What I'm finding easiest revising for Section C- Synoptic is planning the exam questions that teachers have given us.
i think someone posted them earlier.
By planning them you'll have the ideas that you can formulate to make the answers. I find it'll be the most effective way.
Now for the synoptic linkages -- my class were given a huge booklet that we were advised to complete to help us with this part.
1. Development pathways - USA and Canada reached a stage of high-mass consumption (remember Rostow's model of development - 5 steps to development). this equates to hem reaching peak oil. Mexico is further away on the development pathway.
2. Emergent Markets (BRIC economies) Mexico as a 5th BRIC, perhaps?
3. Superpowers - Regional Trade blocs (NAFTA)
4. Superpowers - conflict between old and new superpowers - so, the USA and China , for example. China and India, especially have started to invest heavily in African countries for the vast reserves of oil. Emerging economies need extra oil to fuel their economies too. Conflict between oil exports/imports, trade barriers etc.
5. Development gap - China in Africa - 'Neo-colonialism' (Kwame Nkrumah) - prevents the developing countries from developing by exploiting their resources for the developed country's own good
6. Development gap - the unethical behaviour of TNCs in the developing world
7. Biodiversity Under Threat - new reserves in North America affecting the natural biodiversity of areas. So, the ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge)- apparently holds the largest onshore reserves in North America, but is inhabited by 45 species of land and marine mammals
Biodiversity under Threat - example, China's vast economic development, haven't paid attention to the diminishing biodiversity, i.e. the endemic Giant Panda. Lack of space for the bears. China building the equivalent of 2 coal-fired power stations every week, creating circumstances for acid precipitation etc. Possibility that the huge levels of co2 created in North America could have very distinct effects upon the biodiversity of some areas
8. Technological Fix? -- Finding and digging up new reserves requires technology & money.
Turning oil shale and sands into oil -
for example, Alberta, Canada supposedly contains up to 2.5 TRILLION barrels of oil (more than Saudi Arabia) BUT, only a few hundred billion of these barrels are reckoned to be recoverable using current technology. Therefore, more infrastructure and subsequent money will have to be found and spent...it will cost A LOT.
<<< KNOCK ON EFFECTS on the economy, the environment..
There's not a whole lot to write about regarding water conflicts. But some ideas could be...
Mexican Deep Water Oil Drilling - contains lots of oil that is extractable, however can and has caused many minor and some major oil spills and leaks which can effect the water quality and biodiversity.
Anyone else got any ideas?
Hope this has given a few ideas, yes, no, maybe?
Anyway, all the best with the exam!!!