Development in Technology has Brought Various Environmental Problems - IELTS Writing Task 2

Kasturika Samanta

7 min read

Updated On Nov 05, 2025

Master IELTS Writing Task 2 with Band 7+ model answers and a structure for the IELTS discussion essay, ‘Development in Technology has Brought Various Environmental Problems’. Learn topic-specific vocabulary and ideas to write with clarity and precision.

Development in Technology has Brought Various Environmental Problems

Essay Question for ‘Development in Technology has Brought Various Environmental Problems’
Outline for IELTS Discussion Essay
Sample Answers for Development in Technology has Brought Various Environmental Problems IELTS Writing Task 2
Vocabulary to Use for Development in Technology has Brought Various Environmental Problems - IELTS Writing Task 2

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Technological progress has transformed human civilization, from industrial development to digital connectivity. However, this advancement has also caused severe environmental degradation, including pollution, climate change, and resource depletion. While some people argue that living simpler and more sustainable lives is the key to solving these issues, others believe that further technological innovation holds the solution. The IELTS Writing Task 2 essay ‘Development in Technology has Brought Various Environmental Problems’ deals with this debate.

To guide you in writing a high-scoring essay on your own, this blog provides three model Band 7+ sample answers and advanced vocabulary that can elevate your IELTS writing and prepare you for the recent IELTS topics in Writing Task 2.

Essay Question for ‘Development in Technology has Brought Various Environmental Problems’

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Development in technology has 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 own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

Outline for IELTS Discussion Essay

Below is an outline to help you understand how to write an IELTS discussion essay, especially with environment-related topics.

Introduction

Paraphrase the topic.
Mention both perspectives.
State your opinion clearly.

Body Paragraph 1 – View 1: Simpler Living

Present arguments supporting simple lifestyles (reduced consumption, minimalism, eco-friendly habits).
Explain logically with examples.

Body Paragraph 2 – View 2: Technology as the Solution

Present the argument for technological solutions.
Provide specific examples like renewable energy, waste recycling, green architecture.

Conclusion

Summarize both sides briefly.
Reiterate your opinion clearly and concisely.

Sample Answers for Development in Technology has Brought Various Environmental Problems IELTS Writing Task 2

Here are 3 IELTS Band 9 essay samples on the topic, Development in Technology has Brought Various Environmental Problems, that will give you some ideas on what to write if you want to get a band score of 9.

Development in Technology has Brought Various Environmental Problems - Sample Answer 1

In recent decades, rapid technological development has undeniably transformed human life, but it has also given rise to serious environmental challenges. While some people argue that modern innovations can be used to tackle these issues, others believe that returning to a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle is the only way forward. In my opinion, technological advancement has largely exacerbated environmental degradation rather than resolving it.

On one hand, proponents of technological solutions argue that innovation can provide sustainable alternatives to traditional polluting practices. For example, the emergence of renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind power has significantly reduced dependence on fossil fuels. Similarly, eco-friendly materials and advanced recycling systems can minimize waste and promote resource efficiency. Advocates of this view believe that with sufficient research and global cooperation, technology could mitigate climate change and restore ecological balance.

However, I firmly believe that technology itself is the root cause of many pressing environmental problems. The industrialization and mass production driven by technological progress have led to widespread pollution, deforestation, and excessive carbon emissions. Moreover, the production and disposal of electronic devices have created mountains of e-waste, contaminating soil and water. Even so-called “green technologies” often require rare minerals and energy-intensive manufacturing processes, revealing an inherent contradiction in the idea that technology alone can save the planet. Instead, adopting a simpler lifestyle, characterized by reduced consumption, local production, and minimal waste, would lead to a more sustainable equilibrium between humans and nature.

In conclusion, although technology has the potential to provide partial solutions to environmental issues, it remains a major contributor to ecological damage. Therefore, people should prioritize simplicity and environmental consciousness over unchecked technological dependence to ensure the planet’s long-term survival.

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Development in Technology has Brought Various Environmental Problems - Sample Answer 2

The improvements in technology currently bring about harmful effects on the environment. While some people believe having simpler lives is the only solution, I would argue that technological advances can help to tackle these environmental problems.

On the one hand, it is believed that individuals need to live simple lives and rely less on technology. The first suggestion is that people should walk or cycle rather than drive cars. This is because the current number of cars being manufactured and used is increasing, which causes high levels of exhaust fumes and makes air pollution a serious issue. Additionally, people should try to reduce their consumption of electricity so that the exploitation of natural resources such as fossil fuels or nuclear power can be minimized. An example of this idea is the annual event called Earth Hour, where everyone is asked to turn their lights off for sixty minutes.

On the other hand, I believe the developments of technology can greatly contribute to environmental protection. Firstly, because of those improvements, people can come up with ways to recycle materials such as paper or glass, which reduces the problem of waste disposal. Secondly, technology can also help to create electricity using renewable resources. For example, many countries in the world have built plants that utilise solar energy to generate power. As a result, it is not necessary to rely on non-renewable resources, and people can create electricity without significantly damaging the environment.

In conclusion, while some people think that they should live simpler lives to prevent environmental issues, I would argue that these problems can be dealt with by technological improvements.

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Development in Technology has Brought Various Environmental Problems - Sample Answer 3

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The complications faced by the environment on account of the rapid growth in the realm of technology in the last few decades are quite evident. The present and the subsequent generations of humanity are facing natural threats of the highest degree thanks to the skyrocketing levels of pollution. The debate on whether technological development should be restrained to curb these issues or should such advancements be facilitated to tackle the difficulties caused has been a grave dilemma in the society. In my opinion, we should adopt a more simplistic lifestyle to end these distressing conditions. In the following paragraphs, I will explore both sides of the argument presented by the topic.

The fact that the evolution of technology has indirectly led to the depletion of natural resources and raised concerning circumstances has to be acknowledged. Moreover, adversities like climate change and global warming are outcomes of the happenings of the 21st century primarily. This should be an indicator of the negative effects of the lifestyle mankind is adapting with each passing day and steps must be taken to relax the dependence on technological facilities and promoting a modest manner of living.

On the other hand, it might be a laborious task to switch back to a conventional way of life after enjoying the benefits of modern technologies. From the invention of the light bulb to the expansion of the Internet, human innovation’s sole purpose has been to ease day-to-day activities. Thus, to travel backwards on the timeline of modernization would be immensely inconvenient and impractical. Therefore, following in our current footsteps and prioritizing the discovery of solutions to the environmental crisis we are facing might also be a coherent choice.

Finally, I would like to conclude by saying that the pace at which we are progressing as a civilisation, although commendable, can also lead to potential problems. I believe that having a basic approach to living will always have benefits over sophisticated means of life.

Vocabulary to Use for Development in Technology has Brought Various Environmental Problems - IELTS Writing Task 2

Here is a list of good vocabulary words to use in an IELTS essay, like ‘Development in Technology has Brought Various Environmental Problems’.

Word/Phrase	Meaning	Example Sentence
Exacerbate	to make a problem or bad situation worse	Constant interruptions only exacerbated his frustration during the meeting.
Degradation	the process of something becoming worse or damaged	The company faced criticism due to the degradation of customer service standards.
Proponents	people who publicly support an idea or plan	Proponents of remote work argue that it improves productivity and work–life balance.
Sustainable	able to be maintained over time without causing damage	The architect proposed a sustainable design that minimizes long-term maintenance costs.
Mitigate	to make something less harmful or serious	Better planning could mitigate the risk of delays in the construction project.
Ecological Balance	a stable relationship between living organisms and their environment	Removing one species from an ecosystem can disturb the ecological balance.
E-waste	electronic waste discarded as unwanted or obsolete devices	The rise of gadget culture has led to unprecedented levels of e-waste worldwide.
Inherent Contradiction	a built-in or natural inconsistency within an idea	There is an inherent contradiction in demanding freedom while resisting responsibility.
Equilibrium	a state of balance, especially between opposing forces	The therapist helped the patient restore emotional equilibrium after months of stress.
Adversities	difficult or unpleasant situations	She remained positive despite the adversities she faced in her career.
Coherent	logical and consistent	The lecturer presented a coherent explanation that clarified the complex theory.
Skyrocketing	increasing rapidly or suddenly	The skyrocketing demand for online courses has transformed the education industry.
Contaminating	making something impure or harmful	Chemicals from the factory were found to be contaminating nearby farmland.

To conclude, in order to create a Band 7+ answer for the discussion essay ‘Development in Technology has Brought Various Environmental Problems - IELTS Writing Task 2’, you need to present both sides clearly and fairly, provide specific, real-world examples, maintain clear cohesion with linking words, and use academic, topic-specific vocabulary naturally. So, take up IELTS Writing practice tests regularly and review your writing abilities to achieve a top IELTS score.

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