← Geography syllabus

ScotlandGeography

Global Issues

7 dot points across 7 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What is causing the climate to change, what are the effects, and how can we respond?

The physical and human causes of climate change, the local and global effects, and the management strategies and their limitations.
An SQA Higher Geography answer on climate change, covering the physical and human causes including the enhanced greenhouse effect, the local and global effects on people and environments, and the management strategies from international agreements to renewable energy, with their limitations.
11 min answer →

How is development measured, why are some countries less developed, and how is disease tackled?

Indicators of development and their validity, the reasons for differences in development between and within countries, and a study of a disease including its causes, impact, management and strategies.
An SQA Higher Geography answer on development and health, covering social, economic and composite indicators of development and their validity, the reasons for development differences between and within countries, and a case study of a disease such as malaria including its spread, impact and management.
11 min answer →

Why is the demand for energy changing, and how can supply be made sustainable?

The reasons for the changing global demand for energy, the effectiveness of renewable and non-renewable approaches, and the suitability of renewable approaches in a chosen area.
An SQA Higher Geography answer on energy as a global issue, covering the reasons for the changing global demand and supply of energy, the effectiveness of renewable and non-renewable sources, and the suitability of renewable approaches such as wind and hydro power in a chosen area like Scotland.
11 min answer →

Why do natural hazards happen where they do, and how can their impact be reduced?

The causes of selected environmental hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes and tropical storms), their effects on people and the environment, and the strategies used to predict, prepare for and respond to them, with their limitations.
An SQA Higher Geography answer on the Environmental Hazards global issue, covering the causes of earthquakes, volcanoes and tropical storms, their social, economic and environmental effects, and the prediction, preparation and response strategies used to manage them, with named examples and their limitations.
12 min answer →

Why is one natural region the way it is, and what happens when people use it?

The characteristics of a selected natural region (climate, soils, vegetation and wildlife), the human use of that region, the conflicts and changes that result, and the strategies used to manage them sustainably.
An SQA Higher Geography answer on the Natural Regions global issue, covering the climate, soils, vegetation and wildlife of a selected natural region such as the tropical rainforest, how people use and change it, the conflicts that result, and the management and sustainability strategies, with named examples.
12 min answer →

Why are rivers dammed, and what are the benefits and problems of managing a river basin?

The physical and human factors in selecting a dam and reservoir site, the need for water management, and the social, economic and environmental consequences of a multi-purpose scheme.
An SQA Higher Geography answer on river basin management, covering the physical and human factors in choosing a dam and reservoir site, the reasons water management is needed, and the social, economic and environmental benefits and problems of a multi-purpose scheme.
11 min answer →

Why is world trade so unequal, and can aid close the gap?

The patterns of world trade and why they are unequal, the causes and consequences of global poverty and inequality, and the types and effectiveness of aid, including their limitations.
An SQA Higher Geography answer on the Trade, Poverty and Aid global issue, covering the patterns of world trade and why they favour developed countries, the causes and consequences of global poverty and inequality, the types of aid (bilateral, multilateral, voluntary, tied) and their effectiveness, with named examples and their limitations.
12 min answer →