Climate change and its effects on global health are increasingly important topics in IELTS Writing Task 2. This theme has appeared frequently in recent exams and is likely to continue being a popular subject due to its relevance and global significance. In this article, we’ll examine a real IELTS question on this topic and provide sample essays for different band scores, along with detailed analysis.
Let’s consider the following question that has appeared in recent IELTS exams:
Climate change is having an increasingly significant impact on global health. What are some of the health issues caused by climate change, and what measures can be taken to address these problems?
Analysis of the Question
This question is a two-part task that requires candidates to:
- Identify health issues caused by climate change
- Suggest measures to address these problems
It’s crucial to address both parts equally to achieve a high score. Let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Climate change is undeniably altering our planet’s ecosystems, with far-reaching consequences for human health worldwide. This essay will explore some of the key health issues stemming from climate change and propose potential solutions to mitigate these challenges.
One of the primary health concerns arising from climate change is the increased prevalence of vector-borne diseases. As global temperatures rise, disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes expand their habitats, leading to a surge in illnesses such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus in previously unaffected regions. Additionally, extreme weather events, another consequence of climate change, pose direct threats to human health through injuries, fatalities, and the spread of waterborne diseases in flood-affected areas.
Furthermore, climate change is exacerbating respiratory problems and allergies. Higher temperatures and increased carbon dioxide levels contribute to longer pollen seasons and more potent allergens, while air pollution from wildfires – which are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change – can cause or worsen respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
To address these pressing health issues, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. Firstly, governments and international organizations must intensify efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the pace of global warming. This can be achieved through stricter regulations on industrial emissions, promoting renewable energy sources, and implementing carbon pricing mechanisms.
Secondly, healthcare systems worldwide need to be strengthened and adapted to cope with the changing patterns of diseases. This includes improving disease surveillance, enhancing early warning systems for extreme weather events, and investing in research and development of new treatments and vaccines for emerging and re-emerging diseases.
Lastly, public awareness and education campaigns are crucial. By informing communities about the health risks associated with climate change and promoting sustainable lifestyle choices, individuals can be empowered to take action to protect their health and the environment.
In conclusion, climate change poses significant threats to global health, from the spread of infectious diseases to the exacerbation of respiratory conditions. Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated effort from governments, healthcare systems, and individuals to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts on human health.
Climate change impacts on global health
Explanation of Band 8-9 Score
This essay demonstrates excellent qualities that justify a high band score:
Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses both parts of the question, discussing health issues caused by climate change and proposing measures to address them.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing. Ideas flow logically, and appropriate linking words are used throughout.
Lexical Resource: The writer uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately, including topic-specific terms like “vector-borne diseases,” “chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” and “carbon pricing mechanisms.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay displays a variety of complex sentence structures with minimal errors, demonstrating a high level of grammatical control.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Climate change is a big problem that affects people’s health all over the world. In this essay, I will talk about some health problems caused by climate change and some ways to solve these issues.
One health problem caused by climate change is more diseases spread by mosquitoes. When the weather gets warmer, mosquitoes can live in more places, so they spread diseases like malaria to new areas. Another problem is that climate change causes more natural disasters like floods and hurricanes. These disasters can hurt or kill people and also spread diseases through dirty water.
Climate change also makes breathing problems worse. When it’s hotter, there’s more pollen in the air, which is bad for people with allergies. Also, air pollution from things like forest fires, which happen more because of climate change, can make asthma and other breathing problems worse.
To fix these health problems, we need to do several things. First, countries need to work together to reduce pollution and slow down global warming. This can be done by using cleaner energy like solar power and making stricter rules for factories.
Also, hospitals and doctors need to be ready for new health problems caused by climate change. This means training doctors about new diseases and having better systems to warn people about natural disasters.
Lastly, it’s important to teach people about how climate change affects their health. If people understand the problem, they can make better choices to protect their health and the environment.
In conclusion, climate change causes many health problems like more diseases and breathing issues. To solve these problems, we need governments, doctors, and regular people to work together to fight climate change and its effects on our health.
Solutions to address climate change health impacts
Explanation of Band 6-7 Score
This essay demonstrates good qualities but has some limitations:
Task Achievement: The essay addresses both parts of the question, but the ideas are less fully developed compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a clear structure, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated.
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is appropriate but less varied and precise compared to the higher band essay.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, with some errors that do not impede communication.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Vector-borne diseases (noun) – /ˈvektə bɔːn dɪˈziːzɪz/ – Diseases transmitted by insects or other organisms
- Exacerbate (verb) – /ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt/ – To make worse or more severe
- Mitigate (verb) – /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ – To make less severe or reduce the negative effects
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (noun) – /ˌkrɒnɪk əbˈstrʌktɪv ˈpʌlmənəri dɪˈziːz/ – A group of lung diseases that block airflow and make breathing difficult
- Greenhouse gas emissions (noun) – /ˈɡriːnhaʊs ɡæs ɪˈmɪʃənz/ – Gases that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere
- Carbon pricing mechanisms (noun) – /ˈkɑːbən ˈpraɪsɪŋ ˈmekənɪzəmz/ – Systems designed to reduce carbon emissions by putting a price on carbon pollution
- Disease surveillance (noun) – /dɪˈziːz sɜːˈveɪləns/ – The ongoing collection and analysis of disease-related data
In conclusion, the impact of climate change on global health is a critical topic that is likely to appear in future IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The effects of climate change on food security and nutrition
- The role of international cooperation in addressing climate-related health issues
- The impact of climate change on mental health and well-being
How climate change affects water scarcity and access is another important aspect to consider when discussing the health impacts of climate change. Additionally, understanding how climate change is driving migration patterns can provide valuable insights into its broader societal impacts.
We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active engagement will help you improve your writing skills and prepare more effectively for your IELTS exam.