Superpowers EQ2

Question 1

Who have the top 3 highest global CO2 emission’s?

Answer 1

• 1 China 29%
• 2 USA 14%
• 3 EU- 10%

Question 2

How are emissions changing in the EU and USA versus China?

Answer 2

EU and US emissions falling/static, but China emissions still rising
USA and China reluctant to set emission reduction target, while EU led in this regard

Question 3

How will emerging superpowers affect the environment in the future?

Answer 3

-increase environmental degradation due to more CO2 emissions- growth in India and China in the form of coal, gas and oil- translate to health problems

Question 4

How has the EU acted differently from emerging superpowers and the USA in terms of the environment?

Answer 4

• EU willing to act to reduce global warming threat

- USA and other emerging powers prioritise economic growth over environmental protection

Question 5

How will emerging change over the next 30-40 years and their demand for resources versus the USA and EU?

Answer 5

• USA and EU resource demand likely to remain static

- Emerging powers - increasing pop and wealth( global middle class)- increasing resource consumption

Question 6

How will increasing demand affect rare earths?

Answer 6

80-90% produced from China- used in electronics- raises possibility of shortages due to nationalism

Question 7

How will increasing demand affect food?

Answer 7

China and India continue to develop increase for stable grains, demand for meat, dairy products and sugar as an increase in western diets

Question 8

How will increasing demand affect oil?

Answer 8

India ( 4 million) and China (12 million barrels per day) could use same amount of oil as USA in future ( 19 million)

Question 9

How will increasing demand affect water?

Answer 9

• USA and EU washing machines, dishwashers, daily bath /shower and swimming pools common- if same in emerging- increase supplies needed

Question 10

What are the consequences of increased demand?

Answer 10

• Price of key resources rises higher as demand puts pressure on supply
• Availability of resources falls as supplies used up- especially non-renewable ones

Question 11

How else will rise in middle-class consumption affect physical enviroment?

Answer 11

• More mining, oil drilling and deforestation to access raw materials
• Increased carbon emissions- more energy consumption and more factories
• Problems disposing of waste
• More use of water- more polluted water