作者：雅思写作 刘丽韫

The key to solving environmental problems is simple: the present generation is willing to accept a less comfortable life for the sake of the future generation. 

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

To achieve sustainable development for the sake of future offspring, a shift towards simpler lifestyles is requisite. However, it is irrational to rate this shift as a panacea to a plethora of environmental issues.

The root cause of most environmental crises lies in a conflict between an escalating demand from human beings and restricted, depleting natural resources, and consequent pollution. Indeed, leading a simpler lifestyle can contribute to the reduction in the exploitation of scarce resources. For example, climate change, one of the most urgent global challenges associated with excessive use of fossil fuels, can be at least mitigated if individuals reduce the use of private cars and take public transport, cycle or walk as much as possible, through which the consumption of non-renewable resources, be it coal, petrol or natural gas, might shrink, and greenhouse gas emissions would be curbed. Likewise, sacrificing certain comfort by recycling and reusing waste, and reducing the use of disposable plastic carrier bags can have consequential effects on sustainable development.

However, merely simplifying the solutions to environmental protection into the adoption of simpler lifestyles is unjustified. To cater to the present generation’s needs without compromising the next generation’s interest, technological innovations would be also crucial. For example, to replace traditional energy sources, nuclear power is one of the most significant energy sources. Nuclear fission, with only a small amount of fuel, can generate massive carbon-free energy to supply domestic use, stemming the tide of further fossil fuel depletion and climate change. Also, new biodegradable plastics have recently been invented to replace old plastics that pollute the environment, and they have been adopted by some manufacturers of single-use plastic bags at no additional cost. In other words, environmental protection may not necessarily require the suffering of the present generation.

In conclusion, we should not act as bystanders or take a lackadaisical attitude towards the survival of the next generation; however, in addition to leading less comfortable, greener lifestyles, technological breakthroughs are essential to achieve this objective.