IB ESS HL 6.2.15 Climate justice

[Maximum number: 3]

Figure:Regional map of the Niger Delta and Ogoniland case study area

Figure:Climate graph for the Niger Delta

Explain why the people of the Niger Delta may be particularly badly affected by global warming in the future.

Figure:Niger Delta tropical swamp forest biome information

The biome forms on a low-lying coastal delta from sediment deposited by the Niger River. Over 80% of the delta floods seasonally and swamps remain when flood waters drain away. It has played an important role in the global economy through slave trade, palm oil and fossil fuels over 400 years. Selected organisms have critical/endangered conservation status. Flora and fauna have only been systematically surveyed since the 1980s. Endemic species include Niger Delta red colobus and Heslop’s pygmy hippopotamus. The delta may be a meeting point for chimpanzee populations. It includes 75% of Africa’s remaining mangrove forests. Swamp forests have no large-scale formal protection, although crocodiles and chimpanzees receive some protection.

Figure:Environmental threats in the Niger Delta

Over 1.5 million tonnes of oil have spilt in the delta over the past 50 years, polluting water sources, damaging crops and fishing grounds. The delta is one of the five most polluted spots on Earth. More than 20000 hectares of mangroves have been destroyed by oil exploration. Natural gas from oil fields is burnt off as flares, potentially causing acid deposition and global warming. There is limited access to electricity, fresh water and health care. The oil industry provides few jobs. Improved transport has enabled exploitation of timber and fish resources, leading to overfishing, habitat loss, overhunting and clashes. Local people hold the oil industry responsible, and pipelines/facilities are regularly attacked.

delta is low lying so more likely to be flooded as sea levels rise;
removal of mangroves removes coastal protection and increase sea level causes more damage/increased/larger storms impact coast more;
high level of poverty/low development so people are vulnerable/not very resilient to increased climate disasters eg floods/large storms;
already tensions/conflict in the area so tensions could easily increase as flooding occurs/land is lost to flooding;
resources are already being used unsustainably/shortages of resources for example salt intrusion of drinking water;
agricultural land too close to the sea coast, so more vulnerable to (potential) salt water inundation / loss of food crops;
global warming will compound other environmental problems eg oil pollution/deforestation/acid deposition;
high population density so large numbers of people to be affected by any changes in the delta's sea level;
this region will be prone to fatal tropical diseases such as Malaria that will spread more rapidly with GW;
social unrest/stress as the traditional worship species may be lost as they cannot adapt to changes due to global warming (eg too hot/too much salt water);
any severe degradation to the land or drying of river due to GW may be considered as divine punishment and lead to panic/psychological stress/tensions/upheavals due to religious reasons;
the river may dry up and so will the supply of freshwater/loss of freshwater supply (due to river drying up) will be devastating as people directly depend on the river water for drinking / have no established water network infrastructure;
lack of preventive infrastructure would exacerbate any issue caused by GW eg flooding / drying of rivers / coastal erosion;
Valid responses should address issues that would be "particularly bad" for people in this area ...not just generally bad effects of GW e.g. no mark for "GW may increase spread of disease" but 1 mark for "this region will be prone to fatal tropical diseases that will spread more rapidly with GW"
The candidates are not expected to have a detailed knowledge of the Niger Delta, so answers should indicate how GW effects are exacerbated by local features eg
geographical (delta/coastal/tropical), or cultural (LEDC/poverty/religious values);

IB ESS HL 6.2.15 Climate justice Question Bank

Exam points

6.2.15 (HL)—Climate justice question 1