IB ESS SL 6.3 Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Topic Practice

Pros - reduce carbon emissions [2max]
a. decrease in use of coal with high emissions will tend to reduce carbon emissions / switch (from coal with high emissions) to coal with low sulfur emissions reduces overall carbon emissions;
b. decrease in overall use of coal (both low sulfur content and high emissions coal) will decrease carbon emissions / there is a slight decrease in carbon-producing sources;
c. increase in renewables/nuclear/wind/solar will tend to reduce carbon emissions;
Cons - increase carbon emissions [2max]
d. overall increase in energy supply will tend to increase carbon emissions due to construction/maintenance/extraction / production of batteries for renewable energies requires extraction of materials which produces carbon emissions;
e. use of coal with low sulfur content will still produce carbon emissions;
f. overall proportion of carbon producing sources remains fairly constant;
Note: For credit for either pros or cons, link must be made to carbon/carbon dioxide emissions.
For pros, do not accept only 'use of low sulfur coal will reduce emissions'.
Conclusion [1max] needs to be balanced considering both sides of the argument for credit and makes a clear value judgement e.g.: Although there is a planned increase in the use of renewable energies (associated with low carbon emissions) the majority of energy will still be generated using coal that releases carbon dioxide;
Conclusion is not mandatory, and 3 marks can be achieved through consideration of both pros and cons

The following adaptation strategies can be credited provided it is clear whether they are common to both societies (compare) or are a point of difference (contrast).
weather readiness...
i. flood defences;
ii. increase resilience of ecosystems, eg. flood retention in mangroves/marshes;
iii. support water saving/reduction schemes (for droughts);
iv. planting of crops in previously unsuitable climates;
v. tree plantings, shady areas, reflective construction materials, green roofs, and the ecological management of rainwater;
vi. produce plans for heatwaves;
vii. develop rapid response teams;
health...
viii. vaccination programmes;
ix. reduce water and air borne diseases;
education...
x. include climate change in educational curriculum;
xi. provide information to citizens about risks;
xii. capture indigenous knowledge for benefit of all;
xiii. invest/support scientific research into climate change monitoring and adaptation;
infrastructure and economy...
xiv. desalinization plants;
xv. diversification away from climate sensitive industries;
xvi. increase resilience of communities through economic development;
xvii. increased resilience of buildings and infrastructure (to heat waves, flooding);
xviii. legislation and planning to consider climate impacts;
xix. monitoring, forecasting and early alert systems;

Notes: Award [5 max] if only compare or only contrast used. Award [3 max] if strategies are simply described but not clearly compared or contrasted between two named societies.