Natural resources are being consumed at an alarming rate

In this week's IELTS Writing Task 2 episode we're brainstorming ideas and writing a problem/solution essay.

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Introduction: It has been argued that certain natural resources are being depleted in an unsustainable manner. This can result in serious issues which require certain solutions to be implemented.

P1: Foremost among these problems is the overreliance on oil resources and subsequent lack of them. This could pose a variety of problems like power shortages and a lack of material for various processes including plastic manufacture. If these issues occur, they could result in deaths when hospitals lose power and suffer from a poor supply of spare components for machinery which could cause accidents. Similarly, an unsustainable loss of timber due to logging or deforestation can cause a shortage of building materials with a corresponding lack of shelter contributing to poverty and homelessness. Lastly, the depletion of freshwater can lead to severe dehydration and potentially starvation since freshwater is used in crop production in addition to other production methods. All of these problems can occur within countries, but could also provoke conflicts between nations if they resort to military force in order to secure access to the remaining resources.

P2: Despite the severity of the aforementioned problems, there is a variety of solutions. In terms of addressing the oil issues, it may be possible to use more alternative sources such as solar or wind power and recycle current oil-based products. This could help reduce the dependence on this fossil fuel and extend existing resources. A similar strategy may be used when considering overlogging or deforestation; alternatives to wood-based products could be used and existing goods could be recycled when no longer in use. Unfortunately, these strategies cannot be applied to the water overuse issue. Instead, new sources of water should be found and new methods of freshwater extraction such as desalination need to be implemented on a wider scale. 

Conclusion: In conclusion, shortage issues concerning oil, timber, and water seem insurmountable and can have serious consequences. However, there are various ways of resolving them such as utilising renewable sources and building more desalination plants.

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