Climate change and its economic consequences have become increasingly prevalent topics in IELTS Writing Task 2. Based on recent trends and the growing global concern, we can expect to see more questions related to the impact of climate change on global economic stability in future IELTS exams. Let’s explore a sample question and analyze high-scoring responses to help you prepare for this crucial topic.
Sample Question and Analysis
Some people believe that climate change will have a devastating impact on the global economy, while others argue that its effects are exaggerated. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss the view that climate change will severely impact the global economy
- Present the opposing view that the economic effects of climate change are overstated
- Provide a personal opinion on the issue
Now, let’s examine sample essays for different band scores.
Band 8-9 Sample Essay
Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing issues of our time, with its potential impacts on the global economy sparking intense debate. While some argue that the economic consequences of climate change will be catastrophic, others contend that these effects are being overstated. This essay will explore both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint.
Those who believe climate change will devastate the global economy point to several compelling factors. Firstly, rising sea levels threaten coastal cities and infrastructure, potentially displacing millions and requiring massive investments in flood defenses. Secondly, extreme weather events such as hurricanes and droughts are becoming more frequent and severe, causing billions in damages and disrupting agriculture, trade, and industry. Moreover, the transition to a low-carbon economy will require significant costs in terms of replacing fossil fuel infrastructure and retraining workers. These combined factors could lead to a substantial reduction in global GDP and widespread economic instability.
On the other hand, skeptics argue that the economic impacts of climate change are exaggerated. They contend that human ingenuity and technological advancements will mitigate many of the worst effects. For instance, innovations in agriculture and water management could help offset reduced crop yields. Additionally, the development of renewable energy technologies may create new industries and job opportunities, potentially offsetting losses in traditional sectors. Some economists also argue that gradual warming could benefit certain regions by expanding arable land and reducing heating costs.
In my opinion, while the exact magnitude of climate change’s economic impact remains uncertain, the potential risks are too significant to ignore. The role of financial markets in promoting global sustainability cannot be understated, as they can drive investment in climate-resilient infrastructure and clean technologies. Furthermore, the costs of inaction likely outweigh the expenses of addressing climate change proactively. Even if some predictions prove to be overstated, the prudent course of action is to take decisive steps to mitigate climate change and adapt our economies to its effects.
In conclusion, while there is debate about the severity of climate change’s economic impact, the potential consequences warrant serious attention and action. By addressing this global challenge, we can not only safeguard our economic future but also create opportunities for sustainable growth and innovation.
(Word count: 374)
Climate change impacting global economy
Band 8-9 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates excellent command of the English language and addresses all parts of the question effectively:
- Task Achievement: The essay thoroughly discusses both viewpoints and clearly presents a personal opinion.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression. Paragraphs are well-linked using a range of cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately, including topic-specific terms like “low-carbon economy” and “climate-resilient infrastructure.”
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Complex sentence structures are used consistently and accurately, with only minor errors.
Band 6-7 Sample Essay
Climate change is a big topic these days, and people have different ideas about how it will affect the world’s economy. Some think it will cause big problems, while others say it’s not as bad as we think. I will talk about both sides and give my opinion.
Many people believe climate change will hurt the global economy a lot. They say that as the Earth gets warmer, sea levels will rise and flood cities near the coast. This could cost a lot of money to fix and might force people to move. Also, there might be more natural disasters like storms and droughts, which can damage farms and businesses. Another problem is that we need to change how we make energy, which could be expensive and cause some people to lose their jobs.
However, some people think these worries are too extreme. They believe that humans are smart and can find solutions to these problems. For example, we might invent new ways to grow food even if the weather changes. Also, making clean energy could create new jobs to replace the ones lost in old industries. Some even say that warmer weather could be good for some places, making it easier to grow food in colder areas.
I think that while we don’t know exactly how bad climate change will be for the economy, we should still take it seriously. It’s better to be careful and try to prevent problems than to wait until it’s too late. Even if some predictions are wrong, doing something about climate change could lead to new inventions and better ways of living that are good for everyone.
In conclusion, there are different opinions about how climate change will affect the global economy. While some think it will be very bad and others think it won’t be so serious, I believe we should work on solving the problem to protect our future and maybe even make things better.
(Word count: 322)
Band 6-7 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates a good attempt at addressing the task, but with some limitations:
- Task Achievement: The essay covers both viewpoints and includes a personal opinion, but the ideas are less fully developed compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
- Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally coherent, 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: Sentence structures are generally accurate but less complex. There is a mix of simple and compound sentences.
Contrasting views on climate change economic impact
Key Vocabulary
- devastating (adjective) – /ˈdevəsteɪtɪŋ/ – causing severe and widespread destruction or damage
- exaggerated (adjective) – /ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪtɪd/ – represented as being larger, greater, better, or worse than is actually the case
- catastrophic (adjective) – /kætəˈstrɒfɪk/ – involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering
- mitigation (noun) – /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃn/ – the action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something
- infrastructure (noun) – /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə(r)/ – the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise
- proactively (adverb) – /prəʊˈæktɪvli/ – in a way that creates or controls a situation rather than just responding to it after it has happened
- resilient (adjective) – /rɪˈzɪliənt/ – able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions
- sustainable (adjective) – /səˈsteɪnəbl/ – able to be maintained at a certain rate or level
- innovation (noun) – /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃn/ – the action or process of innovating; a new method, idea, product, etc.
- transition (noun) – /trænˈzɪʃn/ – the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another
Conclusion
The impact of climate change on the global economy is a complex and crucial topic that is likely to appear in future IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related subjects such as the impact of renewable energy policies on the global economy or how global events impact economic growth. Remember to structure your essay clearly, use a range of vocabulary and complex sentence structures, and provide a balanced discussion of different viewpoints before presenting your own opinion.
We encourage you to practice writing an essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active engagement will help you improve your writing skills and prepare you for success in your IELTS exam.