Climate change and its impact on coastal cities have become increasingly prevalent topics in IELTS Writing Task 2. Based on recent trends and the growing global concern about this issue, it’s highly likely that we’ll see more questions related to this theme in future IELTS exams. Let’s explore a relevant question that has appeared in past exams and provide sample essays to help you prepare effectively.
Some people say that the best way to address the challenges of climate change on coastal cities is to move people away from them. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Analyzing the Question
This question requires you to consider the effectiveness of relocation as a solution to climate change impacts on coastal cities. You need to:
- Understand the challenges coastal cities face due to climate change
- Evaluate the proposal of moving people away from these cities
- Decide your stance on this solution
- Provide reasons and examples to support your viewpoint
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Climate change poses significant threats to coastal cities, including rising sea levels, increased flooding, and more frequent extreme weather events. While some argue that relocating residents is the most effective solution, I strongly disagree with this approach and believe that other strategies can better address these challenges.
Firstly, moving people away from coastal cities is an impractical and economically unfeasible solution. Coastal areas are often densely populated and economically vital, housing major ports, industries, and tourism hubs. The cost and logistical challenges of relocating millions of people and rebuilding infrastructure inland would be astronomical and potentially destabilizing for many nations.
Moreover, abandoning coastal cities would mean losing centuries of cultural heritage and social structures. Many of these cities have rich histories and unique identities that cannot be easily transplanted. The social and psychological impact on displaced communities could be severe, leading to a loss of sense of place and community cohesion.
Instead, I believe that investing in adaptive measures and resilient infrastructure is a more viable approach. This could include constructing sea walls, implementing advanced drainage systems, and developing flood-resistant buildings. For example, Rotterdam in the Netherlands has successfully employed innovative water management strategies, such as water plazas that double as recreational areas and flood containment systems.
Furthermore, focusing on sustainable urban planning and green initiatives can help mitigate the impacts of climate change. This involves creating more green spaces to absorb excess water, promoting renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions, and implementing stricter building codes to ensure structures can withstand extreme weather events. Cities like Singapore have demonstrated the effectiveness of such approaches through their comprehensive sustainability plans.
In conclusion, while the challenges posed by climate change to coastal cities are significant, relocating populations is not the answer. Instead, a combination of adaptive infrastructure, innovative urban planning, and sustainable practices offers a more practical and holistic solution to ensuring the long-term viability and resilience of these important urban centers.
(Word count: 309)
Coastal city climate adaptation
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Climate change is causing many problems for coastal cities, such as rising sea levels and more storms. Some people think moving people away from these cities is the best solution, but I don’t fully agree with this idea.
On one hand, moving people away from coastal cities could help keep them safe from flooding and storms. This would protect lives and reduce the damage caused by natural disasters. For example, after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, some people did move to safer areas inland.
However, I think there are several reasons why moving everyone is not the best solution. First, it would be very expensive and difficult to move millions of people and build new cities for them to live in. Many people might not want to leave their homes and jobs. Also, coastal cities are often important for a country’s economy because of ports and tourism.
I believe there are better ways to deal with climate change in coastal cities. One way is to build better defenses against flooding, like sea walls and better drainage systems. Another idea is to make buildings that can survive floods and storms. For example, in Venice, Italy, they are building a system of movable barriers to protect the city from high tides.
Cities can also try to reduce their impact on the environment to slow down climate change. This could include using more renewable energy, having more parks and trees to absorb water, and encouraging people to use public transport instead of cars.
In conclusion, while moving people away from coastal cities might seem like a simple solution, I think it’s not the best way to address climate change challenges. Instead, cities should focus on improving their defenses and becoming more environmentally friendly. This approach can help protect people while also preserving important coastal communities.
(Word count: 298)
Key Points to Remember When Writing
Structure: Both essays follow a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The band 8-9 essay has more sophisticated paragraph transitions and a more nuanced argument.
Vocabulary: The band 8-9 essay uses more advanced vocabulary and phrases, such as “economically unfeasible,” “destabilizing,” and “viable approach.” The band 6-7 essay uses simpler language but still effectively conveys the main ideas.
Grammar: The higher band essay demonstrates a wider range of complex structures, including conditional sentences and relative clauses. The band 6-7 essay uses simpler sentence structures but maintains grammatical accuracy.
Task Response: Both essays address the question directly, but the band 8-9 essay provides more detailed examples and a more comprehensive analysis of the issue.
Coherence and Cohesion: The band 8-9 essay uses more sophisticated linking words and phrases to connect ideas, while the band 6-7 essay relies on simpler connectors but still maintains logical flow.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
Coastal erosion (noun) /ˈkəʊstl ɪˈrəʊʒn/: The wearing away of land by the sea.
Sea level rise (noun phrase) /siː ˈlevl raɪz/: The increase in the level of the world’s oceans due to climate change.
Resilient (adjective) /rɪˈzɪliənt/: Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
Mitigation (noun) /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃn/: The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.
Adaptation (noun) /ˌædæpˈteɪʃn/: The process of changing to suit different conditions.
Infrastructure (noun) /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə(r)/: The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
Sustainability (noun) /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/: The ability to maintain at a certain rate or level, especially regarding ecological balance.
Urban planning (noun phrase) /ˈɜːbən ˈplænɪŋ/: The process of designing and organizing urban areas.
Flood-resistant (adjective) /flʌd rɪˈzɪstənt/: Designed to prevent or reduce damage from flooding.
Carbon emissions (noun phrase) /ˈkɑːbən ɪˈmɪʃnz/: The release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, often from burning fossil fuels.
In conclusion, addressing the challenges of climate change on coastal cities is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach. While relocation may seem like a straightforward solution, it’s often not the most practical or desirable option. Instead, focusing on adaptive measures, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable urban planning can offer more effective and holistic solutions.
To further practice your IELTS Writing skills, try writing your own essay on this topic or related ones, such as:
- Discuss the economic impacts of climate change on coastal tourism.
- What role should governments play in protecting coastal cities from climate change?
- Compare the effectiveness of hard engineering solutions (e.g., sea walls) versus soft engineering solutions (e.g., beach nourishment) in protecting coastlines.
Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section below. This active practice will help you improve your writing skills and prepare you for the actual IELTS test. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!