First Certificate English: Writing (Essay) First Certificate English: Which is more important: improving people's standard of living or protecting the environment? It is known that there is a growing concern about destroying/damaging the environment by increasing the standards of living of the actual society/in the today's world. Many people in favour of protecting the environment often claimed that technological development lead to an increase of the unemployment rate, since many workers might be replaced by machines, which provide a higher yield/payoff in efficiency. Nevertheless, it is also certain, that there is an increasing demand on hand/manual-workers, who are able to do support service. Additionally, it is often said that the new-building construction contribute to the disappearance of magnificent landscapes and forest, causing a considerable damage to the environment. However, the number of inhabitants in the world is getting higher, so it is deeply necessary to continue building. From my pont of view, we can not refuse improving our life conditions due to environmental protection, but I am also believe, that we should find an equilibrium between progress and environmental health.