IB ESS SL 6.2 Climate Change Causes and Impacts Question Bank

Practise IB ESS SL 6.2 by interpreting climate evidence, explaining greenhouse feedback and evaluating impacts on ecosystems, resources and societies.

Exam points

Interpret emissions, temperature and sea-ice data and distinguish correlation from greenhouse mechanism.
Explain albedo feedback by tracing ice, ocean and cloud changes through reflection and temperature.
Evaluate climate impacts on ecosystems, productivity, health, water, food and infrastructure.

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

[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: 1]

Table:Global crude birth and death rates from 2003 to 2011

the global birth-and-death-rate table shown above below shows the crude birth rate and the crude death rate per thousand of the global human population between 2003 and 2011.

Outline one way in which a larger world population may cause an increase in the rate of global warming.

larger population uses more energy/fossil fuels, so produces extra carbon dioxide/greenhouse gases;
larger population uses more land for growing food eg rice / keeps more livestock, so produces extra methane/greenhouse gases;
more people results in more respiration increasing $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ and contributing to global warming

Marking guidance:

Accept other reasonable suggestions.

[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

6.2 Climate change—causes and impacts question 3