The year 8 exam Sustainable development cannot be achieved. Discuss this statement

Sample paragraph The Oriente (East) region in Ecuador is one of the most diverse collections of animals and wildlife in the world. It is also home to 95,000 indigenous people and 250,000 immigrants who have moved in search of land and work. Oil is being extracted. Oil has discharged 4.3 million barrels of toxic waste into the environment each day. Oil in the drinking water has increased gastrointestinal problems, skin rashes, birth defects and cancers. Environmental impacts have happened as plants such as periwinkle (used to cure childhood leukemia) are now endangered. Oil exploration has not been sustainable as the oil has only benefitted a few; many have become poorer and this has led to social inequalities. There is also only 20 years of oil left in the Amazon so this is not a long term scheme. Because of these problems a more sustainable project has been started which is in the Yasuni National Park where a large area has been preserved and is being used for ecotourism. The guides used are from local tribes, this means that money is kept in the local economy and the tribes can preserve their culture by educating the visitors about it. This example shows that if a scheme is managed in the correct way it can be sustainable and benefit the local people as well as preserving the environment.

What level would this achieve? Level 5: I recognise a range of views that people hold about this issue. I demonstrate an awareness of sustainable development. I can use a range of geographical words in my work. I include conclusions to summarise my findings. Level 6: I recognise how conflicting demands on the environment (i.e. the Amazon) arise. I appreciate the values and attitudes, including my own, of different approaches to environmental change. I can describe and compare sustainable and other approaches to managing environments. I present my findings in a coherent way and use appropriate methods and vocabulary to reach conclusions that are consistent with the evidence. Level 7: I can recognise that human actions, including my own, may have unintended environmental consequences and that this can lead to conflict. I can appreciate that the environment and the places where people live can be affected by actions and events in other places. I use accurate vocabulary and begin to reach substantiated conclusions. Level 8: I can explain how the interaction between people and environments can result in complex and unintended changes. I can describe a range of views about environmental interaction. I can analyse different approaches to developing places and environments and explain the causes and consequences of environmental change. I can present well argued summaries of investigations and reach substantiated conclusions.