IB ESS SL 1.3.2 Three Pillars of Sustainability

[Maximum number: 6]

FigureA:Examples of ecosystems in London

FigureB:Examples of ecosystems in London

Figure:Green spaces in London

Figure:Population of deer in Richmond Park, 2013–2017

Figure:Number of deer removed from Richmond Park, 2013–2017

	London	United Kingdom	World average
Ecological footprint (global hectares per capita)	4.5	4.6	2.8
Biocapacity (global hectares per capita)	0.17	1.20	1.60

Table:Ecological footprints of London, the United Kingdom and the world, 2015

Figure:Underground vertical farm

Figure:Rooftop beekeeping

Figure:Annual mean NOx concentrations in London air, 2016

Figure:Recycling rates in London and England, 2000–2015

Material	Proportion recycled / \%
Plastic	10
Paper	57
Aluminium cans	33
Steel cans	45
Glass	51

Table:Proportions of material recycled in London, 2006

Figure:Fact file on London

- The largest city in England.
- London generates 22% of the United Kingdom’s economy.
- Population of 8.9 million (2019).
- Natural increase rate was 1.13% per year (2011–2019).
- 37% of London’s population are immigrants.
- Electricity is generated in power stations outside London.
- London aims to supply 15% of its energy by local, renewable sources by 2030.

Figure:Fact file on London as a green city

London green space
- 47% of London is classified as green space.
- London has over 8 million trees and 13,000 species.
- Green spaces can provide ecosystem services such as habitat, air cleaning, cooling and flood mitigation.

Figure:Fact file on Richmond Park

- Richmond Park is a national nature reserve and Special Area of Conservation.
- Approximately 630 red and fallow deer live permanently in the park.
- There are no natural predators for deer in Richmond Park.
- Deer numbers are managed to maintain a sustainable population.
- Deer meat is sold and profits are reinvested into caring for the deer.

Figure:Urban agriculture in London

- Approximately 9% of London land area is used for agriculture, mostly on the edges in the green belt.
- Urban agriculture includes vertical farming and rooftop gardening/beekeeping.
- Vertical farms can use up to 70% less water and no pesticides.
- London has over 1000 beekeepers and an 11 km bee corridor of wildflowers.

To what extent is London a sustainable city? Refer to the information provided in the resource booklet in your answer.

Sustainable [4 max]:
i. recycling of SDW will reduce $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ from decomposition, reducing EF;
ii. recycling of SDW will reduce space required for landfill, reducing EF;
iii. vertical farming increases biocapacity / repurposing brownfield sites/empty industrial buildings means land does not need to be cleared for agriculture (increasing sustainability)/increases productive land area;
iv. urban agriculture reduces importation of food which reduces carbon dioxide emissions from transportation;
v. no pesticides means a reduction in toxification of soil/water, increasing sustainability;
vi. bee-keeping helps protect/raise healthy bees which are needed for biodiversity of plants;
vii. reduction in water use for vertical farming increases sustainability;
viii. air pollution control measures will reduce negative impact on human health and vegetation;
ix. large amount of green space/habitat for biodiversity;
x. aiming to produce 15 % of energy from renewable, local sources, which increases sustainability/reduces EF;
xi. deer are managed to ensure environment remains healthy;
xii. money raised from selling deer meat goes to conservation increasing sustainability/protection of habitat;
xiii. there are over 8 million trees/ 47 % is classified as green space, providing oxygen/ acting as a carbon sink/trees clean air of pollutants, which increases sustainability;

Not sustainable [4 max]:
xiv. EF is larger than biocapacity, which means it is not sustainable;
xv. recycling requires energy and produces air pollution, which increases EF;
xvi. Iow recycling rates (compared to rest of UK)/lower than 35 %, so not sustainable / only paper and glass have more than 50\% recycled;
xvii. growth in population will increase demand for land (housing) and energy, so improvements may be counteracted by increased population;
xviii. green spaces are fragmented / green spaces are divided by urban barriers, so wildlife cannot move freely between habitats;
xix. central London suffers from high levels of air pollution, which is not sustainable;
xx. deer numbers rise rapidly and then crash, suggesting numbers are exceeding carrying capacity, which is not sustainable/habitat is being damaged;
xxi. only aiming for 15 % energy from renewables, which isn't using resources wisely;

Conclusion [1 max]: While many aspects of the urban management of London contribute to its sustainability such as use of vertical farming that helps to conserve water, the vast population in a relatively small area means that its environmental footprint far exceeds the area of the city.

Notes: Do not credit 'EF of London is greater than world average EF'. A valid conclusion should be credited if it is explicit, balanced (addresses both sides of the argument), supported by evidence and makes a clear value judgement. Do not credit the conclusion if only one side of the argument has been considered within the overall response.

Marking guidance:

Award [5 max] for both sustainable and non-sustainable reasons.

IB ESS SL 1.3.2 Three Pillars of Sustainability Question Bank

Exam points

1.3.2—Three pillars of sustainability question 1