The Environment

Question 1

How are environmental problems impacting global health through air pollution?

Answer 1

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that each year, up to 7 million people die from air pollution worldwide

Question 2

What is an example of wealthy individuals protecting themselves from the climate crisis?

Answer 2

According to the medical director at Concierge MD, the demand for high-end medical practices which create personal preventive strategies for wealthy clients has risen. These strategies include surveying homes to ensure they are sealed from smoke, and delivering at-home intravenous fluids and vitamins to bolster the bodies’ defences, among others

Question 3

How much capital is required by poor countries to fight climate change?

Answer 3

A report commissioned by the United Nations (UN) calculates that poor countries, excluding China, will require $2.4 trillion annually by 2030 to tackle global warming

Question 4

What are some examples of expensive infrastructure built by wealthy nations in order to fight climate change?

Answer 4

Large infrastructure for flood mitigation include storm surge barriers which protect ports and cities, such as those found in Rotterdam and around the Thames Barrier in London, or very large underground channels, such as the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel in Tokyo

Question 5

What is an example of how the climate crisis will directly impact the rich?

Answer 5

Using the worst-case scenario of a 6-foot rise in sea levels, real estate data provider Zillow estimates that in Palm Beach alone, which includes Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, about half of the homes worth over $10 billion will be underwater

Question 6

What is an example of a country whose survival is dependent on effectively fighting climate change? (Hook)

Answer 6

In 2021, a man dressed in a suit and tie stood knee-deep in water behind a lectern as he addressed world leaders at the United Nations (UN) 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) through a pre-recorded video. That man was Foreign Minister Simon Kofe of Tuvalu, a nation made up of 9 coral atolls and islands at great risk of sinking beneath rising sea levels. For island nations like Tuvalu, their survival as a country rests on their concern for the environment

Question 7

What was a major natural disaster in 2023 which is directly linked to the climate crisis, and what were its impacts?

Answer 7

In 2023, wildfires blazed across the European continent, resulting in over 60,000 heat-related deaths

Question 8

How much is Rotterdam, Netherlands sinking due to rising sea levels?

Answer 8

According to The New York Times, 90% of the city of Rotterdam is below sea level

Question 9

How many deaths is the climate crisis estimated to cause?

Answer 9

A 2024 World Economic Forum (WEF) report predicted that the climate crisis may cause 14.5 million deaths by 2050

Question 10

How dire will the situation be with regards to water shortage?

Answer 10

As early as 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that nearly half of the world’s population will be living in water-stressed areas

Question 11

How much of its food does Singapore import?

Answer 11

More than 90% of Singapore’s food is imported

Question 12

What is Singapore’s aim with regard to food production?

Answer 12

In line with the Singapore Green Plan 2030, Singapore aims to produce 30% of the country’s nutritional needs by 2030

Question 13

How is biodiversity loss affecting the global economy?

Answer 13

According to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) New Nature Economy Report II, over half of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is potentially at risk as a result of the dependence of business on nature and its services

Question 14

What is a global example which shows that concern for the environment is morally-motivated?

Answer 14

The Declaration of the Responsibilities of the Present Generation Towards the Future Generations was signed in 1997 at the 29th General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

Question 15

What is an example of social media users being sympathetic with regard to the climate crisis?

Answer 15

In 2017, nature photographer Justin Hofman shared a photo of a small seahorse holding onto a bright pink cotton swab to steady itself against the strong ocean currents

Question 16

What is an example of the financial system contributing to climate change?

Answer 16

According to the Bankrolling Extinction Report produced by portfolio.earth, the world’s largest investment banks provided over $2 trillion of financing linked to the destruction of ecosystems and wildlife in 2019

Question 17

What did Greta Thunberg say about climate action?

Answer 17

In her closing comments to US Congress in 2019, Greta Thunberg asserts to her audience, “You must unite behind the science. You must take action.”

Question 18

What is an example of famous rich people being criticised for their frequent usage of private jets?

Answer 18

In a study by UK marketing agency Yard, Taylor Swift was ranked as the top polluter among celebrities in 2022, producing carbon dioxide emissions that amounted to over 1000 times that of the average person

Question 19

What is another example of an ultra-rich individual being criticised for contributing to the climate crisis?

Answer 19

In 2019, over 1500 Amazon workers planned to stage a walkout demonstration to protest their company’s environmental impact. Even ahead of their walkout, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announced that the company was making a pact to follow the Paris climate agreement as well as to be carbon neutral by 2040

Question 20

What impact did regulations have in the EU with regard to climate change?

Answer 20

In 2023, the European Union approved a landmark law which requires all new cars sold to have zero carbon dioxide emissions from 2035 in order to drive the rapid decarbonisation of new car fleets in Europe

Question 21

What impact did regulations have in Taiwan with regard to climate change?

Answer 21

In 2002, Taiwan banned large-scale retailers such as supermarkets, fast food chains, governmental agencies, and public hospitals from giving out free plastic bags. Within the first year, Taiwan’s plastic bag usage plunged by almost 80%

Question 22

What is an example from Japan which shows that education is crucial in fighting climate change?

Answer 22

In Japan, the extensive packaging culture and emphasis on hygiene has meant that it ranks as one of the largest plastic consumers in the world. Hence, regulations, such as a plastic bag charge which was introduced in 2020, are not sufficient to change such long term behaviours. Japan has thus turned to education, such as the “Plastics Smart” campaign

Question 23

What is an example from Europe to show that education increases public support for environmental regulation?

Answer 23

According to a report by the European Investment Bank, over 60% of Dutch people are in favour of stricter government measures that impose changes on people’s behaviour

Question 24

What is an example from Singapore to show that education increases public support for environmental regulation?

Answer 24

According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, 65% of respondents expressed support for Singapore’s target to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050

Question 25

What did T.T say about climate justice?

Answer 25

As climate activist Tori Tsui asserts, “Climate justice […] is about survival and a very rudimentary and basic love for the planet and its inhabitants”