DP Environmental Systems and Societies Questionbank

Outline the evidence that CO₂ acts as a greenhouse gas.

Disturbance of the composition and processes of the atmospheric system through human activity always disturbs the equilibria of marine systems.

Discuss the validity of this statement with reference to named examples.

With reference to processes occurring within the atmospheric system identify two transformations of matter.

With reference to processes occurring within the atmospheric system identify two transfers of energy.

Climate can both influence, and be influenced by, terrestrial food production systems.

To what extent can terrestrial food production strategies contribute to a sustainable equilibrium in this relationship?

Discuss how human activities impact the flows and stores in the nitrogen cycle.

Explain how the atmosphere plays a role in maintaining life-supporting temperatures over the Earth’s surface.

Outline the albedo effect and its role in regulating the Earth’s global temperature.

Outline the role of the atmospheric system in the distribution of biomes.

Explain how changes in the concentration of stratospheric and tropospheric ozone in the atmosphere can affect global biodiversity.

Disturbance of the composition and processes of the atmospheric system through human activity always disturbs the equilibria of marine systems.

Discuss the validity of this statement with reference to named examples.

Distinguish between the causes of recent global warming and those of ozone depletion.

Explain the impact of global warming and ozone depletion on coastal ecosystems.

Identify two possible consequences for life on Earth resulting from the depletion of stratospheric ozone.

Outline why the Montreal Protocol may be considered the world’s most successful environmental treaty.

Outline why a high concentration of ozone in the troposphere is a direct problem for humans, while in the stratosphere it is a benefit to humans.

To what extent have international agreements been successful in solving atmospheric air pollution and climate change?

State where the ozone hole referred to in Figure 3 is located.

Explain how the data in Figure 3 can be used in judging the success of the Montreal Protocol in addressing ozone depletion.

Explain how human activities continue to affect stratospheric ozone.

Explain how changes in the concentration of stratospheric and tropospheric ozone in the atmosphere can affect global biodiversity.

Disturbance of the composition and processes of the atmospheric system through human activity always disturbs the equilibria of marine systems.

Discuss the validity of this statement with reference to named examples.

With reference to named examples, distinguish between a primary and secondary pollutant.

Identify one human factor that contributes to photochemical smog.

Explain why the formation of photochemical smog may have harmful effects on the environment of cities such as Santiago (Chile).

Urban air pollution can become a problem as human populations develop. Evaluate urban air pollution management strategies at the three levels of intervention.

With reference to Figure 3, calculate the difference between the highest concentration and lowest concentration of tropospheric ozone.

State two factors necessary for the chemical formation of ozone in the troposphere.

Outline why a high concentration of ozone in the troposphere is a direct problem for humans, while in the stratosphere it is a benefit to humans.

Suggest possible reasons for the overall trends of tropospheric ozone levels in Figure 3.

Outline, using examples, the differences between primary and secondary pollution.

To what extent is pollution impacting human food production systems?

Discuss how human activities impact the flows and stores in the nitrogen cycle.

Outline two factors that affect the frequency and severity of photochemical smog in an area.

To what extent have international agreements been successful in solving atmospheric air pollution and climate change?

Evaluate one strategy to reduce NO_x emissions from transport.

To what extent is London a sustainable city? 

Outline why the pollutant named in Question 3 (a)(i) is referred to as a primary pollutant.

Explain the changes in ozone concentration over the period shown in Figure 3.

State one environmental impact of the accumulation of ozone shown in Figure 3.

With reference to Figure 9(c), suggest two strategies that would be most effective in reducing the use of crude oil in Costa Rica.

With reference to the information in the resource booklet, to what extent has Costa Rica’s aim to become carbon neutral led to a more environmentally-sustainable nation?

Pollution management strategies may be aimed at either preventing the production of pollutants or limiting their release into ecosystems.

With reference to either acid deposition or eutrophication, evaluate the relative efficiency of these two approaches to management.

Disturbance of the composition and processes of the atmospheric system through human activity always disturbs the equilibria of marine systems.

Discuss the validity of this statement with reference to named examples.

With reference to named examples, distinguish between a primary and secondary pollutant.

Urban air pollution can become a problem as human populations develop. Evaluate urban air pollution management strategies at the three levels of intervention.

Outline, using examples, the differences between primary and secondary pollution.

Explain the causes and effects of acid deposition on natural ecosystems.

To what extent is pollution impacting human food production systems?

Discuss how human activities impact the flows and stores in the nitrogen cycle.

Evaluate strategies to manage regional acid deposition using the pollution management model.

To what extent have international agreements been successful in solving atmospheric air pollution and climate change?

Explain how acid deposition falling on a forest may impact a nearby aquatic ecosystem.

With reference to Figure 6(b), identify one strategy that might have been used to achieve the trend in sulphur dioxide emissions since the early 1980s.

Explain the distribution of vegetation damage shown in Figure 6(c).

Evaluate one strategy to reduce NO_x emissions from transport.

With reference to Figure 9(c), suggest two strategies that would be most effective in reducing the use of crude oil in Costa Rica.