| Date | May 2021 | Marks available | 1 | Reference code | 21M.2.SL.TZ0.1 |
| Level | Standard Level | Paper | Paper 2 | Time zone | Time zone 0 |
| Command term | State | Question number | 1 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
The figure refers to a typical Western European diet. This example shows recommended consumption of food types (on the basis of health) and the environmental impact of their production.
With reference to Figures 1(a) and 1(b) state the food that has the highest environmental impact.
With reference to Figures 1(a) and 1(b) state the food that has the highest recommended consumption.
Describe the relationship between both pyramids in Figures 1(a) and 1(b).
Identify two environmental impacts associated with producing the foods near the base of the recommended consumption pyramid (Figure 1(a)).
Describe how foods high on the environmental impact pyramid, shown in Figure 1(b), are likely to affect the ecological footprint of global food production.
Outline two reasons why the composition of a typical diet in other regions of the world may differ from the Western European diet shown in Figure 1(a).
Markscheme
beef;
fruit/vegetables;
generally, the foods with the higher level of recommended consumption have a lower environmental impact;
foods at the “top” (pictorially, rather than both apices) of both pyramids tend to be from higher trophic levels/produce a higher ecological footprint (EF) / foods at “bottom” of both pyramids tend to be from lower trophic levels/primary producers/produce a lower EF;
pyramids appear opposite to one another / have an inverse relationship/negative correlation;
use of pesticides/herbicides causing soil degradation / superbugs / superweeds;
over use of fertilizers causing soil degradation / eutrophication;
over-cultivation of land causing soil degradation;
intensive irrigation/over use of water leading to water scarcity / salinization;
mono-cropping reducing biodiversity/increasing risk of losses through disease;
use of fossil fuels through mechanization/intense farming/food miles that release GHGs/CO2;
methane released from rice-farming;
Credit can be given to any valid impact of agricultural food production.
Credit may be given for positive impacts (e.g. roots prevent soil erosion/crop rotation enriches soils) but not just the absence of negative impacts (e.g. less methane/less water, etc.)
Ecological footprint will be greater because…
higher trophic levels/more energy loss…;
…greater land area required (to produce same quantity of food);
more dependence on fossil fuels/mechanisation/food miles (+ release of GHG/CO2);
release of methane from cattle increases global greenhouse gas concentration;
higher water consumption when farming animals;
overgrazing leading to loss of arable land;
Award [1 max] if INCREASE in ecological footprint/land area required is not mentioned.
Credit may be given for any valid impact on EF due to production of food high on environmental impact (beef/pork/poultry/fish/cheese/olive oil).
Their choice may be influenced by…
traditional/cultural/religious values of certain foods;
suitability of the prevailing climate/topography/arable land;
availability of water supply;
available technology/expertise for certain cultivation techniques;
wealth / relative cost of production;
some countries/cultures may have different perceptions of what constitutes health/healthy eating;
some cultures may consider environmental impacts/have EVS that influences choice of food production;
some LEDCs may not be able to import foods so rely on more local foods;
This is a general question addressing potential factors affecting food choice; no specific examples of other diets are required for full credit.
Examiners report
Virtually all candidates were able to identify the appropriate foods.
Virtually all candidates were able to identify the appropriate foods.
Most were able to recognise one pyramid being inversely related to the other.
Most were able to identify potentially positive or negative impacts of agriculture, though no credit was given for identifying absence of impacts from raising livestock.
Most were able to give two ways in which beef farming would increase ecological footprint.
Most candidates were able to give at least one reason for differing food choices between countries.
