ESSAY INFORMATION:
Written by: Xuân Phi, 11/10/2024
Supported by: Ex-BC Examiner, 12/10/2024
Question: Some people say economic growth is the only way to end world poverty and hunger, while others say economic growth is damaging the environment and must stop. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
(IELTS Academic – 10/10/2024)
ANSWER (8.0+):
The impact of economic development on the environment and society has been a topic of significant debate. While some argue that increasing wealth is essential to eliminate poverty and starvation, others maintain that economic activities harm the environment and should be restricted. In this essay, I will discuss both sides of the argument and explain why I lean toward the former opinion.
On the one hand, economic growth can lead to environmental degradation. The most prominent reason is the exploitation of natural resources. For instance, the extraction of resources such as coal and petroleum often involves deforestation or drilling in sensitive ecosystems like coral reefs, leading to the destruction of these environments. Additionally, manufacturing and trading activities produce vast amounts of greenhouse gases, primarily from transportation, industrial processes, and the construction of economic facilities. A case in point is China, which emits billions of tons of CO2 annually as a consequence of its economic boom. If this trend is not reversed, climate change could worsen, rendering the Earth increasingly uninhabitable.
On the other hand, economic growth plays a crucial role in alleviating food scarcity and poverty. Regarding food security, increased wealth has enabled many countries to invest in advanced farming techniques to address food shortages. For example, Angola has adopted water-saving farming methods, transforming barren land into fertile areas that now provide food for millions of people. In terms of poverty reduction, economic growth typically generates more job opportunities. Vietnam, for instance, has attracted numerous multinational corporations to build factories within its borders. Over the past few decades, these factories have created millions of jobs, providing stable incomes for both workers and professionals, lifting many people out of poverty.
In conclusion, both perspectives offer valid points. However, I believe that economic growth alone can provide more stable food and income sources for people. Therefore, governments should promote green manufacturing and trade practices to balance economic development with environmental protection.
(Word count: 319)
WORD LIST
| ENGLISH | TIẾNG VIỆT |
| A topic of significant debate | Một chủ đề gây tranh cãi đáng kể |
| To eliminate poverty and starvation | Xóa đói giảm nghèo |
| Environmental degradation | Suy thoái môi trường |
| Sensitive ecosystems | Hệ sinh thái nhạy cảm |
| Economic boom | Sự bùng nổ kinh tế |
| Increasingly inhabitable | Ngày càng không thể cư trú, sinh sống |
| To alleviate food scarcity | Giảm bớt tình trạng khan hiếm lương thực |
| To address food shortages | Giải quyết tình trạng thiếu lương thực |
| Poverty reduction | Giảm nghèo |
| Trade practices | Hoạt động thương mại |
