“Global climate change will increase disparities in development.” Discuss this statement, referring to examples.

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

It is hoped that candidates will interpret global climate change as having a wider meaning than “global warming”. The disparities in wealth and development may be considered at any scale: regional, national or sub-national. Disparities can be spatial but they can also refer to different groups within areas. It is anticipated that responses will refer to some of the consequences of climate change – many of which are already evident. These consequences then need to be built upon in terms of how they impact upon wealth, gender gaps.

Responses at band D are likely to provide descriptive, possibly anecdotal, accounts of the links between global climate change, wealth and development, with only limited attention paid to the idea of disparities, and little or no attempt made to contest the statement.

At band E, responses will either focus their attention on the issue of disparities or begin to contest the statement. For example, they might demonstrate a clear understanding of disparities, possibly by comparing or contrasting the likely impacts of global climate change in different countries or in different regions of the same country; or effectively contest the idea that global climate change will increase disparities by offering arguments or examples where disparities are likely to be reduced.

At band F, responses will incorporate both these elements, and offer an evidence-based conclusion/evaluation of the statement. The discussion of cases where disparities will be increased and cases where they will be decreased need not be equal in depth for the award of full marks.

Marks should be allocated according to the markbands.