Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree? What other measures do you think might be effective?

Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing
traffic
and pollution problems. In
this
essay, I will explain the reasons why I firmly disagree with
this
remedy, as there are superior alternative solutions: congestion pricing and car-sharing and carpooling programs.
To begin
, increasing petrol
prices
can lead to a reduction in
traffic
volume to some extent.
In other words
,
this
creates adequate pressure on money-conscious individuals and has a serious impact on the daily earnings of low-income individuals.
Hence
,
this
partially contributes to reducing congestion during rush hours because citizens swiftly switch from motorbikes to public transport to deal with the exorbitant gasoline
prices
.
Although
this
solution has limited the number of daily commuters, it does not proportionately reduce the
carbon
footprint, as motorbikes are only responsible for a small proportion of emissions. The amount of
carbon
dioxide released by the wealthy, who commute by private car and aeroplane, is larger than that emitted by the poor's motorbikes.
For example
, a large quantity of
carbon
dioxide is released from aeroplanes in the lucrative aviation market, space exploration projects, and military vehicles.
Therefore
, raising gasoline
prices
is not the best solution for
this
issue and cannot lead to significant changes without complementary measures. These conundrums require a comprehensive approach.
Nevertheless
, a more effective measure is the commitment of the government to achieve neutral
carbon
emissions by 2050, as stated in an international summit on climate change.
This
commitment promotes government policies to enforce stricter solutions,
such
as financial charges for gasoline cars during peak hours, and executing car-sharing and carpooling programs.
Additionally
, there should be a standardized effort in manufacturing affordable electric cars.
For instance
, Hanoi, which applied congestion pricing, has improved its atmospheric standards in the inner city by encouraging more people to use buses. By improving the quality of public transportation services, including better quality, coverage on convenient routes, and increased frequency, citizens switch to zero-emission public transport.
To conclude
,
while
the notion of increasing petrol
prices
offers a potential remedy for burgeoning
traffic
and pollution issues, I think
this
is not the best solution for
this
problem.
Instead
, governments should focus on wider-reaching policies, including the promotion of electric vehicles and the implementation of car-sharing initiatives. In adopting these comprehensive measures, we can genuinely address the challenges posed by
traffic
and pollution in an effective and equitable manner.
Submitted by lenam2k1 on

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task response
Your introduction and conclusion are very effective, clearly stating your stance and summarizing your key points.
task response
You have supported your main points with relevant and specific examples, which strengthens your argument significantly.
coherence
The logical structure of your essay is very strong, making it easy for the reader to follow and understand your arguments.
cohesion
The use of appropriate linking words and phrases has greatly contributed to the cohesion of the essay.

Word Count

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Aim for between 260 to 290 words in writing task 2. This will ensure a concise essay and will be realistic in terms of time management. You have only 40 minutes to write the essay and you need around 10 minutes of planning time, so you will not be able to write a long essay in 30 minutes.

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Topic Vocabulary:
  • Discourage
  • Incentivize
  • Alternative energy
  • Public transportation
  • Lower-income
  • Carpool
  • Ride-sharing
  • Congestion
  • Urban planning
  • Pedestrian-friendly
  • Tax incentives
  • Electric and hybrid vehicles
  • Emissions standards
  • Cleaner vehicles
  • Congestion charges
  • Bicycle lanes
  • Sustainable
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