Clean Coal

Upon entering the two main sites, I was more attracted to the "America's Power" website because it opens up with easy to navigate tabs and it seems to appeal to the everyday person. The "This is Reality" website was not difficult to navigate, but I found that, in order to find more information, I had to click several tabs before I could read what I was after. Though the intro to the "This is Reality" website was amusing, I did not like how they referred to the facts they were presenting as "realities," implying that we are all unaware of the facts.

Both sites are addressing the issue of clean coal technology, which is any technology that works toward minimizing or completely eliminating pollution due to the use of coal. They agree that the gases that are released need to be captured, but "America's Power" presents the information as if pollution has already been drastically reduced whereas "This is Reality" presents the information as if the coal industry has done nothing to solve the problem. "This is Reality" says there is no such thing as clean coal, and unless companies start capturing and storing the carbon dioxide they produce, America should start using other sources for energy. Basically, "This is Reality" implies that coal is not necessary to run our homes. This site appeals to a younger population, which can be seen through the appearance of the website, the blunt, straight forward way it addresses the public, and it's humorous but non factual advertisements. "America's Power" acknowledges other energy sources, but points out the disadvantages, such as the expensive price or the dependency on other nations to get those resources. This website's target audience - middle class working people - is a little more obvious, with pictures, videos, and statements from people on the home page.

The sites are both sponsored by companies who would be very interested in their message. For example, "America's Power" is sponsored by a company that is partnered with coal based industries. "This is Reality" is sponsored by companies that advocate conservation and preservation, such as The Alliance for Climate Protection and the National Wildlife Federation, so both sites are supported by groups that are exploiting their interests, which gives neither site credibility over the other.

"America's Power" appeals to the emotions of the middle class population by making it very clear that coal is the most affordable energy option and providing video testimonies from a few fellow middle class workers. This is effective because they are reaching a broad audience that most people can fit in. "This is Reality" appeals to activists and a seemingly younger crowd trying to "make a difference" and stop global warming. This is effective because, as of late, the number of people supporting cleaner air and less waste is ever increasing. "America's Power" uses simple visuals on their site, providing lots of graphs and pictures of everyday people doing their job. "This is Reality" uses more complex visuals, such as a canary that reminds people that the days of toxic gases from coal are not over, and it is a very straightforward way of saying coal is not safe.

I find "America's Power" to be more persuasive because it appeals to me as a person who is trying to save money while still living comfortably. It provides graphs and data from reputable sources that say coal is getting cleaner. "This is Reality" provides several redundant quotes, while attacking coal companies, but rarely backing up their information. I was more convinced by the "America's Power" website, but which site is right is another story.