This document discusses whether individuals or governments should be responsible for reducing fossil fuel use. It argues that while some claim governments should take responsibility because they have more money, research shows that low-cost individual actions like using energy efficient light bulbs, as was done in Scotland, can significantly reduce fossil fuel use as well, even more than expensive government programs. Both individual and collective actions are needed to truly see a reduction in fossil fuel consumption.

1. Argumentative essays 3

2. Should individuals or governments be
responsible for reducing fossil fuel
use?
• Thesis statement:
• What is your argument? What are you arguing
for:
• In this essay it will be argued that individuals
must take responsibility for fossil fuel
reduction if the world is to see a real change
in its use.

3. Should individuals or governments be
responsible for reducing fossil fuel
use?
• What is the opponent’s view
• Evidence/quote/reference/example
• Opposite view
• Evidence/quote/reference/example
• Some conclusion on this point

4. Should individuals or governments be
responsible for reducing fossil fuel
use?
What is the opponent’s view
Evidence/quote/reference/example
Opposite view
Evidence/quote/reference/example
Some academics argue that because the government has large amounts of money it
can afford the costs of more expensive alternative energies and so should take
responsibility. In Sweden the government paid millions of pounds to buy new
generators to heat their buildings reducing fossil fuel use by 1000s (McAllister, 2012).
Something that individuals could not do.
However, research has shown that low cost adaptations made by individuals can
reduce fossil fuels as much as expensive government backed programs. Evans (2013)
states that in Scotland residents signed a pledge to say they would all use more
energy efficient light bulbs. This small financial change which only cost each person a
few pounds has seen drastic cuts in fossil fuel use.