An Increase in Production of Consumer Goods Results in Damage to the Natural Environment- IELTS Writing Task 2

An increase in production of consumer goods results in damage to the natural environment. What are the causes and possible solutions?

Outline

Essay Type

Cause/Solution essay

Introduction

Sentence 1&2 – Paraphrase the topic with the help of synonyms. Mention that the increased production of consumer goods has negative consequences on the environment.

Sentence 3 – Mention that the essay will focus on the causes and solutions to the query.

Body paragraphs

Paragraph 1 – Focus on the causes first. Talk about sustaining an increasing population as a cause. Then talk about the consequences like air, water and land pollution, and how it is harmful for humans as well.

Paragraph 2 – Focus on solutions. Talk about the introduction of stricter laws and penalties for manufacturers who cause pollution, and also talk about how normal people should do everything from their end to stop pollution.

Conclusion

Summarise the causes and solutions and state your observations.

Sample Essay

In today’s times, humans concede heavy reliance on consumer goods because of a population boom and for convenience purposes. Unfortunately, such developments have adversely affected our environment. This essay will discuss its causes and what we can do to salvage the environment from it.

As mentioned earlier, the increasing population has left many companies ramping up their production capacity to satisfy the growing world’s needs. As a result, factories are emitting tons of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere along with industrial effluents, some of which are even dumped in the ocean without any toxic treatment. These effluents are very poisonous and pose perilous aftermaths to marine ecosystems. Some effluents even enter the groundwater, which is a significant source of drinking water. Such is the cascading effect of consumer goods on the environment, which eventually harms humans. Apart from this, companies set up outlets and factories, which lead to clearing forest areas and thereby causing deforestation and disturbance of the local ecosystem.

Nevertheless, this whole process can be arrested by following certain steps. First and foremost, governments and governing bodies need to lay down strict laws and penalties for manufacturers so that the harm caused by their waste and emissions to the environment is minimal. Moreover, people should be conscious of their consumption. They should not litter openly and utilise the 3 R’s – Reuse, Reduce and Recycle – as much as possible. Furthermore, spreading awareness of these detrimental effects on nature and steps to avoid them should become the priority for the government and other organisations. It will not only prevent the misuse by the consumer goods-based companies but also make the public aware of their initiative. Lastly, manufacturers should be encouraged to switch towards greener initiatives and environment-friendly products.

In conclusion, the increasing production of consumer goods is causing a detrimental impact on our environment, and if it is left unchecked,  the point from which there’s no return will soon pass. Hence, every individual should contribute as much as possible to avoid that.

Vocabulary

• Concede

Meaning – surrender or yield .
Example – His coach was at a loss of words after seeing him concede to the opponent.

• Adversely

Meaning – in a way that prevents success or development; harmfully or unfavorably.
Example – Climate change adversely impacts every living thing on earth.

• Salvage

Meaning – Rescue.
Example – His team managed to salvage only a few papers.

• Ramping up

Meaning – increasing.
Example – COVID-19 saw companies ramping up the production of sanitisers.

• Emitting

Meaning – produce and discharge.
Example – China leads the global charts in emitting greenhouse gases.

• Effluents

Meaning – liquid waste or sewage discharged into a river or the sea.
Example – Toxic effluents contaminate much of our water bodies.

• Perilous

Meaning – full of danger or risk.
Example – Due to the perilous weather, all climbing activities on Mt. Everest has been suspended.

• Aftermaths

Meaning – the consequences or aftereffects of a significant unpleasant event.
Example – The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster was a horrible aftermath of the tsunami that hit Japan.

• Initiative

Meaning – the power or opportunity to act or take charge before others do.
Example – John took the initiative to become the leader of his group.

• Detrimental

Meaning – tending to cause harm.
Example – Though plastic is indispensable from our lives, it has a detrimental impact on the environment.