Climate change has become a pressing global issue, influencing various aspects of our lives, including international relations. This topic has gained significant attention in recent IELTS Writing Task 2 exams and is likely to appear more frequently in future tests. Based on past exam trends and current global concerns, we’ve identified a relevant question that closely mirrors actual IELTS prompts:
Climate change is affecting international relations between countries. What are the main impacts of this, and how can countries work together to address these challenges?
Let’s analyze this question and provide sample essays for different band scores to help you prepare for your IELTS Writing Task 2.
Question Analysis
This question consists of two parts:
- The main impacts of climate change on international relations
- How countries can collaborate to address these challenges
To answer this question effectively, you need to:
- Identify at least 2-3 major impacts of climate change on international relations
- Propose solutions for international cooperation to tackle these issues
- Provide relevant examples to support your points
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay for Band 8-9
Climate change has emerged as a critical factor shaping international relations in the 21st century. Its far-reaching consequences are altering the dynamics between nations, creating new challenges and opportunities for global cooperation. This essay will explore the primary impacts of climate change on international relations and suggest ways countries can collaborate to address these pressing issues.
One of the most significant impacts of climate change on international relations is the intensification of resource competition. As global temperatures rise, how climate change affects global food security becomes a crucial concern. Countries are increasingly vying for control over dwindling resources such as water, arable land, and energy sources. This competition can lead to heightened tensions and potential conflicts, particularly in regions already prone to instability. For instance, disputes over water rights in the Nile Basin have strained relations between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan.
Another major impact is the shift in geopolitical power dynamics. As some nations face devastating consequences from rising sea levels and extreme weather events, others may gain strategic advantages. Arctic nations, for example, are reassessing their positions as melting ice opens new shipping routes and access to previously untapped natural resources. This changing landscape is prompting a reevaluation of alliances and economic partnerships globally.
Furthermore, how climate change affects global migration patterns is becoming a critical issue in international relations. Climate-induced displacement is forcing millions to seek refuge in other countries, putting pressure on host nations’ resources and social systems. This mass movement of people can lead to diplomatic tensions and challenges in maintaining regional stability.
Climate change impacts on international relations
To address these challenges, countries must prioritize collaborative efforts on multiple fronts. Firstly, enhancing international cooperation in climate research and technology sharing is crucial. By pooling resources and expertise, nations can develop more effective strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change. The Paris Agreement serves as a foundation for such cooperation, but more ambitious targets and stricter enforcement mechanisms are necessary.
Secondly, strengthening global governance structures to manage climate-related conflicts is essential. This could involve expanding the mandate of existing international organizations or creating new bodies specifically designed to mediate climate-induced disputes. The United Nations Security Council’s recent discussions on climate change as a security threat demonstrate growing recognition of this need.
Lastly, countries should work together to develop comprehensive plans for managing climate migration. This includes creating international frameworks for protecting climate refugees, supporting host countries, and addressing the root causes of displacement through targeted aid and development programs.
In conclusion, climate change is profoundly impacting international relations through resource competition, geopolitical shifts, and migration challenges. Addressing these issues requires unprecedented global cooperation in research, governance, and policy implementation. By working together, nations can not only mitigate the threats posed by climate change but also forge stronger international bonds in the process.
(Word count: 487)
Sample Essay for Band 6-7
Climate change is becoming a big problem for how countries work together. It is changing the way nations interact and creating new challenges. This essay will look at the main effects of climate change on international relations and how countries can work together to solve these problems.
One important impact of climate change on international relations is the fight for resources. As the Earth gets warmer, there is less water and good land for farming in some places. Countries are competing more for these resources, which can cause arguments and even fights between them. For example, some countries that share rivers are arguing about who can use the water.
Another effect is that some countries are becoming more powerful while others are getting weaker because of climate change. Countries in colder areas might get new opportunities as ice melts, opening new shipping routes. But countries with long coastlines might lose land because of rising sea levels. This is changing how countries see each other and work together.
Climate change is also making many people move to different countries. Climate migration and its economic implications are becoming a big issue. When people have to leave their homes because of floods or droughts, they often go to other countries. This can cause problems between countries and make it hard for them to get along.
Countries collaborating to address climate change
To solve these problems, countries need to work together in several ways. First, they should share more information and technology about climate change. If countries help each other learn about climate change and how to stop it, everyone can benefit. The Paris Agreement is a good start, but countries need to do more.
Second, countries should make better rules for dealing with climate change problems. This could mean giving more power to groups like the United Nations to help solve arguments about climate issues. Recently, the UN has started talking more about how climate change can cause security problems, which is a good step.
Finally, countries need to make plans for helping people who have to move because of climate change. This means making rules to protect these people and helping the countries they move to. It also means trying to stop people from having to move in the first place by helping countries affected by climate change.
In conclusion, climate change is affecting how countries work together by causing fights over resources, changing which countries are powerful, and making people move to new places. To fix these problems, countries need to work together to learn more about climate change, make better rules, and help people who have to move. By working together, countries can solve climate change problems and become better friends.
(Word count: 474)
Sample Essay for Band 5-6
Climate change is a big problem for the world. It is changing how countries talk to each other. This essay will talk about how climate change affects countries working together and what they can do about it.
One big effect of climate change on countries is that they fight more about things like water and land. When it gets hotter, some places don’t have enough water or good land to grow food. This makes countries argue about who can use these things. For example, countries that share rivers sometimes fight about the water.
Another problem is that some countries get stronger because of climate change, but others get weaker. Some cold countries might get new ways to travel on ships when ice melts. But countries near the sea might lose land when the water gets higher. This changes how countries see each other.
Also, climate change makes people move to new countries. When there are big storms or not enough rain, people have to leave their homes. This can cause problems between countries when lots of new people come.
Global cooperation to combat climate change
To fix these problems, countries need to work together. First, they should share what they know about climate change. If countries help each other learn, everyone can do better. The Paris Agreement is a good start, but countries need to do more.
Second, countries should make better rules about climate change. They could give more power to groups like the UN to help solve problems. The UN has started talking more about how climate change can cause fights, which is good.
Last, countries need to help people who have to move because of climate change. They should make rules to protect these people and help the countries they go to. They should also try to stop people from having to move by helping countries that have climate change problems.
To end, climate change is changing how countries work together. It makes them fight about things they need, changes which countries are strong, and makes people move to new places. To fix this, countries need to work together to learn more, make better rules, and help people who have to move. If countries work together, they can solve climate change problems and be better friends.
(Word count: 406)
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and a comprehensive understanding of the topic. Here’s why it achieves a high band score:
Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, providing a well-developed response with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression throughout. Paragraphs are well-linked, and cohesive devices are used effectively.
Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features. Examples include “intensification of resource competition,” “geopolitical power dynamics,” and “climate-induced displacement.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: It uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy. Complex structures are used naturally and appropriately.
Band 6-7 Essay:
This essay shows a good attempt at addressing the task but lacks some of the sophistication of the higher band essay:
Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, but some points are not fully extended or supported.
Coherence and Cohesion: There is a clear overall progression, but some ideas are not fully developed. Cohesive devices are used but may be overused or underdeveloped.
Lexical Resource: The essay uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, but with some inaccuracy.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A mix of simple and complex sentence forms is used. There are some errors, but they do not impede communication.
Band 5-6 Essay:
This essay demonstrates a modest attempt at addressing the task:
Task Achievement: The essay addresses the task only partially. The format is appropriate, but some key points are underdeveloped.
Coherence and Cohesion: There is some organization of ideas, but lapses in coherence and limited use of cohesive devices are evident.
Lexical Resource: A limited range of vocabulary is used, with some repetition and inappropriate word choice.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Mainly simple sentences are used, with limited accuracy in complex structures. Errors occur, but the meaning is generally clear.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
Climate-induced displacement (noun): Movement of people due to changes in the environment caused by climate change.
Pronunciation: /ˈklaɪmət ɪnˈdjuːst dɪsˈpleɪsmənt/Geopolitical (adjective): Relating to politics, especially international relations, as influenced by geographical factors.
Pronunciation: /ˌdʒiːəʊpəˈlɪtɪkl/Mitigation (noun): The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.
Pronunciation: /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃn/Adaptation (noun): The process of changing to suit different conditions.
Pronunciation: /ˌædæpˈteɪʃn/Resource competition (noun phrase): The struggle between countries or groups for materials, energy, or other assets.
Pronunciation: /rɪˈsɔːs ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃn/Governance (noun): The action or manner of governing.
Pronunciation: /ˈɡʌvənəns/Mandate (noun): An official order or commission to do something.
Pronunciation: /ˈmændeɪt/Arable land (noun phrase): Land capable of being ploughed and used to grow crops.
Pronunciation: /ˈærəbl lænd/Diplomatic tensions (noun phrase): Strained relationships between countries.
Pronunciation: /ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk ˈtenʃnz/Unprecedented (adjective): Never done or known before.
Pronunciation: /ʌnˈpresɪdentɪd/
In conclusion, the topic of climate change and its impact on international relations is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as how climate change is increasing the severity of storms or the influence of cultural exchange programs on international relations. These topics will help you develop a broader understanding of global issues and improve your ability to construct well-argued essays.
We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active approach to learning will help you refine your writing skills and gain valuable feedback from others preparing for the IELTS exam.