STANAG 6001 Level 3 – Speaking Task (Discussion): Environmental Protection – Who Has the Greatest Impact?
Examination Task
Our planet is on the edge of an ecological disaster. Despite many efforts to prevent that, the effects are still disappointing. Look at the list below. Discuss the contribution of the following groups to the environmental protection and try to decide whose contribution is the most and the least significant. Be ready to justify your choice.
- Individuals
- Local authorities
- Governments
Sample Discussion
A: Our planet is on the edge of an ecological disaster. Let’s discuss the contribution of individuals, local authorities, and governments to environmental protection, and decide which is the most and the least significant. Is that OK?
B: Yes, I agree. From my point of view, governments make the most significant contribution because they can introduce laws and regulations that affect the entire country. For example, they can limit emissions, support renewable energy, and impose environmental taxes. International agreements between governments, as well as legislation introduced by the European Union, can also help address global problems such as climate change. Therefore, I believe governments have the greatest impact. What do you think?
A: I agree that governments play a key role because they can enforce large-scale changes. Without proper regulations, many companies and individuals would not take environmental protection seriously. However, I think local authorities are also very important, as they are responsible for implementing these policies at the local level. For instance, they manage waste collection, recycling systems, and public transport. They can also create green areas and promote eco-friendly initiatives such as public bike-sharing systems in their communities. I would say their contribution is slightly less significant than that of governments, but still very important. Wouldn’t you agree?
B: Yes, that’s a good point. Local authorities are closer to people and can directly influence their daily habits. Their actions are practical and visible, which makes them effective. However, they still depend on funding and regulations introduced by governments, so their impact is somewhat limited. What about individuals?
A: Individuals also play a role in environmental protection. They can reduce waste, save energy and water, buy responsibly, eat more vegetables and fruits and make more sustainable choices, such as using public transport or recycling. Moreover, their behaviour can influence others and raise awareness. However, I think their contribution is the least significant because individual actions are small in scale and not always consistent. Not everyone is willing to give up their comfortable lifestyle, which reduces the overall impact.
B: I see your point, and I agree. Individual actions are important, but they are not enough to solve global environmental problems on their own.
A: So, to sum up, governments make the most significant contribution because they can introduce and enforce large-scale policies, while individuals contribute the least due to their limited and inconsistent impact.
B: Exactly. I completely agree with you.
Photo: Aquarium with Piranhas, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco