Table of Contents
Environmental Agreements Homework Answers #
1.
[2 marks]
The Montreal Protocol is often called the most successful environmental agreement. Explain two reasons why it is considered so successful.
The Montreal Protocol is considered highly successful because:
- It achieved its main goal – the ozone layer is healing and scientists predict it will fully recover by 2060
- Every country in the world joined and followed the agreement
- It successfully phased out 98% of ozone-depleting substances
- It showed that international environmental agreements can work when countries cooperate fully
2.
[3 marks]
Explain how the Ramsar Convention helps in the fight against climate change.
The Ramsar Convention helps fight climate change by:
- Protecting wetlands that act as natural carbon sinks – they store large amounts of carbon in their soil and plants
- Preserving coastal wetlands like mangroves that protect against rising sea levels and storms
- Requiring countries to maintain the ecological character of their wetlands, which helps maintain their carbon-storing capacity
3.
[3 marks]
What are three key principles introduced by the Rio Declaration that help countries protect the environment while developing their economies?
Three key principles from the Rio Declaration are:
- Sustainable Development – Countries should develop in a way that meets present needs without compromising future generations
- The Polluter Pays Principle – Those who cause environmental damage should pay for cleaning it up
- Public Participation – People should be involved in environmental decisions that affect them
4.
[4 marks]
The Basel Convention deals with hazardous waste. Explain how this agreement helps in addressing climate change issues.
The Basel Convention helps address climate change by:
- Ensuring proper waste management, which reduces methane emissions from landfills
- Preventing the burning of hazardous waste, which releases greenhouse gases
- Promoting environmentally sound waste handling methods that reduce emissions
- Encouraging countries to develop better waste management facilities and practices
5.
[4 marks]
Describe two ways in which the World Heritage Convention protects sites that are important for fighting climate change. Use specific examples in your answer.
The World Heritage Convention protects climate-important sites by:
- Protecting large forests like the Amazon rainforest that absorb carbon dioxide
- Preserving coral reefs that act as carbon sinks and protect coastlines
- Requiring countries to manage these sites sustainably
- Providing international support when these sites are threatened by development or damage
6.
[4 marks]
Why was the UNFCCC important for later climate agreements? Explain using two specific examples.
The UNFCCC was important because:
- It created the basic framework for international climate action that all later agreements built upon
- It established the Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings where countries regularly discuss climate action
- It set up systems for measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions
- It recognized that developed countries should take the lead in fighting climate change
7.
[4 marks]
What is meant by “Nationally Determined Contributions” in the Paris Agreement, and why are they important?
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are:
- Climate action plans that each country creates for itself under the Paris Agreement
- They are important because they allow countries to set realistic targets based on their circumstances
- Countries must regularly update their NDCs and make them more ambitious over time
- They help create global commitment while respecting different national capabilities
8.
[4 marks]
The Kyoto Protocol introduced carbon trading. Explain what this means and how it was supposed to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Carbon trading under the Kyoto Protocol:
- Allows countries that emit less than their allowed amount to sell their extra allowance to countries that exceed their targets
- Creates a market mechanism that makes it financially beneficial to reduce emissions
- Helps countries meet their targets more flexibly and cost-effectively
- Encourages investment in clean technology and renewable energy
9.
[5 marks]
Your country wants to build a factory near a protected wetland that is listed under the Ramsar Convention. What would your country need to consider according to international agreements? Explain using your knowledge of environmental agreements.
When building near a Ramsar wetland, a country must:
- Follow Ramsar Convention requirements to protect the wetland’s ecological character
- Consider the Rio Declaration principles about sustainable development
- Ensure the development won’t damage the wetland’s ability to store carbon and provide environmental services
- Consult with local communities as required by various environmental agreements
- Consider alternative locations or methods that would have less environmental impact
