Topic 1: Does increasing travels between countries enable people to learn different cultures or to

Topic 54: Environmental problems are serious in many countries. It means that the only 
possible way to protect the environment is at an international level. To what extent do 
you agree or disagree on this hypothesis?
 
(Unilateral moves are not enough) (take strong multilateral actions), (time-consuming and inefficient),
(isolated problems),( tackled by the local or government) 
(Regional), (worldwide), (share the Earth's supply) (transport pollution from one location to another);
(causes and solutions differ from one region to another), (International practices might not apply 
locally.) 
Globally, environmental degradation has been recognized as one of the main challenges 
that people have to overcome in the 21st century. The rapid deterioration of environment is 
believed to impose a severe threat on people's survival ill the years ahead, if not solved 
effectively. In addressing this issue, countries worldwide should join forces and make a 
concerted effort, instead of working individually for inconsistent targets.
The first point to support international cooperation is that the impact of an environmental 
problem can be all the global scale. Common knowledge is that people live in a global 
environment and share natural resources and survive on the same biosphere. The 
interdependencies of ecosystems and the transport of pollutants are the main characteristics of 
the world. For instance, a stream or lake in a country can be affected by pesticides released 
from neighboring croplands, lawns and gardens and by pollutants emitted thousands of miles 
away. Likewise, the depletion of a natural resource (such as deforestation) in one nation can 
have environmental and economic ramifications in many other countries.
Another benefit obtained from international cooperation is facilitating the exchange of 
goods, technology, know-how and capital. It is crucial to hammering out the best and quickest 
solution to the problem. Environmental problems are mainly found in underdeveloped 
countries, where industrial or agricultural developments are placed ahead of environmental 
protection. With a clear intent to restore the damaged environment, those countries have 
difficulties in making headway, ill the absence of facilities or technologies. They need the 
support from the global community, especially those industrialized countries that have 
achieved remarkable progress in this field. By sharing experience in environmental 
management, countries can tackle problems with greater efficiency and at lower costs.
To summarize, cooperation between countries is inevitable in this global campaign, not 
only because the ecosystem is a unified mechanism but also because international engagement 
can make optimal use of financial and human resources. By collaborating with each other, 
countries are able to protect the global environment with using the least amount of resources.
1. Threat=danger=risk
2. In the years ahead= in the years to come
3. On the global scale= at the international level
4. Interdependency=interaction=interplay=mutual dependence
5. Release=emit=discharge=dump=dispose
6. Ramification=consequence=result
7. Hammer out=arrive at=work out
8. Underdeveloped countries=developing countries=countries in a backward state
9. Intent=intention=purpose=aim 
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10. Restore=repair=revamp
11. Make headway=make progress
12. In the absence of=lacking=without
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