COMMUNISM

Question 1

List 2 new ideas concerning the environment from Marx and Engels.

Answer 1

A new understanding of the man-nature relationship. Humanity seen as a part of nature and visa versa.

Thesis of metabolic rift/soil depletion.

Question 2

Which elements of the soviet-style economic system was bad for the environment?

4

Answer 2

Rapid industrialisation

Resource-intensive organisation

Collectivisation and industrial agriculture

Lack of incentives to reduce waste

Question 3

Why was the burden bigger in Eastern Europe?

Answer 3

Higher population density

Reliance on brown coal

Huge emissions of sulphur dioxides, particulates and heavy metals

Measurable impact on life expectancy

Question 4

What were they 3 key factors that lead to positive and rapid change in Czechia?

Answer 4

Economic transition

New approaches in governance and legislation

EU’s impact with its environmental policies

Question 5

What are the root, immediate causes and consequences of the Aral Sea disaster?

Answer 5

Root - expansion of cotton production in Central Asia

Immediate - poor irrigation systems

Consequences - 4

Shrinking of Aral sea
Soil Salinisation
Conflict between countries
Poor human health

Question 6

How did collectivisation affect czech agriculture?

Answer 6

Collectivisation led to 3 million land owners but only 30,000 users.

Sold to big businesses who only care about profit and not land maintenance.

Large fields promote quicker erosion and biodiversity loss