Governments should make people responsible for looking after their own local environment. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sample 1:

Whether people should be held responsible for their own local environment protection by the government has become a topic of discussion. From my point of view, I firmly support this idea for a number of reasons.

First, because human self-discipline is often unreliable, suitable punishments from the government are necessary. To be more specific, if people are left to protect the environment of their own volition, efforts may vary between different communities since having an equal understanding of our habitat’s importance throughout the community is impossible. For example, all tourist attractions nowadays have to impose a fine on those who litter, because once such a rule is not in effect, all sites will be filled with trash left behind by ignorant tourists. In Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, due to a lack of guards, the world-renowned heritage site is blighted with trash floating on the water surface.

Another point is that, through educational efforts, governments holding people accountable for their actions in the local environment can help raise awareness effectively. Most people nowadays have a fear of missing out so once a green lifestyle is advocated strongly, it will soon spread widely. Take the inox straw trend for example, the movement started by a group of environmentalists was picked up by large beverage companies and has now become one of the most profitable businesses the world over. The same effect may not be achieved if the movement was a policy implemented by the government. Furthermore, initiatives can be taken to prompt individuals to make small changes such as reducing the frequency of their travels, which can help reduce the overall carbon footprint.

To sum up, the government making people responsible towards their own environment is indisputable. By means of educational campaigns and suitable punishments, more meaningful changes can be made from the individual's side.

Sample 2:

In recent years, there has been growing debate about who should be responsible for maintaining local environments. While some argue that this duty should fall solely on the government, I largely agree with the view that individuals should also play a significant role in caring for their immediate surroundings.

There are several compelling reasons why citizens should take responsibility for their local environment. Firstly, individuals have a vested interest in the cleanliness and attractiveness of their neighborhoods. By actively participating in local clean-up efforts or beautification projects, people can create a more pleasant living space for themselves and their community. Secondly, when residents take ownership of their environment, it fosters a sense of pride and community spirit. This can lead to stronger social bonds and a more cohesive society. Finally, individual action can often be more efficient and responsive to local needs than government-led initiatives, which may be hampered by bureaucracy or budget constraints.

However, it would be unrealistic to expect citizens to bear the entire burden of environmental care. The government still has a crucial role to play in this arena. For instance, local authorities should provide the necessary infrastructure, such as waste management systems and recycling facilities, to support individual efforts. Additionally, the government should establish and enforce regulations to prevent environmental degradation and pollution. Furthermore, educational programs and awareness campaigns led by governmental bodies can help inform and motivate citizens to take action.

In conclusion, while the government should certainly provide support and guidance, I believe that individuals should indeed be primarily responsible for maintaining their local environment. This approach not only leads to more immediate and tailored results but also cultivates a sense of civic responsibility that can benefit society as a whole. A balanced partnership between citizens and the government is likely to yield the best outcomes for local environments.

Sample 3:

Some would argue that climate change is such a pressing threat that governments should issue mandates to make individuals responsible for protecting the local environment. In my opinion, this might raise environmental awareness, however it is not advisable as other steps are more likely to produce results.

Those who suggest individuals should be compelled to accept responsibility are hoping for a united effort from the general public. The entire reason the Earth faces potential catastrophe is because of over-population and consumer habits. There would be a noticeable improvement if individuals were forced to recycle, clean up litter in their neighborhoods and reduce their carbon footprint by not using private vehicles, single-use plastics, and airplanes. There is the added argument that it is important to instill public duty in the mind of the average person. The government could fix these problems but that would only enable bad behavior from citizens in the same way that an overly permissive parent engenders a spoiled child.

However, the impact from the steps mentioned above would be marginal compared to the regulations governments can enact on various industries. Individuals might not follow the mandates from governments, and they would be extremely difficult to enforce in populous nations that value individual liberty such as India, the United States, and Brazil. If governments instead passed laws related to both small and large businesses, they could combat global and local issues. Companies that contribute to air and water pollution could be severely fined and the businesses that profit the most from mass consumerism could be forced to institute more environmentally friendly policies. These simple reforms would have tremendous impact.

In conclusion, although this policy would help individuals become more active in their communities, it is more important for governments to enact sweeping regulations on corporations. In this way, the most progress will be made.

Sample 4:

Many people think that governments should make people accountable for environmental protection. I totally agree with this idea for some reasons.

On the one hand, some people who are against this idea believe that our small individual actions often seem insignificant compared to official measures. Therefore, individuals can do nothing to look after the environment. However, individual actions can prove more effective than we think. If each avoid driving their own car for short journeys, and take public transportation, walk or cycle instead, the use of fossil fuels and the level of contaminated air will be reduced. Another example is that many people stop using plastic bags as it is a hazardous pollutant of the soil, and they take eco-friendly substitutes such as paper or cloth bags into consideration. These examples show that individuals can play an important role in environmental protection.

To place each individual responsibility to prevent damage to the environment, governments should take some actions. First, the public awareness on benefits of protecting the environment should be raised through advertisements. Otherwise, schools should teach children about small individual actions to save the environment. Secondly, there should be strict legislations which can impose coercive effect on individuals. For example, Singapore is well-known for the healthiest and cleanest environment. This is because the government imposes a severe penalty to fine anyone who does things harmful to the local environment.

In conclusion, when it comes to environmental problems, individual actions are indispensable in the problem-solving process. The idea of making people responsible for environmental protection should be promoted in every country.