Thesis Paragraph for Commentary

While taking a walk anywhere on the University of Central Florida campus one can easily notice that there are as many if not more recycling bins as trash cans in and around every building. From the dormitories to the student union these bins are placed everywhere. An everyday UCF student might also notice a “UCF Recycles” truck coming to empty those exact recycling bins every once and a while. As students walk around they might notice that one of the trends these days on campus is the pro-environment clothing that many students’ wardrobes have embraced. What is not as apparent as the big plastic recycling tubs or the trendy “go green” t-shirts are the efforts that UCF is making to ensure a healthy environment. From global warming to hazardous waste issues, the Earth’s environmental issues now affect our entire world, and UCF takes an active stance, including group efforts, a green roof, and recycling, to make the environment a healthier place. This is extremely important because it shapes the future for the environmental status of Orlando and teaches students the importance of the global issue of protecting the Earth.

Outline for the Commentary

I. Observations on campus
a. Recycling bins
b. Clothing
c. Mobile recycling

II. What the problem with the Earth is
a. The environmental issues
b. How people’s actions affect it
c. The environmental issue on a global scale

III. What are people on campus doing
a. Wearing eco-friendly clothing
b. Utilizing recycling bins
c. How some people are not doing their part

IV. UCF and the environment
a. How UCF is eco-friendly
b. Groups that UCF are involved in
c. How to participate

V. Conclusion
a. How UCF’s relationship with the environment relates to the rest of the world
b. How to participate in UCF’s involvement
c. Why recycling really helps the environment and why it is important

Letter to Friend for Commentary

Dear Amy,
UCF is so interesting and I wish you went to school here. One phenomenon that seems really interesting to me is the concern for the environment that is shown here on campus every day. You know how I love to do my part in keeping the earth clean? I have learned over the past few weeks from walking around campus that UCF does its part too! The faculty and students take measures to promote a clean and healthy environment. I always see people walking around in t-shirts that have earths on them or displaying recycling signs. I think that is pretty wonderful that people are turning the environmental issue into a fashion statement in order to try to get more people involved. It really seems to be working. Where do you think all of these people are getting these fashionable clothes? I think we should get some because we care about the earth and I think if people see us wearing them they might want some environment-friendly clothes as well.
You will have to walk around campus with me some day. I swear there are as many, if not more, recycling bins as there are garbage cans on campus. Where do all of these recyclable materials go? Most people, including myself, utilize these bins on campus when throwing away items such as plastic bottles or papers. If everyone on campus used those bins, then there sure would be a lot to recycle. But what does recycling actually do for the environment? It must be a really good help to the environment because if used or not, these bins are everywhere on campus. They are even in the hallways in my dorm building. I always see big “UCF Recycles” trucks outside of my dorm room. I even saw a mini recycling truck when I was tailgating at the football game. I bet many people had a lot to recycle then.
With all of these measures that my school and the students here are taking it really makes me wonder. What is the big problem with our environment that everyone is worried about? I know that littering cannot be good for the earth but I wonder if there is a much larger problem that I am unaware of. One time at a tailgating event I saw a little stand for environmental protection. There was too many people surrounding it because it was right by the overcrowded SGA booth and I did not have time to make my way up to it. But that also had me thinking. Is there a UCF organized group that talks about the environmental issues and maybe one that takes action to support a healthy environment? I think that would be such a productive group because they would be able to inform students who have a lack of knowledge for these particular issues and could make movements to increase the health of our planet.
You really need to come and take a look for yourself at the environmental phenomenon occurring here at UCF. Hope all is well!

Love,
Amanda

Observations and Impressions for the Commentary

As I walked around campus for these past few weeks, I have noticed that the students and faculty here are really getting involved in the “go green” effort. I have seen as many if not more recycling bins as trash cans. I have also seen UCF recycles signs, and have even seen a mobile recycling truck at the tailgating event before a football game. I have also seen many, as well as myself, wearing shirts that show people want to take better care of the planet (such as earth and recycling shirts). It looks and feels good knowing that at least some people care about the planet. This reminds me of how after 9/11 everyone wore shirts displaying their patriotism. There was also an increase the amount of American flags I saw. Now the environmental issues are the problem, and a lot of people are doing what they can to help prevent some of those issues. This is unlike anything I have ever experienced because as I was growing up the people around me were not really aware or cared about the status of the environment. Now, it is the phenomenon that people are worried about and almost everybody is aware of it. As mentioned, I have seen a lot of support for the protection of the environment such as people recycling and people wearing shirts that show they support the cause. However, many simply do not care or have better things to worry about as they litter in the sidewalks on campus and throw their plastics and paper with the rest of their trash. They are just simply unaware of the state of our environment or they just do not care. There are differences between my response and others. For example, I never leave trash on the ground and I utilize the recycling bins that UCF offers, where as a lot of my friends will just litter on the ground and throw away their recyclable materials with the rest of their garbage. This phenomenon is significant to me because I like to see that people are caring and putting forth an effort to help the environment. Though it is significant in the same way to many, others just do not care or even notice this phenomenon at all.

Interview with Erin and Sarah

Topic: The pro-environment status at UCF

1. What is the real problem with the environment that everyone is worried about?
The problem is the fear of the end of the world and people who don’t take care about the Earth which affects everyone.
2. Where do the recycled materials from the UCF bins go?
They think the materials go to a much larger recycling company.
3. What does recycling actually do for the environment?
You’re reusing so you don’t take up as many resources, less trees are cut down,and it reduces waste.
4. Where are people buying the pro-environment clothes?
Stores include Wal-Mart (shirt made out of bottles), pink at Victoria’s Secret, and many other stores.
5. Is there a group or organization at UCF that discusses the environment issues?
They don’t know what it is called but they do have town house meetings.
6.How do you know what you know? (evidence)
She lives in Brevard “the green hall” at Libra and was given recycling bins for her room.
7.Who are you to the subject? (perspective)
They are students who recycle and live in dorms on campus.
8. How is this event connected to other events? (patterns or opposing forces)
The whole world is trying to “go green” and it is related to the global phenomenon (cars and water bottles) and recycled items rather than just on campus.
9.What if things were different? (suppositions/predictions)
If UCF didn’t recycle then we would be contributing to the environmental problems.
10. Why is this important? (significance)
If we don’t recycle and keep throwing everything away then the planet will not last very long.

5 Questions for the Commentary

Topic: The pro-environment status at UCF
1. What is the real problem with the environment that everyone is worried about?
2. Where do the recycled materials from the UCF bins go?
3. What does recycling actually do for the environment?
4. Where are people buying the pro-environment clothes?
5. Is there a group or organization at UCF that discusses the environment issues?