National and global energy resources: show that science has the ability to identify environmental issues arising from the use of energy resources but not always the power to deal with the issues because of political, social, ethical or economic considerations.

The idea

Science can measure and explain environmental problems, but solving them also depends on decisions science cannot make alone. Scientists can identify that carbon dioxide raises global temperatures or that radioactive waste stays hazardous for thousands of years, yet acting on that knowledge involves political, social, ethical and economic factors. A government may accept the evidence but avoid unpopular taxes, a community may object to a wind farm near homes, and a country may lack money for cleaner technology. A strong answer names the issue, states the scientific evidence, then explains one barrier: cost, public opinion, government priorities or differing views about responsibility to future generations.

What earns the marks

• States that scientific methods can identify and measure environmental issues, such as monitoring carbon dioxide levels or radiation.
• Explains that political considerations, such as government priorities, international agreements or public unpopularity, can delay action.
• Explains that economic considerations, such as the cost of renewable technology or of closing fossil fuel plants, can limit what is done.
• Explains that social considerations, such as local opposition to wind farms or concern about jobs, can block solutions.
• Explains that ethical considerations, such as responsibility to future generations or to wildlife, shape which actions are judged acceptable.
• Uses a specific example, such as nuclear waste storage or fossil fuel emissions, to show the gap between identifying and solving an issue.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Writing that science cannot identify environmental problems.

  Put it right: Science identifies and measures them, but acting on the findings involves other factors.

• Listing barriers without linking them to a named energy issue.

  Put it right: Connect each political, social, ethical or economic point to a specific resource or impact.

• Treating all four considerations as identical.

  Put it right: Distinguish political decisions, economic costs, social attitudes and ethical judgements.

Exam tips

• Use the wording of the question by naming the type of consideration, for example an economic consideration is the cost of building wind farms.
• Give one developed example rather than four undeveloped lists to show the science-to-action gap clearly.
• Finish with a judgement sentence stating why the issue remains unresolved despite the scientific evidence.