Rising sea levels and their effects on communities have become an increasingly common topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. Based on analysis of past exam questions and current environmental trends, this theme appears in approximately 15% of all environment-related questions, making it crucial for IELTS candidates to be well-prepared.
Similar to how climate change affects the spread of diseases, the impact of rising sea levels presents complex challenges that test candidates’ ability to analyze causes, effects, and solutions.
Rising sea levels threatening coastal communities worldwide
Task Analysis
Some people believe that rising sea levels and their impact on coastal communities is the greatest environmental challenge that we face today. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
This question requires candidates to:
- Express their opinion about the severity of rising sea levels
- Compare this issue with other environmental challenges
- Support their position with relevant examples
- Provide a clear and balanced argument
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8.5)
Rising sea levels pose an unprecedented threat to coastal populations worldwide, and while I largely agree that this is among our most pressing environmental challenges, I believe it shares this position with several other equally critical issues.
The impact of rising seas on coastal communities is indeed severe and far-reaching. Firstly, millions of people living in low-lying areas face immediate displacement risks, as evidenced by the situation in Bangladesh, where coastal regions are gradually becoming uninhabitable. Furthermore, how climate change is affecting agriculture in developing countries is particularly evident in these regions, where saltwater intrusion is destroying fertile farmland and freshwater sources, threatening food security and livelihoods.
However, this environmental challenge, while severe, exists alongside other equally critical issues. For instance, effects of climate change on rural jobs demonstrate how environmental degradation affects communities far from coastlines. Additionally, the rapid loss of biodiversity and deforestation pose existential threats to entire ecosystems and human societies dependent on them.
That said, what makes rising sea levels particularly challenging is their irreversible nature and widespread impact. Unlike some environmental problems that can be addressed through immediate action, sea level rise will continue affecting communities for centuries, even if we halt all greenhouse gas emissions today. The economic implications are staggering, with coastal cities worldwide requiring massive infrastructure investments for protection.
In conclusion, while I agree that rising sea levels represent one of our greatest environmental challenges, I believe it is more accurate to consider it as part of a complex web of interconnected environmental crises that collectively threaten our planet’s future.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6.5)
Rising sea levels are causing many problems for people living near the coast. I partly agree that this is our biggest environmental problem, but there are also other serious issues we need to think about.
Rising seas create big problems for coastal communities. Many people have to leave their homes because of flooding, especially in countries like Vietnam and Indonesia. This makes it hard for them to live and work normally. Also, when seawater comes into the land, it destroys farms and makes it difficult to grow food.
But there are other environmental problems that are also very serious. For example, the effects of climate change on the tourism industry show how global warming affects many different parts of our economy. Air pollution in big cities is also very dangerous for people’s health. These problems affect more people than just those living near the coast.
However, rising sea levels are special because they cannot be easily fixed. Once the water rises, it is very difficult to make it go back. This means that coastal cities need to spend lots of money to protect themselves, which is very expensive for poor countries.
In conclusion, while rising sea levels are a very serious problem, I think it is just one of several major environmental challenges we face today.
Key Vocabulary
- Unprecedented (adj) /ʌnˈpresɪdentɪd/ – never known or done before
- Intrusion (n) /ɪnˈtruːʒn/ – the act of entering somewhere unwanted
- Irreversible (adj) /ˌɪrɪˈvɜːsəbl/ – not able to be undone or altered
- Staggering (adj) /ˈstæɡərɪŋ/ – deeply shocking; astonishing
- Infrastructure (n) /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə/ – basic physical systems of a country
- Displacement (n) /dɪsˈpleɪsmənt/ – forced movement of people from their home
- Uninhabitable (adj) /ʌnɪnˈhæbɪtəbl/ – not suitable for living in
- Biodiversity (n) /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/ – variety of plant and animal life
Practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments for feedback. Similar questions might ask about specific impacts of rising seas on urban infrastructure or economic consequences for developing nations.
