IB ESS HL 6.3.3 Mitigation strategies Question Bank

Is effective [4 max]
a. California is the top producer of renewable energy in the USA, reducing GHG emissions / large proportion (54\%) of electricity comes from renewable sources which reduces GHG emissions / move to 100\% renewable electricity sources reduces future GHG emissions;
b. California has reduced use of coal to less than 1\% (by increasing use of renewable energy) which reduces CO2/GHG emissions;
c. by 2035 all new sales of cars will be 100 % carbon-free, reducing GHG emissions;
d. cutting power to homes during strong winds/burying power lines/campaigns will reduce risk of wildfires, which reduces release of $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ /protects carbon sinks;
e. new development must consider fire risk hazards in impact assessments;
f. large number of Californians are vegetarian, which reduces meat consumption and therefore reduces release of methane ;
g. protecting giant sequoia trees/wetlands helps to protect carbon sink/absorb $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$;
h. reduce use of water (per person) reduces the energy/electricity needed for water pumps/distribution and may lower $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ /GHG emissions;

Is not effective [4 max]:
i. change in government may change policies in the future;
j. 40 % of electricity is still produced by natural gas, which is a fossil fuel and therefore emits GHG when burnt;
k. cannot produce enough electricity to meet demand, as need to import energy from Mexico and out of state (don't know how that energy is produced);
I. people will still be able to purchase cars from neighbouring states and drive them in California / citizens will still be able to drive older carbon-fueled vehicles;
m. power cuts during high fire hazard periods mean electric cars cannot be charged, so this is not an effective solution; n. population is growing, suggesting more cars on the road in future/residential GHG production will increase;
o. wildfires are increasing, which will add $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ to the atmosphere;
p. wildfires will reduce carbon sinks / wildfires reduce number of trees and therefore the absorption of $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$;
q. agricultural output is a major cause of GHG, and California is a major producer of food / transportation of farm produce (e.g. almonds/meat) produces $\mathrm{CO}_{2} / \mathrm{GHGs}$;
r. water transfers/pumping require high levels of energy, which will increase energy demand in the future due to increased drought conditions (which may involve burning fossil fuels);

Conclusion [1 max]: requires a balanced argument and a clear value judgement, such as, "While California's move to renewable electricity generation will greatly reduce the combustion of fossil fuels, the large number of forest fires will reduce its ability to mitigate climate change".

Marking guidance:

Accept other reasonable responses supported by the information in the resource booklet.
Note: Do not accept conclusions which do not refer to California's actions, such as, "California cannot stop climate change."