maintaining auto emission restrictions. Avol also advises those living in polluted areas to avoid exercising outdoors during rush hour or near busy streets. Morrison asks engaging and thought-provoking questions regarding smog and how citizens and policy-makers should handle the problem.
Comment for the author: I enjoyed the format of this piece as you include a listening aspect which engages the reader. You encourage Angelenos to continue to fight against pollution but specifically, what are ways that they can continue to decrease pollution although Trump's policy will increase pollution?
ReplyDeleteI never thought that smog would affect different groups of people in different ways. This makes the pollution problem even more depressing. Morrison's use of ethos here is very strong.
ReplyDeletePat Morrison appeals to readers' logic by including Ed Avol's statistical responses to her questions, which grows the credibility of the article. The author's organizational choices also keep readers engaged as she asks Avol many questions that seem to frequently cross readers' minds when discussing the smog issue in LA.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot about LA's smog that we do not know about because we live across the country. I think it is good to educate ourselves about more that just knowing it exists. This article provides a lot of context about a state far from us and it useful in understanding our country.
ReplyDeleteSmog and overall air pollution remains a problem throughout America and countries such as China. It is interesting to see how lower socioeconomic groups are suffering more just because of their placement. Morrison's purpose of this op-ed is to expose the issue of smog and hopefully raise enough awareness to find a solution.
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