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Some people say that economic growth is the only way to end hunger and poverty - Band 9 Sample Essay

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.


Write about the following topic:


Some people say that economic growth is the only way to end hunger and poverty, while others say that economic growth is damaging the environment, so it should be stopped.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.


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


You should write at least 250 words.


Task 2 Band 9  Essay Sample (Some people say that economic growth is the only way to end hunger and poverty, while others say that economic growth is damaging the environment, so it should be stopped.)

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Sample Essay 1

In the contemporary world, the debate between the necessity of economic growth and its environmental repercussions has become increasingly pronounced. While some argue that economic growth is the only way to end hunger and poverty, a growing faction insists that such growth is environmentally unsustainable, advocating for its cessation. This essay aims to explore both perspectives, ultimately positing that a balanced approach is essential for sustainable development.


Proponents of economic growth as a panacea for poverty and hunger assert that it catalyzes job creation, bolsters income levels, and substantially elevates living standards. By embracing the assertion that "economic growth is the only way to end hunger and poverty," they illuminate the transformative journeys of nations like China and India, which have propelled millions out of poverty through dynamic economic progression. This viewpoint emphasizes the conviction that, when judiciously orchestrated, economic expansion can furnish indispensable resources for comprehensive social welfare programs, advanced healthcare, and quality education, effectively diminishing poverty indices and significantly bolstering food security across communities.


Conversely, critics of unchecked economic growth spotlight its adverse impacts on the environment, arguing that it precipitates resource exhaustion, pollution escalation, and stark biodiversity erosion. This faction underscores that the relentless pursuit of growth frequently overlooks substantial environmental costs, including the exacerbated greenhouse gas emissions that intensify global warming. Advocating for sustainable growth paradigms that integrate environmental stewardship, they champion the adoption of renewable energy sources, sustainable agricultural practices, and innovative green technologies. From this vantage point, the discourse evolves to suggest that economic growth need not be abandoned but thoughtfully redefined to ensure its alignment with ecological preservation, thereby fostering a sustainable future for both the economy and the environment.


In conclusion, while economic growth has undeniably played a crucial role in reducing poverty and hunger, its environmental implications cannot be ignored. A holistic approach, marrying economic development with environmental sustainability, emerges as the most prudent path forward. By fostering innovations that ensure economic growth does not come at the expense of our planet, we can strive towards a future where both humanity and nature thrive in harmony.


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Sample Essay 2

There are opposing views regarding economic growth and the environment, as people tend to think that these two are mutually exclusive and believe that only an economic growth can address the hunger and destitution. In my opinion, along with its negative on the environment, economic ballooning is not the only creditworthy to alleviate the penury. This essay is going to discuss how economic prosperity brings an income security at the expense of environmental damage by deforestation.


Economic growth is crucial to ensure people in society to have stable jobs. People with a consistent income can easily meet their basic needs and ensure their safety by all means, and mostly they can live a longer life. In fact, the economic stability keeps people active with a sense of financial security, which eventually helps them to prosper in their every sphere of life. Furthermore, there is without a doubt that the unemployment rate is usually lower in countries which have prosperous economic growth. Most people are with stable income and with fewer chances of being broke. They do not need to struggle for living.


However, an economic growth comes at the cost of a serious negative effect on the environment. For example, companies cut down a lot of trees in order to build high-rise commercial buildings. Deforestation will affect the environment and lead to global warming. Furthermore, various manufacturing plants operate through biochemical process which can cause ecological disasters. And also, by releasing environmentally hazardous chemical compounds, industries are constantly contaminating the environment, which is pushing various species to the verge of extinction.


Even though an economic growth could help to reduce destitution, it comes at the expense of the environmental degradation causing deforestation and animal extinction. Weighing in both sides, I believe that economic ballooning cannot be the only contributor to alleviate poverty, as it creates a serious ecological damage alongside.


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Essay Sample 3

A section of people believes that economic prosperity is the only method towards ending famine and poverty, since it provides more job vacancies. Whereas others think that this growth must be seized due to its harmful effects on the environment, such as pollution. However, this essay views that initially an economic growth might be achieved at the expense of the environment, but eventually it compensates the environmental damage by generating much needed employments and overall financial well beings. The following paragraphs will discuss both sides of views, along with my opinion afterwards.


To begin with, a financial growth generally provides more job opportunities in the market. In other words, companies will need more employees to respond to the prolific market’s demands. Therefore, people will benefit from the wages received to afford goods, food, and many other life’s demands. In Ethiopia, the government is encouraging investors to build factories so the poor residents can benefit from working and earning money, thereby ending famine and poverty.


On the other hand, many believe that economic prosperity means more pollution, since more factories will be working and therefore a rise in the toxic emissions in the air. In fact, the reason why China is among the countries with the highest rate of pollution is the thousands of factories working daily to produce more goods. However, I think that a growth in the economy is the only solution to end food and money shortage since it leads to providing more jobs to unemployed people.


To conclude, economic prosperity is seen by many to be advantageous since it ends hunger and poverty by providing more jobs and financial support to the people in need. However, many advocate that this prosperity takes its toll on the environment by polluting the air. I think, a growth in the economic situation of a country will definitely stop food and money shortage due to a rise in the employment sector.


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