3.1- Breathe Easy - It's Beijing

Question 1

Who are the growing alternative superpowers?

Answer 1

Mainly BRICS, but also Gulf States

Question 2

What comes with the huge economic growth of the BRICS and Gulf States?

Answer 2

– Huge social change
– Huge environmental change / impact
– Now 200m less poor in China than 1990
– Emergence of middle class based on jobs in
production

Question 3

What are the 3 major concerns with the continued rise of Superpowers?

Answer 3

Land
Governance
Culture

Question 4

When can Land be a concern with the continued rise of Superpowers?

Answer 4

Environment and Resources (China pollution)

Question 5

When can Governance be a concern with the continued rise of Superpowers?

Answer 5

Currency and Global Governance (Yekaterinburg)

Pawns e.g. Iran/Georgia

Question 6

When can Culture be a concern with the continued rise of Superpowers?

Answer 6

Middle-East reverse globalisation? (UAE)

Question 7

Describe a framework for understanding air pollution and its effects

Answer 7

Sources (natural and human emissions) -> Pathways (transport and transformations) -> Receptors (impacts on humans, natural and built enviros)

Question 8

How many people were killed by smog in 2012 in Shanghai?

Answer 8

670,000

Question 9

What are 4 concerns for China as a superpower?

Answer 9

Energy
Environment
China’s Position
Decoupling

Question 10

Explain why energy is a concern for China as a superpower?

Answer 10

-Car ownership has doubled in China
Oil price will rise as demand increases and supply decreases
-Huge GDP growth- similar to EU and US by 2050- currently just about larger than USA

Question 11

Explain why the environment is a concern for China as a superpower?

Answer 11

• Ecological footprint might not increase but carrying capacity will not absorb this
• There must be a huge shift to renewable energy

Question 12

Explain why China’s position is a concern for China as a superpower?

Answer 12

• Air pollution exacerbated by physical geography of Beijing (respiratory illnesses)
• Rising militant middle class, wanting cars and other commodities
• Illegal factories operating through night to meet demand

Question 13

Explain why decoupling is a concern for China as a superpower?

Answer 13

• China now growing more slowly (3% per year)

- Starting to invest in low carbon technology

Question 14

Give 4 sources of air pollutants

Answer 14

Industry
Transport
Agriculture
Domestic

Question 15

Give an example of an air pollutant from Industry

Answer 15

Fossil fuel consumption, smelting

Question 16

Give an example of an air pollutant from Transport

Answer 16

Fossil fuel combustion

Question 17

Give an example of an air pollutant from Agriculture

Answer 17

Animal effluent, fertilisers, biomass burning

Question 18

Give an example of an air pollutant from Domestic uses

Answer 18

Fossil fuel comsumption

Question 19

Define Primary pollutants

Answer 19

Emitted directly into atmosphere

Question 20

Define Secondary pollutants

Answer 20

Generated over time in the atmosphere from chemical reactions involving primary pollutants e.g. ozone, acidic aerosols