Practice 6.2 Climate change - causes and impact with authentic IB Environmental systems and societies (ESS) exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1, 2 structure, covering key topics like ecosystems, human impact, and sustainability. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.
Paper
Level
Question 1
SL & HLPaper 2
The figure shows the change in stratospheric ozone levels above Lauder, New Zealand, and associated UV radiation index
(Sources: © Author(s) 2022. Weber et al., Global total ozone recovery trends attributed to ozone-depleting substance (ODS) changes derived from five merged ozone datasets licensed under CC BY 4.0 © 1996-2024 MDPI. Trends of UV radiation in Antarctica. Atmosphere, 11(8), 795. by Bernhard, G., & Stierle, S. (2020).)
1.[2]
Describe the relationship between ozone levels and the UV radiation index.
2.[1]
State one man-made factor that affects ozone levels in the stratosphere.
3.[5]
Evaluate the role of the Montreal Protocol in the protection of stratospheric ozone.
Question 2
SL & HLPaper 2
Figure. Atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide over time
(Source: Skeptical Science)
1.[2]
In 2015, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels reached 400 parts per million (ppm). Calculate the percentage increase from 1950 to 2015.
2.[1]
State a reason for the rise in carbon dioxide levels in recent times.
3.[3]
Explain the role of carbon dioxide in the greenhouse effect.
4.[3]
Describe an example of a negative feedback mechanism associated with rising carbon dioxide level.
Question 3
SLPaper 2
1.[4]
Outline two factors that affect the frequency and severity of photochemical smog in an area.
2.[7]
Evaluate strategies to manage regional acid deposition using the pollution management model.
3.[9]
To what extent have international agreements been successful in solving atmospheric air pollution and climate change?
Question 4
SLPaper 2
The ozone hole over Antarctica, first identified in the 1980s, was caused by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). To address this issue, the Montreal Protocol mandates the replacement of CFCs with hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) or hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) (Figure 1). However, these substitutes are also associated with environmental concerns (Figure 2).
Figure 1 Comparison of the effects of CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs
Figure 2: HCFCs and HFCs cause less damage than CFCs but still
affect the environment
1.[2]
Identify two possible consequences for life on Earth resulting from the depletion of stratospheric ozone.
2.[2]
Outline why the Montreal Protocol may be considered the world’s most successful environmental treaty.
3.[2]
Outline why governments agreed to phase out the use of HFCs from 2019 in the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
4.[1]
Identify one advantage of staggered dates for the phasing out of HFCs for countries at different levels of economic development.
5.[1]
Identify one disadvantage of staggered dates for the phasing out of HFCs for countries at different levels of economic development.
Question 5
SL & HLPaper 2
1.[4]
Explain the role of stratospheric ozone in protecting life on Earth from UV radiation and outline the steady state of ozone concentration in the stratosphere.
Question 6
SLPaper 2
1.[4]
Outline the role of the atmospheric system in the distribution of biomes.
2.[7]
Discuss how human impacts on the atmosphere can terrestrial biome productivity.
3.[9]
To what extent is the need for conservation more significant in tropical biomes?
Question 7
SL & HLPaper 2
1.[4]
Outline four impacts of acid rain on the natural and urban environment.
2.[7]
Using named examples where relevant, distinguish between primary and secondary pollutants.
3.[9]
Evaluate how pollution management strategies may regulate, reduce, and repair the impact of sulphur dioxide on ecosystems.
Question 8
SLPaper 2
1.[4]
Identify four factors making insecticide DDT controversial.
2.[7]
Outline how human activities continue to affect stratospheric ozone.
3.[9]
To what extent is using of solid domestic waste (SDW) as an energy source beneficial to a society?
Question 9
SLPaper 2
1.[4]
Outline how four different factors influence the resilience of an ecosystem.
2.[7]
Explain how a community of trees in a woodland may be considered a system.
3.[9]
Disturbance of the composition and processes of the atmospheric system through human activity always disturbs the equilibria of marine systems.
Discuss the validity of this statement with reference to named examples.
Question 10
SLPaper 2
Figure 1: Mean ozone hole area between 1979 and 2016
1.[1]
State where the ozone hole referred to in Figure 1 is located.
2.[2]
Describe the changes in mean ozone hole area between 1979 and 2016.
3.[1]
Identify one possible reason for the changes shown during the 1980s.
4.[4]
Explain how the data in Figure 1 can be used in judging the success of the Montreal Protocol in addressing ozone depletion.