IB ESS HL 6.2 Climate Change Causes and Impacts Question Bank

Practise IB ESS HL 6.2 by analysing climate records and feedback and evaluating impacts, uncertainty and climate justice.

Exam points

Analyse emissions, temperature and sea-ice data and distinguish correlation from greenhouse mechanism.
Evaluate albedo feedback through ice, ocean and cloud changes.
Compare direct and proxy climate records and explain variation from methods and measurement limits.
Evaluate climate impacts and climate justice through responsibility, vulnerability and capacity to adapt.

Covered syllabus points

6.2.1—Climate definition 6.2.2—Anthropogenic CO₂ emissions 6.2.3—Ice core, tree ring, sediment data 6.2.4—Enhanced greenhouse effect 6.2.5—Climate change impacts on ecosystems 6.2.6—Climate change impacts on societies 6.2.7—Climate change models 6.2.8—Climate change planetary boundary 6.2.9—Perspectives on climate change 6.2.10 (HL)—Climate data collection 6.2.11 (HL)—Global climate models 6.2.12 (HL)—Climate model scenarios 6.2.13 (HL)—Critical thresholds and tipping points 6.2.14 (HL)—Tipping cascades 6.2.15 (HL)—Climate justice

[Maximum number: 1]

Figure:Global carbon-dioxide emissions from 1992 to 2012

the ozone-hole images shown above: The graph below shows the global $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ emissions from 1992 to 2012.

Calculate the percentage increase of global $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ emissions from 1992 to 2012.

[Maximum number: 3]

Figure:Seasonal changes in Arctic sea ice

Figure:Arctic sea-ice extent

Table:Arctic sea-ice cover from 1979 to 2012

the seasonal Arctic sea-ice diagram shown above: Changes in Arctic sea ice in a typical year.

org/arcticseaicenews/charctic-interactive-sea-ice-graph/. Accessed November 18, 2015.]

(a)

Identify one factor that may be causing long-term changes in sea ice cover.

[ 1 ]

(b)

Describe the trend seen in the sea ice cover data in the Arctic sea-ice extent chart shown above.

[ 2 ]

[Maximum number: 2]

Figure:Fact file on Mindo cloud forest

Figure: Fact file on Mindo cloud forest
Only one third of Ecuador’s identified cloud forest sites are protected. The Mindo-Nambillo cloud forest reserve forms part of several protected areas across Ecuador. The Mindo cloud forest covers 268 km2 and is home to several indigenous subgroups of the Quichua people. The village of Mindo is west of the reserve and is known for chocolate made from locally grown cacao. Organizations work with local farmers to find alternatives to cattle ranching and with indigenous groups to develop more sustainable agricultural practices, reducing habitat destruction.

Describe two ways in which climate change could affect the cloud forest ecosystem.

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Covered syllabus points

6.2 Climate change—causes and impacts question 1

6.2 Climate change—causes and impacts question 2

Question (a)

Question (b)

6.2 Climate change—causes and impacts question 3