A deeply reported personal investigation by a Miami journalist examines the present and future effects of climate change in the Magic City — a watery harbinger for coastal cities worldwide.
Miami, Florida, is likely to be entirely underwater by the end of this century. Residents are already starting to see the effects of sea level rise today. From sunny day flooding caused by higher tides to a sewer system on the brink of total collapse, the city undeniably lives in a climate changed world.
In Disposable City, Miami resident Mario Alejandro Ariza shows us not only what climate change looks like on the ground today, but also what Miami will look like 100 years from now, and how that future has been shaped by the city’s racist past and present. As politicians continue to kick the can down the road and Miami becomes increasingly unlivable, real estate vultures and wealthy residents will be able to get out or move to higher ground, but the most vulnerable communities, disproportionately composed of people of color, will face flood damage, rising housing costs, dangerously higher temperatures, and stronger hurricanes that they can’t afford to escape.
Miami may be on the front lines of climate change, but the battle it’s fighting today is coming for the rest of the U.S. — and the rest of the world — far sooner than we could have imagined even a decade ago. Disposable City is a thoughtful portrait of both a vibrant city with a unique culture and the social, economic, and psychic costs of climate change that call us to act before it’s too late.
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
Step 1: Understand the Assignment Prompt
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Read carefully what is being asked: this text is about Miami’s climate change crisis and its broader implications.
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Identify the focus areas: climate change impacts, social/economic inequality, future risks, and political inaction.
Step 2: Draft a Clear Thesis Statement
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Your thesis should state your main argument about Miami and climate change. Example:
“Miami’s struggle with climate change highlights how environmental crises deepen existing racial and economic inequalities, serving as a warning for other coastal cities worldwide.”
Step 3: Plan Your Paper Structure
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Introduction
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Start with a hook (e.g., a fact about Miami’s flooding).
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Provide background on climate change in Miami.
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End with your thesis statement.
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Body Paragraphs
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Paragraph 1: Explain the current climate challenges (flooding, sewer issues, extreme heat).
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Paragraph 2: Discuss the role of inequality (communities of color facing the worst impacts).
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Paragraph 3: Explore political inaction and its consequences.
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Paragraph 4: Compare Miami to other global coastal cities.
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Conclusion
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Summarize key points.
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Restate why this issue matters globally.
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End with a call to action or reflection.
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Step 4: Use Evidence Effectively
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Cite examples from the book (Disposable City).
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Include statistics or real-world events to strengthen your points.
Step 5: Revise and Proofread
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Check for flow, grammar, and clarity.
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Ensure each paragraph ties back to your thesis.
Step 6: Format Properly
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Follow your professor’s citation style (APA/MLA/Chicago).
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Include a bibliography with all sources.
Helpful Resources for Research & Writing
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Disposable City: Climate Change and Miami’s Sinking Future appeared first on Skilled Papers.
