Growth versus the environment is a strong IB Economics essay theme because it forces you to weigh real trade-offs instead of repeating a one-sided textbook answer.
Why growth matters
- Higher income and employment
- More tax revenue for public services
- Greater fiscal space for development priorities
Why the environment matters
- Pollution and climate costs
- Resource depletion
- Long-run damage to health and productivity
The evaluation that earns marks
The strongest judgment is usually conditional: rapid growth can be defensible when policy internalises environmental costs. Without that, short-run gains can create larger long-run losses.
Use the evaluation phrases guide to phrase that judgment precisely, then compare it against the essay structure guide if you want a full writing template.
High-scoring essays do not choose one side blindly. They weigh the conditions.
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