User interface language: English | Español

Date November 2020 Marks available 2 Reference code 20N.2.bp.3
Level SL and HL Paper 2 Time zone
Command term Describe Question number 3 Adapted from N/A

Question

Describe what is meant by an individual’s ecological footprint.

 

[2]
a.

Suggest two ways in which meeting a nation’s water needs could result in reduced food availability.

Way 1:

 

Way 1:

 

 

[4]
b.

Explain how a circular economy approach can contribute to reduced use of new resources.

[2]
c.i.

Explain how a circular economy approach can contribute to changing attitudes to product ownership.

[2]
c.ii.

Markscheme

The approximate area of land and water needed to provide a person with the resources needed to live [1] and to absorb their waste [1].

a.

In each case, award [1] for a valid way a nation’s water needs are met and [1] for its impact on reducing food availability.

Possibilities of valid ways include:

Possibilities of reduction of food availability include:

For example: Over-extraction for cash crops [1] leads to insufficient water left to grow food crops [1].

b.

Award [1] for a valid way of reducing new resources and [1] for development.

Possibilities include:

For example: Products are produced in such a way that they have a “life after death” [1], as parts will have further use later [1], decreases need for raw materials.

c.i.

Award [1] for a valid change and [1] for development.

Possibilities include:

For example: People rent goods as opposed to buying them [1], which means that they are less likely to be “designed for the dump” [1].

c.ii.

Examiners report

Only a small number of responses addressed the full elements of the concept of ecological footprint to gain full credit. Reference to both the area of land/water needed to provide a person with resources and the absorption of waste need to be included for both marks.

a.

The basis of this question is found in the water-food-energy nexus and how its interactions affect, in this case, food availability. Many candidates found the detail of the interactions difficult to access and answers were rather vague. Good explanations were based on a valid way in which a nation's water needs were addressed such as the building of reservoirs, river diversion or over-extraction of water. Responses were then able to explore the interaction of the identified way with the availability of food, usually associated with decreased supply of water or the reduction of land available for crop production. A substantial number of answers failed to identify a way in which a nation had attempted to meet its needs and comment was composed solely around the lack of water for crop growth. Candidates must have a clear understanding of the factual knowledge required to reinforce and support the nexus
concept.

b.

Answers generally displayed a sound understanding of the circular economy concept and its operation with both elements of the question being accessible to the candidates. In a number of instances however the answers lacked precision and application to the question, especially in c(ii) where changing attitudes needed to be linked to circular economy approach. A number of responses did not develop this linkage, simply commenting on the initial element of the question and as a result there was a lot of repetition.

c.i.
[N/A]
c.ii.

Syllabus sections

Unit 3: Global resource consumption and security » 3.1. Global trends in consumption » 3.1.2. Measuring trends in resource consumption
Unit 3: Global resource consumption and security » 3.1. Global trends in consumption
Unit 3: Global resource consumption and security

View options