Climate change and biodiversity have become increasingly important topics in IELTS Writing Task 2. Based on analysis of past exam questions, this theme appears in approximately 15-20% of environmental-related tasks, making it a crucial area for IELTS candidates to master. Let’s explore The impact of climate change on biodiversity through sample essays at different band scores.
IELTS Writing Task 2 essay about climate change impacts on global biodiversity
Task Analysis
Some people believe that climate change poses the biggest threat to Earth’s biodiversity, while others think human activities like deforestation and pollution are more harmful. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
This question requires you to:
- Examine two different perspectives on threats to biodiversity
- Present arguments for both climate change and direct human activities
- Express and justify your own opinion
- Provide relevant examples and evidence
Band 8 Sample Essay
Climate change and direct human interventions are both considered major threats to the effects of climate change on global biodiversity. While both factors significantly impact ecosystems, I believe climate change presents a more severe long-term threat to Earth’s species diversity.
Those who emphasize human activities’ direct impact argue that deforestation and pollution cause immediate and visible damage to ecosystems. For instance, the clearing of Amazon rainforest directly destroys habitats of countless species, while plastic pollution in oceans directly affects marine life survival rates. Additionally, activities like overfishing and urban development have led to documented species extinctions within observable timeframes.
However, impact of climate change on ocean biodiversity presents a more comprehensive threat. Rising global temperatures affect entire ecosystems simultaneously, altering breeding patterns, migration routes, and food availability for numerous species. Moreover, climate change triggers cascade effects – coral reef bleaching, for example, affects not only corals but entire marine food webs dependent on these ecosystems.
Environmental scientists studying climate change effects on biodiversity
In my opinion, while both threats are serious, climate change poses a greater danger because of its global scale and irreversibility. Unlike localized pollution or deforestation that can potentially be reversed through conservation efforts, climate change effects may persist for centuries even if we stop greenhouse gas emissions today. Furthermore, impact of climate change on ocean ecosystems creates complex feedback loops that amplify environmental damage.
Band 6.5 Sample Essay
Many people debate whether climate change or human activities are more dangerous for Earth’s biodiversity. I think both problems are important but climate change is worse.
First, human activities like cutting trees and pollution hurt animals and plants directly. When companies cut down forests, animals lose their homes immediately. Also, when factories put chemicals in rivers, fish and other water animals die quickly. These problems are easy to see and understand.
However, climate change is more dangerous because it changes everything slowly but permanently. When temperatures get higher, many animals cannot live in their normal places anymore. For example, polar bears have less ice to live on, and coral reefs are dying because oceans are getting warmer. Also, some plants cannot grow when the weather changes too much.
I believe climate change is the bigger problem because it affects the whole world, not just one place. While we can stop cutting trees or clean up pollution, how to manage the impact of climate change on biodiversity is much harder. Even if we stop making pollution today, the Earth will stay warm for many years.
Key Vocabulary
- Biodiversity (n) /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/ – the variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat
- Ecosystem (n) /ˈiːkəʊsɪstəm/ – all the living things in an area and the way they affect each other
- Deforestation (n) /diːˌfɒrɪˈsteɪʃn/ – the cutting down of trees in a large area
- Cascade effects (n) /kæˈskeɪd ɪˈfekts/ – a sequence of events that progressively affect more elements
- Irreversibility (n) /ɪˌrɪvɜːsəˈbɪləti/ – the quality of being impossible to change back
Conclusion
Understanding how to write about climate change and biodiversity is crucial for IELTS success. Practice writing essays on related topics like:
- The role of individual actions in protecting biodiversity
- Government policies for ecosystem conservation
- Economic development versus environmental protection
Share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and improvement suggestions.
