IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: International car-free day is an effective way of reducing air pollution

Some people think an international car-free day is an effective way of reducing air pollution, others think there are some other ways. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Sample Answer

The ubiquity of cars is often considered as a major culprit of air quality degradation in many countries. To combat atmospheric pollution, many suggest that car-free days should be held internationally. However, I contend that these events may achieve little success, and there are more effective methods to preserve the atmosphere.

Advocates of organising global car-free days may argue that the absence of cars promotes the use of public transport and activities such as cycling and walking, which all contribute considerably to the reduction of traffic emissions. This argument, from my perspective, is flawed, because of two facts. The first is that a few days without cars out of 365 days of the year may help cut down as little as one percent of the annual amount of traffic fumes, so the assertion that this short-term reduction is significant is a mere exaggeration. The second is that this solution does not limit the massive amount of air contaminants being released from industrial zones. It is, therefore, a one-sided approach and arguably not an effective way to address the problem of air pollution.

There are, in my opinion, better measures to minimise air pollution. One of them is constructing dedicated lanes for public means of transport. These lanes guarantee that public transport is relatively faster than individual vehicles in rush hours, which may encourage a majority of commuters to eschew their personal vehicles in favour of mass transit. The implication is that motor vehicle use may be reduced throughout the year, which exerts a longer-lasting impact on minimising traffic fumes than international car-free days may do. Another measure is levying a tax on carbon usage in all areas, including transport and industrial production. This measure has been adopted in several countries, including the United Kingdom, and has proven its effectiveness as a holistic approach to curtail emissions in all fields.

To sum up, I believe the organisation of world car-free days may produce little effect on protecting the atmosphere. Other solutions, namely building designated lanes for public vehicles and taxing all industries on carbon usage, produce more sustainable effects on a larger scale.