Climate change and its impact on ocean ecosystems is a pressing global issue that has gained significant attention in recent years. This topic has appeared in various forms in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions, reflecting its importance in academic and public discourse. Based on past exam trends and current environmental concerns, it’s highly likely that questions related to climate change and ocean ecosystems will continue to feature prominently in future IELTS tests.

Let’s examine a relevant IELTS Writing Task 2 question that aligns closely with this theme:

Some people believe that climate change is the biggest threat to ocean ecosystems, while others think overfishing is a more serious problem. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Analysis of the Question

This question requires candidates to:

1. Discuss two viewpoints: climate change and overfishing as threats to ocean ecosystems
2. Compare these threats
3. Provide a personal opinion on which is more serious

It’s a classic example of a discussion essay with an opinion component, common in IELTS Writing Task 2.

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

Climate change and overfishing are two of the most significant threats facing our oceans today. While both issues pose serious risks to marine ecosystems, I believe that climate change represents a more pervasive and long-lasting danger.

Those who argue that overfishing is the primary threat to ocean ecosystems have valid concerns. Overfishing disrupts marine food chains, depletes fish populations, and can lead to the collapse of entire species. For example, the dramatic decline of cod in the North Atlantic due to excessive fishing has had far-reaching consequences for the region’s marine biodiversity. Moreover, unsustainable fishing practices, such as bottom trawling, cause direct damage to ocean habitats, destroying coral reefs and sea floors that are crucial for marine life.

However, the impacts of climate change on ocean ecosystems are arguably more severe and wide-ranging. Rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and changing currents are altering marine habitats on a global scale. These changes affect not just individual species but entire ecosystems. Coral bleaching events, caused by warming waters, have devastated vast areas of coral reefs, which are home to a quarter of all marine species. Additionally, ocean acidification, resulting from increased absorption of carbon dioxide, is making it difficult for shellfish and other calcifying organisms to form their shells and skeletons, threatening the base of many marine food webs.

The impact of climate change on global fisheries extends beyond direct environmental effects. It also exacerbates the problem of overfishing by altering fish migration patterns and reducing the overall productivity of marine ecosystems. This creates a compounding effect, where climate change makes fish populations more vulnerable to overfishing, and overfishing reduces the resilience of marine ecosystems to climate change.

In my opinion, while both issues require urgent attention, climate change poses a more significant long-term threat to ocean ecosystems. The global and systemic nature of climate change makes it a more challenging problem to address and mitigate. Unlike overfishing, which can be managed through policy changes and enforcement of fishing regulations, addressing climate change requires a fundamental shift in global energy systems and consumption patterns.

In conclusion, while overfishing is undoubtedly a serious issue, the all-encompassing and long-lasting impacts of climate change on ocean ecosystems make it the more critical threat. Addressing both problems is essential for the health of our oceans, but tackling climate change should be the priority in our efforts to protect marine life and ecosystems.

Climate change impacts on ocean ecosystems

Explanation of Band 8-9 Score

This essay demonstrates several key features that contribute to its high band score:

1. Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and clearly stating a personal opinion.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing and effective use of cohesive devices.

3. Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately, including topic-specific terms.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay displays a variety of complex sentence structures with high accuracy.

5. Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

Climate change and overfishing are big problems for the oceans. Some people think climate change is worse, but others say overfishing is the main issue. I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.

Overfishing is a serious problem because it takes too many fish from the sea. When we catch too many fish, it can make some types of fish disappear. This is bad for the food chain in the ocean. Also, some fishing methods like using big nets can damage the places where fish live, like coral reefs.

On the other hand, climate change is affecting the whole ocean. It makes the water warmer and more acidic, which is bad for sea animals. For example, warmer water can kill coral reefs, which are important homes for many fish. Climate change also makes it harder for some sea animals to make their shells.

How climate change is affecting global sea levels is another big problem. When sea levels rise, it can damage coastal areas where many fish live and breed.

I think climate change is a bigger threat than overfishing. This is because it affects all parts of the ocean and is harder to stop. We can control fishing by making rules, but stopping climate change needs big changes in how we live.

In conclusion, both overfishing and climate change are hurting our oceans. However, I believe climate change is the bigger problem because it has wider effects and is harder to solve. We need to work on both issues to protect our oceans.

Explanation of Band 6-7 Score

This essay demonstrates features typical of a Band 6-7 score:

1. Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, but the discussion and opinion could be more fully developed.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but cohesive devices are less sophisticated than in higher band scores.

3. Lexical Resource: Vocabulary is adequate for the task, but lacks the precision and range seen in higher band scores.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, with some errors that do not impede communication.

5. Development of Ideas: Main points are supported, but examples and explanations are less detailed than in higher band scores.

Comparison of overfishing and climate change impacts on oceans

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Ecosystem (noun) /ˈiːkəʊsɪstəm/: A community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment.

2. Biodiversity (noun) /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/: The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat.

3. Acidification (noun) /əˌsɪdɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/: The process of becoming acid or being converted into an acid.

4. Resilience (noun) /rɪˈzɪliəns/: The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

5. Mitigation (noun) /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃn/: The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.

6. Pervasive (adjective) /pəˈveɪsɪv/: Spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people.

7. Calcifying (adjective) /ˈkælsɪfaɪɪŋ/: To make or become calcified (hardened by calcium deposits).

8. Trawling (noun) /ˈtrɔːlɪŋ/: Fishing with a trawl net or line.

9. Compounding (adjective) /kəmˈpaʊndɪŋ/: Making (something bad) worse; intensifying the negative aspects of a situation.

10. Systemic (adjective) /sɪˈstemɪk/: Relating to a system, especially as opposed to a particular part.

In conclusion, the topic of climate change’s impact on ocean ecosystems is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS exams. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as marine pollution, sustainable fishing practices, or the effects of climate change on the tourism industry. Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and complex sentence structures, and support your arguments with relevant examples. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and further improvement.