Summary
“Waste by Wendell” is about the rot in the contemporary America resulting from neglect. The author laments on how pollution is affecting the society; furthermore, it seems that people are not concerned. He attributes the social and economical challenges in the society to garbage disposal methods. In this article, Wendell is advocating for awareness and self-responsibility of all members in a community (Berry, 2010).
More of concern is that the garbage composed of non-biodegradable matter such as industrial wastes is disposed in Kentucky River. From the article, “Waste”, industries are contributing to pollution and this is ascribable to reluctance and greed by authorities. Therefore, he insists that people should take action as neglecting the situation surmounts to aggravation of the problem.
Argument
The foremost argument of the writer is on a concern for the setting. According to Wendell the society has neglected its duty of caring for the environment, thus aggravating challenges like unemployment that are directly related to environmental issues. He asserts that individual responsibility will reverse pollution and if not looked into future problems will emanate from garbage disposal.
He questions what people are for, and to him it seems that nobody cares. In the article, most of the environment issues like waste control are left to farmers. There should be devised an approach for controlling waste in the surroundings especially near rivers.
According to Berry (2010), the contemporary society is concerned with personal interests without taking into account communal values. He supports working as a team when taking measures concerned with waste disposal. Assumption is that modernization is leading to an increase in pollution. Manufacturing industries are answerable for disposing non-biodegradables such as electronic and other industrial wastes into the ecosystem.
Therefore, according to the author, emphasis is on sustainability, and the interest of the existing society should not compromise on the wants of upcoming generations. He considers water an essential resource for growth and development of communities.
Since, they assist in carrying out agricultural activities such as farming and in addition, water is for domestic consumption. The author asserts that farmers are the chief casualties of pollution as they directly depend on the environment.
This argument has influence from the writer’s background of engaging in farming. To him the issue seems to be worsening as time progresses due to neglect by members of the community. He laments whilst being nostalgic when describing his environment (Berry, 2010).
Wendell attributes these environmental challenges to greed by individuals and authorities. To him the country people contribute to some of the challenge realized by the societies in rural America. People have the capability to handle environmental issues by controlling environmental waste.
Counter Argument
The authors views somewhat reflects on real situations in contemporary societies. However, stating that economical challenges are attributable to populations can be an exaggeration. It is obvious that societal problems do not result from a specific cause; instead, they are from a combination of factors.
Instead of lamenting at the situation, the author should have initiated an awareness program to handling this environmental challenge. Furthermore, Wendell does not state the positive benefits of manufacturing activities and instead he chooses to discuss on their negative effects.
To him the society is at risk whereas this fails to augur well with other members of the society; that is why he states that in the title “what are people looking for?”
Conclusion
The author intends to create awareness to the society by highlighting on the challenges experienced in the contemporary America. He cites his community as the major victims of their activities and lifestyles.
During his stay in Ohio, he is realizing an increase in challenges, which he attributes to neglect by the members of the society. In addition, the author insists that manufacturers have to encourage responsibly in order for the societies to benefit.
Besides, an effective method for waste disposal is necessary. From the article “waste”, assertion is that Wendell is an environmental activist concerned with the encountering the challenges affecting Americans.
Reference
Berry, W. (2010). What are people for?: Essays. Berkeley, CA: Counterpoint.