gp

• intro:

  the debate about who should take responsibility for environmental protection has been ongoing for many decades. while individuals and organisations without a doubt have a crucial role to play in protecting the environment, the brunt of the responsibility of safeguarding the environment falls predominantly on the government.
• body paragraph 1:

  firstly, the government has the authority and legislative power to implement and enforce laws and regulations, dictating how individuals and organisations interact with and go about protecting the environment. these laws establish standards on restricting pollution, managing conservation efforts and promoting sustainable development.
• Example 1

  • In 2022, a new nature reserve called Rifle Range Nature Reserved was opened, serving as a recreation spot for many. It has trails of up to 7km which nature lovers and hikers alike would enjoy, but its main purpose is to serve as a buffer between Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve, where it prevents the reserves from facing damages from urban development and the negative impacts of climate change. it also protects the largest primary forest that is untouched by humans in singapore. it also preserves the wide range of rare species like the Sunda Pangolin that is found at the nature reserve, protecting the biodiversity that is home to singapore and acting as a safe haven for them to live peacefully in.
• Example 2

  • In 2019, the government implemented the Carbon Pricing System, where companies that produced large amounts of greenhouse gases have to pay carbon tax of $25/tCO2e. this incentivises these companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, pushing them towards a more green society, and a "carbon-free" workplace. in the long run with the money that they have saved, the companies can use it to buy cleaner technology.
• Without the government's intervention, there would be nothing to ensure that environmental protection measures are implemented effectively and efficiently
• body paragraph 2:

  governments should take responsibility of environmental problems as environmental problems are a global matter, requiring international cooperation. environmental issues such as pollution, climate change and deforestation are transboundary problems, involving many countries from all over the world, where a collective response and action is needed to see a significant change regarding their environmental issues in their countries. thus, governments need to come together to develop and address global agreements, such as the Paris Agreement.
• paris agreement

  effective since 2016, where 195 countries signed an agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, keeping temperature rise this century below 2 degrees. it brings together nations worldwide to collectively address environmental challenges. countries are able to share their knowledge, negotiate terms and commit to their shared goals, playing a crucial role in environmental protection. singapore being a country involved in the agreement recognises the importance of committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and its role in the global effort to help protect the environment.
• counterargument

  it is unrealistic to expect governments to single-handedly handle environmental protection. individuals and organisations also have a significant role to play to conserve the environment and reduce their ecological footprint. organisations and companies can adopt sustainable production methods and reduce waste. individuals can make conscious choices about their daily habits like reducing energy consumption and using alternative forms of transport which emits lesser greenhouse gases like public transport.