IELTS Essay Topic #18 Environment

Global Warming

  • Gases such as carbon dioxide trap heat from the sun
  • This causes global temperatures to rise
  • This process is known as the greenhouse effect
  • Human activity is a major factor in the rise of the greenhouse gases
  • Factories and vehicles produce emissions and exhaust fumes
  • Many developing countries are becoming industrialized
  • The number of cars on our streets is growing
  • Cheap air travel is allowing more people to fly

Effects of Global Warming

  • Global warming will have a significant impact on our planet
  • Rising temperature will cause melting of the polar ice caps
  • Sea levels will rise
  • We can expect more extreme weather conditions
  • Flooding and droughts may become more common

Impacts of Humans on the Environment

  • The increasing world population is putting pressure on natural resources
  • Fossil fuels like oil and gas are running out
  • We are destroying wildlife habitats
  • We have cut down enormous areas of rainforest
  • This has led to the extinction of many species of animals and plants

Solutions to Environment Problems

  • Governments could introduce laws to limit emissions from factories
  • They should invest in renewable energy from solar, wind or water power
  • They could impose ‘green taxes’ on drivers and airlines companies
  • Government campaigns should promote recycling
  • Natural areas and wild animals should be protected
  • Individuals should also try to be greener
  • We should take fewer flights abroad for holidays
  • We should take public transport rather than driving
  • We should choose products with less packaging
  • We should recycle as much as possible

Waste/Rubbish

  • The amount of waste that we produce has increased
  • This problem is a result of our consumer culture
  • Products are not made to last
  • If something breaks, we throw it away and buy a new one
  • Advertisers encourage to buy the newest fashions
  • Packaging is an important part of selling
  • Most foods are sold in non-biodegradable plastics packaging
  • The amount of household waste is growing
  • This waste ends up in landfill sites

Litter

  • People do not think about the consequences of dropping rubbish
  • They assume that somebody is paid to clean the street
  • Plastic packaging does not break down easily
  • Most of the litter seen on streets is fast food packaging

Recycling and other Solutions

  • Companies should make goods that last longer
  • They should not use so much packaging
  • Governments should be stricter, about waste produced by companies
  • They should put legal limits on packaging
  • Consumers should avoid buying over-packaged products
  • We should recycle and reuse useful
  • There are collection banks for glass, paper and plastic bottles
  • Households can use several rubbish bins to separate waste
  • Recycling saves energy and raw

Nuclear Power: Positives

  • There are several benefits to build more nuclear power stations
  • Fossil fuel like oil and gas are running out
  • Nuclear power is a sustainable energy source
  • It can be used to produce electricity without wasting natural resources
  • It could replace the use of natural resources like coal, oil or gas
  • Nuclear power stations are cleaner than fossil fuel power stations
  • They could help to reduce carbon emissions that cause global warming
  • The risks of accidents are being reduced

Nuclear Power: Negatives

  • Opponents of nuclear power worry about the safety of power stations
  • The building of new nuclear power stations is unpopular
  • Nobody wants to live near one
  • Nuclear waste disposal is a significant problem
  • There is currently no way to decontaminate radioactive material
  • People worry that terrorists could steal radioactive materials
  • It is safer to produce energy from solar, wind or water