environmental impact: Relevant passages from the novel
Atwood’s overall argument about the role that environmental issues has on our lives seems to be that humans are destroying the world we live in, until it no longer resembles what we once knew. “There were the things his mother rambled on about about [. . .] the Everglades had burned for three weeks straight.” (75). This passage provides insight into the topic because it gives specific examples that Atwood has constructed in Oryx and Crake of environmental issues that arise in Snowman’s fictional world.(Charlotte)
Atwood’s overall argument about environmentalism in Oryx and Crake has to do with human manipulation of nature. Through her various examples (ie: genetic modification of animals), she demonstrates the human tendency to alter and change our environment so that it better suits our needs. In the world that is featured in Oryx and Crake, humans have stopped worrying about the ethical issues revolving around genetic engineering; they have began to only think about their own needs, instead of the needs of the animals. "The goal of the pigoon project [. . . ] had gone into OrganInc Farms" (27-28). In this first passage, the concept of “pigoons” is first introduced. This is another example of humans using animals to benefit themselves. These “pigoons” have been genetically bred to produce viable organs that can be transplanted into humans. The passage provides context on the human attitude towards nature in the time of Oryx and Crake. "“This is the latest” [. . . ] hadn’t lacked heads" (27-28). This next passage introduces us to a concept similar to the “pigoons”, but perhaps more extreme and terrifying. “ChickieNobs” represent a new advancement in genetic engineering, but show even less human concern to the health of the animal. The ChickieNobs, which are large pieces of “chicken parts” do not even have heads. This passage once again shows the human attitude towards animals in Oryx and Crake. (Lexi)
In the book, Oryx and Crake, Atwood argues that humans are the cause of the destruction of the environment as they continue to develop different ways to change the natural course of nature. She creates a world in which scientific corporations that find ways to genetically alter animals run the world. “...about how everything was being ruined and would never be the same again...the one that got washed away with the rest of the beaches...” (75). This part from the book shows how humans continue to destroy the world and things that us readers know as a common part of nature becomes extinct. To increase the impact of her argument, Atwood shows us how the world is suppose to be. “The whole world is now one vast uncontrolled experiment...and the doctrine of unintended consequences is in full spate” (275). Here Atwood shows us how after being manipulated by humans, nature is finally able to be free. However, with so much damage done by humans for so long, nature can hardly be the way it once was. (Zoe)
Atwood, Margaret. Oryx and Crake. Toronto: O.W. Toad Ltd., 2003.
Although perhaps not a large focus of her characters, the negative impact humans have had on their environment simmers underneath the plot of Oryx and Crake. Besides discussing the changes a reader would notice from their current world to the future reality of the book (such as an environment that cannot produce certain foods etc), Atwood draws a comparison between the environment of an “underdeveloped” (although arguably more natural) rural town and a busy, polluted city, which is relevant today as the juxtaposition between a polluted city negatively impacted by the high population would be a culture shock for persons used to a slower lifestyle with more thought given to the environment.
“The city was a chaos, filled with people and cars and noise and bad smells and a language that was hard to understand…rolling them up neatly was the first thing the new children had to learn” (155)
Atwood also focuses on the issue of global warming and smaller amount of protection from the sun afforded to us by the ozone layer. Although at this point in time (eg 2013) the atmosphere is not as bad as it is in Oryx and Crake, Atwood is making the point that in her world, humans have devastated the ozone to the point where humans experience consequences and there is no return .
“Noon is the worst, with its glare and humidity... tube of heavy-duty sunblock, supposing he could ever find one” (43). (Livie)
Atwood, Margaret. Oryx and Crake. Toronto: Random House, 2004.
Throughout the book. Atwood argues against the benefits of creating a utopian environment. When Crake sets out to develop a utopian environment, he creates a drug called "BlyssPluss Pills," a drug with many benefits including "prolong[ing[ youth" (355). However, the main intention of the drug was to become a "worldwide plague" to erase mankind (390). The reality is a utopia environment requires humans to be destroyed in order to save the environment. (Tasha)
Atwood, Margaret. Oryx and Crake. Toronto: Random House, 2004.
Margaret Atwood’s proposal is that humans neglected to act when damages to the environment could have been halted or decelerated. In this novel, the world’s climate has changed; there is now a wet season, tornados, and a scorching and glaring sun. The humans let their environment reach a point of total alteration. In Atwood’s book and in our world, events correspond to changes in the seasons. In many cultures, the school year stops in summer and resumes in autumn. While many students now reside in urban centers, these cultures are rooted in agrarian beginnings when children had to leave school to help with the harvest. In O&C, Jimmy’s graduation date has changed because of the climate; “the ceremony used to take place in June; the weather then used to be sunny and moderate. But June was now the wet season…and you couldn’t have an outdoor event then, what with the thunderstorms.” (173). The second passage identifies the sun as rabid and burning. She writes, “he’s got the sheet over his head, draped himself as much as possible… but he could still burn, despite the sun block and the two layers of cloth.” (283). (Brigitte)
Atwood, Margaret. Oryx and Crake. Toronto: Random House, 2004.
Throughout the book, Atwood introduces (the topic of extinction through an online game that Crake plays). ‘"Want to play extinction?"
“Extinction?” [...] The boring Web interactive with all the defunct animals and plants.’ (259).
Atwood’s overall argument regards the idea of all animals and plants being extinct, that one day there will be virtual cats and animals. It provides a possibility of the way people, in the future, may have mutated and virtual animals.
This passage provides insight to the argument about environmental impacts because plants and animals are part of our environment today and without them many resources are cut off such as food. (Sarah)
Atwood’s overall argument about environmentalism in Oryx and Crake has to do with human manipulation of nature. Through her various examples (ie: genetic modification of animals), she demonstrates the human tendency to alter and change our environment so that it better suits our needs. In the world that is featured in Oryx and Crake, humans have stopped worrying about the ethical issues revolving around genetic engineering; they have began to only think about their own needs, instead of the needs of the animals. "The goal of the pigoon project [. . . ] had gone into OrganInc Farms" (27-28). In this first passage, the concept of “pigoons” is first introduced. This is another example of humans using animals to benefit themselves. These “pigoons” have been genetically bred to produce viable organs that can be transplanted into humans. The passage provides context on the human attitude towards nature in the time of Oryx and Crake. "“This is the latest” [. . . ] hadn’t lacked heads" (27-28). This next passage introduces us to a concept similar to the “pigoons”, but perhaps more extreme and terrifying. “ChickieNobs” represent a new advancement in genetic engineering, but show even less human concern to the health of the animal. The ChickieNobs, which are large pieces of “chicken parts” do not even have heads. This passage once again shows the human attitude towards animals in Oryx and Crake. (Lexi)
In the book, Oryx and Crake, Atwood argues that humans are the cause of the destruction of the environment as they continue to develop different ways to change the natural course of nature. She creates a world in which scientific corporations that find ways to genetically alter animals run the world. “...about how everything was being ruined and would never be the same again...the one that got washed away with the rest of the beaches...” (75). This part from the book shows how humans continue to destroy the world and things that us readers know as a common part of nature becomes extinct. To increase the impact of her argument, Atwood shows us how the world is suppose to be. “The whole world is now one vast uncontrolled experiment...and the doctrine of unintended consequences is in full spate” (275). Here Atwood shows us how after being manipulated by humans, nature is finally able to be free. However, with so much damage done by humans for so long, nature can hardly be the way it once was. (Zoe)
Atwood, Margaret. Oryx and Crake. Toronto: O.W. Toad Ltd., 2003.
Although perhaps not a large focus of her characters, the negative impact humans have had on their environment simmers underneath the plot of Oryx and Crake. Besides discussing the changes a reader would notice from their current world to the future reality of the book (such as an environment that cannot produce certain foods etc), Atwood draws a comparison between the environment of an “underdeveloped” (although arguably more natural) rural town and a busy, polluted city, which is relevant today as the juxtaposition between a polluted city negatively impacted by the high population would be a culture shock for persons used to a slower lifestyle with more thought given to the environment.
“The city was a chaos, filled with people and cars and noise and bad smells and a language that was hard to understand…rolling them up neatly was the first thing the new children had to learn” (155)
Atwood also focuses on the issue of global warming and smaller amount of protection from the sun afforded to us by the ozone layer. Although at this point in time (eg 2013) the atmosphere is not as bad as it is in Oryx and Crake, Atwood is making the point that in her world, humans have devastated the ozone to the point where humans experience consequences and there is no return .
“Noon is the worst, with its glare and humidity... tube of heavy-duty sunblock, supposing he could ever find one” (43). (Livie)
Atwood, Margaret. Oryx and Crake. Toronto: Random House, 2004.
Throughout the book. Atwood argues against the benefits of creating a utopian environment. When Crake sets out to develop a utopian environment, he creates a drug called "BlyssPluss Pills," a drug with many benefits including "prolong[ing[ youth" (355). However, the main intention of the drug was to become a "worldwide plague" to erase mankind (390). The reality is a utopia environment requires humans to be destroyed in order to save the environment. (Tasha)
Atwood, Margaret. Oryx and Crake. Toronto: Random House, 2004.
Margaret Atwood’s proposal is that humans neglected to act when damages to the environment could have been halted or decelerated. In this novel, the world’s climate has changed; there is now a wet season, tornados, and a scorching and glaring sun. The humans let their environment reach a point of total alteration. In Atwood’s book and in our world, events correspond to changes in the seasons. In many cultures, the school year stops in summer and resumes in autumn. While many students now reside in urban centers, these cultures are rooted in agrarian beginnings when children had to leave school to help with the harvest. In O&C, Jimmy’s graduation date has changed because of the climate; “the ceremony used to take place in June; the weather then used to be sunny and moderate. But June was now the wet season…and you couldn’t have an outdoor event then, what with the thunderstorms.” (173). The second passage identifies the sun as rabid and burning. She writes, “he’s got the sheet over his head, draped himself as much as possible… but he could still burn, despite the sun block and the two layers of cloth.” (283). (Brigitte)
Atwood, Margaret. Oryx and Crake. Toronto: Random House, 2004.
Throughout the book, Atwood introduces (the topic of extinction through an online game that Crake plays). ‘"Want to play extinction?"
“Extinction?” [...] The boring Web interactive with all the defunct animals and plants.’ (259).
Atwood’s overall argument regards the idea of all animals and plants being extinct, that one day there will be virtual cats and animals. It provides a possibility of the way people, in the future, may have mutated and virtual animals.
This passage provides insight to the argument about environmental impacts because plants and animals are part of our environment today and without them many resources are cut off such as food. (Sarah)
environmental impact: ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
"Extinction of Large Animals Due to Humans, Climate Change?" www.hindustantimes.com/. Hindustan Times, 06 Mar. 2012. Web. 04 Mar. 2013.
This source outlines the problem of animal extinction, and the role that humans play in these extinctions. I think that this source would bring up the conversation of how humans affect the species on our planet, and in what ways. It is interesting to consider that the way we live our lives may be hurting the species on our planet. This source seems very reputable, because it is an article from a newspaper. (Lexi)
Phares, Noelle. "Mother Nature: The Master Innovator (As Usual)." Green Conduct. Green Conduct, 21 Feb 2013. Web. 5 Mar 2013.
Noelle Phare’s article outlines that such simple organisms can solve such complicated problems, even though technology has become increasingly efficient. This source exemplifies the possibility of the environment leading the way towards carbon capture and additionally is more efficient in the costs and the functions. This article is directly related to the environmental impacts of Oryx and Crake.This would bring a different outlook on the benefits of a sustainable environment because it goes beyond and solves potential problems. This source is reliable because it is a current source as it was recently published. The author, Noelle Phares, has a BS in Biochemistry from University of California. As well She has since worked for numerous nonprofit institutions including the Global Energy Network Institute. As well this source sites where the information is from which are sources from University of Berkley and other official science news websites. (Sarah)
Shah, Anup. “Climate Change Affects Biodiversity.” Global Issues. 03 Mar. 2012. Web. 04 Mar. 2013.
The source contains a wide range of information, from statistics and diagrams to images and analysis. I think it would bring insight into the impacts that global warming has on globalization, as well as specifics on the science behind it to use as support. The author sources all the pictures and stats back to scholarly sources, which makes me think that their information is factual and reliable. (Charlotte)
Stone, Daniel. “How Green was the ‘Green Pope?’” National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 28 Feb. 2013.
Web. 2 Mar. 2013.
This article written by Daniel Stone is about Pope Benedict XVI and his special interest in the environment. He covered Vatican’s Paul VI hall with solar panels, enough to power lighting, heating, and cooling for the whole country which is approximately one fifth of a square mile. By funding a Hungarian forest, he authorized the Vatican’s bank to purchase carbon credits. It also talks about how Benedict’s initiatives for the environment are not fully spiritual, it is also about improving the quality of life. This article gave brief information about the retiring pope. It was not extremely detailed, therefore multiple audiences can read it. Also, the article was not biased however, when I read the title I thought it would question the Pope’s green initiatives. It actually gave information without any opinion. (Zoe)
"Wind turbines causing health problems, some Ont. residents say." CBC News [Toronto, Ontario] 14 April 2009, n. pag. Web. 05 Mar. 2013.
This source outlines the underlying health issues caused by wind energy, a source deemed to be a sustainable source of energy. I believe this source will bring up the negative impact of wind energy and how everything has pros and cons, and they must be outweighed. CBC is a reputable news source and this article includes input from experts from John Hopkins University of Medicine, a well known and trusted medical school. (Tasha)
Porritt, Jonathan “Population Growth Impacts Biodiversity”. The Ecologist. Ecologist, 17 September 2012. Web. March 4 2013.
The article discusses the relationship between population and the environment, specifically how they are often considered to be “two separate issues,” but are in fact directly related. The article written in first person and a bias is clear: the author clearly considers the decrease and negative impacts on biodiversity a result of human expansion. However, Mr. Porritt uses a variety of sources, such as a report from the WWF and one from The Royal Society, to back up his point and lend authority to his voice. (Livie)
Carter , Shan, Amanda Cox, et al. China's Environmental Crisis . 2007. Photograph. New York Times, New York City . Web. 4 Apr 2013.
The most significant point from this source would be the incredible interdependence of economic growth and environmental crisis and degradation. This data chart/map of China highlights the different forms of environment impact, including acid rain plaguing 30 percent of the country, the land turning in desert because of forest burnings, and water scarcity (affecting 600 million people). The data sheet about China is sourced from accredited sources such as World Bank, China State Environmental Protection Agency, China State Statistical Bureau and European Space Agency. (Brigitte)
Hen. Pollution in China. 2013. Photograph. New York Times , New York City . Web. 4 Apr 2013.
This is source is a comic that depicts a business man in a car labelled China’s economy. As it is speeding away, it lestruggling cyclist, the workers, breathing in the terrible fumes from the car. The tag line is “Fresh air is a casualty of China’s economic expansion.” (Brigitte)
"On Our Radar: Cans of ‘Fresh Air’." New York Times . 31 1 2013: n. page. Print.
The New York Times article is about how a business man is selling cans of fresh air to make a point about the air pollution in China's urban centers. This are from the New York Times. (Brigitte)
This source outlines the problem of animal extinction, and the role that humans play in these extinctions. I think that this source would bring up the conversation of how humans affect the species on our planet, and in what ways. It is interesting to consider that the way we live our lives may be hurting the species on our planet. This source seems very reputable, because it is an article from a newspaper. (Lexi)
Phares, Noelle. "Mother Nature: The Master Innovator (As Usual)." Green Conduct. Green Conduct, 21 Feb 2013. Web. 5 Mar 2013.
Noelle Phare’s article outlines that such simple organisms can solve such complicated problems, even though technology has become increasingly efficient. This source exemplifies the possibility of the environment leading the way towards carbon capture and additionally is more efficient in the costs and the functions. This article is directly related to the environmental impacts of Oryx and Crake.This would bring a different outlook on the benefits of a sustainable environment because it goes beyond and solves potential problems. This source is reliable because it is a current source as it was recently published. The author, Noelle Phares, has a BS in Biochemistry from University of California. As well She has since worked for numerous nonprofit institutions including the Global Energy Network Institute. As well this source sites where the information is from which are sources from University of Berkley and other official science news websites. (Sarah)
Shah, Anup. “Climate Change Affects Biodiversity.” Global Issues. 03 Mar. 2012. Web. 04 Mar. 2013.
The source contains a wide range of information, from statistics and diagrams to images and analysis. I think it would bring insight into the impacts that global warming has on globalization, as well as specifics on the science behind it to use as support. The author sources all the pictures and stats back to scholarly sources, which makes me think that their information is factual and reliable. (Charlotte)
Stone, Daniel. “How Green was the ‘Green Pope?’” National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 28 Feb. 2013.
Web. 2 Mar. 2013.
This article written by Daniel Stone is about Pope Benedict XVI and his special interest in the environment. He covered Vatican’s Paul VI hall with solar panels, enough to power lighting, heating, and cooling for the whole country which is approximately one fifth of a square mile. By funding a Hungarian forest, he authorized the Vatican’s bank to purchase carbon credits. It also talks about how Benedict’s initiatives for the environment are not fully spiritual, it is also about improving the quality of life. This article gave brief information about the retiring pope. It was not extremely detailed, therefore multiple audiences can read it. Also, the article was not biased however, when I read the title I thought it would question the Pope’s green initiatives. It actually gave information without any opinion. (Zoe)
"Wind turbines causing health problems, some Ont. residents say." CBC News [Toronto, Ontario] 14 April 2009, n. pag. Web. 05 Mar. 2013.
This source outlines the underlying health issues caused by wind energy, a source deemed to be a sustainable source of energy. I believe this source will bring up the negative impact of wind energy and how everything has pros and cons, and they must be outweighed. CBC is a reputable news source and this article includes input from experts from John Hopkins University of Medicine, a well known and trusted medical school. (Tasha)
Porritt, Jonathan “Population Growth Impacts Biodiversity”. The Ecologist. Ecologist, 17 September 2012. Web. March 4 2013.
The article discusses the relationship between population and the environment, specifically how they are often considered to be “two separate issues,” but are in fact directly related. The article written in first person and a bias is clear: the author clearly considers the decrease and negative impacts on biodiversity a result of human expansion. However, Mr. Porritt uses a variety of sources, such as a report from the WWF and one from The Royal Society, to back up his point and lend authority to his voice. (Livie)
Carter , Shan, Amanda Cox, et al. China's Environmental Crisis . 2007. Photograph. New York Times, New York City . Web. 4 Apr 2013.
The most significant point from this source would be the incredible interdependence of economic growth and environmental crisis and degradation. This data chart/map of China highlights the different forms of environment impact, including acid rain plaguing 30 percent of the country, the land turning in desert because of forest burnings, and water scarcity (affecting 600 million people). The data sheet about China is sourced from accredited sources such as World Bank, China State Environmental Protection Agency, China State Statistical Bureau and European Space Agency. (Brigitte)
Hen. Pollution in China. 2013. Photograph. New York Times , New York City . Web. 4 Apr 2013.
This is source is a comic that depicts a business man in a car labelled China’s economy. As it is speeding away, it lestruggling cyclist, the workers, breathing in the terrible fumes from the car. The tag line is “Fresh air is a casualty of China’s economic expansion.” (Brigitte)
"On Our Radar: Cans of ‘Fresh Air’." New York Times . 31 1 2013: n. page. Print.
The New York Times article is about how a business man is selling cans of fresh air to make a point about the air pollution in China's urban centers. This are from the New York Times. (Brigitte)