climate change effects on business ielts essay

IELTS essay and vocabulary (climate change)

Home  »  IELTS vocabulary  » IELTS essay and vocabulary (climate change)

To score high in IELTS writing you first need to understand how IELTS examiners grade this part of the IELTS test .

IELTS examiners do not give you one grade, they give you four grades. You never see these but they are added together to create an overall band score in IELTS Writing. The four areas that they grade you on are:

Task achievement Cohesion and coherence Lexical resource Grammatical range and accuracy

This tutorial focuses on lexical resource:

• What is lexical resource?
• What can you do to improve your band score in this area?

Click here for the full tutorial:  https://www.ieltspodcast.com/writing-task-2/climate-change-model-essay/

Click here for a free master list of collocations!

Audio tutorial.

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

| Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Soundcloud |  Transcript |

You can also watch the full tutorial here:

Read the transcript below:

Female Voice:  Your host, Ben Worthington.

Ben:  How can you get a high band score in lexical resource in the IELTS writing task? Hi there, my name is Ben Worthington. In this tutorial, I'm going to give you a very useful, very practical strategy to help you score higher with your lexical resource.

This is a strategy that's included in the online course. It’s very easy to learn. It's very quick and the course is absolutely full of these straight forward practical tips and advice that help you improve much, much faster.

So, before we jump into this tutorial, it's very important to understand how the IELTS examiners grade this part of the test. They don't give you one grade. They give you four grades that you do not see. Then these are added together afterward to get an overall band score for your IELTS writing. The four areas are task achievement, cohesion and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy.

I'm going to focus on lexical resource and how we can improve our score. So, as we just mentioned, lexical resource is going to represent 25% of your overall score. So, it's important you choose your vocabulary carefully. Now, a lot of students just focus on answering the question and don't pay enough attention usually to vocabulary.

This might end up us getting a 5 for lexical resource and then it might lower the overall band score. Now, to get over a 6 in your lexical resource, we're going to have to use a range of less common words and phrases. Let's have a look exactly how we can do this with an IELTS essay. We’re going to look at a typical question and this topic is very common as well. It’s about the environment.

Before we even start focusing on the vocabulary, we need to read and understand the question. Let's have a look. "It is the job of governments and companies is to deal with the huge environmental problems which we face. Individuals on their own can do little or nothing. What is your opinion about this statement?"

In this question, we need to focus on governments, companies, and individuals. So, the best answer would be-- I would take two strategies. We could take the five-paragraph model and write a paragraph for each one or we could kind of group them into organizations and individuals. We could say-- put governments and companies in the same basket, in one paragraph and then the next paragraph dedicate it just to individuals and it would make it easier to write.

Anyway, in this specific example, we've done three paragraphs. Now, we've understood the question and here is the tip I give in the online course, okay? It's very pragmatic. We're not going to jump in with two feet and start writing the essay. No. We’re going to note down some complex words and phrases we can use in our answer, okay? So, if you do it like this, you’re more likely to include it in your essay.

Now, what kind of vocabulary could we use to improve our lexical resource in this question about the environment? Well, not only are we going to use some less common words and complex language, but we're going to definitely, definitely, definitely use collocations. Collocations, if you don’t know, these are words that go together naturally and there's a higher statistical chance that we find them together when they are used.

They are used by native English speakers and they help you to sound more natural. Here are a few collocations. To tackle climate change: this basically means to deal with climate change. Next one, a pressing problem: a problem that needs dealing with urgently. A pressing problem.

Hopefully, you've whipped out your pen and you're writing these down. If you're not, I hope you're committing them to memory. Next one, a moral responsibility: a duty to behave in a way that is right. The key players: the most important people.

By the way, just as a side note, if you think this tutorial would benefit somebody, please send them the link. Send them a message. Tell them to download this tutorial or the tutorials in general and this way, we can just help make this IELTS burden of frustration a little bit easier for everybody else.

So, just to recap where we've got so far. We read the question, we understand the question, and then we brainstorm complex language related to the topic, complex language which is going to include topic-specific vocabulary and collocations.

So, let's jump into this. What I'm going to do is read you the question then I'm going to read you the answer, okay? Or at least the paragraphs I wrote. Now, as I said, in this example I divided it up into a range of paragraphs. What I'm going to do is read you the answer and I'm going to lower my voice when I mention a collocation, topic-specific vocabulary, or impressive language, less common language.

I'm going to lower my voice when I do this because when somebody whispers, you pay much more attention, okay? So, when there is a lowering in the voice what usually happens is that our ears pick up, our listening picks up and we try to pay more attention. This will be a clue for you to pay more attention and you're more likely to remember it. If you've got that pen in your hand, you can write them down or you can just pause the recording, write them down in your phone.

Let's go. Question first. "It is the job of governments and companies to deal with the huge environmental problems which we face. Individuals on their own can do little or nothing. What is your opinion about this statement?" We’ve done our introduction. Let's jump straight into the body paragraphs.

"It cannot be disputed that the world is experiencing an environmental crisis. According to recent research, if nothing is done to tackle climate change in the near future, our planet will face the devastating consequences of global warming. Undoubtedly, it is the role of governments and corporate organizations to take action. However, I strongly feel that individuals need to make a contribution to deal with this pressing problem as well.

Politicians, this is a new paragraph, politicians could certainly invest public finances in order to research the issues connected with climate change and furthermore could pass laws in relation to industrial pollution, which is making a major contribution to the greenhouse effect.

Nevertheless, it requires constant pressure from citizens either alone or in environmental pressure groups on our leaders to make this happen. The general public can protest or lobby the politicians or vote for a political party who proposes introducing green policies if elected.

Similarly, (new paragraph) copper businesses should be adopting more sustainable working practices for instance, by switching to more environmentally friendly ways of manufacturing using renewable energies such as solar panels. Likewise, the individual as a consumer can play a role here too by refusing to purchase products which have been manufactured in a way that damages the environment.

It must also be acknowledged that individuals have a moral responsibility to care for our planet. For example, reducing consumption of fossil fuels whenever possible, becoming self-sufficient by growing their own vegetables and switching off lights when they are not needed. Although some of these actions may seem minor, the cumulative effect of everyone taking such actions would be enormous.”

There we go. I'll read you the conclusion in a second. Let me just recap the impressive or uncommon vocabulary, the topic-specific vocabulary, the collocations, all used in this essay, right? Notice as well that they are used in a natural way. In a second, I will tell you about how we can acquire this vocabulary.

So, the vocab used which would help us score points: an environmental crisis, to tackle climate change, planet, devastating consequences of global warming, this is a pressing problem, industrial pollution, the greenhouse effect, environmental pressure groups, lobby their politicians. "...the general public can protest and lobby their politicians..." Lobby just means to try and persuade, to take action through the courts, to persuade the politicians to do something.

Next one: green policies, sustainable, environmentally friendly, renewable energy, solar panels, a moral responsibility, reducing consumption of fossil fuels, and self-sufficient. All of that is topic-specific vocabulary and all of it is helping you score maximum points for lexical resource.

Now, on  ieltspodcast.com  there is a whole page-- there is a whole massive tutorial on IELTS vocabulary and lexical resource. Just go to Google or Bing, whatever you use, put ieltspodcast lexical resource and you will find it, okay? There we talk about how you can learn this, how you can start incorporating it in a natural way because a lot of students might just go out and learn lists, which is better than nothing, but unless you learn those lists in context, unless you learn those words, phrases, and collocations in context, it's going to be a-- it’s not going to sound natural.

As we mentioned before, the environment is a frequently used topic. So, if you want to use decent vocabulary in your exam then hopefully you’ve written down the phrases I’ve just shared with you and go research those phrases and when you come across a new phrase don't just copy the phrase. Copy down the whole sentence and then maybe write down about four or five different sentences using a similar structure or using a different word, but using that collocation.

This will help you to get to use the collocation in a natural form especially if you're getting feedback on your work. If you're lost and you don’t know where to get feedback, then you can have a look at the Essay Correction service we've got on ieltspodcast and there you can send your work and the essay corrector will give you some feedback.

Sometimes I do it as well when the essay corrector is on holiday, but she will give you some feedback and she will help you understand where you need to improve. It’s a very fast and effective way of improving.

So, as I said, if you know anybody who's struggling with their IELTS, then perhaps send them a link with this tutorial or a link to the podcast. Also, the next step if you want to carry on improving is to go and subscribe at  ieltspodcast.com . Leave your email and we'll send you more tutorials, a big, big PDF full of model essays and vocabulary resources. If you're in a hurry, then you might want to have a look at the online course.

My name is Ben Worthington. Good luck with your IELTS. Keep on practicing, keep on improving and you will get there. Have a great day.

Female Voice:  Thanks for listening to  ieltspodcast.com

• Free Essay Band Score Evaluation
• Sign up to claim your free IELTS materials
• Jump to Band 7 or it’s Free
• IELTS Writing Evaluation
• IELTS Band Score Calculator
• Book Your Online IELTS Test
• Sample Topic Answers
• Useful Sentences
• Sample Task 2 Questions 2022
• Introduction to Paraphrasing
• Model Band 9 Essay
• Five Band 9 Words
• Model Band 7 Essay
• Differences Band 9 vs Band 7 Essay
• Band 6.5 Essay
• Academic Collocations
• Topic Sentences
• Discuss Both Views
• Tutorial: To What Extent Essays
• Paraphrasing Introductions
• Essay Structures
• Essay Plans
• Describe a Pie Chart
• Using Percentages
• Map Vocabulary
• Describe Flow Charts
• Describe a Bar Chart
• How to get Band 9
• AT 1 Sample Questions 2022
• Describe a Graphic
• GT Task 1 Questions 2022
• IELTS Vocabulary
• Google Play / Podcasts
• Apple Podcast
• Android App
• Task 2 Sample Questions
• AT 1 Questions

Company addresses: HK Office: BW ENGLISH SERVICES HK Ltd, Unit 2512, 25/F, Langham Place Office Tower, 8 Argyle Street, Mongkok, Hong Kong UK Office: BW ENGLISH SERVICES, 120 High Road, East Finchley, N29ED, London, England, United Kingdom ​+44 20 3951 8271 ($1/min).

• Business Essentials
• Leadership & Management
• Credential of Leadership, Impact, and Management in Business (CLIMB)
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• Digital Transformation
• Finance & Accounting
• Business in Society
• For Organizations
• Support Portal
• Media Coverage
• Founding Donors
• Leadership Team

• Harvard Business School →
• HBS Online →
• Business Insights →

Business Insights

Harvard Business School Online's Business Insights Blog provides the career insights you need to achieve your goals and gain confidence in your business skills.

• Career Development
• Communication
• Decision-Making
• Earning Your MBA
• Negotiation
• News & Events
• Productivity
• Staff Spotlight
• Student Profiles
• Work-Life Balance
• AI Essentials for Business
• Alternative Investments
• Business Analytics
• Business Strategy
• Business and Climate Change
• Design Thinking and Innovation
• Digital Marketing Strategy
• Disruptive Strategy
• Economics for Managers
• Entrepreneurship Essentials
• Financial Accounting
• Global Business
• Launching Tech Ventures
• Leadership Principles
• Leadership, Ethics, and Corporate Accountability
• Leading with Finance
• Management Essentials
• Negotiation Mastery
• Organizational Leadership
• Power and Influence for Positive Impact
• Strategy Execution
• Sustainable Business Strategy
• Sustainable Investing
• Winning with Digital Platforms

7 Ways Climate Change Affects Global Businesses

• 02 Aug 2022

Climate change has become an increasing global concern. Dependence on fossil fuels and nonrenewable resources has inflated people’s carbon footprint worldwide. Despite greater access to clean energy and awareness of the business case for sustainability , the effects of climate change are worsening. As such, business leaders must understand how to navigate its challenges in an ever-changing landscape.

Here's an overview of the negative impacts of the climate crisis on global businesses.

Access your free e-book today.

7 Ways Climate Change Impacts Global Business

One of climate change’s biggest challenges is its large-scale impact. It’s a major obstacle in global business because many countries don’t have the funds or capabilities to invest in environmentally friendly business practices. Therefore, those that want to effect positive environmental change must work harder to make up for others that can’t.

This struggle around climate change has led to several negative impacts on global business.

1. Emission Instability

Global emissions are the biggest contributing factor to climate change. Rapid response to CO2 emissions can make a substantial difference in climate health.

Emissions are primarily generated by high levels of energy intensity , or the amount of energy required to produce a given output. Higher levels of energy intensity produce higher total emissions.

To calculate total emissions, use the following formula:

Total CO2 Emissions = CO2/Energy x Energy/GDP x GDP/Capita x Population

This formula shows growing concern around the correlation between population growth and CO2 emissions production. As gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and population increase, the economy’s energy intensity for emissions decreases to keep the status quo. To reduce emissions, energy intensity must decrease at a relatively higher rate than population and GDP per capita increase.

As population and GDP per capita increase, emissions also rise. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) , global CO2 emissions rose by six percent in 2021—their highest level in history. This problem has been compounded by individuals with access to common resources, who use them without concern for the negative impacts of their depletion—or what’s known as the tragedy of the commons .

2. Cross-Border Pollution

Environmental externalities are significant problems for global sustainability. Cross-border pollution is highly difficult to prevent because air and water pollution can spread from adjacent countries, regardless of intra-national regulations. This externality is difficult to resolve since the CO2 molecule’s origin isn't relevant to its effect on climate.

3. Industry-Specific Challenges

While climate change threatens every industry, some are in greater danger than others . For example, skiing companies are threatened by rising global temperatures that significantly hinder snowfall. In the Colorado Rockies, a popular skiing destination, the temperature has risen 3 degrees Fahrenheit since 1980 , reducing the location’s skiing season by almost a month.

Agriculture, wine, energy, and commercial fishing are also industries that could experience climate change’s most severe impacts. As a result, companies operating in those fields must proactively mitigate risk.

4. Rising Insurance Costs

Another industry impacted by climate change is insurance. Unlike other fields, insurance has a larger effect on global consumers than companies.

As the risk of extreme weather events increases, premiums for flood and storm protection will likely rise to mitigate insurance companies’ risk. This could result in higher insurance costs for many firms and negatively impact their bottom lines.

5. Psychological Stress

In addition to climate change’s tangible business impacts, it's also a mental health concern. The American Psychological Association reports that weather events associated with climate change, like flooding and prolonged droughts, have been increasingly associated with cases of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorders.

Businesses can take a major hit when employees struggle with mental health. Since high levels of stress directly correlate with decreased productivity , businesses across the globe could experience declines in efficiency.

6. Exacerbation of Poverty

While climate change doesn’t specifically target impoverished countries, it can have a lasting effect. The populations least equipped to deal with climate change are typically those impacted the most.

Potential risks include:

• Reduced access to clean water
• Physical risks due to extreme heat
• Danger from rising sea levels
• Local businesses closing, such as fisheries and farms
• Stagnated economic growth

Climate change and severe weather patterns are likely to exacerbate impoverished countries’ and communities’ existing vulnerabilities, in turn, increasing several health and economic risks.

7. Diminished Supplies

Climate change’s environmental impacts are likely to result in diminished availability of food and water. While this can significantly impact impoverished countries, it's also likely to result in higher costs for consumers and businesses.

Furthermore, a lack of resources may cause countries to become increasingly protective over natural resources, making it harder for companies to obtain the raw materials needed to produce goods.

The Impact of Globalization on the Environment

Globalization provides many benefits for businesses but can be dangerous for the environment if executed improperly. As climate change negatively impacts global business, increased globalization contributes to climate change. Business leaders considering expanding their businesses internationally should be aware of the damaging effects doing so could have.

Here are three impacts increased globalization has had on the environment:

• Goods transport: Transportation of goods from one country to another could result in habitat destruction, increased emissions, and the introduction of invasive species into new countries.
• Overspecialization: Globalization allows countries to obtain resources from other nations, providing them the freedom to capitalize on their economic strengths. While it's important for countries to focus on those assets, overspecialization can result in problems like deforestation, overfishing, and increased pollution.
• Increased awareness: One positive side effect of globalization is increased awareness of climate change. As countries experience a prevalence of decreased biodiversity and invasive species, some have responded with more laws and regulations to address those problems.

To avoid the cycle of globalization and climate change, business leaders should be proactive about reducing the environmental risks of expanding internationally.

Related: 6 Pros and Cons of Globalization in Business to Consider

Proactively Addressing the Problem

It's easy to assume climate change won't have much of an impact until the distant future, but the world is already experiencing its effects.

“We’re already starting to have to pay some of the adaptation costs that, until recently, we assumed were far in the future,” says Harvard Business School Professor Forest Reinhardt in the online course Global Business , “as storm intensity increases, as fire intensity seems to increase, and as sea level rise begins to occur.”

The good news is that steps are being taken to address climate change’s potential impacts. Governments are implementing environmentally friendly regulations, while consumers and investors are demanding that businesses focus on sustainability.

Companies are also recognizing the benefits of sustainability on their bottom lines , investing in renewable energy and environmentally friendly packaging, and embracing responsible land-use management. These firms are creating positive ripple effects across their industries as competitors follow suit.

The Importance of Studying Global Business

Business leaders who want to internationally expand their firms should ensure they thoroughly understand the environmental factors associated with global business. It's important to account for climate change concerns and confirm their operations don’t compound problems.

Taking an online course, such as Global Business , is an effective way to obtain the knowledge and skills required to prepare for globalization’s environmental, economic, and political ramifications.

Want to learn more about the environmental impact of international business? Explore Global Business —one of our online business in society courses —to learn about the macroeconomic, political, environmental, and social considerations of international expansion. Not sure which course is the right fit? Download our free course flowchart .

About the Author

The impact of climate change on business is more than you think

There are certain impact of climate change on business, though it doesn't feature among risks in WEF report Image:  Reuters/Mohammad Ponir Hossain

.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo{-webkit-transition:all 0.15s ease-out;transition:all 0.15s ease-out;cursor:pointer;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:none;color:inherit;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:hover,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:focus,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-focus]{box-shadow:0 0 0 3px rgba(168,203,251,0.5);} John Scott

.chakra .wef-9dduvl{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-size:1.25rem;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-9dduvl{font-size:1.125rem;}} Explore and monitor how .chakra .wef-15eoq1r{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-size:1.25rem;color:#F7DB5E;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-15eoq1r{font-size:1.125rem;}} Climate Crisis is affecting economies, industries and global issues

.chakra .wef-1nk5u5d{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;color:#2846F8;font-size:1.25rem;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-1nk5u5d{font-size:1.125rem;}} Get involved with our crowdsourced digital platform to deliver impact at scale

Stay up to date:, climate crisis.

It may be somewhat surprising at first glance that environmental factors do not feature among the top 10 risks named in the World Economic Forum’s 2019 Regional Risks for Doing Business Report . On deeper analysis, however, we can see that environmental risks – especially the impact of climate change on business – are certainly important to business leaders, not only in terms of physical threats in specific regions and countries but also in the form of economic hazards related to climate change transition.

The report is in stark contrast with the WEF Global Risks Report , where environmental risks earn the highest ratings globally. In part, this is related to the nature of the respondents to the surveys that underpin the two reports. The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Perceptions Survey , on which the Global Risks Report is based, is driven by the Forum’s global multi-stakeholder network, which has a broader demographic, and includes more young respondents who may naturally be more concerned about long-term risks. The Regional Risks for Doing Business Report, on the other hand, reflects the opinions of current business leaders, who are burdened with solving many short- and long-term risks.

The physical impact of climate change on business : a clear and present danger

“Extreme weather events”, “failure of climate change adaptation” and “natural catastrophes” were ranked in the top 10 risks for business leaders in East Asia and the Pacific and North America in the Regional Risks Report. This reflects the vulnerabilities of countries in these regions due to water stress, prolonged periods of drought and the increasing risk of devastating wildfires, or the more obvious physical effects of global warming such as tropical storms and flooding.

In East Asia and the Pacific, environmental risks are the leading concerns for doing business, with “natural catastrophes” and “extreme weather events” ranking first and fifth respectively. On a country basis, “natural catastrophes” were ranked first in Japan and New Zealand, while in Indonesia and the Philippines they ranked third. These results are hardly surprising, given that the broader Asia Pacific region witnessed 50% of the world’s natural disasters in 2018. These catastrophes claimed over 80% of the total global deaths through natural disasters, affected over 50 million people, and cost the region a total of $56.8 billion.

Asia Pacific not only suffers the most in terms of loss of life, but its large and highly vulnerable population make the region especially susceptible to economic losses when an extreme weather event hits. Industrialization and unplanned urbanization have led to environmental degradation, which weakens the region’s natural defences against disasters. If left unchecked, the growing frequency of climate events runs the risk of eroding East Asia and the Pacific’s economic competitiveness.

In other regions, too, business leaders are nervous about the physical risks of climate change. In the Middle East and Africa, water crises rated 7th among the top 10 risks – hardly surprising for such an arid region. Desertification of the Sahel region and in the Horn of Africa are indications of how climate change is impacting life there, along with the devastation caused by Cyclone Idai in March 2019 , for which costs were estimated at over $2 billion dollars. Accordingly, in the Sub-Saharan Africa region of the report, “extreme weather events” and “natural catastrophes” topped the list in Mauritius and Mozambique.

Environmental risk continues to represent a blind spot for Africa that could hinder the economic and social progress of that region. This was highlighted in last year’s report on Climate Change and the Cost of Capital in Developing Countries by the Imperial College Centre for Climate Finance and Investment, which looked at how climate risks are incorporated into the returns of developing market sovereign bonds.

Transition risks are 'hidden' – but very real for fossil fuel-dependent nations

One interesting aspect of the report was the strong link shown between economic risks, such as “energy price shock”, and climate change transition risks. As countries transition to a low-carbon economy in pursuit of the Paris Agreement goals , fossil-fuel producing nations are vulnerable to price drops driven by a reduction in demand. The tension between vulnerability to the physical impact of climate change on business and to transition risks is felt most strongly in Canada.

The report reveals that, in Canada, business executives rated “extreme weather events” and “failure of climate-change adaptation” highly, while in the US these two risks also broke into the top 10 this year. Altered weather patterns were a factor in North America in 2018, with the “polar vortex” creating extreme low temperatures and one of the snowiest Januaries on record for the Great Lakes region, while the North American coasts experienced unusually moderate weather. Canada, specifically, is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world, with damaging impacts on physical infrastructure, coastal and northern communities, human health, ecosystems and fisheries. At the same time, however, the Canadian economy is heavily dependent on fossil fuel production in the form of crude oil, uranium and natural gas. Any global shift to renewables could strike its competitiveness hard.

This paradox is not only a Canadian problem, but also seen in other regions and countries. While certain environmental risks, such as extreme weather events and natural catastrophes, appear among the top concerns for some Latin American countries, their absence from the top regional risks to business is noticeable. Other environmental risks, such as biodiversity loss, did not appear in the top five risks for any individual economy in the region. Given the public spat between President Bolsonaro of Brazil and President Macron of France this summer, this was surprising, to say the least. Deforestation activity in the Amazon has become a matter of growing concern, both regionally and internationally. If left unattended, this could become a leading risk for many businesses around the world, as destruction of the rainforest will exacerbate threats in the form of climate change, food insecurity, health risks, trade risks, supply chain breakdown and reputational risks for business.

Have you read?

This is what ceos around the world see as the biggest risks to business, why carbon tax is crucial to curbing climate change, will low fuel prices derail the move to clean energy.

The paradox is also alive and well in Australia, with its coal-dominated exports, where “energy price shock” was the most highly rated business risk, compared to a region-wide ranking that placed it eighth. Australia is the only net energy exporter in the Asia Pacific region, and energy prices in Australia have remained volatile as a result of the country opening its domestic natural gas markets to international trade, along with network distribution issues and the closure of some coal-based energy sources. It’s an irony not lost on many that the carbon-intensive economy of Australia contributes to the global warming that is impacting the country in the form of drought, bush fires and damage to the Great Barrier Reef – a jewel in the crown of Australia’s tourism industry.

In South Asia, executives ranked “water crises” as the number one risk for doing business (up from fifth place last year), but also placed “energy price shock” fifth overall. It was rated the leading risk in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Water crises, meanwhile, ranked as the topmost risk in India, while it was second in Pakistan and fourth in Sri Lanka. South Asia is home to around a quarter of the global population, but has less than 5% of the world’s renewable water resources, making it one of the most water-scarce regions of the world. Additionally, its water infrastructure is underinvested by global standards, making it difficult to manage the floods and droughts that afflict the region, and which are expected to increase with climate change.

Yet, at the same time, there is rising demand for energy in South Asia as populations and economies grow. The region is a net importer of crude oil and is building coal-fired power stations, even while trying to electrify rural communities using renewable energy. The fossil-fuel sector is highly subsidized, which only exacerbates the repercussions of market price fluctuations. The leaders of South Asian nations need to get to grips with decarbonizing energy and other economically important carbon-intensive sectors as quickly as possible to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, help slow global warming and reduce the physical impact of climate change on businesses in their nations.

Energy price shock: a trigger for an economically fragile world

A very clear message from the Regional Risks of Doing Business Report is that the world economy is in an incredibly fragile position. The extraordinary period of ultra-loose monetary policy since the 2008 financial crisis did not solve the problem of indebtedness, but just managed it. The symptoms of this fragile economy have become clearer this year, with lower growth and higher debt increasing the likelihood of “fiscal crises”, the most highly rated risk in the report, rising from sixth in the adjusted 2018 results. The global public finance crisis is closely related to four of the other top 10 risks about which chief executive officers are also the most worried. These include “unemployment or underemployment”, “energy price shock”, “failure of national governance” and “profound social instability”.

“Energy price shock” is the risk that is most clearly linked to transition risk, one that deeply concerns the private sector – although it is present in the responses for different reasons. In the fossil-fuel producing nations, it’s a key risk. In the Middle East and North Africa, this risk ranked first and “fiscal crises” second. Oil and gas remain primary sources of public revenue in this region, so a sharp fall in energy prices could require governments to make delicate spending adjustments, and more so when energy prices are heavily subsidized.

But it’s not only the traditional oil-based producing economies that are affected. The top moving business risk in Europe compared with 2018 is “energy price shock”, which rose eight places to become the fourth major risk, taking first place in Serbia and appearing in the top five in another 12 countries, including France and Spain. Meanwhile, the transitional costs from the region’s number-one energy source, coal, to greener energies threatens to add further burdens on energy prices. As does the ability to deliver a “just” transition, in which jobs in carbon-intensive industries are changed without bringing destitution to thousands.

Don't miss any update on this topic

Create a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses.

License and Republishing

World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

The Agenda .chakra .wef-n7bacu{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-weight:400;} Weekly

A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda

.chakra .wef-1dtnjt5{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;} More on Climate Action .chakra .wef-17xejub{-webkit-flex:1;-ms-flex:1;flex:1;justify-self:stretch;-webkit-align-self:stretch;-ms-flex-item-align:stretch;align-self:stretch;} .chakra .wef-nr1rr4{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;white-space:normal;vertical-align:middle;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:0.75rem;border-radius:0.25rem;font-weight:700;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;line-height:1.2;-webkit-letter-spacing:1.25px;-moz-letter-spacing:1.25px;-ms-letter-spacing:1.25px;letter-spacing:1.25px;background:none;padding:0px;color:#B3B3B3;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;}@media screen and (min-width:37.5rem){.chakra .wef-nr1rr4{font-size:0.875rem;}}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-nr1rr4{font-size:1rem;}} See all

From predicting heatwaves to developing climate-resilient seeds: Here’s how agritech can help farmers

Pooja Chhabria and Michelle Meineke

April 28, 2024

Electric vehicles are key to the energy transition - but the switch must be sustainable. Here's why

Lisa Donahue and Vance Scott

Climate finance: What are debt-for-nature swaps and how can they help countries?

Kate Whiting

April 26, 2024

Beyond greenwashing: 5 key strategies for genuine sustainability in agriculture

Santiago Gowland

April 24, 2024

How Indigenous expertise is empowering climate action: A case study from Oceania

Amanda Young and Ginelle Greene-Dewasmes

April 23, 2024

What is desertification and why is it important to understand?

Andrea Willige

What climate change really means for businesses

• Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• Strategy & Leadership

Dr Cláudia Custódio discusses how rising temperatures affect business performance, and why it’s vital that we understand the macroeconomic impact of climate change

Do we fully understand the economic impact of climate change? We suspect businesses will be hurt by a hotter planet, but with global rises in temperature of up to two degrees Celsius on the horizon, we need to know who will suffer and by how much. If we know in advance which countries and which parts of the economy will be hit hardest, policymakers can act to mitigate the damage. As received wisdom says – what gets measured gets managed.

In our research , we’ve taken an in-depth look at the impact of rising temperatures on firms to measure how they perform, and to understand which businesses will adapt and cope better than others.

The impact on business

We know already that vulnerable sectors such as agriculture will take a hit from climate change . We also know that severe weather – flooding, storms, heatwaves and fires – damages supply chains and disrupts business. There’s also evidence that some retailers benefit from climate change as demand rises for air conditioning, bottled water and electricity.

But beyond these obvious impacts, is there a direct effect of global warming itself on business performance? And can we separate demand-driven effects from supply-side effects?

We’ve managed to tie down the results by looking at sales by firms across the US and how they fare when temperatures rise. Specifically, we compare how suppliers of the same client fare when temperatures rise for some but not all of them. This way we’re able to take into account fluctuations in consumer demand for a finished item or product – if, for example, appetite for ice cream increases but demand for chocolate declines as temperatures rise.

As we suspected, a local rise in temperature leads to a drop in suppliers’ sales. Specifically, a local temperature rise of one degree Celsius leads to a two per cent fall in sales to a client over the course of a year. And the data show that suppliers of the same client from regions less affected by warmer climes don’t experience the same drop. So, what’s going on?

Rising temperatures and falling sales

There are three main factors that can have a negative impact upon business. If it’s too hot, then staff productivity declines – employees are absent or higher temperatures make working conditions more difficult – particularly within the heat sensitive industries we focused on, such as manufacturing. We also suspected that a company’s finances play a part – deep coffers might allow larger companies to relocate or divert resources to different branches, whereas cash-strapped businesses don’t have the wiggle room to adapt.

And then there is the ease with which a client could simply buy the same thing elsewhere. The more standardised the product, the easier it is to switch supplier. Clients do this if production is affected, or even if they just suspect it will be; it’s a safer bet to go with a supplier in Colorado if temperatures are on the rise in Arizona, for instance. Geography also plays a part here: the more distant a supplier, the more transactional the supplier-client relationship, and the more easily the client finds a substitute than if there’s a personal or local connection.

A local temperature rise of one degree Celsius leads to a two per cent fall in sales over the course of a year

Manufacturers – suppliers in particular – are vulnerable to rising temperatures. And if they’re cash strapped, as many are since the pandemic, they are particularly at risk, because they have no funds to help them adapt, shift premises or change operations, whereas more leveraged companies can better weather the storm.

One might deduce that falls in sales will follow in proportion with rising temperatures – a two degrees Celsius rise in temperatures leads to a four per cent fall in sales and so on. But we know that as temperatures rise, the meteorological effects can be more severe and unpredictable, leading to greater disruption. We’ve also seen that bouts of extreme weather can lead to even steeper declines in sales.

Extending our understanding

It’s vital that we understand the impact of the inevitable rise in temperatures. Our research focused on the US but could be applied to a certain extent anywhere in the world, particularly the countries which are more exposed to climate change.

Policymakers need to know what climate change means at a macroeconomic level – specifically how the revenues of firms will be affected. At a company level, wages might be affected and some companies in highly competitive sectors may even go under because of hotter climes. But if policymakers understand how and when to intervene – when to extend finance or to help improve working conditions – we’ll be better prepared to deal with the fallout.

This article draws on findings from "Economic Impact of Climate Change" by Cláudia Custódio (Imperial College London; Centre for Economic Policy Research; European Corporate Governance Institute), Miguel A. Ferreira (Nova School of Business & Economics), Emilia Garcia-Appendini (University of Zurich) and Adrian Lam (Imperial College London).

About Cláudia Custódio

Monthly newsletter.

Receive the latest insight from Imperial College Business School

Green finance: how competition can bring polluting firms into the fold

No company wants to be the dirtiest on the block. If there were a clear and consistent way to gauge and reward progress, even the most polluting firms would find the will and the funds to decarbonise.

Agribusiness is not ready for the sudden shocks of climate change

Climate change models suggest temperatures will gradually rise, but the agriculture sector is not prepared for the acute risk of extreme weather events

• Harvard Business School →
• Business & Environment →

Confronting Climate Change

• Accelerating Solutions

Effects of Climate Change

• Electricity
• Food & Agriculture
• Buildings & Cities
• Transportation
• Industrial Production & Materials
• Finance & Investing
• Effects of Climate Change →

The time to drive innovation is now

The climate crisis is here.

Climate change is affecting many economic sectors: The time to drive innovation is now

• Altering the value of real estate , causing some areas to appreciate and others to decline
• Presenting new financial risks , disclosure requirements , and insurance considerations
• Posing operating challenges for businesses and their supply chains

As climate change continues, businesses, governments, and citizens will have an opportunity to work together to:

• Implement new policies for mitigating or adapting to climate change at the local, state, federal, and international levels
• Transform the sources of energy we rely on, how and where we grow food , the modes of transportation we use, the infrastructure of cities , and the materials we use to build them
• Adapt to climate change by making vulnerable areas more resilient and decide when to rebuild, restrict development, or retreat

Economic development and innovative technologies have contributed to climate change—and are also essential to address it. Government policies can create incentives to accelerate progress.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which includes more than 1,300 scientists from around the world, forecasts a temperature rise of 1.4° to 5.5° Celsius by 2100 with serious consequences for business and for the natural systems on which our current ways of life depend.

According to the IPCC, greenhouse gas emissions must be net zero by 2050 to keep global warming below 1.5° C and thereby avoid the most serious impacts of climate change. [1]

Major Effects of Climate Change

Temperature rise.

18 of the 19 warmest years on record have occurred since 2001 [2] . July 2019 was the hottest month on record on Earth [3] .

Sea Level Rise

By 2050 at least 570 cities and some 800 million people will be exposed to rising seas and storm surges [4] .

Extreme Weather

Annual weather-related natural disasters (hurricanes, intense rain, tornadoes, snow storms) have more than tripled since the 1960s. Every year, these disasters result in some 60,000 deaths, mainly in developing countries [5] .

Climate Migrants

In 2018, 16 million people were displaced by weather-related disasters across 148 countries and territories, including 764,000 displaced by drought in Somalia, Afghanistan, and elsewhere [6] .

Poor Health

Climate change is predicted to be responsible for 250,000 additional deaths each year between 2030 and 2050 as the result of heat exposure among the elderly, childhood undernutrition, malaria, and other diseases exacerbated by climate change [7] .

The variable rain patterns associated with climate change will make safe drinking water less available in many regions, increasing the risk of water-born disease, famine, and draught [7] .

Air Pollution

Burning fossil fuels causes air pollution that is responsible for killing 7.3 million people annually. The use of cleaner energy and improved transportation has the potential to dramatically improve health by reducing the major sources of air pollution [7] .

Mass extinctions and ecosystem collapse

Some 1 million species are now threatened with extinction, with climate change as a major cause [8] .

Changing agricultural conditions

The growing region for wheat moves further north each year in the U.S., Europe, and Russia [9] . Storms, heat, and drought also impact crop yields and prices.

Visualizing Climate Change Effects

Global Warming

• Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego

Global Average Carbon Dioxide Concentration (ppm)

• 1950s vs 2010s

Frost-free Regions Over Asia

Annual Arctic Sea Ice Minimum Area

• Climate Central

Surging Seas in Boston, Venice, Tokyo, and Hong Kong

• “ Special Report: Global Warming of 1.5° C ,” Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2018, accessed October 8, 2019.
• “ Global Temperature ,” National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), 2019, accessed September 8, 2019.
• “ July 2019 Was Hottest Month on Record for the Planet ,” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), August 15, 2019.
• “ The Global Risks Report 2019 ,” World Economic Forum (WEF), January 15, 2019.
• “ Climate Change and Health ,” World Health Organization (WHO), February 1, 2018.
• “ Let’s Talk About Climate Migrants, Not Climate Refugees ,” United Nations (UN), June 6, 2019.
• “ Climate change and health ,” World Health Organization (WHO), February 1, 2018.
• “ Summary for policymakers of the global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services ,” Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), May 29, 2019.
• “ The effects of climate change ,” National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), 2019, accessed September 8, 2019.

Log In   0 The website uses cookies for functionality and the collection of anonymised analytics data. We do not set cookies for marketing or advertising purposes. By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies and our privacy policy . We're sorry, but you cannot use our site without agreeing to our cookie usage and privacy policy . You can change your mind and continue to use our site by clicking the button below. This confirms that you accept our cookie usage and privacy policy.

Free English Lessons

A talk about climate change – listening lesson (c1-c2).

Climate change is one of the hottest topics around nowadays. Listen to a woman giving a talk in a conference call to colleagues, concerning what their company plans to do to tackle the issues. You will review the grammar of complex sentences, learn vocabulary related to climate change and colloquial expressions, and focus on the pronunciation of the schwa. This free lesson from Oxford Online English is for advanced learners.

Listen to the dialogue at normal speed here:

or listen to a slower version here:

https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Climate-crisis-25pc-slower.mp3

I’ve called this talk “There Is No Planet B” because it’s a bit of a catchphrase 1 at the moment – Greta Thunberg used it at a recent climate conference, as you know. It’s also the title of a book by Mike Berners-Lee, from the University of Lancaster – and if his name rings a bell, it’s because his brother Tim founded the world wide web. Well, his book outlines some of the biggest climate changes the world currently faces and what we could do about them. I truly recommend it!

Now, I know there are always voices of doubt – I’ve had a few naysayers 2 already saying “don’t make us feel guilty for destroying the planet” and “remember the Ice Age – global warming isn’t just a manmade thing”. Well … so what if it isn’t? Whatever you think causes greenhouse gases, using up the earth’s finite resources is 100% human. The planet doesn’t drill for its own oil. The fossil fuel industry might say “we all depend on oil – everything you buy relies on something having been delivered by a petrol-driven vehicle at some point; fossil fuels are the backbone of our comfortable lifestyles!” … well … they won’t be when they’re all gone. There is no oilfield B!

So, our company wants to make more than just a token effort – we don’t want to be accused of greenwashing, claiming to be eco-friendly while actually continuing as we always have. To do that, every one of us needs to be on board, including the doubters – because saving the planet means saving money too! If you fill your car with petrol, there’s only a certain number of journeys you can make before you have to fill her up again! The longer you can avoid using the car, the more time before you have to pay for more petrol. The same should go for water, gas and electricity: the trouble is you turn on the tap and there’s always water; you turn the knob and the gas comes out; the lights always come on at the flick of a switch. You get your bill every quarter and think “hmm, that’s gone up a bit!”, but what if those utilities were actually just like that tank of petrol? You’d soon think twice about using water if it came from a tank in the garden and you had to pay for someone to fill it up every time – particularly if when you phoned them they said “nah, sorry mate, it’s all gone”.

Our company pledge is for every member of staff to do one thing less in your working life, one thing less in your home life and even one thing less in your social life. In work life, you might print less, or do it double-sided; in your own time, cover yourself in soap in the shower before you turn the water on; when you’re with friends, put all your phones in the middle of the table and pledge not to look at them until you leave – you’re using the phone less, so you won’t have to charge the battery so soon, and you’ll use less of the electricity in the tank.

Now, I’ve created a pledge page on the intranet 3 site – if you’d like to go there now, you’ll see it on the right-hand side. I’m gonna stop talking for a moment or two and ask you to go there now and enter some pledges …

Some of the language that you might not know in this recording is explored in the exercises below, which are designed to guide you through understanding the speaker. These notes concern other words not included in the exercises. We recommend that you try the exercises first and come back to refer to these notes if you need to.

1. catchphrase = a phrase or slogan that a lot of people have started saying, or that one person (e.g. a quiz show host) always says in a certain context 2. naysayer = a person who tends to give negative opinions, particularly when these opinions are in opposition to more common views 3. intranet = a company’s internal network of websites, only available to those with password-controlled access, or using certain computers

The speaker also mentions Greta Thunberg and Mike Berners-Lee . Click the links to read more about them.

A Talk About Climate Change – exercise 1 Comprehension: identifying the speaker’s opinion

A lot of what the speaker says in this talk is her own opinion, but there are also some examples of ideas expressed by other people, which she quotes and then comments on. Can you tell which is which?

Read five quotes of things that the speaker says and listen for them in the full recording (above). Decide if they are her own opinion or if she is quoting someone else. If it’s the latter, decide why she is mentioning it.

Quiz Summary

0 of 5 Questions completed

Information

You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.

Quiz is loading…

You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.

You must first complete the following:

0 of 5 Questions answered correctly

Time has elapsed

You have reached 0 of 0 point(s), ( 0 )

Earned Point(s): 0 of 0 , ( 0 ) 0 Essay(s) Pending (Possible Point(s): 0 )

• Not categorized 0%

Well done! You’ve finished!

That’s an excellent score! Congratulations!

A perfect score! Congratulations!

1 . Question

1. “There is No Planet B.”

• This is her own original idea, and she has invented the phrase herself.
• Although this represents her opinion, other people have used this phrase before her.
• These are other people’s words, which do not fit with her own view.

2 . Question

2. “Global warming isn’t just a manmade thing.”

• This is her own opinion, and she wishes to convince listeners to agree.
• This is an opinion expressed by others, which she dismisses as less important than her own idea.
• This is someone else’s view, but she says she doesn't understand it.

3 . Question

3. “Fossil fuels are the backbone of our comfortable lifestyles!”

• This is her own claim. She is defending the use of fossil fuels.
• This is a view opposed to her own, which has been claimed by a specific person.
• She is suggesting a common viewpoint, which she then argues with.

4 . Question

4. “Saving the planet means saving money too.”

• This is the view of the speaker, which she justifies with a specific example.
• She is quoting a view that a lot of people say, so as to mock it.
• She’s acknowledging a valid point by other people, but showing how it’s flawed.

5 . Question

5. “Cover yourself in soap in the shower before you turn the water on.”

• This is the speaker’s own idea and she’s suggesting that her listeners do it.
• This is an idea that the speaker has read and she’s reporting what happened when she tried it.
• She’s quoting an idea by somebody else, which she thinks is a waste of time.

A Talk About Climate Change – exercise 2 Vocabulary: climate change words

There are a number of words in the talk related to climate change, the environment and man’s use of the earth’s resources.

Read a definition of five terms used by the speaker, and listen for them in the recording. Write the words exactly as the speaker says them.

0 of 1 Questions completed

0 of 1 Questions answered correctly

The words appear in the same order as the questions. Click ‘Hint’ for a rough time reference for each one.

1. = chemical substances like carbon dioxide and methane that are produced by human activity and remain in the earth’s atmosphere, preventing heat from escaping (like what happens in a greenhouse) (two words – compound noun, used in plural form)

2. = an underground area, found below land or sea, in which a liquid fossil fuel is found (one word – noun)

3. = giving the impression of doing things that are environmentally friendly, while carrying on with activities that are not (one word – verb in gerund form, used as a noun)

4. = the things that are provided by a company or the government to be used in the home, e.g. water, gas and electricity (one word – noun, used in plural form)

5. = promise publicly to do something, often for the benefit of a good cause (one word – noun, used in singular and plural form in the recording + verb, used in the imperative form; you should write the imperative verb or singular noun, which are both the same spelling)

If you listen to the recording at normal speed, you will hear the answer somewhere within the following sections:   1. 0.45-1.00 2. 1.15-1.25 3. 1.25-1.35 4. 2.00-2.25 5. used several times between 2.35 and the end

A Talk About Climate Change – exercise 3 Vocabulary: colloquial expressions

The speaker uses a number of informal and figurative expressions. This is very common in ordinary conversation but less common in very formal speeches. Since this is a less formal speech in a modern tech-age, her register is formal at times and more informal at others.

Listen to five utterances from the recording and fill in the gaps with the exact words that you hear.

Use contractions when the speaker does. Click ‘Hint’ to see a clue about what each missing phrase means.

https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Climate-crisis-vocab-rings-a-bell.mp3

1. “It’s also the title of a book by Mike Berners Lee, from the University of Lancaster – and if his name , it’s because his brother Tim founded the world wide web.”

https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Climate-crisis-vocab-a-token-effort.mp3

2. “Our company wants to make more than just .”

https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Climate-crisis-vocab-be-on-board.mp3

3. “To do that, every one of us needs to , including the doubters.”

https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Climate-crisis-vocab-fill-her-up.mp3

4. “If you fill your car with petrol, there’s only a certain number of journeys you can make before you have to again.”

https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Climate-crisis-vocab-its-all-gone.mp3

5. “… particularly if when you phoned them they said ‘nah, sorry mate, ‘.”

1 = sounds familiar 2 = enough to satisfy requirements but no more 3 = participate and support a venture 4 = put petrol in your car until the tank’s full – the colloquial version uses a female pronoun 5 = there’s no more available

A Talk About Climate Change – exercise 4 Grammar: conjunctions in complex sentences

The grammar we use in speaking tends to be less complex than in writing. There are more short and simple sentences. However, complex sentences should still be used to link ideas. If you can do this when speaking, you’ll get higher grammar scores, as well as improving what some exams call ‘coherence’ and others call ‘discourse management’ – both mean helping the listener to follow how your ideas are connected.

Look at some complex sentences from the recording and write one conjunction from the box in each gap. There are three that you don’t need to use.

Listen to the recording (above) to check your answers before you click ‘Finish Quiz’.

1. “I’ve called this talk ‘There Is No Planet B’ it’s a bit of a catchphrase at the moment.”

2 & 3. “We don’t want to be accused of greenwashing, claiming to be eco-friendly actually continuing we always have.”

4. “You’d soon think twice about using water it came from a tank in the garden and you had to pay for someone to fill it up every time.”

5. You’re using the phone less, you won’t have to charge the battery so soon.

A Talk About Climate Change – exercise 5 Pronunciation: the schwa

Do you use the schwa when you speak? Native speakers do it a lot, even though most probably don’t know what it is! It’s the name of the vowel sound /ə/ – the vowel in the word ‘the’ when it comes before a consonant. It also occurs on the unstressed syllables of words like c o mput e r and a bout, as well as in the unstressed weak forms of common words like t o , f or and a t. In fact, it’s been calculated that more than 60% of unstressed syllables in English are pronounced with the schwa. It’s by far the most common sound in English!

Listen to five utterances by the speaker and decide how many times she uses the schwa.

https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Climate-crisis-pron-the-flick-of-a-switch.mp3

1. This utterance contains five syllables. How many times does the speaker pronounce the schwa?

• three times

The schwa does not occur on stressed syllables. Since at least one syllable in an utterance must be stressed, it can’t be in all five syllables here! If you’re uncertain, think: stressed syllables don’t contain the schwa – so count the stresses instead of the schwas!

https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Climate-crisis-pron-and-what-we-could-do-about-them.mp3

2. Which of these words includes the schwa?

You need to choose three answers.

https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Climate-crisis-pron-you-turn-on-the-tap.mp3

3. Which words contain the schwa?

• ‘you’, ‘the’ and ‘and’
• ‘turn’, ‘always’ and ‘water’
• ‘on’, ‘tap’ and ‘there’s'

https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Climate-crisis-pron-the-same-should-go-for-water.mp3

4. This time, write the missing words, all of which include a schwa.

“ same should go water, gas electricity.”

https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Climate-crisis-pron-put-all-your-phones.mp3

5. There are 20 words and 23 syllables in this utterance.

On average, you can expect nearly half of the words in any utterance to be stressed since they convey meaning, while just over half of the words would typically be function words that should be unstressed.

Remember that about 60% of unstressed syllables in a typical sentence contain the schwa. Here, then, this would mean six or seven of the 23 syllables would have the schwa.

How many times does the schwa appear in the clip?

• six times or fewer
• seven times or more

This is a really difficult question – and opinions might differ about the exact number! If you doubt whether a sound is a schwa, try saying the word by itself slowly: is the vowel sound different from the one the speaker uses?

More English Lessons

English listening lessons.

• Odnoklassniki icon Odnoklassniki 0
• VKontakte 25
• Pinterest 0

• Tài Liệu IELTS
• Kỹ năng nghe
• Kỹ năng nói
• Kỹ năng đọc
• Kỹ năng viết
• Tiếng Anh Trẻ Em
• Email: [email protected]
• Hotline: 0912.987.349 – 091.436.1212

• Luyện thi IELTS

Essay 16: Climate change

 Some people think that instead of preventing climate change, we need to find a way to live with it. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Climate change represents a major threat to life on Earth, but some people argue that we need to accept it rather than try to stop it. I completely disagree with this opinion, because I believe that we still have time to tackle this issue and reduce the human impact on the Earth’s climate.

There are various measures that governments and individuals could take to prevent, or at least mitigate, climate change. Governments could INTRODUCE LAWS TO LIMIT THE CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS (đưa ra các luật lê hạn chế lượng C02 thải ra) that LEAD TO GLOBAL WARMING (dẫn tới sự nóng lên toàn cầu) . They could IMPOSE “GREEN TAXES” ON (áp đặt các loại thuế xanh lên) drivers, airline companies and other POLLUTERS (nguồn ô nhiễm), and they could INVEST IN RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTION FROM SOLAR, WIND OR WATER POWER (đầu tư vào sản xuất năng lượng tái tạo từ năng lượng mặt trời, gió hoặc nước) . As individuals, we should also TRY TO LIMIT OUR CONTRIBUTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE (cố gắng hạn chế các hoạt động gây ra biến đổi khí hậu) , by BECOMING MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT (sử dụng năng lượng hiệu quả hơn), by FLYING LESS (dùng máy bay ít hơn) , and by using bicycles and public transport. Furthermore, the public can affect the actions of governments by VOTING FOR POLITICANTS WHO PROPOSE TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE (bỏ phiếu cho các chính trị gia những người mà đưa ra giải pháp giải quyết vấn đề biến đổi khí hậu) , rather than for those who would prefer to ignore it.

If instead of taking the above measures we simply try to live with climate change, I believe that the consequences will BE DISASTROUS (thảm khốc) . To give just one example, I am not optimistic that we would be able to COPE WITH EVEN A SMALL RISE IN SEA LEVELS (đối phó với sự tăng lên của mực nước biển dù chỉ là nhỏ) . Millions of people WOULD BE DISPLACED by flooding (sẽ phải di dời bởi lũ lụt) , particularly ‘in countries that DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO SAFEGUARD LOW-LYING AREAS (không có phương tiện để bảo vệ các khu vực nằm thấp hơn so với mực nước biển) . These people would lose their homes and their jobs, and they WOULD BE FORCED TO MIGRATE TO NEARBY CITIES (bị buộc phải di chuyển đến các thành phố lân cận) or perhaps to other countries. The potential for human suffering would be huge, and it IS likely that WE WOULD SEE OUTBREAKS OF DISEASE AND FAMINE (chúng ta có thể sẽ phải thấy sự bùng phát của dịch bệnh và nạn đói) , as well as INCREASED HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY (sự gia tăng nạn vo gia cư và nghèo đói) .

In conclusion, it is clear to me that we must address the problem of climate change, and I disagree with those who argue that we can find ways to live with it.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Focus on Grammar

Perfect English Grammar

The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Log in to leave a comment

Bài viết mới

Preparation and Practice for IELTS General Training

Easy English Conversation

Market Leader

Australia siết thị thực du học, du học sinh Việt cần...

Nhiều trường đại học hàng đầu tại Mỹ đang tăng mức...

Đài Loan cung cấp hàng nghìn học bổng 100% cho sinh...

Hai chương trình hỗ trợ du học sinh cho việc định...

Hơn 50 suất học bổng được trao bởi Đại học Bath...

Editor picks.

IELTS listenting test sample 20

5 bước chính chuẩn bị cho thi tiếng Anh IELTS

Bức ảnh đầu tiên về hố đen có ý nghĩa gì...

Popular posts.

IELTS Academic Reading Sample 78 – Tea Times

IELTS Listening Sample 14

IELTS Academic Reading Sample 67 – LOCKED DOORS, OPEN ACCESS

Popular category.

• Tài Liệu IELTS 310
• Kỹ năng nói 297
• Kỹ năng viết 171
• Kỹ năng nghe 118
• Kỹ năng đọc 109
• Tin tức sự kiện 82
• Luyện thi IELTS 68

HỌC TIẾNG ANH VỚI CÔ QUỲNH IELTS

Địa chỉ: 288 Tây Sơn, Trung Liệt, Đống Đa, Hà Nội || Điện thoại: 0912987349 – 02471091212 –  091 436 1212  || Email: [email protected]

• Bản đồ đường đi

Featured Topics

Featured series.

A series of random questions answered by Harvard experts.

Explore the Gazette

Read the latest.

Imagining a different Russia

Bringing personal perspective to homeless care

Nikole Hannah-Jones on history, rage — and hope

Business opportunities from climate change.

From Pixabay

Thanks to greenhouse gases, the Earth’s climate is changing. One of the main sources of these gases is business. However, business is also the main source of new products, services, and business models that may save us from wholesale climate calamity. But what are businesses doing to address climate change? What can — and should — they do?

“The untold story is that climate change offers opportunities as well as risks, and business is already changing,” said Michael Toffel, John Heinz Professor of Environmental Management at Harvard Business School (HBS) and faculty chair of the School’s Business & Environment Initiative . “Climate change is such a broad issue, and it’s affecting business in a wide variety of ways. And businesses are developing technologies, products, and new operating models in response.”

HBS is collaborating with WBUR and Boston University Questrom School of Business to run a five-part series called “Stepping Up: Business in the Era of Climate Change.” The series will launch on March 5 in WBUR’s CitySpace . Each event will focus on business in a particular sector, including real estate, food, transportation, and energy.

Speakers include local and national leaders such as Bryan Koop, executive vice president of Boston Properties; Kevin Butt, sustainability director of Toyota North America; and David Perry, CEO of Indigo Agriculture. Small companies that cater to new consumer preferences like Clover Food Lab, and environmental groups like Union of Concerned Scientists, are also on the program.

According to Toffel, growing awareness of climate change offers a unique opportunity for HBS to embark on new projects and increase its impact. Faculty are addressing climate change in their teaching and research. The first year MBA curriculum includes case discussions and assignments designed to foster climate change awareness in every student. This spring all MBA students will be taught the case, “Climate Change: Paris, and the road ahead.” Faculty have also written more than 20 teaching cases about how businesses are tackling climate change.

In partnership with HBS alumni clubs, the School’s Business & Environment Initiative has been organizing faculty-moderated alumni events to explore how business leaders in regions around the U.S. are confronting climate change. Each event addresses the specific climate-related challenge facing that region. In addition to the WBUR event series, the School will launch a podcast called “Climate Rising” this spring.  

“Not all of the news about climate change is doom and gloom.  Working with faculty from these two schools has allowed us to showcase how this problem is sparking new products and services, from lab-grown meat to offshore wind,” said WBUR’s Barbara Moran, senior producing editor of Earthwhile, a new  team dedicated to reporting on environmental issues. “CitySpace is an ideal venue to reach a broad audience.”  Tickets are available at wbur.org. The full program can be found here .

Share this article

You might like.

Former ambassador sees two tragedies: Ukraine war and the damage Putin has inflicted on his own country

Soon-to-be Med School grad’s family struggled in U.S. after fleeing war-torn Central America. He hasn’t forgotten.

Pulitzer Prize winner delivers keynote at Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery Initiative’s 2024 Symposium

When math is the dream

Dora Woodruff was drawn to beauty of numbers as child. Next up: Ph.D. at MIT.

Seem like Lyme disease risk is getting worse? It is.

The risk of Lyme disease has increased due to climate change and warmer temperature. A rheumatologist offers advice on how to best avoid ticks while going outdoors.

Three will receive 2024 Harvard Medal

In recognition of their extraordinary service

IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2024

• Test Information FAQ
• Band Scores
• IELTS Candidate Success Tips
• Computer IELTS: Pros & Cons
• How to Prepare
• Useful Links & Resources
• Recommended Books
• Writing Task 1
• Writing Task 2
• Speaking Part 1 Topics
• Speaking Part 2 Topics
• Speaking Part 3 Topics
• 100 Essay Questions
• On The Day Tips
• Top Results
• Advanced IELTS

Opinion Essay Introduction Feedback

Below is some feedback to an IELTS opinion essay introduction written by a student in response to the following essay question.

IELTS Essay Question

Due to the development and rapid expansion of supermarkets in some countries, many small, local business are unable to compete. Some people think that the closure of local business will bring about the death of local communities. To what extent do you agree?

Student Introduction Sample

Small business are unable to competition supermarkets, which are rapidly increasing and developing in a number of countries. It is believed that close small business will bring negative impact on local societies. In my opinion modern buildings and comfortable service are important for new societies. However, local business increased the number of job opportunity.

General Feedback

The student introduction does not give a clear answer to the statement and the main points introduced are not completely relevant. It is important to spend time:

• to understand the issues in the statement
• to find main points which answer the statement.

Below are detailed comments on both the background statement and thesis statement for the student’s introduction.

Background Statement Feedback

Small business are unable to competition supermarkets, which are rapidly increasing and developing in a number of countries. It is believed that close small business will bring negative impact on local societies.

The content of the background statement is fine. The student has paraphrased most of the statement given by IELTS. This means the student is attempting to use the correct technique for IELTS with an academic style. The student has also used a clause in the first sentence which is great to increase the band score for grammar.

Unfortunately, there are also some errors in grammar and vocabulary.

• to competition = to compete (check the form of the word – don’t use a noun if a verb is needed)
• to compete supermarkets = compete with supermarkets (check all verbs to see if there needs to be a preposition after them)
• it is believed that close small business will … = it is believed that the closure of small businesses will … (check the form of the word – it should be a noun not a verb / check the use of plural nouns)
• will bring negative impact = will have a negative impact (check the use of (a / the etc) articles / check which verb to use)

Here is a model background statement:

Many small, local business are closing, owing to a boom in large supermarkets, and, according to some, this will have dire consequences for local communities.

Thesis statement Feedback

In my opinion modern buildings and comfortable service are important for new societies. However, local business increased the number of job opportunity.

This thesis statement does not address the task or offer a clear answer to the issue. The thesis statement should provide a clear answer to the issue: Do you think the community will die because many small shops close down and people go to do their shopping in large supermarkets instead? Here are some comments on the thesis statement above:

• The student thesis statement above does not answer this question
• It gives information about modern buildings which is off topic
• The thesis contains information about comfortable services which is also off topic
• It gives information about local business offering jobs – this is also not relevant to the topic

To write the model thesis statement we must understand all aspects of this issue and think more deeply. Here are some questions to consider:

• Why do people shop in supermarkets rather than small businesses?  Answer The reason is that it is more convenient to buy everything in one large shop, for example a supermarket, than have to visit different shops to buy the same things. Supermarkets reduce shopping time and people can find what they want more quickly.
• What is the result of people shopping in supermarkets rather than small shops?  Answer People no long need to go into the town center and walk around the shops to buy their goods. Instead, they can drive to a large supermarket, often located on the outskirts of town, to get what they want.
• How does this affect the community?  Answer Local people no long need to go into the town center. This means that the town center no longer is a place to socialise and meet other people while shopping. As small shops close, town centers become empty and local people become more distant to each other.
• Is this the death of the community?  Answer It certainly means that there are negative effects for communities but communities still survive through social events, through clubs, through schools and other institutions in society. Also there are a number of shops which will not be affected by supermarkets because they are not in direct competition for example, supermarkets do not offer top quality products so high end shops will not be affected by supermarkets.

Here is a model thesis statement:

In my opinion, I agree that communities will suffer as some small, local businesses close but it is doubtful that it will cause the death of local communities.

Hi Liz, I came across with this opinion question and it’s been confusing me a lot . It is often said that governments spend too much money on projects to protect wildlife, while there are other problems that are more important?Do you agree or disagree?

How can I address this question? Should I write my thesis statement by concentrating on one statement? (agreeing that government is spending too much money on wildlife protection project and providing expiation for that) Could you clarify my doubt?

Thank you…

The thesis statement provides your answer. Your answer must be about 1) spending money protecting wildlife 2) spending money on other important things. You can’t ignore one part of the essay. Do you think the government should spend so much money on wildlife when there are other things to spend money on? Do you think the government should not spend money on wildlife and spend it on health care and education instead. Be clear what your view is and state that view in the thesis statement. The details of why you have that view are given in the body paragraph.

Thank you soo much Liz… I really like you and your response…. Get well soon…

Some people think that instead of preventing climate change, we need to find a way to live with it. To what extent do you agree or disagree? There is no doubt that one of the most important hardships in the world is climate change. Many scientists have been working for several years on it because they want to discover the best way for this concerning issue. I markedly believe that protecting climate change instead of creating some outline for living with this difficulty is better. Initially, natural power has always been stronger than humans. Then if people observe the sky and solar system, they can receive the answer that the universe has unbelievable strength, which humans are unable to close to its. For example, the Ozon layer is the most vital phenomenon, which can retain the all dangerous radiation of the sun; however, humans cannot repair some parts of it, which have been damaged. So, when humans are unable to protect their own from the simple hazard of the sun without the Ozon layer, they will not make a safe place for climate change. Consequently, with this ability that humans have obtained until now, they cannot encounter one of the worst tragedies in the world. Another compelling reason that supports my idea is having less afford money in many countries. Even the scientists were able to invent a scheme for living with the bad conditions of climate change, the enormous number of countries like Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan do not have enough financial resources for it. For instance, a few months ago, the United States launched a sensational telescope in the world to the sky for uncovering the huge number of mysteries of this universe; nevertheless, it was a too expensive invention in the 21st century. Therefore, even if humans create a new method, the number of towns and cities cannot pay for it. In conclusion, although exploring a way for living in the challenging situation of climate change is an idea of some people, I completely believe that prevention before the treatment has always been the exact method to get cheaper and more convenient results. Mojtaba Zolfaghari/ GT

Several Local business are hampered and are not able to compete with the rapid growth, development of supermarkets such as huge malls. Due to less profits and business vulnerabilities, small business might cease to exist, is the opinion of some people.

I tried to write the whole essay for the first time. But unfortunately, my thesis statement is like the student sample.

If the main idea is off the topic like the sample, my score for task achievement will be zero? And does the mistake affect other scores such as coherence and cohesion?

Task response is about your whole essay, not just the introduction. You might make some relevant points later in your essay which will help. Your score for each criteria is separate. You could write an essay which contains ideas that are off topic and still get band 8 or 9 in Coherence and Cohesion.

Thank you for your quick reply. Your advice is really helpful. I’ll keep practicing 🙂

hello Liz , hope you are doing well. i was just wondering to know if there are books available done by you on IELTS

Hi Liz, I studies your advanced writing classes. Your structure is very helpful. I struggled with understanding the question and wonder how relevant is my idea. How much flexibility is there. For example, regarding to this easy question”Being a celebrity- such as a famous film star or sports personality brings problems as well as benefits. Do you think that being a celebrity brings more benefits or more problems?” Can I talk about advantage and disadvantage that celebrities bring to the society? Or shall I only talk about benefits and issues to themselves? Thank you!

This is an “outweigh” essay. Follow the structure and tips I taught for that essay. IELTS sometimes paraphrase the instructions so always be ready for that. These instructions are 100% the same as the “outweigh” essay.

Thank you Liz! I will follow outweigh structure. Do the benefits and problems have to be about celebrities themselves or can I write the benefits the celebrities bring yo the others? Thank you.

The topic is about “being a celebrity”, it is not about what celebrities do to others.

Liz, thank you very much for your guidance!

Hi liz Do i need to discuss the first sentence of the question on my first body para???

See my tips about introductions on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

In some nations, the opening and rapid progress of large numbers of supermarkets have led to strict competition for minor and local markets. Such local communities may disappear if there will not be any local business. In my opinion, the heavy discounts and large varieties of products available in supermarkets are giving more options for buyers. However, healthy relations with customers and various selling schemes can help local communities to not get out of the market.

Is it good or bad to use bullets in the essay writing? e.g. For listing the advantages and disadvantages in the beginning of body paragraph and then elaborating them in the body?

Thanks a lot for this amazing blog!

The aim is to show the examiner your use of complex sentences, not lists.

Hi Liz, Could you please explain what is exactly meant by “local communities”? Thanks a lot for your help!

communities in an area or region.

can you tell me what actually does death of local communities indicates?

will u check my introduction?

Small local enterprises are not capable to run their business due to the wide expansion of supermarkets, it is often argued that failure of local business organisation cause the death of local communities. I strongly agree that small business cannot compete with big supermarket but I oppose with the claim that this brings about the extinction of local communities.

Sorry I don’t comment on writing.

There has been a recent trend, restructuring and explosion in extension of supermarket, found in many countries and it is considered by many that this situation will eventually force the extinction of local communities through the closure of local business.

Hi Liz !I really love your site.Thankyou for being kind to share your knowledge,time and patience !More power and keep IELTSLIZing!(:

Hi Liz I’m an advanced level student in English. I always get above 7.5 in all modules except writing module. When I submit my writing tasks for correction, sometimes I get 5, sometimes 6, 7, and even 8. I’m not sure why it happens. Why do I get low score sometimes?

https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/

Can i write the introduction in this format

“Owing to the swift growth and extension of super market in some countries, the local shopkeepers are unable to compete. Some people think shutting down of local business will bring local societies to doom. In my opinion, i completely disagree with this. A local seller has more chances to sell and acquire better profit than shops in shopping malls”

Sorry but I don’t comment on writing. All the best Liz

Hi, Liz! I find this topic unfamiliar to me so I try to complete the whole essay and hope for your advices, thank you! If you have no time to see my completing writing, you can take a look at my planning.

Here’s my body paragraphs’ planning. Body Paragraph A: It’s certainly convenient to have a supermarket. (1) supermarkets are convenient, providing various goods; (2)small business only have one particular kind of things. Body Paragraph B: not all small shops will die out (1) branding shops sells high quality products. Body Paragraph C: besides small business, communities provides more services (1)schools for eduction; clubs for entertainment; (2)take hospitals for example; no doctors will work in supermarket

It’s considered by some that the local communities will die out because of the disappearance of most small, local business, which is caused by the popularity of supermarkets nowadays. In my opinion, lots of business will disappear because more people prefer supermarkets, however, not the same as communities which provide many other services for local people. It’s certainly that supermarkets which contains many kinds of goods are quite easier for people to get what they want. For customers’ convenience, more supermarkets are built and at the same time are bigger and bigger. Customers no longer buy things in small shops because they must go for a lot of shops if they want different kinds of things which is absolutely a waste of time and energy. Instead, supermarkets, providing various goods, can satisfy people at one time. Although the popularity of supermarkets is pushing most local business to death which is quite a loss for local communities, it doesn’t mean that communities will die out as well. Not all the local business will disappear because of supermarkets. A large amount of famous companies, selling high quality products such as clothes, watches, phones and computers, have their branches in communities, which are not accessible in a supermarket. Consequently, branding shops will not be affected by supermarkets at all. What’s more, besides small shops, local communities contain schools for education, clubs for entertainment and other institutions. For example, local hospitals are predominant for local people since doctors there can take care for patients and guide them to take medicine precisely. However, a supermarket can only sell some normal medicine for little disease but not a doctor who has professional knowledge about diseases. To conclude, a supermarket is only a part of a community which contains almost all kinds of social events for local people. It’s possible for the death of some small business because of supermarkets, however, a community is much more important than supermarkets for humans.

Thanks a lot!!!

By the way, do you have a sample answer for this essay? Thanks!

Please read my notice about posting writing: https://ieltsliz.com/posting-writing/ Thanks Liz

Speak Your Mind Cancel reply

Notify me of new posts by email.

Advanced IELTS Lessons & E-books

Click Below to Learn:

• IELTS Test Information

Copyright Notice

Copyright © Elizabeth Ferguson, 2014 – 2024

All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy & Disclaimer

• Click here:  Privacy Policy 
• Click here: Disclaimer

Return to top of page

Copyright © 2024 · Prose on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Meet top uk universities from the comfort of your home, here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

• School Education /

Essay on Climate Change: Check Samples in 100, 250 Words

• Updated on  
• Sep 21, 2023

Writing an essay on climate change is crucial to raise awareness and advocate for action. The world is facing environmental challenges, so in a situation like this such essay topics can serve as s platform to discuss the causes, effects, and solutions to this pressing issue. They offer an opportunity to engage readers in understanding the urgency of mitigating climate change for the sake of our planet’s future.

Must Read: Essay On Environment  

Table of Contents

• 1 What Is Climate Change?
• 2 What are the Causes of Climate Change?
• 3 What are the effects of Climate Change?
• 4 How to fight climate change?
• 5 Essay On Climate Change in 100 Words
• 6 Climate Change Sample Essay 250 Words

What Is Climate Change?

Climate change is the significant variation of average weather conditions becoming, for example, warmer, wetter, or drier—over several decades or longer. It may be natural or anthropogenic. However, in recent times, it’s been in the top headlines due to escalations caused by human interference.

What are the Causes of Climate Change?

Obama at the First Session of COP21 rightly quoted “We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change, and the last generation that can do something about it.”.Identifying the causes of climate change is the first step to take in our fight against climate change. Below stated are some of the causes of climate change:

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Mainly from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy and transportation.
• Deforestation: The cutting down of trees reduces the planet’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide.
• Industrial Processes: Certain manufacturing activities release potent greenhouse gases.
• Agriculture: Livestock and rice cultivation emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

What are the effects of Climate Change?

Climate change poses a huge risk to almost all life forms on Earth. The effects of climate change are listed below:

• Global Warming: Increased temperatures due to trapped heat from greenhouse gases.
• Melting Ice and Rising Sea Levels: Ice caps and glaciers melt, causing oceans to rise.
• Extreme Weather Events: More frequent and severe hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires.
• Ocean Acidification: Oceans absorb excess CO2, leading to more acidic waters harming marine life.
• Disrupted Ecosystems: Shifting climate patterns disrupt habitats and threaten biodiversity.
• Food and Water Scarcity: Altered weather affects crop yields and strains water resources.
• Human Health Risks: Heat-related illnesses and the spread of diseases.
• Economic Impact: Damage to infrastructure and increased disaster-related costs.
• Migration and Conflict: Climate-induced displacement and resource competition.

How to fight climate change?

‘Climate change is a terrible problem, and it absolutely needs to be solved. It deserves to be a huge priority,’ says Bill Gates. The below points highlight key actions to combat climate change effectively.

• Energy Efficiency: Improve energy efficiency in all sectors.
• Protect Forests: Stop deforestation and promote reforestation.
• Sustainable Agriculture: Adopt eco-friendly farming practices.
• Advocacy: Raise awareness and advocate for climate-friendly policies.
• Innovation: Invest in green technologies and research.
• Government Policies: Enforce climate-friendly regulations and targets.
• Corporate Responsibility: Encourage sustainable business practices.
• Individual Action: Reduce personal carbon footprint and inspire others.

Essay On Climate Change in 100 Words

Climate change refers to long-term alterations in Earth’s climate patterns, primarily driven by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, leading to global warming. The consequences of climate change are widespread and devastating. Rising temperatures cause polar ice caps to melt, contributing to sea level rise and threatening coastal communities. Extreme weather events, like hurricanes and wildfires, become more frequent and severe, endangering lives and livelihoods. Additionally, shifts in weather patterns can disrupt agriculture, leading to food shortages. To combat climate change, global cooperation, renewable energy adoption, and sustainable practices are crucial for a more sustainable future.

Must Read: Essay On Global Warming

Climate Change Sample Essay 250 Words

Climate change represents a pressing global challenge that demands immediate attention and concerted efforts. Human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have significantly increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This results in a greenhouse effect, trapping heat and leading to a rise in global temperatures, commonly referred to as global warming.

The consequences of climate change are far-reaching and profound. Rising sea levels threaten coastal communities, displacing millions and endangering vital infrastructure. Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires, have become more frequent and severe, causing devastating economic and human losses. Disrupted ecosystems affect biodiversity and the availability of vital resources, from clean water to agricultural yields.

Moreover, climate change has serious implications for food and water security. Changing weather patterns disrupt traditional farming practices and strain freshwater resources, potentially leading to conflicts over access to essential commodities.

Addressing climate change necessitates a multifaceted approach. First, countries must reduce their greenhouse gas emissions through the transition to renewable energy sources, increased energy efficiency, and reforestation efforts. International cooperation is crucial to set emission reduction targets and hold nations accountable for meeting them.

In conclusion, climate change is a global crisis with profound and immediate consequences. Urgent action is needed to mitigate its impacts and secure a sustainable future for our planet. By reducing emissions and implementing adaptation strategies, we can protect vulnerable communities, preserve ecosystems, and ensure a livable planet for future generations. The time to act is now.

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in Earth’s climate patterns, primarily driven by human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

Five key causes of climate change include excessive greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, notably burning fossil fuels and deforestation. 

We hope this blog gave you an idea about how to write and present an essay on climate change that puts forth your opinions. The skill of writing an essay comes in handy when appearing for standardized language tests. Thinking of taking one soon? Leverage Edu provides the best online test prep for the same via Leverage Live . Register today to know more!

Amisha Khushara

Hey there! I'm a content writer who turns complex ideas into clear, engaging stories. Think of me as your translator, taking expert knowledge and making it interesting and relatable for everyone.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Contact no. *

Connect With Us

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today.

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

January 2024

September 2024

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

Have something on your mind?

Make your study abroad dream a reality in January 2022 with

India's Biggest Virtual University Fair

Essex Direct Admission Day

Why attend .

Don't Miss Out

What caused Dubai floods? Experts cite climate change, not cloud seeding

• Medium Text

DID CLOUD SEEDING CAUSE THE STORM?

CAN'T CREATE CLOUDS FROM NOTHING

Sign up here.

Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; editing by Maha El Dahan and Alexandra Hudson

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

Indonesia, the world's biggest sugar importer, plans to boost sugarcane planting in its eastern region of Papua, aiming to cut imports and develop a sugar-based industry, including producing bioethanol, a cabinet minister said on Monday.

World Chevron

Blinken, Saudi crown prince discuss achieving peace, security in Gaza, US says

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday in Riyadh, where they discussed the urgent need to reduce tensions in the region, the U.S. Department of State said in a statement.