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Emerging Environmental Issues Question Paper
Emerging Environmental Issues
Course:Bachelor Of Environmental Studies
Institution: Kenyatta University question papers
Exam Year:2009
KENYATTA UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS 2009/2010
FIRST SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
ERC 201: EMERGING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
DATE: Thursday 24th December, 2009 TIME: 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.
INSTRUCTIONS
Answer question ONE (i.e. compulsory) and select any other THREE.
1.
a)
For a significant community of scientists, human, induced climate change
is not only a reality but also one of the top-most emerging environmental
challenges facing humanity. Recently, however, you have read a news
feature in a popular local daily which makes the following three
fundamental claims about climate change. For each claim below, write a
short essay to the Editor of the local daily clearly outlining your position
on why you agree or disagree with the statements.
i)
“Africa stands to benefit the most from climate change as global
warming will be good for agriculture”.
[10 marks]
ii)
“Mitigating and adapting to climate change will inevitably impact
global
economy
negatively”.
[10
marks]
b)
One way of estimating emerging environmental impacts, say carbon
emissions, is with the following product:
Carbon emissions = (population) x (GDP/person) x (Energy/GDP),
where GDP is the gross domestic product. In view of the rapid rate and
scale of industrialization in China, suppose we assume the energy required
per dollar of GDP increases exponentially at a rate of 3% per year.
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Further, suppose we assume GDP/capita and population growth rates of
10% and 2% per year respectively. If carbon emissions in China were
roughly 1.5 billion tons per year, estimate the emissions in 2020.
[5 marks]
2.
The African delegation to the Copenhagen’s climate conference in December
2009 will demand roughly US$70 annual compensation from developed countries
towards climate-change related damages. As a representative of the developed
countries, describe five arguments you would advance to oppose Africa’s claim
for
compensation.
[15
marks]
3.
Climate change and poverty are the two defining challenges of this century and
they must be tabled together. If we fail on one, we fail on the other. With
reference to specific examples in Kenya, substantiate this statement.
[15 marks]
4.
a)
The destruction of the Mau Forest and surrounding areas through charcoal
production is arguably a classic case of the “urban ecological footprint in
Africa”.
Briefly
explain.
[5
marks]
b) Outline
five policy measures you would recommend to the Government to
make the supply and demand of charcoal a sustainable energy enterprise in
Kenya.
[10
marks]
5.
a)
Distinguish between the Darwinian and Newtonian world views.
[5 marks]
Explain why neither the Newtonian worldview along, nor the Darwinian
worldview alone, is likely to provide an adequate answer, but why a
synthesis of the two might yield more insight in the population-
environment
debate.
[5
marks]
b)
“The rapid rate of population growth in Kenya (about 4% per year) will
lead to environmental degradation in the country”. Discuss.
[5 marks]
………………………
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