Water Access, Use & Security (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS): HL): Exam Questions

Evaluate the sustainability of desalinisation as a water management strategy to improve access to freshwater resources in a society.

Explain why conflicts over fresh water are becoming an increasingly frequent occurrence between human populations.

Describe how the availability of freshwater resources is being impacted by climate change.

Outline two water management strategies, other than desalinisation and rainwater harvesting, that can reduce water scarcity. 

The figure below shows the global water demand by sector for 2023, as well as the projected demands for 2040 and 2055.

Calculate the percentage of water projected to be used for agriculture in 2040, as shown in the figure above. Show your working.

State two reasons for the projected decrease in the demand for water in agriculture between 2023 and 2040.

State the overall trend in total global water demand between 2023 and 2055.

Outline three factors contributing to this projected change.

Predict how technocentric and ecocentric viewpoints would differ regarding the construction and installation of dams.

Outline why inequitable access to clean water affects sustainable development.

Explain how citizen science has the potential to improve freshwater resource management.

Outline two disadvantages of using citizen science for monitoring water resources.

Explain how the disadvantages of citizen science in water monitoring can be addressed.

Evaluate the sustainability of rainwater harvesting as a water management strategy to improve access to freshwater resources in a society.

Evaluate the following statement:

"Water scarcity problems are best addressed through technological developments, rather than through changing human behaviour."

Explain how water stress can result from both physical and socio-economic factors.

Discuss how the freshwater planetary boundary concept can guide local and global governance.