Efficiency is the Energy of the Future, and the Present

As the modern world is becoming increasingly dependent on technology and therefore energy, efficiency is a topic that must be addressed. Peter Lehner, an executive director of the Natural Resource Defense Council, successfully addresses the need of energy efficiency in his op-ed, Efficiency is the Energy of the Future, and the Present. In this op-ed, Lehner provides a compelling argument for the importance of energy efficiency using incredibly successful rhetoric.

One instance of Lehner's successful rhetoric is his use of rhetorical questions. When beginning his op-ed, Lehner asks "which energy source has had the biggest impact on meeting America's energy needs over the past forty years?" He then answers this question, stating that "It's not coal. It's not oil. Not wind or nuclear. Believe it or not, it's even bigger than all of those combined." This is successful rhetoric because he draws the reader's attention by ruling out the answers that the reader is most likely to think of. This creates a pull of curiosity that forces the reader to continue reading in order to find the answer to Lehner's question.

Another rhetoric technique Lehner uses is ethos, defined as character appeal. Lehner creates character appeal when he states that "scientists agree we need to do more in order to stabilize the climate." This is an example of ethos because he uses scientists as endorsers of his own belief. This, in turn, makes his belief appear sound because scientists, which are generally respected for their knowledge, are in support of it, developing a successful rhetoric.

Lehner advances even further, using the rhetoric technique know as pathos, defined as emotional appeal. An example of this emotional appeal that Lehner uses is when he asks another rhetorical question: "How many more gadgets Americans have at home now than we did at the turn of the century, how many more chargers are plugged into every wall socket?" This is an example of pathos because it creates guilt among the readers because charging phones and other devices is truly relatable. Nearly everyone has had the experience of charging something or another. This creates guilt because Lehner continues on to state that the increase in gadgets, such as chargers, that we use is destroying the Earth, and therefore, the reader is responsible for this destruction, devising a powerful rhetoric that drives the reader to do as Lehner suggests in order to relieve this guilt.

Additionally, Lehner uses logos, the rhetoric technique defined as intellectual appeal. Throughout his op-ed, Lehner states a multitude of facts including "thanks to efficiency, Americans are already on track to meet President Barack Obama's target of a 17-percent reduction in carbon pollution by 2020" as well as "continuing to burn coal and oil in our power plants and gas tanks costs the nation more than $100 billion each year in premature death and illness, hospital bills, work days lost and other health costs." This is successful rhetoric, as it reasons why the readers needs to listen to Lehner's solutions as well as the good that will come from following as he says.

A final example of Lehner's rhetoric is not necessarily defined as a term. The diction Lehner chooses and the ideas that he states are appealing because they better the world. He states "efficiency efforts are already saving Americans hundreds of billions of dollars a year, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs, and reducing carbon pollution, all while costing far less than developing new sources of energy." This is appealing to all because it creates a better environment for the world, improving the economy as well.

Although Lehner has an interesting argument, the rhetoric he uses to present it is just as interesting. Lehner asks rhetorical questions, urging the reader to continue reading to find the answer. He also uses ethos, making his argument appear sound. Furthermore, he applies pathos in order for his argument to embody emotional appeal. Additionally, Lehner uses logos to persuade the reader to support his argument by giving statistics to show the good that will result. Lastly, Lehner's argument appeals because of what he is arguing for, a better world, a common want of everyone. Clearly, by analyzing Lehner's rhetorical techniques, it can be concluded that his argument is incredibly successful, persuading readers to do just as he believes.