Overuse of Natural Resources Causes an Ultimate Exhaust of Them - IELTS Task 2 Essay Band 9 Samples

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Sample Essay 1

In recent years, the relentless overconsumption of natural resources—particularly for superficial purposes such as following new design trends in furniture—has sparked growing concern over environmental sustainability. I strongly support the idea that governments should actively discourage such overuse. This essay will critically examine how consumerism-driven exploitation damages ecosystems and why policy-level intervention is vital to ensure long-term ecological balance.

Modern consumerism, especially in the furniture and fashion industries, has led to the excessive extraction of wood, metals, and other natural resources, often without consideration of ecological limits. For instance, tropical hardwoods like mahogany and teak are frequently logged to meet demand for “stylish” furniture, causing irreversible damage to rainforests. These forests, once destroyed, take decades to regenerate—if at all—leading to loss of biodiversity and carbon sequestration capacity. Worse still, these trends are short-lived, meaning the resources are exhausted for items that become obsolete within a few years. This unsustainable cycle is driven largely by market trends, not necessity, making it a prime target for governmental discouragement. Without firm regulation or disincentives such as luxury taxes on non-essential resource-intensive goods, industries will continue exploiting finite natural materials at the cost of long-term planetary health.

Moreover, expecting individuals to self-regulate their consumption in a profit-driven, advertisement-saturated environment is unrealistic. Government intervention, therefore, is not only justified but essential. Policy measures such as restricting the import of unsustainably sourced materials, promoting circular economy models, and subsidizing eco-friendly alternatives can effectively shift public behavior. For example, countries like Sweden and the Netherlands have implemented tax incentives for sustainable products, resulting in increased demand for recycled and modular furniture. Educational campaigns highlighting the environmental cost of following disposable trends could also reshape public attitudes. If the state remains passive, corporate interests will dominate, and environmental considerations will be sidelined. Therefore, decisive state action is necessary to create a responsible framework for consumption and production.

In conclusion, overexploitation of natural resources for fleeting consumer trends is a clear environmental threat. Governments must not only discourage such behavior but also design structural incentives that promote sustainability. Without firm action, we risk exhausting our planet’s limited resources in pursuit of temporary, superficial gains.

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Sample Essay 2

The claim that governments should discourage individuals from overusing natural resources—particularly for aesthetic or lifestyle purposes—overlooks the broader socio-economic and technological contexts. While environmental harm is a valid concern, restricting individual freedom in consumer choices is neither practical nor the most effective solution. I strongly oppose this view, arguing instead that innovation and market-driven sustainability provide a more realistic path forward. This essay will critically discuss how economic progress and technological advancement offer better alternatives than government interference and how consumer demand can, in fact, stimulate greener innovation.

Discouraging the use of natural resources through restrictive government policies can hamper economic growth and creativity, especially in design-centric industries like interior decor, architecture, and product development. Many artisanal industries, for example, rely on ethically sourced wood and natural materials to produce culturally significant or high-quality goods. Penalising consumers for purchasing such products could unfairly damage local economies and erode traditional craftsmanship. Furthermore, the idea of "overuse" is context-dependent: a material-intensive product may have a longer lifespan and smaller carbon footprint over time than a supposedly “green” alternative made from synthetic compounds. Blanket discouragement of resource use, therefore, can be counterproductive and simplistic. A more nuanced, data-driven evaluation of environmental impact is needed rather than ideologically driven consumption policies that risk stifling innovation and marginalising artisan economies.

Additionally, consumer demand—even for style-driven products—can catalyse sustainable innovation when guided by market incentives rather than coercive policies. The rise of reclaimed wood furniture, biodegradable composites, and low-impact production methods in response to eco-conscious consumer trends is a testament to this. When companies realise that sustainability adds market value, they invest in research and development to reduce their ecological footprint without needing heavy-handed government mandates. Tesla, for instance, redefined the auto industry not by discouraging car ownership but by creating a desirable product aligned with environmental values. Similarly, if furniture and design industries are encouraged to make “green luxury” fashionable, the overuse problem can be tackled through desirability rather than regulation. Governments should focus on enabling this transformation—through grants, certifications, or green infrastructure—rather than policing consumer habits, which often leads to resentment and non-compliance.

In conclusion, while overuse of resources warrants concern, government discouragement of individual consumption is an ineffective and potentially damaging approach. Fostering innovation and aligning sustainability with consumer aspiration provides a smarter, more scalable solution to the environmental challenges we face.

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