“The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are unlikely to be achieved without a dramatic increase in global energy consumption.” Discuss this statement.

Responses could discuss concepts of MDGs, oil/gas resources, alternative energy sources, ecological footprint, etc.

There are many possible approaches to this question and each should be marked on in its merits.

An explanation of the MDGs should be given in terms of their purpose. Some of the specific MDGs should be referred to. Candidates may recognize that, as people move out of poverty (MDG 1), they will consume more energy, therefore agreeing with the statement. Other MDGs, eg schooling, also require energy for classrooms, etc. However, gender equality requires a change in attitudes not more energy. So the statement becomes invalid. Equally, it could be possible to meet some MDGs without a dramatic increase in energy, eg low energy technologies (solar and rechargeable).

Alternatively, some may argue that the MDGs cannot be met, irrespective of energy, because of a wide variety of other reasons. Depending on the goals and/or the countries used in the response, these reasons include: conflict (DRC/Afghanistan), HIV/AIDS, corruption, lack of political will, global recession, “cultural obstacles” to improving the status of women, natural disasters eg Haiti, not a level playing field, voting rights in the WB and IMF, work of the WTO, trading blocs, debt, tied aid, inappropriate aid.

The extent to which these reasons are linked to global energy consumption is debatable. Responses could look, for example, at how a rise in energy consumption might help a country develop manufacturing industry and create additional employment opportunities, offering families a way out of poverty, or increase a country’s GNI, allowing it to allocate more resources to health/education, with positive effects on gender awareness, nutrition, maternal mortality, and so on.

Answers that are simplistic and/or generalized with few or no relevant examples are unlikely to advance beyond band C.

Responses that discuss a range of ideas, supported by evidence, within a structured framework (eg focusing on a number of specific goals or countries) and with some recognition that there is room for alternative viewpoints, are likely to be credited at band E/F.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.

This was the least popular question. The best answers had knowledge and understanding of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in terms of their purpose. Often specific MDGs were highlighted with particular case study evidence. Most candidates recognized that, as countries move out of poverty, they will consume more energy but other MDGs require a change in attitude not just more energy. The top candidates gave detailed evaluation/application and were generally accurate with their understanding of the progress towards the goals. The greatest weakness in the poor answers was a combination of lack of knowledge and understanding of the individual “goals” and a lack of case study material.