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GCSE · Theme B: Religion and Ethics - Environment

RS.TB12 Global Warming, Pollution and Religious Environmental Action

AQA 8062 · Calculators not allowed · about 50 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

Which one of the following best describes the meaning of 'global warming' as it is used in environmental discussions about climate change?

A The gradual decrease in the Earths average surface temperature caused by volcanic activity
B The long-term increase in the Earths average surface temperature caused mainly by greenhouse gas emissions
C Short-term weather changes such as cold snaps and heatwaves that last a few days
D The process by which trees absorb water from the soil and release it into the atmosphere

(Total for Question 1 is 1 mark)

Give two ways that pollution can damage the natural environment, in the context of modern industrial societies.

(Total for Question 2 is 2 marks)

Identify one practical way a faith-based charity like Islamic Relief or Christian Aid might reduce water pollution in a river catchment area.

(Total for Question 3 is 1 mark)

Explain two reasons why many religious believers are concerned about global warming, referring to concrete effects such as floods, droughts or harm to species.

(Total for Question 4 is 4 marks)

Explain two contrasting religious responses to environmental damage. In your answer refer to a source of wisdom or authority such as Pope Francis's Laudato Si' (2015) or Qur'an 55:7-9.

(Total for Question 5 is 5 marks)

Give three examples of practical activities a religious environmental campaign might run in a coastal community to reduce pollution and improve resilience to sea level rise.

(Total for Question 6 is 3 marks)

Identify briefly what the Qur'anic concepts of khalifah and mizan in Qur'an 55:7-9 contribute to Muslim environmental thinking in practice.

(Total for Question 7 is 1 mark)

Explain two ways in which faith-based charities can reduce pollution in towns. Give an example of a practical project for each way.

(Total for Question 8 is 4 marks)

Explain two reasons why faith-based environmental campaigns sometimes succeed in influencing wider public policy on pollution or climate change.

(Total for Question 9 is 4 marks)

Give three key features of Pope Francis's Laudato Si' encyclical (2015) that are relevant to campaigns against pollution and global warming.

(Total for Question 10 is 3 marks)

Give two examples of how the Islamic ideas of khalifah and mizan might be applied by a mosque community to reduce local pollution.

(Total for Question 11 is 2 marks)

Explain the importance of religious environmental action for believers today, for example when faith communities campaign against pollution or global warming.

(Total for Question 12 is 6 marks)

Religious believers have a duty to campaign against pollution and global warming. Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, refer to religious arguments and reach a justified conclusion.

(Total for Question 13 is 12 marks)

Mark scheme · RS.TB12 Global Warming, Pollution and Religious Environmental Action

Question 1

B1 selecting B, the long-term increase in Earths average surface temperature mainly from greenhouse gas emissions, cao
Answer: B

Question 2

B1 one valid effect, eg contamination of rivers and harmful effects on aquatic life, oe
B1 a second valid effect, eg air pollution causing health problems for animals and plants and contributing to acid rain, oe
Answer: Any two distinct effects such as contaminating rivers harming aquatic life, and air pollution causing damage to plants and animals and contributing to acid rain.

Question 3

B1 any one practical action, eg organising and funding community rubbish collection and safe waste disposal to stop plastics entering the river, oe
Answer: Organising community rubbish collection and safe waste disposal to prevent plastics and waste entering the river.

Question 4

B1 point 1: believers may be concerned because global warming causes extreme weather such as floods and droughts, which harm vulnerable people, oe
B1 development: religious teachings about compassion and care for neighbours lead believers to worry about human suffering caused by climate-related disasters, oe
B1 point 2: believers may be concerned because global warming threatens other living creatures and biodiversity, eg species loss, oe
B1 development: many faiths teach respect for creation or God-given order, so damage to ecosystems is seen as morally important to prevent, oe
Answer: E.g. climate change causes floods and droughts harming vulnerable people, which conflicts with religious duties of compassion; it also threatens species and ecosystems, which many believers regard as part of Gods creation deserving protection.

Question 5

B1 response 1: some religious leaders and communities call for active political and practical action, for example Pope Francis in Laudato Si 2015 urges urgent global action to protect the poor and the environment, oe
B1 development: Laudato Si appeals to scientific evidence and moral responsibility, encouraging policies to reduce emissions and international cooperation, oe
B1 response 2: other religious responses focus on local, grassroots action and community projects, for example charities such as Christian Aid and Islamic Relief running conservation and clean water projects, oe
B1 development: these local responses put teaching into practice through education, tree planting and waste management, showing faith expressed through service, oe
B1 reference to a source of wisdom or authority made accurately, eg quoting or naming Laudato Si 2015 or Qur'an 55:7-9 and linking it to the response, oe
Answer: Contrast: Pope Francis and Laudato Si urge global political action and moral responsibility based on science; grassroots faith charities focus on local practical projects such as clean water, education and tree planting, both grounded in religious teaching such as Laudato Si or Qur'an 55:7-9 about balance and care.

Question 6

B1 one example: organising community beach clean-ups to remove plastic and debris, oe
B1 second example: planting mangroves or coastal vegetation to reduce erosion and increase resilience, oe
B1 third example: running workshops on sustainable waste disposal and preventing sewage run-off, oe
Answer: Any three: beach clean-ups; planting coastal vegetation or mangroves; workshops on waste disposal and preventing sewage run-off.

Question 7

B1 identification such as: khalifah means humans are stewards or vicegerents on Earth and mizan means maintaining balance, which together support caring for creation, oe
Answer: Khalifah means humans act as vicegerents or stewards, and mizan means maintaining the created balance, so both support caring for the environment.

Question 8

B1 point 1: charities can run education and awareness campaigns to change behaviour, oe
B1 development/example: example such as workshops in schools about recycling and reducing single-use plastics, leading to less litter and lower pollution, oe
B1 point 2: charities can support practical waste-management projects to prevent pollution, oe
B1 development/example: example such as providing community recycling centres or funding proper sewage treatment to reduce river and sea pollution, oe
Answer: E.g. education campaigns in schools to reduce single-use plastics; funding community recycling centres or sewage treatment to stop waste entering waterways.

Question 9

B1 point 1: they can mobilise large networks of volunteers and congregations, creating visible public pressure on politicians, oe
B1 development: such grassroots mobilisations can shift public opinion and make policy change more politically viable, oe
B1 point 2: they can present moral arguments and authoritative religious teachings that frame environmental issues as matters of justice, oe
B1 development: politicians and the public may be persuaded by ethical framing, for example Laudato Si appeals to the poor and future generations, influencing policy debate, oe
Answer: E.g. mobilising large volunteer networks to create public pressure; using moral and religious authority, such as Laudato Si, to reframe climate action as social justice.

Question 10

B1 feature 1: it links care for the environment with concern for the poor and social justice, oe
B1 feature 2: it accepts scientific evidence about climate change and calls for urgent action, oe
B1 feature 3: it encourages both political change and personal lifestyle changes, oe
Answer: Any three: links environment with the poor; accepts scientific evidence and calls for urgent action; calls for political and personal change.

Question 11

B1 example 1: mosque organises recycling and waste reduction programmes as an expression of khalifah duty to care for creation, oe
B1 example 2: mosque promotes energy conservation and planting trees to maintain mizan or balance in the local environment, oe
Answer: Any two: recycling programmes as khalifah in action; energy conservation and tree planting to preserve mizan or balance.

Question 12

Level 3 (5-6): A detailed, well organised answer that explains several reasons why religious environmental action matters, supported by accurate reference to religious teaching or examples, with clear links between points.
Level 2 (3-4): An answer that explains some reasons with supporting detail or one reason in depth, and may include an appropriate example or reference to belief.
Level 1 (1-2): One or two basic points about the importance of action are made, with little development or supporting detail.
Level 0 (0): No relevant content.
Indicative content:
- Religious action puts beliefs into practice, showing faith through caring for creation and addressing concrete problems such as pollution and floods.
- It responds to teachings and sources of authority, for example Laudato Si urging care for the poor and the planet, or Qur'an 55:7-9 on balance and responsibility.
- Campaigning can protect vulnerable people and future generations, which links to religious concerns about justice and compassion.
- Local projects build community, provide practical help and demonstrate positive moral leadership to wider society.
- Religious action can influence public policy and raise awareness by framing environmental issues as moral responsibilities.
- For individual believers it can strengthen faith and provide a sense of purpose and hope in addressing environmental crisis.

Question 13

Level 4 (10-12): A well argued, balanced response that evaluates both sides with clear reasoning, refers to relevant religious beliefs or sources of authority, and reaches a supported conclusion.
Level 3 (7-9): A balanced answer that gives reasoned arguments on both sides, includes some religious reference and reaches a supported conclusion, though some points may lack development.
Level 2 (4-6): An answer that gives arguments for or against, or that gives both sides with limited development, and includes some reference to religion or belief.
Level 1 (1-3): Simple, undeveloped points for or against with little or no reference to religious teaching or evidence of evaluation.
Level 0 (0): No relevant material.
Indicative content:
- Arguments supporting the statement: many religions teach care for creation and concern for the poor, so believers have a duty to act; Pope Francis in Laudato Si presents care for the environment as a moral obligation linked to justice for the poor; Qur'anic ideas of khalifah and mizan imply responsibility to maintain balance and protect creation.
- Campaigning can reduce harm to vulnerable communities and species, so it is a practical expression of compassion and stewardship responsibilities held in many faiths.
- Religious communities have influence and resources which can be used for the common good, making campaigning a suitable and effective duty.
- Arguments against or qualified: some might argue that political campaigning is a secular activity and believers should focus on worship and direct charity rather than politics; others may worry about religious groups imposing their views on plural societies.
- Some believers may prioritise personal piety and care within their community over public campaigning, or may believe technological and economic solutions led by experts are more appropriate than campaigning.
- Evaluation: weigh the strength of religious moral teaching and practical effectiveness of campaigns against concerns about separation of religion and politics, pluralism and the need for expert-led solutions; consideration of examples where faith campaigns have helped policy and local communities strengthens the pro position.
- Conclusion should make a judgement, for example that while campaigning must respect pluralism and use appropriate methods, the moral teachings of many faiths provide a strong duty for believers to engage actively in combating pollution and global warming.

Global Warming, Pollution and Religious Environmental Action - Worksheets, Questions and Revision