Climate change’s effects on indigenous cultures is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing frequently in recent years. This topic combines environmental concerns with cultural preservation, making it particularly relevant for current global discussions. Similar to the impact of globalization on environmental sustainability, this subject tests candidates’ ability to analyze complex societal challenges.
Indigenous communities facing climate change impacts on traditional lifestyle
Let’s examine a recent IELTS Task 2 question:
Climate change is having a significant impact on indigenous cultures around the world. Some people believe governments should prioritize protecting these cultures, while others argue that resources should focus on addressing climate change itself. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Analysis of the Question
- Topic: Climate change effects on indigenous cultures
- Task: Discuss both views + personal opinion
- Key points to address:
- Cultural preservation perspective
- Climate change mitigation perspective
- Personal stance with justification
Band 9 Sample Essay
Just as how cultural exchange enhances international relations, the preservation of indigenous cultures carries significant global importance. However, the debate between prioritizing cultural preservation versus climate change mitigation presents a complex challenge.
Those advocating for cultural preservation argue that indigenous communities possess irreplaceable knowledge and traditions developed over millennia. These cultures often hold vital information about sustainable living practices and traditional environmental management techniques. Furthermore, the loss of these cultures would represent an irreversible damage to humanity’s cultural heritage.
Conversely, proponents of focusing on climate change mitigation contend that without addressing the root cause, efforts to preserve indigenous cultures would ultimately prove futile. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and changing ecosystems will inevitably displace communities and destroy their traditional ways of life if left unchecked. This perspective suggests that tackling climate change directly would inherently protect indigenous cultures.
In my opinion, this is not an either/or situation. The most effective approach would be to integrate both objectives. Indigenous communities often demonstrate how cultural diversity impacts global business through their sustainable practices. By incorporating traditional knowledge into climate change solutions while simultaneously protecting these communities, we can achieve both cultural preservation and environmental protection. This integrated approach would be more effective than pursuing either goal in isolation.
Indigenous knowledge contributing to climate change solutions
Band 6.5 Sample Essay
Climate change is affecting many indigenous people around the world. Some people think governments should protect these cultures, while others say we should focus on stopping climate change. I think both ideas are important.
People who want to protect indigenous cultures have good reasons. These cultures have many important traditions and knowledge that we might lose forever. They know many things about nature and how to live without damaging the environment. Also, their languages and customs are very special.
Other people think we should focus on stopping climate change first. They say that if we don’t stop climate change, indigenous cultures will disappear anyway because their lands will be damaged. For example, some islands where indigenous people live might go underwater because of rising sea levels.
In my opinion, I think we should try to do both things. We can use money and resources to help indigenous people keep their culture while also working to stop climate change. This way, we can save both the environment and these important cultures. Maybe indigenous people can even help us find new ways to fight climate change.
Scoring Analysis
Band 9 Essay Features:
- Sophisticated vocabulary: “irreversible damage,” “root cause,” “inherently protect”
- Complex sentence structures
- Clear progression of ideas
- Balanced argument with well-developed points
- Cohesive devices used effectively
Band 6.5 Essay Features:
- Simple but clear vocabulary
- Basic sentence structures
- Some development of ideas
- Limited use of cohesive devices
- Occasional grammatical errors
Key Vocabulary
- Indigenous (adj) /ɪnˈdɪdʒɪnəs/ – native to a particular place
- Mitigation (n) /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃn/ – reduction in severity
- Irreversible (adj) /ˌɪrɪˈvɜːsəbl/ – impossible to change back
- Preservation (n) /ˌprezəˈveɪʃn/ – maintenance in original state
- Integration (n) /ˌɪntɪˈɡreɪʃn/ – combining of different elements
Looking ahead, similar topics might include how to support mental health in indigenous communities or the impact of modernization on traditional practices. Practice writing your own response to this question and share it in the comments for feedback and discussion.
