Some people believe that individuals can do little to protect the environment and that only governments and large companies can make a real difference. Others feel that individual actions are equally important. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Those who emphasise governments and companies point to scale. A single law, such as a ban on new coal power stations or strict fuel standards for cars, can cut emissions by millions of tonnes, far more than any individual could save in a lifetime. Similarly, when a large manufacturer switches to renewable energy or redesigns its packaging, the effect is felt across entire supply chains. From this point of view, asking people to recycle or switch off lights can even distract attention from the decisions that really matter.

However, others argue that individual actions are equally important. Personal choices add up: if millions of households use less energy, eat less meat or travel by public transport, the total effect is significant. Consumer behaviour also shapes business decisions, since companies change their products when customers stop buying the old ones, as the rapid growth of electric cars and plant-based foods shows. Moreover, habits spread through families and friendships, gradually changing what a whole society sees as normal.

In conclusion, I believe governments and large companies can make the largest and fastest difference, because they control laws and industry. However, individuals are far from powerless: through their purchases, their votes and the example they set, they create the pressure that makes governments and companies act.