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Individuals can do nothing to improve the environment; only governments and large....(Band 9 Essay)

Updated: Dec 3

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.


Write about the following topic:


Individuals can do nothing to improve the environment; only governments and large companies can make a difference.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement


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


You should write at least 250 words.


Task 2 Essay Band 9 Sample (Individuals can do nothing to improve the environment; only governments and large companies can make a difference.)

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Sample Essay 1

Some people believe that the environment cannot be overhauled by the individuals, rather it could only be improved by large organizations and the government. I strongly disagree with this statement because I believe that individual actions play the vital roles to facilitate the efficient activity of the waste management system, and they do it by conserving the environment and creating awareness among mass people

One of the most effective steps an individual could take is to maintain an appropriate disposal of non-biodegradable items. This would not only improve the environment, but also boost the efficient recycling of plastics and metals. Moreover, large portion of pollution could be easily curbed if each of the citizens contributes towards maintaining a low emission atmosphere and restricts the wastage of natural resources. For instance, most of the Europe's environment has no pollution, as numerous citizens have opted for automobiles running on green fuels, and they have restricted usage of natural resources. Furthermore, it is not about the myriad ways that could be employed to make environment better, rather it is about the mindset of the people of a nation that needs to be transformed.


In addition, individuals can also influence other people in the society through different channels; they can inspire more people to participate in a wide variety of environmental protection activities. A friend of mine is an environmentalist who established a Facebook page to encourage people to take part in her ocean cleaning team. The number of participants has been increasing significantly over the past few months. This example clearly shows that even with a very minor individual effort, huge support can be received from public if we promote it in a proper way.


All things considered, the environment cannot be improved all alone by the government or large companies; rather it is the people of a nation who play an important role in environmental protection alongside the local authority and large companies’ contributions.


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Sample Essay 2

Efforts to protect the environment often raise questions about the roles of individuals, governments, and corporations. While systemic changes led by governments and large companies are undeniably vital, I strongly disagree with the claim that individuals are powerless in this endeavour. This essay argues that individuals can enact meaningful change through lifestyle adjustments and grassroots initiatives, complementing broader institutional efforts.


A significant way individuals contribute to environmental improvement is by adopting sustainable practices in their daily lives. For example, simple acts like reducing single-use plastics, conserving energy, and using public transportation collectively generate substantial environmental benefits. A striking illustration of this is the global shift toward plant-based diets, which studies show can drastically reduce carbon emissions and water usage. Moreover, consumer behaviour has a ripple effect: when individuals demand eco-friendly products, businesses adapt their offerings to meet these expectations. For instance, the increasing popularity of reusable goods, such as stainless steel water bottles, has prompted companies to reduce plastic production. These individual actions, when multiplied across millions, can lead to significant ecological improvements.


In addition to personal habits, individuals play a pivotal role in grassroots movements and community-driven projects that directly address environmental concerns. Localized initiatives, such as urban gardening programs and community recycling drives, have transformed neglected areas into thriving green spaces. For example, in the Indian city of Pune, citizen-led tree-planting campaigns have not only improved air quality but also fostered biodiversity. Beyond physical efforts, individuals amplify their impact by lobbying policymakers and participating in protests, compelling governments to adopt stricter environmental regulations. History proves that collective pressure from individuals, such as the Fridays for Future movement led by Greta Thunberg, can place environmental issues at the forefront of international discourse. Thus, individuals serve as catalysts, driving both localized and large-scale environmental changes.


In conclusion, while governments and corporations wield substantial power in combating environmental degradation, individuals are far from powerless. Through sustainable choices and active participation in community and advocacy efforts, they can collectively exert a transformative influence on the environment. Therefore, both individual and institutional actions are essential for creating a sustainable future.

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Sample Essay 3

The claim that "Individuals can do nothing to improve the environment, only governments and large companies can make a difference" simplifies the complex issue of environmental conservation. This essay argues that alongside the pivotal role of governments and corporations, individual actions are equally crucial for a sustainable future. It will examine the synergy between large-scale efforts and personal initiatives in nurturing environmental health.


Governments and large companies indeed wield substantial power in effecting environmental change, possessing the resources and reach necessary to implement wide-ranging policies and innovations. For instance, government legislation can enforce emissions reductions, while corporations can invest in sustainable technologies, significantly curbing environmental degradation. These entities are pivotal in addressing global challenges such as climate change and deforestation, suggesting that their role is irreplaceable. Their ability to enact swift, large-scale changes underscores the argument that "only governments and large companies can make a difference."


However, undermining the potential of individual actions is a critical oversight. Grassroots movements and personal lifestyle changes have historically driven societal shifts towards sustainability. Simple acts like reducing waste, adopting renewable energy sources, and supporting eco-friendly businesses can collectively create a substantial impact. Furthermore, public demand for sustainable practices can influence both governmental policies and corporate strategies, demonstrating the interconnectedness of individual and institutional efforts. This challenges the notion that "Individuals can do nothing to improve the environment," highlighting the symbiotic relationship between personal initiative and systemic change.


In conclusion, the monumental efforts of governments and corporations are crucial, yet individual contributions are vital for environmental conservation. The oversimplified dichotomy overlooks the complex nature of environmental challenges, underscoring the need for a collective approach. Embracing both individual and large-scale actions is key to a sustainable future, highlighting that everyone has a role in preserving our planet.



Sample Essay 4

Some say that only governments and corporates have the ability to enhance the environment, while people are unable to contribute. Although government authorities and big enterprises indeed have more resources, I believe this claim is not entirely correct, as individuals can also make a great contribution to our planet through everyday habits and the influence on other people.


Governments and corporates have advantages to improve the environment, as they hold the power to make regulations and policies that benefit the whole society and the nature. Laws regulate people’s behaviours, preventing them from damaging sanitary conditions. For instance, Tokyo’s city government regulates the areas where people can smoke cigarettes, prohibiting individuals from smoking randomly on streets. As a result, non-smokers less suffer from passive smoking and streets are cleaner due to a decline in cigarette wastes. Moreover, businesses can also contribute to nature by sustainable policies. Large international banks, such as Citi Bank and MUFG, intentionally participate in wind-power projects and reduce financial supports in the projects related to fossil-fuel energy, reducing the amount of carbon emissions in global scale.


Despite the considerable impacts that governments and corporates can make, individuals’ efforts are equally important and beneficial to the nature. If people do not have the awareness to protect the environment, it will be meaningless no matter how many regulations that governments impose. A case in point is an individual concisely sorting recyclable wastes, reducing a significant amount of wastes burned in incinerators and creating a healthy cycle of material usage. Additionally, people can influence others, such as their family members, peers and colleagues, advocating the importance of eco-friendly behaviours and concepts. This highlights individuals can also make significant impacts on improving the nature.


In conclusion, while governments and large enterprises are able to contribute to the environment on the large scale due to their natural advantages, I believe individuals also play a significant role on it through self-awareness and influence on others. 



Sample Essay 5

The problem of environmental degradation is becoming ever more significant nowadays; however, there is still a huge debate regarding who should be responsible to clean up the environment. I agree to some extent that the government and multinational firms should be made accountable for the damages, but I strongly believe that pollution will only be eradicated if everyone of us work towards the same goal with the help of organizations.


To begin with, collective action is the key to alleviating environmental pollution. Everyone themselves does not have the power to change the earth for the better, but the billions of individuals together can make immense impact. For example, if everyone recycles one bottle everyday, collectively the earth would have recycled 100 billion bottes daily and more than 30 trillion annually. Imagine how many marine animals can be saved from dying each year from plastic poisoning and suffocation.


On the other hand, governmental bodies and firms also have a major role to play in the creation of a cleaner and more sustainable earth. More specifically, governments should take the leading role in advocating and advertising the positive externalities of improving the environment, this may include educating the young about benefits of recycling, reusing, and reducing waste materials, which may eventually be passed to their parents, generating multiplier effects. Additionally, governments have the authority to provide prizes to businesses who reduce pollution to a certain level. Thus, firms will be encouraged to develop more environmentally friendly production methods, so preserving the environment.


To sum up, no individuals have the ability to make a big difference, but one should not think that they can leave it to the others, because eventually no one will do anything due to this lack of accountability. Therefore, everyone living on earth is responsible to make a difference.

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