"Reefer Sadness" - A Review

In a recent article titled "Reefer Sadness," published on grist.org, the author has quoted scientists from the World Conservation Union (IUCN) as saying, "...warming seas and increased hurricanes affected more than half of Caribbean coral reefs in 2005..." This thesis statement written near the beginning of the article goes on to say that this is "... a devastation likely to become a regular event." Unfortunately nowhere in the article does the author present any evidence as to a pattern for this type of destruction taking place within the oceans of the earth, nor does the author clearly state what percentage of the world's total reefs were affected.

It is apparent that the author was gearing the article toward an uneducated audience by using a shock and awe strategy to engage readers that would be interested not in the scientific facts or validity of the argument, but instead in the misnomer of "Reefer Sadness" alluding to the subject of drugs instead of the underwater phenomenon that is being discussed within the article. All in all the opening of the article does draw the readers attention, however it has to be questioned whether the strategy used to draw in the reader is appropriate for the context of the argument being presented. Furthermore, there is not enough evidence or factual information being presented for this article to fully inform the reader of the subject being discussed. The author needs to go back into the article and expound upon the evidence that supports the claims being made.