Superpowers and the environment

Question 1

What percentage of the world’s global emissions does China account for?

Answer 1

29%

Question 2

What percentage of the world’s global emissions does the USA account for?

Answer 2

14%

Question 3

What percentage of the world’s global emissions does the EU account for?

Answer 3

10%

Question 4

Which countries have been often reluctant to commit to reducing their emissions?

Answer 4

USA and China

Question 5

Why are the EU’s and USA’s emissions static or falling?

Answer 5

Because of greater efficiency and some green policies

Question 6

In which country are emissions still rising?

Answer 6

China

Question 7

What is environmental degradation?

Answer 7

Environmental degradation means reductions in water quality, air quality, soil health and biodiversity caused by high levels of pollution, deforestation and urbanisation.

Question 8

In what ways do country’s attitudes on the environment differ?

Answer 8

The EU has shown itself willing to act to reduce the global warming threat, but this is less true of the USA and even less so of the emerging powers such as China and Russia, which tend to prioritise economic development over environmental protection.

Question 9

Since when has Europe been trying to reduce emissions?

Answer 9

1990

Question 10

What does environmental governance mean?

Answer 10

Environmental governance means the decisions taken to protect and serve the environment, by enacting laws, policing and monitoring pollution and protected areas.

Question 11

What are the reasons to be positive about environmental governance?

Answer 11

Brazil has dramatically slowed forest loss and expanded protected areas since 2005.
China has become the world’s biggest investor in renewable wind power and solar power and has cut back on coal burning.

Question 12

What are the causes of pressure on resources in emerging countries?

Answer 12

Increased population, especially in India, Indonesia and Brazil.
Increased wealth: The global middle class is expected to increase from 2 billion in 2012 to 5 billion in 2030

Question 13

What are the four main resource demands?

Answer 13

Rare earths
Oil
Food
Water

Question 14

How is there a resource demand for rare earths?

Answer 14

80-90% of global rare earth production is in China.

This raises the possibility of shortages due to resource nationalism.

Question 15

How is there a resource demand for oil?

Answer 15

Indinan and Chinese oil demand could reach the USA’s which uses 19 million barrels of oil per day.

Question 16

How is there a resource demand for water?

Answer 16

In the USA and the EU washing machines, dishwashers, a daily bath/shower and swimming pools are common.
This is not true of emerging countries, but vast additional water supplies will be needed if it it becomes true.

Question 17

How is there a resource demand for food?

Answer 17

As China and India develop there will be increased demand for staple grains (wheat, rice).
Demand for meat, dairy products and sugar will also rise as these countries transition to ‘western’ diets.

Question 18

What are rare earths?

Answer 18

Rare earths are a group of elements widely used in electronic, medical and laser devices. Scandium, Yttrium and Terbium are examples.

Question 19

What is resource nationalism?

Answer 19

Resource nationalism is when a country keeps domestically produces resources for itself, rather than trading them internationally.

Question 20

What are the two likely consequences of increased demand?

Answer 20

The price of key resources rises as higher demand puts pressure on supply.
Availability of resources, especially non-renewable ones, falls as some supplies are used up.

Question 21

What are non-renewable resources?

Answer 21

Non-renewable resources have a finite amount, or stock, so can run out. This includes fossil fuels and mineral/metal ores.

Question 22

How will the rise of middle class consumption affect the physical environment?

Answer 22

More mining, oil drilling and deforestation in the quest to access raw materials.
Increased carbon emissions from higher energy consumption and more factories.
Problems disposing of consumer waste in landfill sites and incinerators.
More use of water, and therefore more polluted water.