Natural Resources Uses & Management (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS): HL): Exam Questions

Outline the purpose of conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Outline the typical steps of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Explain the difference between natural capital and natural income, providing an example for each concept.

Urban green spaces refer to areas within cities or urban environments that are designated or preserved for natural components, such as parks, gardens, greenbelts, and urban forests.

Outline three ways that urban green spaces can be considered to be natural capital.

Using examples of resources from a tropical rainforest, complete the table below to distinguish between goods and services.

Briefly outline two examples of how renewable natural capital has been mismanaged.

Briefly explain the concept of sustainable and unsustainable use of renewable natural capital.

The Sun's energy drives the hydrological cycle and this energy can be harnessed by obstructing river flow using dams. The regulated release of water through dams transfers energy, enabling hydroelectric power generation.

Apart from generating hydroelectricity, identify two other forms of natural income that could result from the construction of dams on rivers.

Briefly evaluate whether it is justified to place an economic value on natural systems.

Distinguish between the terms renewable and sustainable.

Outline two disadvantages of involving the public in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address global challenges including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.

Outline three ways that the Sustainable Development Goals can support sustainable natural resource management.

Explain how economic globalisation increases resource interdependence.

Using examples of resources from the oceans, complete the table below to distinguish between natural capital and natural income.

Explain how technological innovations can help to achieve resource security.

A solar power plant is planned that will involve the building of a solar farm (a large area of land covered in solar panels). This will result in the removal of some forest and the conversion of some farmland. The electricity created by the solar farm will provide power to the local community.

Discuss how effective an environmental impact assessment for this project could be in protecting the local environment.

Explain how natural capital can be evaluated.

Explain the dynamic nature of the concept of natural capital, using examples to demonstrate this.

Discuss the extent to which the concepts of net productivity, natural capital and natural income are useful as models in managing the sustainable exploitation of natural resources.

Explain how and why EIA guidelines differ between countries and regions.

Evaluate the idea of "reducing demand" as a strategy for achieving resource security.