12 - Environment

Question 1

Which country is mostly affected by high pollution today?

Answer 1

India. They have way too much pollution in their big cities, not healthy…

Question 2

How is development linked to environment? (4)

Answer 2

In many ways but mainly through:

1. Water - 80-90% of fresh water is used in agriculture…
2. Deforestation - changes in rainfall, desertification and green house gas emission.
3. Air pollution - from industries and cars mainly.
4. Global climate change - temperature, droughts, floods etc.

Question 3

Why are poor people more vulnerable to climate change? (3)

Answer 3

1. More exposed to them, due to geography.
2. Lose more relative to their income/wealth.
3. Less support from family, friends, society and less access to financial tools.

Question 4

Three channels through which climate change impacts poverty:

Answer 4

1. Agriculture and ecosystems.
2. Natural disasters.
3. Health chocks.

Question 5

Climate change and agriculture: Effects

Answer 5

It will reduce the crop yield and affect the poor countries more since they are more exposed to the climate changes but also since they are more reliant on the A sector. Lower yield, means higher prices which could benefit farmers but put urban poor into poverty… Net effect depend on how food prices react, how new tech can be adopted to handle the new climate and how diets can adjust over time.

Question 6

Climate change and ecosystems: Effects

Answer 6

ES are critical for subsistence production and safety nets for poor people in rural areas. Destroyed ES leads to lower income and might even force them to move.

Question 7

Climate change and floods and droughts: Effects

Answer 7

More likely and poor most exposed. Poor people settle in risky areas more often (don’t know the risks or need to settle near river/lake). They lose relatively moor bc no access to finance and quality of their assets to resist natural disasters is low.

Question 8

Climate change and health: Effects:

Answer 8

Increase diseases and health issues. Malaria and diarrhea already kill so many people, this will increase. Poor often uninsured and health expenditures will increase.

Question 9

Origins of environmental problems:

Answer 9

1. Negative production externalities
2. Incomplete property rights
3. Public goods

Question 10

Policies to target the climate change problems:

Answer 10

1. Climate informed policies - investments do not create new problems and account for the climate conditions.
2. Targeted adaptation investments - upgrade flood defenses or heat-tolerant crops etc.
3. Pollution reduction policies - carbon taxes etc.