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IB ESS SL1.1 PerspectivesQuestion Bank

1.1 Perspectives

Question 1

Question 1(a)

(a)

State one reason why the Niger Delta tropical swamp forest biome is

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Question 1(a)(iii)

(i)

socio-culturally valuable.

A UN report on Ogoniland pollution called for a US$1 billion clean-up fund. It found drinking water with dangerous benzene and other pollutants, soil contamination more than five metres deep, failure by oil companies to meet standards, and spill sites claimed to be cleaned still highly contaminated. The Ogoni people fish and farm yam and cassava, worship land and rivers as God, and protect certain animals. They set up an environmental pressure group in 1990; during their non-violent campaign, Ken Saro-Wiwa was arrested, tried and hanged in 1995, causing international outrage.

The Niger Delta is home to 20 million people including many different ethnic groups. It covers 70000 km2, making up 7.5% of Nigeria’s land area.

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Question 1(j)

(b)

With reference to Figure 8, suggest what message the cartoonist is trying to communicate.

Figure 8: Cartoon comparing oil spills in West Africa with the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the US

Figure 8: Cartoon comparing oil spills in West Africa with the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the US

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Question 1

Question 1(h)

Question 1(h)(ii)

(a)
(i)

Justify whether the approach of the LNRA is best described as that of a Deep Ecologist, Self-reliant Soft Ecologist, Environmental Manager or Cornucopian.

Figure 8: Ramsar wise use means maintaining wetland ecological character through ecosystem approaches in sustainable development.
The Lake Naivasha Riparian Association coordinates a plan to control threats and promote sustainable development of the lake.
Recent measures include drip irrigation, some water meters, pesticide control, codes of conduct for flower farms/geothermal/tourism, and restoration of sewage treatment.

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Question 1

Question 1(c)

Question 1(c)(iii)

(a)
(i)

Figure 9 describes the same facts reported in two different ways. Suggest the possible environmental value systems of the authors of each of the reports.

Writer A states that mining infrastructure has cleared 30000 ha of forest and that 300000 ha more could be cleared, describing the industry as a major carbon dioxide emitter. Writer B states that surface mining has affected 0.1% of Canada’s boreal forest and that Alberta oil sands projects account for less than one-tenth of one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Figure 9: Writer A visual on tar sands impacts

Figure 9: Writer A visual on tar sands impacts

Figure 9: Writer B visual on carbon capture/storage framing

Figure 9: Writer B visual on carbon capture/storage framing

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Question 1

Question 1(h)

(a)

With reference to the resource booklet, complete the table by identifying strategies that reduce the effect of lead on the environment.

Table for strategies that reduce the effect of lead on the environment

Table for strategies that reduce the effect of lead on the environment

Figure 9(a): the Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act made it illegal in 2008 to use lead bullets for hunting deer, bear and elk in designated California condor range.
The act applies only in California; neighbouring states still allow lead bullets for game hunting.
Organisations such as the National Rifle Association oppose the lead bullet ban.

Figure 9(b): Lead and non-lead bullets after impact

Figure 9(b): Lead and non-lead bullets after impact

Figure 5(a): removing eggs can make the mother lay another, increasing the total number of eggs, but some chicks then need hand rearing.
Chicks are fed with condor-like glove puppets to prevent attachment to humans.
Captive-bred condors have been trained to avoid power lines and people, reducing deaths due to power lines.
The programme costs about US$5 million per year, roughly US$13,000 per bird.
The aim is three populations: wild California, wild Arizona and captive, each with 150 birds and at least 15 breeding pairs.

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Question 1(h)(i)

(i)

With reference to Figures 4(a), 7(a) and 7(b) identify one similarity and one difference between the attitudes towards condors of Chumash Indians in the past and cattle farmers who shoot them now.

Figure 4(a): main threats include poaching, lead poisoning from carcasses containing lead shot, DDT poisoning, collisions with power lines and wind turbines, egg collecting, habitat destruction, and shooting by farmers who mistakenly believed condors killed farm animals.

Figure 7(a): Condor cape and Chumash traditional dance

Figure 7(a): Condor cape and Chumash traditional dance

Figure 7(b): Chumash people historically lived in central and southern coastal California; their descendants still live there.
Old cave paintings show people wearing condor feathers for ceremonies and dances.
Condors were once sacrificed during rituals; a legend says if the condor becomes extinct, so too will the Chumash.

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Question 1

[Maximum number: 4]
Figure 1(b): Map showing Swakop River in Namibia

Figure 1(b): Map showing Swakop River in Namibia

Figure 4(b): Camera trap data for high and low mesquite areas

Figure 4(b): Camera trap data for high and low mesquite areas

Figure 5(a): Uranium prices from 1980 to 2013

Figure 5(a): Uranium prices from 1980 to 2013

Question 1(l)

(a)

Using evidence from the resource booklet, justify from an ecocentric viewpoint why the Husab Uranium Project should not be approved.

Figure 2 fact file: 92% of Namibia is arid or semi-arid.
Namibia is the 4th largest producer of uranium, providing 10% of the world's uranium.
Mining employs only 1.8% of the population, while tourism contributes 14.2% to GDP.
Namib-Naukluft Park is a popular tourism destination.

Figure 3(a): the Swakop River passes through highveld savanna, thorn forest, semidesert and Namib Desert ecosystems.
The river mouth is rich in bird life such as Lesser Flamingo.
Unusual endemic/adapted species occur, including Welwitschia and the Namib desert beetle.
Mesquite is a non-native invasive species; fauna include antelope, smaller predators and birds.

Figure 3(c): the Swakop River flows 460 km to the Atlantic and is ephemeral, flooding about once every 10 years.
Of precipitation, 83% evaporates, 14% is used by vegetation, 1% recharges groundwater and 2% becomes runoff.
Animals use the river as a corridor/linear oasis through arid environments.
Water is stored in two major dams; groundwater buffers drought and supplies people but is vulnerable to over-abstraction and contamination from uranium mines.
Climate change may increase severe droughts and flash floods in Namibia.

Figure 6(a): the three mines in the Swakop Valley require 10 million cubic metres of water per year.
Groundwater aquifers have very low volumes as demand from mines and towns rises.
SEMP indicator for acceptable community water quality: status not met.
SEMP indicator that groundwater removal does not exceed sustainable yield: status not met.

Figure 6(b): Welwitschia is endemic and depends on stable groundwater for long-term survival, growth and reproduction.
The Husab Mine would be next to a Welwitschia population; waste rock dumps may affect water supply to a large proportion of the population.

Figure 8: Criteria for assessing environmental sensitivity of mining

Figure 8: Criteria for assessing environmental sensitivity of mining

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Question 2

Question 2(c)

(a)

Discuss how different environmental philosophies can affect the choice of pollution management strategies in response to global warming.

Expression of ideas

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Question 2

Question 2(c)

(a)

Discuss whether a technocentric approach to solving this issue might be more effective than an ecocentric approach.

Expression of ideas

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Question 2

Question 2(c)

(a)

A vegetarian diet is often described as "better for the environment". Discuss this statement using your knowledge of ecosystems and environmental value systems.

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Question 3

[Maximum number: 2]

Figure 3 below shows the life cycle of the malaria protozoan Plasmodium.

Figure 3

Figure 3

Published by Nelson Thornes 2007.]

Question 3(b)

(a)

The publication of Silent Spring by Rachel Carson led to a change in the methods used to control mosquitoes and other insect pests, including in agriculture. Describe one other major influence or event that has changed attitudes to the environment.

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Question 3

Question 3(a)

(a)

Outline two historical influences on the development of the modern environmental movement.

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