Using one or more examples, analyse the geographic challenges associated with transboundary pollution.

Examine how disparities between countries give rise to different global flows.

Transboundary pollution has damaging effects for more than one country. It is most likely that candidates will analyse an “event”, such as a major oil spill, or a pervasive air pollution event or period of acid rain (which could last for many months or even years – an example being NW Europe in the 1970s and 1980s). Whatever examples are used, it should be made explicit who is affected and why the event is “transboundary”.

• “Geographic challenges” includes the consequences of the pollution, such as immediate human, ecological and environmental impacts.
• There are also longer clear-up operations and challenges to consider.
• Also, there is the challenge of achieving effective regulation / prevention with pollution management strategies, including global governance of the issue(s).

Good answers may apply (AO2) a wider range of knowledge and understanding (AO1) in a well-structured way (AO4). One approach might be to analyse different categories of geographic challenge eg economic, political and environmental or short and long term. Another approach might be to compare issues for countries closer to the pollution source with issues for countries further away. Another approach might be to analyse the challenges of preventing future pollution given the physical processes involved eg atmospheric circulation. Another approach might be to analyse how the geographic challenges differ according to the scale of the problem and the number of states and stakeholders that are affected.

Pollution events such as the Bhopal incident are not transboundary but may achieve band C if the concept of transnational has been well-analysed (idea of TNCs moving their pollution / unsafe operations overseas). The movement of recycling wastes to China may be marked in the same way (though not transboundary, some limited credit for the transnational aspects of the case study could be given). Accounts of carbon emissions and climate change should also be treated like this.

For band C (4–6 marks), expect some weakly evidenced outlining of the effects of transboundary/transnational pollution in one or more contexts.

For band D (7–8 marks), expect a structured, evidenced analysis of: 

• either one or more detailed examples of the consequences of actual transboundary pollution
• or different types of geographic challenge (eg near & far challenges, short and long-term challenges or economic and governance challenges).

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

Please refer to Paper 3 HL markbands.

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

The focus is on disparities between countries or different global groups of countries: these may include economic, social, political or other disparities. The question suggests that disparities give rise to multiple flows. These range from financial flows to migration and the movement of ideas and information.

Better answers will maintain a focus on flows eg FDI, remittances; weaker answer may at times become more descriptive of the actions or impacts of different stakeholders/actors eg TNCs (and flows may be implied rather than explicitly examined).

Possible applied themes (AO2) include knowledge and understanding (AO1) of:

• labour/migration flows [Guide 3]
• financial flows, eg remittances/aid/loans [Guide 3]
• investments by global institutions such as the IMF [Guide 3]
• raw material flows [Guide 4]
• waste disposal flows [Guide 4]
• information flows routed via low-cost outsourcing centres [Guide 3]
• TNC investment into new emerging markets and profit repatriation [Guide 5]
• past/present cultural exchanges linked with core–periphery labour flows [Guide 6].

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

Good answers may additionally offer a critical evaluation (AO3) that examines the complexity of global disparities (there are multiple development gaps and disparities eg between emerging economies and the least developed states). Another approach might be to examine non-economic disparities eg differences in governance and human rights. Another approach might be to examine the scale of different flows/movements (eg USA and Mexico are neighbour countries; India and UK are distant from one another).

Answers dealing only with movements from “poor” to “rich” places will most likely show only limited understanding of what could be meant by “disparities between countries” and are unlikely to reach the highest band even if factually detailed.

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 developed, critical conclusion (or greater ongoing evaluation).

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

Please refer to Paper 3 HL markbands.