| Date | November 2018 | Marks available | 4 | Reference code | 18N.1.bp.3 |
| Level | SL and HL | Paper | 1 | Time zone | |
| Command term | Explain | Question number | 3 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
The map shows the proportion of renewable water resources that each country uses each year.
Outline what is meant by the term “environmental sustainability”.
Describe the distribution of countries that are using more than 60 % of their renewable water resources.
Explain one reason why economic water scarcity is relatively common inn Sub-Saharan Africa.
Explain two ways in which access to safe drinking water can be improved.
Way 1:
Way 2:
Markscheme
Environmental sustainability means development or utilizing resources in such a way as to meet the needs of the present [1] without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs [1].
Accept other valid responses that refer to present day use [1] and future continued use by generations [1].
Award [1] for each identification of an aspect of the distribution – concentration in NE Africa [1] the Middle East [1] and South West Asia [1].
Allow [1] for description of a common detail (eg “all in northern hemisphere”).
Award [1] for examples (named countries) that illustrate a correct descriptive comment.
There must be comment on an aspect of the distribution before credit can be awarded to examples of countries.
Award [1] for correct reason and [1] for further development.
High levels of poverty [1] mean that even though (clean/drinking) water is available, it is not accessible (distribution) and/or affordable [1].
Other possibilities include:
- lack of investment
- lack of technological development
- competition for funds between sectors – eg industry and agriculture
- heavy debt burdens
- insufficient domestic finance
- lack of coordination
- conflict affecting methods of distribution.
In each case, award [1] for a viable way and [1] for development/exemplification.
For example: Improved purification methods for public water systems [1] would increase the number of residents having access to safe water [1] (as they would no longer need to purchase safe water elsewhere).
Possibilities include:
- less pollution of the water system – eg sewage or run-off from agriculture or industrial pollution
- desalinization
- digging wells
- water transfer schemes
- sanitation
- dams
- household catchment systems
- increased awareness of consumption rates
- importing water
- reduction of consumption associated with a specific activity eg irrigation
- education.
