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IELTS Free Online Writing Practice - The role of urban green spaces in improving air quality

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Topic: The role of urban green spaces in improving air quality

Question: In what ways can urban green spaces contribute to improved air quality in cities, and what challenges need to be addressed to maximize the benefits of these spaces?

Model Answer:

Urban green spaces play a significant role in improving air quality in cities. These areas can absorb pollutants, reduce heat island effects, and provide recreational opportunities that encourage physical activities. However, certain challenges such as limited space, funding, and public awareness need to be addressed in order to maximize the benefits of these spaces.

Firstly, urban green spaces are known to absorb pollutants, particularly particulate matter (PM) and carbon dioxide (CO2). These pollutants contribute to air pollution and have negative effects on human health, including respiratory issues and cardiovascular diseases. By providing a natural filter for these harmful particles, urban green spaces can help reduce the overall concentration of air pollutants in cities. Additionally, trees and plants in these spaces can absorb CO2, which is a significant contributor to global warming and climate change.

Secondly, urban green spaces can help mitigate the heat island effect, a phenomenon where temperatures are higher in built-up urban areas compared to rural areas. This occurs due to the large amount of concrete and asphalt that absorbs and retains heat, causing temperatures to rise. Green spaces with trees and vegetation can provide shade and absorb excess heat, helping to cool down cities and reduce air pollution caused by increased energy consumption for cooling systems during hot days.

However, several challenges need to be addressed to maximize the benefits of urban green spaces. One of these is the limited availability of space in densely populated urban areas. City planners often struggle to find adequate land for creating or expanding green spaces due to the high demand for real estate development and infrastructure projects. This can result in smaller, less effective green spaces that do not provide the same level of environmental benefits as larger, well-planned urban parks.

Another challenge is funding. Maintaining and developing urban green spaces require financial investment for the establishment and upkeep of these areas. Limited budgets and competing priorities often lead to inadequate funding for such initiatives, which can hinder the potential benefits of these spaces. Collaboration between local governments, private organizations, and citizens may be necessary to secure sufficient funding for the creation and maintenance of green spaces.

Lastly, public awareness plays a crucial role in maximizing the benefits of urban green spaces. Many people are not aware of the importance of green spaces for improving air quality and their overall well-being. Raising awareness through education campaigns and community engagement activities can help to encourage more people to support and utilize these spaces, leading to greater long-term benefits for both the environment and public health.

In conclusion, urban green spaces have a significant role in improving air quality in cities by absorbing pollutants, reducing the heat island effect, and providing recreational opportunities that encourage physical activities. However, challenges such as limited space, funding, and public awareness need to be addressed to maximize the benefits of these spaces for environmental and human health.

Band Score: 8.5

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