OCR A Level Geography: Paper 3 Case Studies Exam Questions And Answers

OCR A Level Geography: Paper 3 Case Studies Exam Questions And Answers Bangladesh - ANS - LIC in South Asia - occupies Ganges-Brahmaputra delta, which supports the highest rural population densities in the world - exposure to hazards high and increasing - ability to adapt to climate change limited by poverty Bangladesh - ANS - 60 million live in poverty - GDP per capita: $2364 - 142 on UN HDI Bangladesh: impacts of climate change - ANS - low and flat: 4-5m above seas level, and 10% 1m (20 million) - exposure to storm surges and floods on high with an av of 70% of the country flooded a year - have to abandon homes - 1/6 could be lost to sea Bangladesh: impacts of climate change - ANS - in past 25 years, 60% deaths worldwide from tropical cyclones occurred here - still recovering from 2007 and 2009 cyclones - rising sea level, more intense cyclones and growing population increase exposure to cyclone disasters Bangladesh: impacts of climate change - ANS - frequent flooding increases disease - inadequate sanitation increases water-borne diseases - flooded areas breeding site for mosquitos Bangladesh: impacts of climate change - ANS - coastal mangrove forests that provide protection against storm surges and ecological services threatened by rising sea level and clearance for agriculture and fish farming Bangladesh: mitigation and adaption - ANS - 2009: gov published adaption strategies e.g. community based action, investment in engineering - have established climate change and health promotion unit to research disease and educate - however, see mitigation and GHG emissions responsibility of developed world Bangladesh: mitigation and adaption - ANS - lack of financial resources; so set up trust fund for overseas donations - $2 billion loan from World bank: flood embankment project underway, strengthening dykes which protect against flooding and erosion - flood shelters and warning systems being developed Bangladesh: mitigation and adaption - ANS - communities encouraged to protect mangroves, such projects important with lack of money - houses raised 1m above flood level and similar platforms for livestock - new crop systems for water logging and saline soils Australia - ANS - developed country with advanced economy - 2nd in UN's HDI (2014) - $41,500 GDP per capita - natural disasters cost it $4.5 billion/ yr, which is expected to double by 2030 Australia: impacts of climate change - ANS - with majority of cities and infrastructure on the coast, at high risk of costal flooding and erosion ($226 billion at risk) - cyclone Yasi, 2011 and its storm surge reduced Queensland's GDP by $4 bill and affected tourism and coal exports Australia: impacts of climate change - ANS - rising sea levels affected tourism and ecosystems e.g. barrier reef also affected by bleaching and acidification - salt water intrusion damaged fresh water sources - sea grass and salt marshes trapped between advancing shoreline and sea walls, exposed to waves Australia: impacts of climate change - ANS - 2009 heatwave in southeast, temps rose to 45.1, leading to increase in heat related deaths - 2009 bushfires (drought) in Victoria killed 173 and damaged 2000 homes Australia: impacts of climate change - ANS - millennium drought caused decline in crop yield, tourism, employment, water supplies, ecosystem and linked with 15% decline in rainfall since 1970s Australia: mitigation and adaption - ANS - ratified Kyoto protocol: 5-25% reduction on co2 emissions by 2020, but lower than other ACs - developed cap and trade scheme - targets to increase production of renewable energy Australia: mitigation and adaption - ANS - building of sea walls, flood gates and dams and relocation of housing and stricter planning rules - $9 bill to develop new water resources, using existing ones efficiently, and protect rivers and wetlands