IB ESS HL 1.3.15 Biocapacity Questions

(4-2) = 2 (global hectares)
Note to examiners: units and calculations not required. Accept answers in the range of 1.8 to 2.2 gh. Do not accept negative numbers.

a. Reduce exports of food products (to feed its people) / reduce exports of goods (to keep resources in their country) / Develop national food-security policies ensuring domestic demand is prioritised (before export quotas are met);
b. Import more food products/resources (to meet the needs of its people);
c. Invest in/develop technocentric strategies to increase crop yields (e.g. GMOs/use of sensors/drones to detect when to apply fertilizers/use water efficiently);
d. Promote sustainable/regenerative farming practices to increase food output/crop yields (e.g. aquaculture, agroforestry, soil regeneration, crop rotation) / grow food crops with lower water demand/lower resource requirements;
e. Improve efficiency of resource use / develop circular economy initiatives (to reduce resources needed) / recycle more to reduce (primary) resources extracted/used;
f. Increase/invest in renewable energy production (instead of using fossil fuels thereby reducing consumption of resources) / invest in public transportation to reduce use of fossil fuels;
g. Reduce use of resources (e.g. water) through educational/awareness campaigns;
h. Encourage diversification of the economy to reduce dependence on resource-intensive exports (e.g. oil, bananas, shrimp);
i. Strengthen government policies/regulations for sustainable land/water management to prevent further degradation / use legislation to reduce over-exploitation/use of resources;

Note to examiners: Credit any other reasonable strategy that relates to reduction of resources used or increases goods available to the population of Ecuador.
Do not credit a reduction in population.

Marking guidance:

Do not accept generic statements e.g. "improve sustainability".
Do not accept strategies that are focused on reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Do not accept only "education/awareness/policies".
Do not accept "regulate resources" instead of "reduce use of resources".