Paper 1 Case Studies

Question 1

When and where did Typhoon Haiyan hit?

Answer 1

Having formed over the South Pacific Ocean, Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines in November 2013, with wind speeds of over 300km/h. CAT 5!

Question 2

Give three social impacts of Typhoon Haiyan.

Answer 2

1. Over 7000 people died
2. Six million people were displaced, with 1.9 million left homeless.
3. Disease broke out across the country due to the lack of sanitation, food, water, shelter, and medication.

Question 3

Give three economic impacts of Typhoon Haiyan.

Answer 3

1. Total economic impact estimated at $5.8bn
2. Six million workers lost their income
3. Farming sites and industry were destroyed due to flooding, providing losses for farmers and the Philippines economy alike.

Question 4

Give three environmental impacts of Typhoon Haiyan.

Answer 4

1. The ‘Barge 103’ oil rig was heavily damaged, leaking oil into the mangrove.
2. 71,000 hectares of farmland were destroyed.
3. Thousands of trees were uprooted leading to the destruction of infrastructure and habitats and the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Question 5

Give three responses to Typhoon Haiyan.

Answer 5

1. The PAGASA (The Philippines’ meteorological agency), broadcast warnings two days before the storm, allowing for the evacuation of 750,000 residents.
2. The Philippines formally declared ‘A State of National Calamity and asked for international help. The UK government provided food, shelter, clean water, medicine and other supplies for up to 800,000 victims.
3. The UN launched an international aid appeal for £480 million in December 2013 to rebuild the Philippines the following year.

Question 6

When and where was Hurricane Sandy?

Answer 6

Forming off the west coast of Africa, Hurricane Sandy travelled across the Atlantic before hitting the USA in New York in October 2012. Speeds reached 129km/h.

Question 7

Give three social impacts of Hurricane Sandy.

Answer 7

1. Over 100 deaths were recorded in relation to the storm.
2. Over 8.5 million homes and businesses left without power. 215 hospital patients had to be transfered as a result.
3. Basic resources such as food and water became depleat and inacsessible.

Question 8

Give three ecconomic impacts of Hurricane Sandy.

Answer 8

1. $65bn in damages
2. More than 18,000 flights were cancelled leading to disruptions in business, tourism and trade.
3. Crops were lost resulting in loss of earnings for farmers.

Question 9

Give three enviormental impacts of Hurricane Sandy.

Answer 9

1. New Yorks water supplies became contaminated with untreated sewage, posing a health risk.
2. Approximately 10 metres of beach was lost in some parts of New Jersey (making it narrower), exposing the coast to further erosion and impacting wildlife.
3. Over 600,000 homes damaged or destroyed in USA.

Question 10

Give three responses to Hurricane Sandy.

Answer 10

1. ‘Sandy Relief’ concerts organised and broadcast to raise millions for relief.
2. US Congress passed federal economic support for effected states.
3. Data analysis including satellite imagery and socio-economic statistic help distribute relief according to priority and evacuate well in advance.

Question 11

When was drought in California and what caused it?

Answer 11

Following a period of lower than normal rainfall, a distinct drop in water supply and overuse of water, California experienced three consecutive years of drought between 2012 and 2014.

Question 12

Give three social impacts of drought in California.

Answer 12

1. Wildfires threatened Californians homes and lives.
2. 100,000 jobs were lost
3. Food prices and cost of living rose as agricultural yields plummeted.

Question 13

Give three economic impacts of drought in California.

Answer 13

1. In 2014, California farms lost an estimated $1.8bn.
2. 542,000 acres of land taken out of crop production, leading to lower profits and exports for California
3. Global trade disrupted as California had high exports.

Question 14

Give three environmental impacts of drought in California.

Answer 14

1. Wildfires not only destroyed habitats and ecosystems but debris also blocked rivers, perpetuating the drought.
2. Groundwater flows reversed due to lack of pressure, sea water contaminated fresh water supplies.
3. Lower water levels disrupts breeding of salmon.

Question 15

Give 2 responses to drought in California at a governmental level.

Answer 15

1. In 2014, over $180bn in federal funding was given to California to manage impacts of the drought.
2. Public campaigns such as ‘Save our Water’ encouraged reduced water use. State laws enforced reduced water use in public settings.

Question 16

Give 2 responses to drought in California at an individual level.

Answer 16

1. Farmers switched to more water-efficient irrigation, such as drip irrigation.
2. Protestors campaigned against companies selling bottled local Californian water.

Question 17

When was drought in Ethiopia and what caused it?

Answer 17

In 2015, Ethiopia experienced its worse drought for 30 years. The drought was caused by low rainfall and delays in the rainy season.

Question 18

Give three social impacts of drought in Ethiopia.

Answer 18

1. 85% of population live in rural areas, relying on agriculture for food and income.
2. Reduced crop yields led to potential famine as food prices increased exponentially.
3. Water supplies such as wells dried up. Ethiopians had to trek further to find water.

Question 19

Give three economic impacts of drought in Ethiopia,

Answer 19

1. Ethiopia’s economy is dependent on agriculture, which accounts for 40 percent of the GDP.
2. Costs of natural building materials increased.
3. The poorest in Ethiopia were disproportionately effected by rises in food prices.

Question 20

Give three environmental impacts of drought in Ethiopia.

Answer 20

1. Desertification of land spread arid conditions across Ethiopia, reducing soil fertility and damaging habitats.
2. Rise in the use of unsafe, contaminated water for lack of a better option
3. Increase in soil erosion due to wind.

Question 21

Give two responses to drought in Ethiopia on a governmental level.

Answer 21

1. Overseas governments provided economic aid. In 2015, The USA gave $128 million in food aid for Ethiopians.
2. Aid agencies and charities such as Oxfam, battled the logistical challenges of distributing aid to the country’s populations.

Question 22

Give a response to drought in Ethiopia on an individual level.

Answer 22

1. ‘Live aid’ event attended and donated to by many around the world, raising over $30 million for aid.

Question 23

Give three causes of deforestation in Madagascar.

Answer 23

1. Tavy - Around 80% of Madagascar’s deforestation is due to Tavy. Trees are cut down on a small plot and the undergrowth burned to allow for crops to be planted. This process is repeated in different areas.
2. Population Growth - Madagascar’s population has grown four times larger since 1950. Population puts pressure on amount of land available for agriculture.
3. Logging - High demand for TRF timber, creates economic opportunity within deforestation. Trees are cut down and timber sold.

Question 24

Give three examples of sustainable management of the TRF in Madagascar.

Answer 24

1. Ecotourism - Organisation such as Association Mitsinjo offer eco-friendly tours around the TRF on non-disruptive routes and sustainable pathing. This industry creates money for locals and an alternative to illegal logging or farming.
2. Government Policy - As most of Madagascars tropical rainforest is owned by the government, and fund the implementation of laws on a local scale to reduce deforestation.
3. Sustainable Agriculture - Educational programs funded by the government educate farmer on techniques to reuse forest land for crops without need for Tavy. E.g. System of Rice Intensification (SRI)

Question 25

Give three risks to the deciduous woodland ecosystem in the New Forest, UK.

Answer 25

1. People - Attracting 15 million visitors annually, the New Forest is subject to litter, erosion of paths and air pollution from traffic. However, this industry provided over 100 million pounds for the area.
2. Timber - Soft and Hardwood timber are extracted from the New Forest for commercial use.
3. Development of the Forest for economic gains, such as buildings and activity centres can disrupt wildlife and limit sustainable management of the forest. 40% of the New Forest is privately owned.

Question 26

Give three examples of sustainable management of the New Forest in England.

Answer 26

1. The Green Leaf Tourism Scheme promotes the use of privately owned land for wildlife and encourages businesses to promotes walking and cycling for tourists.
2. When conifers used for timber are cut down, organisations will replace them with native deciduous trees to rebuild the forests natural ecosystem and promote wildlife prosperity.
3. Green Leaf also promotes businesses in the New Forest to provide sustainable transport options such as electric car charging points or communal bus services.