Climate change and its impact on global economic stability is a topic of growing importance in IELTS Writing Task 2. This theme has appeared frequently in recent years and is likely to continue being a popular subject for examination. Based on analysis of past IELTS questions, we’ve identified a relevant prompt that closely aligns with this topic:
Some people believe that climate change will have a devastating impact on the global economy. Others think its effects on economic stability have been exaggerated. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Let’s analyze this question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Question Analysis
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss two contrasting views on climate change’s impact on the global economy
- Present arguments for both perspectives
- Provide their own opinion on the issue
The essay should have a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs discussing both viewpoints, and a conclusion that includes the writer’s opinion.
Sample Essay for Band 8
Climate change has become a pressing global concern, with its potential effects on the world economy being a subject of intense debate. While some argue that climate change will have catastrophic consequences for economic stability, others contend that these impacts have been overstated. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own view on this critical issue.
Those who believe climate change will devastate the global economy point to several compelling factors. Firstly, extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts are becoming more frequent and severe, causing billions of dollars in damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and property. This not only results in immediate economic losses but also requires significant long-term investment in recovery and adaptation. Moreover, rising sea levels threaten coastal cities and industrial areas, potentially displacing millions of people and disrupting major economic centers. The World Bank estimates that climate change could push an additional 100 million people into poverty by 2030, further straining global economic resources.
On the other hand, skeptics argue that the economic impacts of climate change have been exaggerated. They contend that technological advancements and human adaptability will mitigate many of the predicted consequences. For instance, innovations in agriculture, such as drought-resistant crops and more efficient irrigation systems, could help maintain food production in changing climates. Additionally, the transition to renewable energy sources is creating new industries and job opportunities, potentially offsetting losses in traditional sectors. Some economists also argue that gradual climate change will allow economies to adapt over time, reducing the shock to global financial systems.
Infographic showing climate change impact on global economy
In my opinion, while the full extent of climate change’s impact on the global economy may be difficult to predict with certainty, the potential risks are too significant to ignore. The interconnected nature of the modern global economy means that disruptions in one region can have far-reaching consequences worldwide. Even if some regions benefit from climate change in the short term, the overall destabilizing effect on global markets, supply chains, and human migration patterns is likely to create widespread economic challenges. Therefore, it is crucial to take proactive measures to mitigate climate change and prepare economies for its potential impacts.
In conclusion, the debate over climate change’s effect on economic stability reflects the complexity of this issue. While some foresee devastating consequences and others believe the impacts are overstated, the reality likely lies somewhere in between. Given the high stakes involved, a prudent approach would be to implement robust climate policies and invest in adaptive strategies to ensure long-term economic resilience in the face of environmental changes.
(Word count: 465)
Band 8 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a Band 8 response:
Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and clearly presenting the writer’s opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. It uses a variety of cohesive devices effectively.
Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately, with good use of less common lexical items.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay displays a wide range of structures with flexibility and accuracy. There are no noticeable errors.
Development of Ideas: Ideas are well-developed, extended, and supported throughout the essay.
Sample Essay for Band 6-7
Climate change is a big topic these days, and people have different ideas about how it will affect the world’s economy. Some think it will cause a lot of problems, while others say it’s not as bad as we think. I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.
People who worry about climate change say it will hurt the economy in many ways. First, there are more natural disasters like floods and storms, which damage buildings, farms, and roads. This costs a lot of money to fix. Also, as the temperature gets warmer, some places might not be able to grow food like before, which could make food prices go up. Another problem is that some cities near the ocean might be flooded if sea levels rise, and this would be very expensive to deal with.
However, some people think these problems are not as serious as others say. They believe that humans can find ways to solve these issues. For example, we can invent new ways to grow food in different climates or build better buildings that can handle storms. They also say that fighting climate change can create new jobs, like in renewable energy, which could be good for the economy.
Illustration of climate change adaptation strategies
In my opinion, climate change is a real problem that will affect the economy, but maybe not as badly as some people think. I believe we need to take it seriously and start making changes now to avoid bigger problems in the future. This could include using more clean energy and finding ways to protect important places from natural disasters.
To conclude, climate change will probably have some negative effects on the global economy, but how bad these effects will be is still not clear. It’s important for countries to work together to find solutions that can help protect the economy and the environment at the same time.
(Word count: 339)
Band 6-7 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates characteristics of a Band 6-7 response:
Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, though some aspects are developed more fully than others.
Coherence and Cohesion: There is a clear overall progression, though cohesive devices are not always used effectively.
Lexical Resource: An adequate range of vocabulary is used, though there is limited evidence of less common lexical items.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A mix of simple and complex sentence forms is used, with some errors that do not impede communication.
Development of Ideas: Main ideas are present but could be more fully extended and supported.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Catastrophic (adjective) /ˌkætəˈstrɒfɪk/ – causing sudden great damage or suffering
- Mitigate (verb) /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ – make less severe, serious, or painful
- Resilience (noun) /rɪˈzɪliəns/ – the ability to recover quickly from difficulties
- Adaptation (noun) /ˌædæpˈteɪʃn/ – the process of changing to suit different conditions
- Infrastructure (noun) /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə(r)/ – the basic physical and organizational structures needed for operation of a society or enterprise
- Destabilizing (adjective) /diːˈsteɪbəlaɪzɪŋ/ – causing a system or situation to lose stability
- Proactive (adjective) /prəʊˈæktɪv/ – creating or controlling a situation rather than just responding to it
- Interconnected (adjective) /ˌɪntəkəˈnektɪd/ – having different parts or elements connected or related
- Exaggerated (adjective) /ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪtɪd/ – represented as being larger, better, or worse than it really is
- Devastating (adjective) /ˈdevəsteɪtɪŋ/ – highly destructive or damaging
Conclusion
The topic of climate change and its impact on global economic stability is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The role of international cooperation in addressing climate change
- The economic benefits and challenges of transitioning to renewable energy
- The responsibility of developed vs. developing nations in climate action
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and support your arguments with relevant examples. We encourage you to practice writing an essay on the given topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active engagement will help you improve your writing skills and prepare more effectively for the IELTS exam.
Should fast fashion brands be regulated to prevent environmental harm is another related topic that explores the intersection of industry practices and environmental impact. Understanding these interconnected issues can help you develop a more comprehensive perspective on global economic and environmental challenges.