Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore

It is Rush’s belief that “organized retreat” represents “one of the few adaptive strategies that feels appropriately humble, and at the same time, acknowledges the scale of the threat” (249). What are some specific examples that Rush uses to engage the reader in her argument?

There are many times when Rush raises concern about using human interventions to fix the climate crisis, which is due to human interventions in the landscape. Do you think Rush’s criticism of these interventions is fair? Why or why not?

Even though Rising is about the lived experiences of people impacted by climate change along the coast, Rush rarely uses this term. Why do you think this is the case?

Is the restoration of wetlands to their original state a viable strategy for combatting the climate crisis? How would Rush respond to your argument?

Names play an important role throughout Rising. Why does Rush focus so heavily on names? Use examples from the text. Do you think it is likely that everyday Americans will be persuaded to learn all the names Rush introduces? Why or why not?

While Rising is filled with first-person accounts and dispatches, Rush also chooses to insert her own personal reactions into the narrative. Why does she do this? Do you think it strengthens or detracts from the stories being told?

Rush divides her book into four sections: “The Password,” “Rampikes,” “Rhizomes,” and “Rising.” Why did she arrange her text in this manner? What effect does the arrangement have on the reader’s understanding of the vulnerability and resiliency of humans and nature alike?

Using examples from Rising, discuss why impoverished and marginalized communities are hit hardest by environmental degradation. Do you think adaptive strategies to the climate crisis will lessen or exacerbate economic and social inequality? How would Rush respond to your argument?