Quoting Bitzer’s “Political Rhetoric,” Herrick explains that “Rhetoric is employed ‘to find common meaning, unifying symbols, and ways of acting together, and thus promoting cooperation” (2021, p. 230). That is exactly what this “campaign” is showcasing. Emotion-based appeal draws out the personal relevance in climate change, changing it from a phenomenon into a reality. Drawing on the work from Aristotle, Burke, and Bitzer, we can see how this emotion derived rhetoric is an effective persuasive tool in areas like climate change campaigns.
In climate change efforts, pathos, the rhetorical appeal to emotion, is a persuasive strategy because it turns impersonal facts into intensely relatable experiences. Although scientific facts and statistics can provide information, people are motivated to act by emotion. By presenting true or genuine accounts of people affected by climate change, such as a child who must leave home because of rising sea levels, this site shows how rhetoric uses emotions/ personal relevance to persude. By evoking empathy, these emotional stories transform climate change from a far-off, worldwide issue into one that is immediate and approachable. A good use of pathos also appeals to common ideals, such as justice, safety, family, and the future. Campaigns that pose the question, "What kind of world are we leaving for our children?" appeal to a universal feeling of duty and love. Emotionally charged phrases, such as "The Earth is on fire" or "Our home is crying," evoke strong mental images that give the situation a sense of urgency and reality. Feelings like dread, grief, or shame are evoked by this kind of language, and they can be strong promoters of political pressure and behavioral change. Furthermore, pathos can evoke hope, resilience, and group strength in addition to dread and sadness. Unity-focused campaigns, such as "Together, we can still change the story," empower individuals rather than overwhelm them by fostering a sense of community and common purpose. Lastly, pathos creates a sense of justice by referencing ethical responsibility and emphasizing how the most vulnerable suffer the most despite making the least contribution. In addition to making viewers care, it makes them feel obligated to react. Pathos transforms climate change from a technical problem into an emotional and moral call to action.