Writing Task 2 Sample

Essay 54 – The main environmental problem of our time

GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 54

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people say that the main environmental problem of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals. Others say that there are more important environmental problems.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.


Model Answer:

Many opine that critically endangered species of flora and fauna is the most pressing environmental problem of today, yet others believe that issues like waste disposal, air pollution, temperature rise and plastic pollution are more crucial. In the case, I think that climate change is the most disastrous environmental hurdle to overcome.

Many plants and animals have become nearly extinct because they have lost their habitat considerably. For instance, a rise in temperatures of the Arctic causes the sea ice to melt, which in turn destroys the habitat of polar bears. Besides, human activities like deforestation, hunting and poaching, also cause the extinction of many already endangered species. Therefore, we should protect wildlife habitats by decreasing greenhouse gas emission and creating natural reserves. But that’s not the worst form of environmental degradation in recent years.

In my opinion, global warming has the most drastic effect on the environment because of its terrible effects. Bit by bit, the temperature of our globe increases that results in a severe change in the climate. A good chunk of research involving global warming shows that the incremental rise in temperature, particularly pertaining to ocean, has increased the frequency and intensity of earthquake, volcanic eruption, typhoon, tornado, hurricane, tsunami, blizzard, to mention but a few. There are myriad examples of these natural calamities from the last two decades but the earthquake unleashed a savage tsunami affecting Japan in 2011 is a particularly remarkable example. If the climate keeps changing at this rate, a large portion of the world will become unhabitable both for human and other species.

To recapitulate, while many people claim that imperilled species have taken the centre stage in the environmental problems, all things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that global warming or climate change is the thorniest problem due to its frequency and destructive power.

This post was last modified on 5th April 2020 12:54 am

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  • Some people say that the main environmental problem of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals. Others say that there are more important environmental problems.

    Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

    The world is facing many environmental problems, and ecological dis-balance is more concerning these days than ever before. However, some people see the extinction of species as the greatest of all while others have more pressing issues in mind. In my opinion, waste disposal and plastic pollution are far more damaging and disturbing.

    Many plants and animals have gone extinct and many are on the verge of extinction. The loss of a species is irreversible and is a sign that the world is not the blue lively planet it once was. The rise in temperatures and melting of icebergs have not only disrupted and destroyed the natural habitats of many species which has ultimately forced many plants and animals go extinct, but it is also a sign that a large portion of the world will go underwater creating chaos to the rest of the world.

    However, waste disposal and plastic pollution are considered an even more grave issue nowadays. Waste disposal poses a huge threat to the environment and creates critical problems. Every day millions of tonnes of household and industrial waste are buried in landfill sites around the world. Some trash will eventually rot away, but not all; and in the process, it will generate methane gas, which ultimately contributes to the greenhouse effect. Likewise, plastic pollution also has huge environmental impacts. Most plastics are not biodegradable. That is to say that no natural process can break them down. And plastics generally produce toxins such as dioxins as it is incinerated, resulting in air pollution.

    To conclude, we should recycle plastic, use biodegradable packaging in supermarkets and limit the production of single-use plastic to reduce the negative impacts of waste disposal and plastic use. Otherwise, our beloved planet will no longer be livable.