Climate change and its impact on poverty is a critical topic that has been gaining prominence in IELTS Writing Task 2. Based on recent trends and the increasing global focus on environmental issues, it’s highly likely that this theme will continue to appear in future IELTS exams. Let’s explore a sample question and learn how to craft a compelling essay on this subject.
Analyzing the Question
Some people believe that climate change is the main cause of increasing global poverty. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
This question asks for your opinion on the relationship between climate change and global poverty. It’s essential to understand that you need to:
- Clearly state your position (agree, disagree, or partially agree)
- Provide reasons and examples to support your stance
- Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree
Sample Essay (Band 8-9)
Here’s a high-scoring sample essay that addresses the question effectively:
Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global issues of our time, with far-reaching consequences that extend beyond environmental concerns. While some argue that it is the primary driver of increasing global poverty, I partially agree with this statement. Although climate change undoubtedly exacerbates poverty in many regions, it is crucial to recognize that poverty is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors.
Undeniably, climate change has a significant impact on poverty levels, particularly in vulnerable communities. Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, can devastate local economies and livelihoods. For instance, small-scale farmers in sub-Saharan Africa often face crop failures due to unpredictable rainfall patterns, pushing them deeper into poverty. Similarly, low-lying coastal areas in Southeast Asia are increasingly at risk of flooding, forcing inhabitants to relocate and abandon their traditional sources of income.
Moreover, climate change indirectly contributes to poverty through its effects on health and resources. Rising temperatures facilitate the spread of infectious diseases like malaria and dengue fever, increasing healthcare costs and reducing productivity in affected regions. Additionally, the depletion of natural resources, such as fish stocks and forests, due to changing environmental conditions, can strip communities of their economic foundations, leading to widespread poverty.
However, it would be an oversimplification to attribute global poverty solely to climate change. Other significant factors, including political instability, economic policies, and social inequalities, play crucial roles in perpetuating poverty. For example, corruption and poor governance in many developing countries hinder economic growth and equitable distribution of resources, regardless of climate conditions. Furthermore, global economic systems that favor wealthy nations often disadvantage poorer countries, creating barriers to development that are not directly related to climate change.
In conclusion, while climate change undoubtedly exacerbates global poverty, it is not the sole cause. A comprehensive approach to addressing poverty must consider the complex interplay of environmental, political, and economic factors. Efforts to combat poverty should therefore include both climate change mitigation strategies and broader socio-economic reforms to create more resilient and equitable societies.
(Word count: 345)
Climate change impact on global poverty
Sample Essay (Band 6-7)
Here’s a sample essay that would typically score in the Band 6-7 range:
Climate change is a big problem in the world today, and some people think it is the main reason for increasing global poverty. I partly agree with this idea because climate change does cause problems that can make people poorer, but I also think there are other important reasons for poverty.
Climate change can make people poorer in several ways. First, it causes more natural disasters like floods and droughts. These disasters can destroy crops and homes, making people lose their income and property. For example, farmers in India might lose their crops because of less rain, which means they earn less money. Second, climate change can make some diseases spread more easily, which makes people spend more money on healthcare and miss work.
However, I don’t think climate change is the only reason for global poverty. There are other important factors too. For instance, some countries have unfair political systems or wars that keep people poor. Also, some countries don’t have good education systems, which makes it hard for people to get good jobs and earn more money. These problems can make people poor even if there was no climate change.
In conclusion, I believe that climate change does contribute to global poverty, but it’s not the only cause. To solve the problem of poverty, we need to deal with climate change, but we also need to fix other issues like political problems and improve education. Only by addressing all these factors can we really help reduce poverty around the world.
(Word count: 253)
Key Writing Tips
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Structure: Both essays follow a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The higher-band essay has more sophisticated paragraph development.
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Vocabulary: The Band 8-9 essay uses more advanced vocabulary and phrases like “exacerbates,” “far-reaching consequences,” and “equitable distribution.” The Band 6-7 essay uses simpler language but still conveys the main ideas effectively.
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Grammar: The higher-band essay demonstrates a wider range of complex sentence structures, while the Band 6-7 essay uses simpler constructions but maintains grammatical accuracy.
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Task Response: Both essays address the question directly, but the Band 8-9 essay provides more nuanced analysis and examples.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The Band 8-9 essay uses more sophisticated linking words and phrases, creating a smoother flow between ideas.
Vocabulary to Remember
- Exacerbate (verb) /ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt/ – to make a problem worse
- Vulnerable (adjective) /ˈvʌlnərəbl/ – easily hurt or harmed
- Mitigation (noun) /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃn/ – the act of reducing the severity of something
- Resilient (adjective) /rɪˈzɪliənt/ – able to recover quickly from difficulties
- Perpetuate (verb) /pərˈpetʃueɪt/ – to make something continue indefinitely
- Equitable (adjective) /ˈekwɪtəbl/ – fair and impartial
- Devastate (verb) /ˈdevəsteɪt/ – to destroy or ruin
- Unpredictable (adjective) /ˌʌnprɪˈdɪktəbl/ – not able to be foreseen or known beforehand
Conclusion
The Impact Of Climate Change On Poverty is a complex and relevant topic for IELTS Writing Task 2. To excel in writing about this subject, focus on developing a clear stance, providing specific examples, and using a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures appropriate to your target band score. Practice writing essays on related topics such as environmental conservation, economic inequality, and sustainable development to broaden your skills.
We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice will help you improve your writing skills and prepare effectively for the IELTS exam. Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing is consistent practice and thoughtful analysis of your work.
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