Introduction In recent decades, environmental problems such as global warming, deforestation, air pollution, and ocean contamination have grown into global crises. Many people believe that these problems are now too...
Faglig kvalitetssikret av lærere og toppstudenter · Følger læreplanen (LK20) · Sist oppdatert 2026-09-06
This guide provides a detailed analysis of the essay question, "Are environmental problems too big for individual countries to handle?", offering a model essay and expert commentary to help you structure a nuanced, high-scoring argumentative text for your English exam.
In the Norwegian curriculum (LK20), a core aim in English is to "acquire knowledge about social conditions and values in the English-speaking world and reflect on these". This essay topic directly addresses this by exploring a major global issue that requires critical thinking and argumentation. Exam tasks, particularly in the long-form writing section, often ask you to discuss complex societal problems, weigh different perspectives, and support your own standpoint with evidence. This question tests your ability to move beyond simple statements and engage with concepts like international relations, economic disparity, and scientific reality, all while demonstrating strong language skills.
For example, a past exam might ask you to "Discuss the claim that global challenges like climate change can only be solved through international cooperation." Your ability to provide specific examples of both successful and failed agreements, and to analyse the tension between national sovereignty and global responsibility, will be what separates a mediocre response from an excellent one. Another potential exam task could be, "To what extent should national economic interests be prioritised over international environmental commitments?" This guide's model essay and analysis provide a clear blueprint for tackling such complex questions with depth and precision.
To write with precision about this topic, you need to master the key terminology. Using these terms correctly demonstrates a higher level of subject knowledge and analytical skill.
| Concept | Definition and Example |
|---|---|
| Transboundary Pollution | Pollution that originates in one country but is able to cause damage in another country's environment, by crossing borders through pathways like water or air. Example: Acid rain caused by sulphur dioxide emissions from industrial plants in the UK and Germany in the 1980s fell in Scandinavia, damaging forests and lakes. |
| The Global Commons | Resource domains or areas that lie outside the political reach of any one nation State. These include the high seas, the atmosphere, Antarctica, and outer space. Example: The accumulation of plastic pollution in the oceans, particularly in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, affects a shared global resource that no single country owns or controls. |
| National Sovereignty | The principle that a state has supreme and independent authority over its own territory and affairs, free from external control. Example: A nation might reject an international climate treaty, arguing that mandatory emission caps infringe upon its sovereign right to determine its own energy and economic policies for its citizens. |
| The Paris Agreement (2015) | A legally binding international treaty on climate change. Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. Example: Under the agreement, each country must plan and regularly report on the mitigation efforts it has undertaken (its "Nationally Determined Contribution," or NDC). |
| Shared but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) | A principle of international environmental law establishing that all states are responsible for addressing global environmental destruction, yet not equally responsible. Example: The principle acknowledges that developed countries, due to their history of industrialisation, have a greater responsibility to cut emissions and financially support developing nations in their transition to sustainable energy. |
| Tragedy of the Commons | An economic problem where individuals with access to a shared resource (a "common") act in their own self-interest, ultimately depleting or spoiling that resource for everyone. Example: International fishing fleets over-exploiting fish stocks in the high seas. Each fleet maximizes its own catch, leading to a collapse of the entire fishery, which harms all participants in the long run. |
In recent decades, environmental problems such as global warming, deforestation, air pollution, and ocean contamination have grown into global crises. Many people believe that these problems are now too serious and widespread for any single nation to solve on its own, and that only a coordinated international effort can make a real difference. Others argue that individual countries must take primary responsibility for their own environmental management. This essay will argue that while local and national action is necessary, environmental problems are indeed global in nature and require united international cooperation to achieve lasting solutions.
One of the main reasons environmental issues require international collaboration is that they do not respect national borders. Greenhouse gas emissions from one country contribute to climate change worldwide, and pollution in the oceans spreads across continents through currents. For instance, the burning of coal in one part of the world can influence weather patterns thousands of kilometers away. Similarly, deforestation in the Amazon or Southeast Asia affects global biodiversity and atmospheric balance. Because these problems are interconnected, no country can effectively address them alone. Only collective global strategies can ensure that progress in one region is not undone by inaction elsewhere.
International cooperation allows nations to share responsibility and establish common goals. Agreements such as the Paris Climate Accord (2015) and the Kyoto Protocol (1997) have created frameworks for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable development. These treaties encourage countries to set emission targets, monitor progress, and hold each other accountable. Such agreements also provide mechanisms for financial and technological support, enabling developing countries to adopt greener policies without sacrificing economic growth. When nations act together under a shared vision, they can pool resources, knowledge, and innovation—achieving results that would be impossible through isolated efforts.
Although national governments play a crucial role in implementing policies, their actions are limited when faced with global challenges. For example, a country may invest heavily in renewable energy, but its efforts will have little impact if other major polluters continue burning fossil fuels. Moreover, some environmental issues, like the pollution of international waters or the melting of polar ice caps, exist beyond national jurisdiction and require global governance. Small or developing countries, in particular, lack the financial and technological capacity to address large-scale environmental threats. Without global cooperation, their efforts risk being ineffective or unsustainable.
Despite the need for international collaboration, it is essential to recognize that not all countries bear equal responsibility for environmental damage. Developed nations have contributed most to historical pollution due to early industrialization, while developing nations often suffer the most from its consequences. Therefore, rich countries must take the lead by funding green technology, supporting clean energy projects, and reducing emissions faster. Meanwhile, developing countries should commit to sustainable practices and manage natural resources responsibly. This principle, known as shared but differentiated responsibility , ensures fairness while maintaining collective progress toward environmental goals.
While global cooperation is essential, local and individual actions remain the foundation of environmental progress. Governments can sign international treaties, but success ultimately depends on enforcement at the national and community levels. For instance, recycling, tree planting, and reducing plastic waste all start with individual choices. National policies, such as renewable energy incentives or conservation laws, complement global initiatives by translating them into real-world action. Therefore, international coordination must work in harmony with local implementation to create a sustainable global system. The question of who is responsible for protecting the environment is complex, involving a partnership between individuals and governments. …