Practise IB ESS HL 1.1.10 by tracing how scientific findings, media, disasters, agreements and technology turn environmental concerns into organised action.
Explain the role of two historical influences in shaping the development of the environmental movement.
eg Rachel Carson - Author of Silent Spring (1962);
Silent Spring documented/highlighted the problems caused by the widespread use of synthetic pesticides;
focus was placed on the activities of chemical companies;
explained impact of use of insecticides/pesticides on birds of prey;
led to widespread awareness amongst (American) public of environmental issues/bioaccumulation/biomagnification;
was a focal point for the social/environmental movements of the 1960s;
inspired many other environmentalists;
led to ban on DDT for agricultural uses;
inspired the formation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency;
eg Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster of 2011;
a natural disaster/earthquake/tsunami led to the biggest nuclear disaster since Chernobyl at Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant;
estimates vary about the number of people affected by the disaster/no direct deaths initially/over 600 deaths by workers/thousands with increased risk of cancers;
as the disaster was able to happen in a "developed" country like Japan, many societies came to the conclusion that nuclear power could not be "safe";
this has led to increased public pressure to phase out nuclear power generation;
eg Germany sped up plans to close nuclear reactors/over 90 % of Italy voted against government plans to expand nuclear power/Switzerland also decided to phase out nuclear power;
Marking guidance:
Award [1max] for correctly identifying/naming two historical influences. Award credit for valid statements that describe the personality/event;
explain how it has influenced the movement;
and explain exactly what gave rise to the influence. If more than two events/personalities are addressed credit only the highest-scoring two.
Award [4max] for each explanation of how historical influences shaped the development of environmentalism up to max of 7 marks.