Buổi 65: Writing Task 2 – Opinion: bảo vệ thiên nhiên hay phát triển kinh tế?

The tension between protecting nature and developing the economy is often presented as a simple choice. I largely agree that environmental protection should come first, but with one important qualification: for communities that still lack basic services, development cannot simply be postponed, so the real task is to pursue it in ways that do not cause irreversible harm.

The strongest reason for prioritising the environment is that much ecological damage cannot be undone. A forest can be cleared in a few months, but it may take generations to regrow, and a species that has been lost is gone permanently. Economic setbacks, by contrast, are usually temporary. Moreover, economies themselves depend on healthy ecosystems. When upland forests are cut down for short-term gains, for example, the land downstream often becomes more vulnerable to flooding and soil erosion, damaging the very farms and towns that the development was supposed to benefit.

That said, it would be unrealistic, and arguably unfair, to expect every society to put conservation above growth regardless of its circumstances. For people living without reliable electricity, clean water or decent healthcare, economic development is not a luxury but a means of improving and even saving lives. Telling such communities to leave natural resources untouched, while wealthier countries continue to consume far more, is unlikely to be either effective or just.

The most sensible approach, in my view, is to treat irreversibility as the deciding factor. Where a project would destroy something that cannot be replaced, such as an old-growth forest or a unique wetland, protection should take priority. Where the damage can be limited or reversed, development can go ahead, provided that it meets strict environmental standards and that any losses are compensated, for instance by restoring habitats elsewhere.

In conclusion, although economic development is essential, particularly for poorer communities, it should not come at the cost of permanent environmental damage. Growth that undermines the ecosystems it depends on is not genuine progress.

Inspection summary – Site B, 30 November

Priority was based on risk to people first, then legal requirements, then cost.

1. (High) An emergency exit was partly blocked by stored materials. Clear immediately and mark the area. 2. (Medium) Waste oil containers were stored without secondary containment, contrary to site procedure. Provide drip trays within one week. 3. (Low) Several lights were left on in unused areas overnight. Install timers when the next maintenance budget is approved.