The Lorax and Truax

docx

School

Temple University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

0805

Subject

English

Date

Dec 6, 2023

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by UltraDangerGoldfinch31

The Lorax vs. Truax Name: Kristian Ramos Introduction Dr. Seuss’s book The Lorax was first published in 1971 and became a staple on many children's bookshelves. Using a businessman (Once-ler) and an advocate for the environment (Lorax), the book delivers a message aimed not only at children, but to both industry and consumers regarding the need to conserve the Earth’s limited resources. Keep in mind that a large percentage of the Earth’s forests have been decimated since the book was published! While the book has continued its strong sales over the last 50 years (and a really good movie was made as well), there are people and groups that strongly disagree with the message delivered to children, based on its supposed “anti-consumerism”. In the mid 1990’s, Terri Burkett decided to write a story that the books critics feel more accurately represents the ‘facts’ behind the consumption of forest resources. Terri authored Truax in the mid-nineties (published by the National Wood Flooring Association) and offered a more logging- friendly perspective. The book shares similarities to The Lorax , with bright imagery and characters, but the main message is an intentional contradiction of the strong environmental message of the Lorax . The two stories essentially tell the same story of how we manage our forest resources, but they do so from different perspectives. Throughout this activity we will read these two stories, put them into context with how they fit in with lecture, and investigate specific statements made in both books. Learning objectives • Apply course content knowledge to contextualize both books • Compare and contrast stories and concepts • Find and evaluate legitimate references As we have already discussed forest resources in lecture, we know this is a complex and delicate issue. Let’s apply that knowledge of resource cultivation and its impact on biodiversity and other non-market resources. Read or watch both The Lorax and Truax, and answer the following questions using the knowledge gained from lecture and classroom discussions. Refer back to terms, The Lorax (1971) a children’s book written by Dr. Seuss.

concepts and definitions from the lectures, textbook, etc. Do not just answer based on the stories, but tell me how the stories utilize real-world concepts. In addition, please find and use two outside sources to help you answer these questions. For each of these two sources, complete the reference evaluation sheets attached at the end of this assignment. The Lorax 1. What type of harvesting method was used to collect the Truffula trees. Explain your answer. Clear-Cutting was the method used to collect the Truffala trees. Clear-cutting is the process of cutting down every single tree in an area. 2. What did the Lorax warn would happen to the local species if once-ler cut down the trees? The Lorax waned the once-ler that deforestation in the forest would occur. Deforestation is the clearing of a forest typically for buildings, factories, or for other commercial uses. The Lorax warned that if this would occur there would be negative effects for all the inhabitants that lived there. 3. What are the external costs associated with the removal of the Truffula trees? The external costs that came with the removal of the Truffula trees were the loss of essential resources for the inhabitants. The inhabitants of the forest uses these trees as shelter and for food. The loss of these trees would mean the end of the forest as they knew it. 4. What do you think is the overall environmental moral of The Lorax? I think the overall environmental moral of The Lorax was to show the negative effects of deforestation. The once-ler displayed through his greed that it’s important to always take the environment into account. In today’s world, we can use The Lorax as an example of what not to do to our planet. 5. What do you think is the author’s ethical perspective (be sure to refer back to the lectures for this; don’t just give me a general reply)?

I think that there are several concepts that can be applied to the authors ethical perspective. One of these concepts is that of habitat fragmentation (lecture 3 slide 12), which is habitat loss through gradual degradation. This applies due to the once-ler cutting down all of the trees, the effects weren’t felt when the once-ler first started cutting, but rather once he cut down too many. Ecocentrism can also be applied (also in lecture 3), which separates the difference of a nature-centered environment as opposed to a human-centered one. 6. What method of timber harvesting would you suggest the once-ler use to harvest enough Truffula trees to produce the needed products, but also ensure there will be trees for the future? Explain your answer. I believe that section-cutting would be a better method of harvesting timber in the forest. Section- cutting involves cutting down older trees while leaving an ample amount of trees for the inhabitants of the forest to be okay. Truax 1. Why did Guardbark want people to not disturb the trees? The Guardbark knew of the effects that would happen if they were to cut down the trees in the forest, he was trying to protect everybody. 7. Why did Truax think that it was okay to harvest some of the trees? Does this make sense? Explain based on what you have learned in the course. The Truax thought it was okay to harvest some of the trees because he had a plan of what he was going to do. It does make sense, as he wanted to replant the trees, which is something the once-ler hadn’t thought of. The Truax was very aware of how much the trees were needed in the forest. 8. What do the Truax and his friends do to make sure that there are plenty of trees for the future (to sustain the forest)? Why do they do this? Are there any downsides to this type of management? The Truax and his friends planted five trees for every one that they cut down. They did this to make sure that they weren’t going to cut down all the trees in the forest. There is the possibility of overpopulating the forest with trees which could be a negative thing.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

9. The Truax makes several claims about programs aimed at forest management. Are these programs that were developed by ecologists and experts, or by the forestry industry? Is he taking credit for something he didn’t create? Why and where these polices developed in the first place? I would say that this program was developed by experts in the forestry industry because the author is involved with the hardwood flooring industry. I would say he is taking credit for something that he didn’t create, and these policies were put in place so that the environment and the ecosystem can be preserved. 10. What inaccuracies is The Truax making? Should you use the Truax as a legitimate source for forestry information? Explain your answers to both these questions. (This should be at least a few paragraphs long). One of the inaccuracies in the Truax is the concept that we rely on the newer trees for clear air just as much as older trees. This isn’t true as it is stated that trees store 70% of all it’s carbon stored during the last half of their lives. The Truax also speaks on how other creatures move into the spaces created when trees are cut down. While this is true, it’s an inaccuracy to the author acting as if the displacement of other inhabitants is okay because of the placement of new ones. The Truax also claims that animals that live in shrubs and grasses will not have a habitat to explore if not for the cutting of trees. I think that there are a lot of valuable of things that one can learn from reading The Truax, but I wouldn’t say that it can be used as a legitimate source of forestry information. You can see from the inaccuracies above that The Truax is entirely correct in what it is preaching. The concept of planting trees when you cut them down is good and can be useful be people to understand, however I think some of the accuracies of the story are overshadowed by some of the inaccuracies. I also don’t think that it is helpful that The Truax is putting on the impression that everything is alright while spewing out inaccuracies. This can be misleading to a reader, especially younger ones. In comparison to The Lorax, you get to see the negative consequences of some of the things done, which can be a better learning experience for the reader. Reference #1 Evaluation Worksheet Reference URL: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/how-old-trees-help-climate- 1.4252888#:~:text=The%20study%20found%20that%20the,last%20half%20of%20their %20lives . Using the following criteria, evaluate this reference. Authority: Who authored the reference? What are their qualifications? Are they experts? Who published/hosted the reference/website? Is the publisher/host reputable?

CBC published this article. CBC is a well-respected Canadian institution that prides itself on its integrity, therefore I believe it is reputable. Objectivity: Is this fact or opinion? Can you identify a bias? If so, does this bias affect the credibility of the material? This is fact rather than opinion; the article talks about common questions that arise when discussing trees in their lifetime. There was no bias from my understanding. Accuracy: Is this true? Can you tell where the authors got their information? Is it cited? Can you find/access the sources of the information to fact-check? There is no citations from this article but the author itself is very credible. She has been a science columnist for CBC since 2013. She has a PHD in molecular genetics from the University of Alberta and currently teaches there. Currency: When was this information published or last updated? Is it current enough for your research? This information was published in 2017 and last updated in November of 2021. It is most definitely current enough for my research.

Reference #2 Evaluation Worksheet Reference URL: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/is-clear-cutting-us- forests-good-for-wildlife Using the following criteria, evaluate this reference. Authority: Who authored the reference? What are their qualifications? Are they experts? Who published/hosted the reference/website? Is the publisher/host reputable? This article was written by Christopher Ketcham. Ketcham has been a freelance writer for more than 20 years and has been published in many different big-name publishers. Ketcham is not an expert on the climate, as he does not have the qualifications, but he is very passionate about it, as it is one of the main topics he covers. The website is Nationalgeographic.com. I would consider Ketcham reputable enough for my research. Objectivity: Is this fact or opinion? Can you identify a bias? If so, does this bias affect the credibility of the material? The article is filled with many facts, some of which I used in my answers. However, there were some points that I took as his opinion, therefore I think there is a bias present. I don’t think the bias affects the credibility of the material because the facts present are what I used most. Accuracy: Is this true? Can you tell where the authors got their information? Is it cited? Can you find/access the sources of the information to fact-check? The information presented is true, as Ketcham cited different institutions from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection to Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources. I can’t directly access the sources used because the author provided no links.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Currency: When was this information published or last updated? Is it current enough for your research? The author published this information on March 24 th , 2022, making this information current enough for my uses.

The Lorax and Truax

Related Documents