Analyse how increased internet use has affected different global financial flows.

Examine the growing need for environmental management at a global scale.

Analyse how increased internet use has affected different global financial flows.

Credit discussion of internet, broadband, email, television/radio (on demand). Also credit mobile phone uptake / network growth Candidates may write in depth about a single case study of network growth over time. This could obtain full marks provided the effect on a range of financial flows is analysed in sufficient depth and detail.

• The internet also plays a role in enabling/accelerating a range of economic interactions and financial flows as part of the “shrinking world” effect.
• These include peer to peer payments such as: migrant remittances; purchases using mobile phone credit systems eg M-Pesa in Kenya (do not expect candidates to fully distinguish between smartphones and mobiles); international aid and charity donations eg Philippines 2013; crowd-sourced financing; online shopping (Amazon, eBay, airline tickets etc); financial transactions including share dealing. Credit ideas about outsourcing provided some effect of internet use on financial flows is suggested (for instance, use of outsourcing may require companies to transfer funds to suppliers; or may enhance profitability of firm; or may involve customers making a financial transaction).

Good answers may apply (AO2) a wider range of knowledge and understanding (AO1) in a well-structured way (AO4). One approach might be to systematically analyse a wide range of financial flows in a well-evidenced way. Another approach might be to analyse how financial flows in some localities are not affected, despite global growth in internet use, due to cost / prohibition / lack of access / other reasons.

For band C (4–6 marks), expect either some weakly-evidenced outlining of internet use in one or two local contexts or brief listing of some financial flows and economic impacts linked with internet use.

For band D (7–8 marks), expect a structured, evidenced analysis of
• either a more detailed analysis of the increase in internet use over time, and its effect on two financial flows
• or a broader analysis of the effects of internet use on a wider range of financial flows (perhaps in different places).

For band E (9–10 marks), expect both band D traits.

Examine the growing need for environmental management at a global scale.

Credit all content in line with the markbands. Credit unexpected approaches wherever relevant.

Any aspect of environmental management can be discussed: likely themes for discussion include “global commons” such as the atmosphere, tropical rainforest biome and the oceans. An account of the dangers posed by degradation/depletion of these resources is to be expected, thereby demonstrating the need for action. A detailed range of global or international environmental issues/problems is sufficient to reach band D, even if little is said about management (other than asserting that it is needed).

Possible applied themes (AO2) include knowledge and understanding (AO1) of:
• the need for climate change governance, possibly linked with issues such as the growth of food miles (air freight) [Guide 4] or the growth of polluting transport networks for people and commodities [Guide 2]
• growing environmental awareness fostered via NGOs (eg Greenpeace); hence, civil society concerns suggest a growing need for management/action [Guide 4]
• the political (inter-governmental) response to transboundary pollution [Guide 4]
• EU environmental rules can be considered as “global” scale action [Guide 6]
• some candidates may discuss the need for global action to prevent loss of tropical rainforest (linked with timber resource use) [Guide 4]
• calls for the regulation of global agribusinesses, polluting industries and waste movements [Guide 4]
• commercial need for branded commodities to adopt “green credentials” [Guide 5]
• credit material dealing with the built environment / cultural environment (such as attempts to preserve architecture, language or other cultural traits).

Good answers may synthesize (AO3) three of more of these themes in a well-structured (AO4) way.

Good answers may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3) which discusses why isolated actions taken by individual countries may have limited effectiveness, and global-scale action is required. Another approach might be to discuss why problems such as transboundary movements become complex and require action to be taken at a global/regional scale by many different countries working in tandem together. Another approach might be to systematically discuss different aspects of environmental management and the global conventions, protocol and agreements which relate to them.

Do not over-credit examples of local management of environmental problems (eg local ecotourism or local recycling) unless there is a “think global act local” link.

For band C (5–8 marks), expect weakly-evidenced outlining of two or three relevant themes from the geography guide.

For band D (9–12 marks), expect
• either a structured synthesis which links together several well-evidenced and well-focused themes from the geography guide
• or a critical conclusion (or ongoing evaluation).

For band E (13–15 marks), expect both of these traits.

This popular question was well answered in the majority of cases. Candidates analysed the statement using case studies of financial flows, augmented often with their own personal knowledge of online purchasing, crowdfunding and trading. The best answers used evidence well and were focused fully on financial flows. Electronic transfers of remittances and donations for disaster victims were written about widely.  There was widespread analysis too of out-sourcing investment into Bangalore and the role the internet plays supporting FDI (foreign direct investment) strategies by TNCs. Wherever possible, credit was awarded for work which focused on legitimate financial flows that have undoubtedly been enhanced by ICT. Some thoughtful answers analysed ways in which financial flows had been affected other than their volume and rapidity. Illegal (bank account hacking) and informal (peer-to-peer transfers) financial flows featured in some answers. So too did complex financial flows, such as transfer pricing by TNCs.

This question generated a great many mediocre responses which ‘patched’ together a series of environmental vignettes before asserting that better management is required. Climate change, oceanic pollution and global biodiversity loss were popular themes which suited the question context well. Better answers tended to acknowledge steps already taken towards improved global governance (COP21, for instance) before arguing that even more must be done.  Weaker responses were less selective in their choice of examples, typically involving fact-rich case studies of relatively localized issues. This meant there was not a compelling case for global management, merely better local management. The Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents were often used in this way. Candidates explained what had happened and then asserted that there is a need for power stations to be ‘managed globally’.