People and the Planet

Revision – Long answer practice questions

2016

You have 1 hour 15 minutes for this paper.

That is about 12 minutes per question.

Answer questions 1-4Population Dynamics, Consuming

Resources, Globalisation and Development Dilemmas

Answer question 5 – The Changing Economy of the UK. NOT question 6.

Answer question 7 – The Challenges of an Urban World.

NOT question 8There are marks for

spelling, punctuation and grammar. Make sure you

write in full sentences and check these things.

Problems of youthful populations• High cost of schools / nurseries –

high cost of child benefits and medical care

• High youthful dependent population – Few people working and paying taxes needed for services (schools etc) for the young.

• Future rapid population growth – as the young people grow up there will be an increased demand for resources and services. E.g. housing

Impacts of an ageing population (Japan)• Social:

• Younger people need to care for ageing relatives – This takes up time

• Demand to increase immigration – This can lead to tensions

• Economic• Lack of economically active

(people working) who pay taxes – This leads to difficulty paying for care homes / medical care / pensions for the elderly – Could increase taxes

Question 1) Population Dynamics

Pro-natalist Policies (To increase birth rates). E.g. Sweden • Increase child benefits• Free nursery care• Increase maternity benefits (pay / length of time off)Anti-natalist Policies (To reduce birth rates).• Government policies. E.g. 1 Child Policy – China• Reduce child benefits• Education and free contraception. E.g. IndiaMigration Policies (Control the number and type of migrants entering the country). E.g. UK• Quotas – to limit the number of migrants• Skills tests and overseas recruitment – to attract certain workers• Open door policies – to attract migrant workers to help pay taxes to provide

pensions for our ageing populationHowever this can lead to tensions: E.g. through racism / fear of losing jobs, housing or resources to migrants

Why is population / migration controlled?- To avoid a strain on resources (food, housing), to avoid over (or under) population, to provide for an ageing population or to fill shortages in certain jobs.

Future consumption of resources will be determined by economic growth (increasing demand), the possible switch to renewable energy as well as international relations (e.g. countries choosing to preserve their own supplies rather than exporting them).For a named resource, explain the variation in

global supply and consumptionNon Renewable Resource: Oil• Oil is found in greatest quantities in the Middle East.

E.g. Saudi Arabia • Consumption of resources is highest in developed

countries. E.g. The USA or UK. This is because of greater car ownership and wealth to afford goods which consume electricity (e.g. computers and TV’s). They must import the oil from countries like Saudi Arabia

Renewable Resource: HEP• HEP is only available in countries with high rainfall

and large rivers. Although it is renewable and many countries. E.g. Egypt choose to use it, many can not. This could be because they are too dry or flat. They may also want to avoid the environmental problems dams can cause and displacing people in order to create reservoirs.

• Electricity from HEP can not be transported (like oil) so it is consumed in the country which supplies it.

Question 2) Consuming Resources

• Renewable resources will not run out in the future. E.g. Hydroelectric power

• Using renewable resources will mean that we do not use up non-renewable resources (e.g. coal, oil and gas) as quickly

• Renewable energy is much cleaner and better for the environment. E.g. Wind power does not release any greenhouse gases (CO2)

Nike operates in many countries around the world. The headquarters and much of the research and

development for new products is found in the USA and other developed countries. This is because of the skilled labour and hi-tech facilities.

The secondary work in factories is found in countries like China and Indonesia. This is because labour is much cheaper and laws are less strict. I.e. health and safety regulations are more relaxed which helps to keep costs lower. Nike has even been found to employ children. Workers often have poor wages and difficult working conditions (long hours and they have been known to be beaten).

Nike is also attracted to China because it is offered incentives like lower taxes to locate factories there (in FTZs). The environmental rules are often ignored, this helps keep production costs low as Nike do not have to pay to reduce pollution.

TNCs like Nike and McDonalds will try to expand shops and restaurants into new countries around the world to increase their sales.

Nike has also grown by merging with other companies such as Converse and Hurley (to increase its market share). It has also diversified its products and sells a greater variety of goods to increase profits.

BT is a TNC which operates in different countries around the world. The headquarters are found in the UK due to the

skilled labour. BT also operates in India and has call centres in

Bangalore. It has located its call centres in Bangalore because the labour is cheaper, and working hours are longer. This helps to cut costs.

It is also because Bangalore has a well educated population with many people speaking English (due to its Commonwealth links) and universities (well educated population). This is important as the workers will need to speak to customers in the UK.

BT has located its call centres in India because Bangalore is well connected and has good enough infrastructure to support their footloose industry, reduce their costs and therefore increase profits.

Bangalore has also attracted other hi tech companies which helps improve the infrastructure and also attracts highly skilled workers. Bangalore attracts a lot of this outsourcing so workers are specialised and well trained.

Outsourcing to India also helps BT to expand into new markets, which it has also done by buying out smaller companies or mergers.

Advantages of TNC’s to LEDC’s Disadvantages of TNC’s to LEDC’s Businesses are set up which

the host country would not have otherwise have.

Better transport links and medical and educational services may be established in the host country.

Employment is created in the host country.

The economy of the host country is improved.

Any jobs created are often poorly paid and exploit local workers.

TNC’s act on their own behalf and profits are sent out of the host country.

TNC’s often only stay for a short period of time.

Neither safety, nor environmental sensitivity has ever been good.Question 3) Globalisation

Positives• Jobs – Increased incomes in developing

countries e.g. manufacturing in China (Nike), services in India (BT); focus on employment for women.

• Rising incomes bring increased living standards and quality of life. Also leads to MULTIPLIER EFFECT and benefits others

• Globalisation results in TNCs developing infrastructure, which benefits all in the area

Negatives• Exploitation - Low wages, long hours,

lack of unions in developing world factories; relatively short working lives as younger women favoured; child labour is common.

• Job losses in the developed world especially males in traditional manufacturing (e.g. NE England).

• Pollution and other environmental issues in the developing world.

• Globalisation has bypassed some groups e.g. sub-Saharan Africa.

Using examples, compare the working conditions of people in the developed and developing world.(6 marks)……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

• Subsistence farmers in Ethiopia work very long hours and the work is manual and very hard; they get no pay as such.

• Many get trapped in the ‘cycle of poverty’. They are unable to afford to send children to school or pay for farm machinery. They can not increase yields to sell at market. Therefore working conditions remain very hard and pay remains very low (if any)

• This compares with factory work in China where people get a low weekly wage, but also work long hours though the work is not hard manual labour.

• Working conditions in factories (sweat shops) can be very poor. Trade unions are often banned (e.g. in FTZs) so it is difficult to improve conditions of long hours, low pay and worker abuse.

• In the developed world e.g. the NHS in the UK working hours are limited by law and wages are much higher (as well as legal minimal wages); there are also benefits like pensions and sick leave which workers in China and Ethiopia do not have.

• Pay and conditions are much better in the developed world, although there are issues with work related stress and mobile technology meaning people work / are in contact with work places for longer hours

Top Down Project: Narmada River Scheme - India• Positive impacts:

• Jobs: Created in construction and running of the dam. These will increase incomes in the area and create the multiplier effect.

• Local farmers will benefit from irrigation for their crops

• Local people will no longer suffer from flooding

• Local people will benefit from improved water supplies and electricity (from the HEP).

• Negative impacts:• People moved from their homes (234

villages flooded to create the reservoir)• Farmers will have to pay for fertilisers as the

river no longer floods (expensive and causes pollution)

• Different groups of people: Those in urban environments (electricity, water supply). Large companies might be seen as benefiting from construction contracts. Governments may be viewed as seeing large projects as beneficial to the economy in general. Environmentalists will oppose large projects.

Bottom Up Project: Biogas, Rural India• Small scale and cheap to install in villages• Technology is simple and easy to use (for

people with low levels of literacy)• Uses appropriate technology

• Easy to use and maintain and often built from local materials so easy to source repairs.

• Biogas uses plant material to create gas. This is easily found in rural farming areas

• Local people are involved in decision making

• Biogas has improved peoples lives (less time collecting wood) and health (cleaner than open fires)

However …• Although can improve the lives of people in

a small area often has little impact on the national development

• Relies on charities and funding can fluctuate from year to year

Question 4) Development Dilemmas

Explain the barriers to further development in Uganda.(6 marks)……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….• Uganda is landlocked so has no access to ports, this means it has to

rely on other countries to export its goods which is expensive. • Uganda has a very youthful population with 55% of people under 18;

this means there are very large numbers who need to get jobs to prevent unemployment.

• Uganda relies on one or two exports like coffee, and changes in coffee prices could reduce Uganda’s income leaving it with less money to invest.

• Many people in Uganda live in rural, isolated communities. Farming is often subsistence and people become trapped in the ‘cycle of poverty’.

• Uganda receives little FDI from TNCs. This is due to poor infrastructure (many rural areas in Uganda are isolated), poor education (many families cannot afford to send children to school. This means the workforce is less educated), HIV/AIDS is an issue in many rural communities, especially where literacy and education levels are low.

Although some success: The economy has grown since 2002: Much of it’s debt was paid cancelled so it was able to use the money to invest in infrastructure, education and health. Primary schooling is free and literacy is improving

Industrial structure - North East and South East Regions• NE

• Most employment is in manufacturing (secondary industries)

• De-industrialisation led to high levels of unemployment

• Reliant on public sector jobs (tertiary) although due to the recession the govt have cut many of these jobs

• Some call centres (Orange) have located here due to the low wages in the region - tertiary

• SE• Has become a centre for quaternary

industries: Due to educated / skilled workforce. The M4 corridor (near London, Heathrow, motorway). This has created a centre for research due to its favourable location and skilled workers.

• Large number of banking and finance jobs (tertiary) in London due to the skilled workforce and links with Europe and the rest of the world.

Brownfield Site – Fort Dunlop, BirminghamBrownfield costs• Expensive to develop, e.g. costs of demolishing

existing buildings, cleaning up contaminated land. Sites are often difficult shapes and access may be poor (inner city). Planning/zoning/listed building restrictions on what can be done.

Brownfield benefits• Seen as a greener alternative/form of recycling.

Possibility of grants or other financial incentives available may reduce overall costs.

Fort Dunlop created jobs in an area affected by de-industrialisation. It also created green space and improved the environmentGreenfield costs• The cost of developing new

infrastructure/utilities. Potentially controversial and NIMBY attitudes against developing sites. Urban sprawl destroys habitats.

Greenfield benefits• Land is often cheap to develop as site does not

have to be cleared first, may be more accessible, e.g. on city edge. Sites have fewer restrictions in terms of size and shape so any form of development is possible. Healthier environment

Question 5) The Changing Economy of the UK

Using examples, explain the positive and negative impacts of more flexible working such as teleworking, self-employment and part-time work.(6 marks)……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….• Telecommuting reduces commuting and therefore saves fuel and creates less

pollution.• Teleworking / working from home means that companies do not have to rent

expensive offices helping them cut expenditure.• Part-time and/or flexible work does suit some people, like young parents and

older people especially in call centres and shops. It means they are often able to balance child care with work.

• People can choose when and where to work, fitting their work in with other commitments.

• Companies also have more control over employees working hours (making it easier to cut them in times of recession).

• More part time workers can mean less unemployment• Being self-employed or ‘freelance’ brings with it the extra stress of looking for

work all the time. They may not receive the same job security or benefits (sick pay, maternity, paid holidays or pension contributions) as people working for a large TNC.

• There could be family tensions if homes are also workplaces for parents.• Part-time work pays less, so some people can struggle to get enough income

to pay for living costs and their children.

Developed World – New York, Developing World – Rio de Janeiro New York: • Food: meeting the needs of a large number of wealthy consumers in

developed cities. Most food is imported – pollution (food miles) also issues of too much food being wasted.

• Energy: the huge demands placed on developed cities for electrical power (air conditioning, appliances)

• Transport: Large volume of vehicles (high car ownership) leading to congestion and gridlock – air pollution and health problems, although some developed cities might have good metro and rail systems.

• Waste disposal: Large amounts go to landfill sites which are becoming full

Rio de Janeiro:• Slum housing: in developing cities, this is a huge problem, e.g. Rocinha,

as there is not enough formal housing to meet demand. There are health and sanitation problems.

• Informal economy: Low / unreliable incomes: Lack of tax income to invest in improvements

• Urban pollution: Development has led to increased wealth and car ownership – air pollution / health issues

Some overlap of problems: i.e. both types of city face the same challenges – examples might be waste disposal, water supply or traffic congestion.

Question 7) The Challenges of an Urban World

London:• Reducing transport pollution with the

introduction of the Congestion Charge which has had some success at reducing traffic volumes

• London’s Low Emission Zone which bans the most polluting vehicles from the city in order to improve air quality

• Attempts to increase cycling with a network of cycle routes and ‘Boris bikes’.

• Underground systems could also be considered e.g. extensions such as the Jubilee line or even Crossrail to encourage more people to use public transport

• The introduction of cleaner vehicles such as buses and infrastructure for electric cars e.g. charging points

Bedzed:• Has reduced carbon emissions and Eco

footprints by building sustainable homes from recycled materials.

• Technology is energy efficient and uses renewable energy sources

• However … they are expensive and money needs to invested in improving existing homes

Developing World:Urban Planning. E.g. Curitiba, Brazil• Cheap, reliable and green transport is provided by

the city. There is also a ‘green exchange’ which gives free food and bus tickets to poor families in exchange for waste recycling. It is a very successful scheme but would be difficult to adapt to a larger city like Mumbai.

Transport: E.g. Mexico City, Mexico• The government has introduced a scheme to limit

people’s car use. They can only drive in the city on certain days depending on their number plate. It has reduced pollution … however many wealthy people have just bought a second car and because the city is still growing so too is car ownership.

• Mexico City has invested in improving buses and public transport. This has helped to cut congestion and pollution in the city.

Sustainability: Masdar, UAE• A new city built and designed to be environmentally

friendly.• It uses renewable energy and electric cars to reduce its

eco-footprint.• However it is very expensive and sometimes the new

technology it uses takes much longer to develop than first thought, so delays are common.

• Masdar also uses water to cool the air. Water is very scarce in the desert.