Discussion Essay

Developments in technology have brought various environmental problems. Some

believe that people need to live simpler lives to solve environmental problems. Others,
however, believe technology is the way to solve these problems. Discuss both views and
give your opinion.

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Planning

 Introduce idea: advances in technology have harmed the environment. Some people
think we must lead simpler lives, but I agree with those who think technological
solutions can be found for environmental problems.
 Paragraph 2: [View I disagree with]
o [1] People consume too much energy by overusing technological devices –
examples of such devices. Consequences for the environment.
o [2] Farming – modern technology harms the water and soil. Organic farming
relies on simpler traditional methods of food production.
 Paragraph 3: [View I agree with]
o [1] Technology is already enabling us to exploit more renewable energy
sources – example of Japan. Good results for the environment.
o [2] Cleaner technologies in waste treatment and recycling – example of
recycled products.
 Conclusion: repeat using some different words.
 Answer

It is true that certain advances in technology have had negative impacts on the environment.
While there are strong arguments that some environmental problems should be tackled by
adopting simpler lifestyles, I believe that the solutions lie in technologies that have been and
are being developed.

On the one hand, enjoying life with less sophisticated technology means that people inflict
less damage on the ecosystems on which all living things depend. [1] Firstly, people consume
energy through overuse of devices such as airconditioning, water heaters and the private car.
If they decrease their energy consumption, this will reduce the emission of greenhouse gases,
but this will certainly involve leading simpler lives. [2] Secondly, organic farmers do not
pollute the water or the soil which results from the application of chemical fertilisers and
weedkillers. They encourage a diversity of plants and wildlife on their farms.

On the other hand, I agree with those who argue that technological achievements play a
pivotal role in environmental protection. [1] One reason is that the use of renewable energy
sources is already starting to grow. This raises the prospect of decreasing dependence on fossil
fuels, cleaner air and the reversal of the trend of global warming. Countries such as Japan are
leading the way, for example, in developing more eco-friendly cars, buses and lorries. [2]
Another reason is that cleaner technologies, such as waste treatment, are being introduced into
many industries, and technology is enabling plastics and other products to be recycled.

In conclusion, although living simpler lives can certainly help in tackling environmental
problems, it seems to me that advances in technology are already providing many solutions
and this trend will gather pace in the future.
 New Vocabulary

 Sophisticated technology (công nghệ tinh vi): technology that is clever and complicated
in the way that it functions.
Example: Medical techniques rely increasingly on sophisticated computer technology.
 Inflict damage on (gây tổn hại đến): make something, such as the environment, suffer
something harmful.
Example: The earthquake inflicted damage on many homes and farmland.
 Ecosystems (hệ sinh thái): all the plants and animals living in various areas, considered in
relation to their environment.
Example: The ecosystems of rainforests are very diverse, because millions of different plants
and animals live there.

 The emission of greenhouse gases (khí thải gây hiệu ứng nhà kính): the release into the
air of gases which cause the temperature of the earth to rise.
Example: The governments of the world have agreed to reduce the emission of greenhouse
gases.
 Chemical fertilisers (phân bón hoá học): chemical substances added to the soil to make
plants grow.
Example: Modern farming relies on chemical fertilisers, which are harmful if they are used
near rivers.
 Weedkillers (thuốc diệt cỏ): chemical substances that are used to destroy wild plants,
especially among farm crops.
Example: Many farmers use weedkillers, so that farm workers are not required in order to
destroy the wild plants which grow among the crops.
 Play a pivotal role (đóng vai trò quan trọng): a role which is very important, because
other things depend on it.

Example: Agriculture plays a pivotal role in the economy of many Asian countries.
 Renewable energy sources (nguồn năng lượng tái tạo): sources of energy which are
replaced naturally, such as power from the sun or the wind.
Example: Modern technology is responsible for the development of renewable energy
sources such as wind, solar and wave power.
 Dependence on fossil fuels (phụ thuộc vào các nhiên liệu hoá thạch): fuels such as coal or
oil, that were formed over million of years from the remains of animals or plants, on which
some countries rely for much of their energy production.
Example: Dependence on fossil fuels has the environmental disadvantage that greenhouse
gases are released when these fuels are burned.

 Global warming (sự nóng lên của trái đất): the increase in the temperature of the earth,
caused by the increase of greenhouse gases.
Example: Greater use of renewable energy resources is necessary in order to combat global
warming.
 Eco-friendly (thân thiện với môi trường): not harmful to the environment.
Example: As a result of modern technology, we can now find more ecofriendly products in
the shops.
 Waste treatment (xử lý rác thải): the treatment of materials that are no longer needed and
are thrown away.
Example: In modern processes of waste treatment, environmentally harmful substances can
be removed.