This collection investigates the intersection of environmental crisis and rhetorical composition by providing a curated set of readings designed to sharpen student writing skills through the lens of ecological awareness. The authors, Dennis Morgan Okerstrom and Sarah J. Morgan, assemble a diverse array of texts to challenge students to engage with complex environmental issues while mastering various modes of academic and persuasive writing. By grounding composition exercises in urgent, real-world topics, the text aims to bridge the gap between technical writing proficiency and informed civic participation.

The text functions as a specialized pedagogical tool, emphasizing the integration of environmental literacy into standard college-level composition curricula. Its focus on thematic cohesion suggests a structured approach intended for classroom use rather than general interest reading.