Preparation for Global Toxicology in a Sustainable Society exam

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Exam 2024

1. Sustainable developmet

What is a sustainable development? Explain and discuss the concept based on the definition from the Brundtland commission and its report “Our common future” (1987) as well as the ideas presented by Prof. J. Sachs (including his statement on the “two ideas”). (4p)

Sustainable development, as defined by the Brundtland Commission (1987), is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” It emphasizes intergenerational equity, human needs (especially of the poor), and environmental limits.

Jeffrey Sachs explains sustainable development through two ideas:

  1. Analytical framework – understanding the complex links between economy, society, environment, and politics.
  2. Normative goal – building a good society that is prosperous, socially inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and well governed.

Together, these views show sustainable development as both a way to understand global challenges and a set of goals to ensure prosperity and fairness without destroying the planet.

Answered by ChatGPT based on subtitle of the video(Sachs_Intro_sustainable_development-1).

2. Great acceleration and tipping points

One important reason for trespassing planetary boundaries is the so-called “great acceleration” and actions are now urgently needed to avoid reaching “tipping points”. (5 p)
a) Briefly explain the “great acceleration” (2 p)
b) What is a “tipping point”? Briefly explain and give at least one example (2 p)
c) What was agreed upon in the COP21 meeting in Paris? (1 p)

a) Great Acceleration (2p)
The “Great Acceleration” refers to the rapid increase in human activities since the 1950s (population growth, industrialization, energy use, and consumption). This surge has driven climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource overuse, pushing us beyond safe planetary boundaries.

b) Tipping Point (2p)
A tipping point is a critical threshold in Earth systems where small changes trigger large, often irreversible shifts. Once crossed, these changes can accelerate and amplify global warming.
Examples: Greenland ice sheet melting (sea level rise), Amazon rainforest dieback, or Siberian permafrost thaw releasing carbon.

c) COP21 Paris Agreement (1p)
In 2015, nations agreed to limit global warming to well below 2 °C and strive for 1.5 °C, with the aim to reach net-zero emissions around 2050 through national commitments (NDCs).

Answered by ChatGPT based on subtitle of “10 years to transform the future of humanity – or destabilize the planet _ Johan Rockström”

3. How does climate change contribute ocean acidification? Please mark the “best”

answer. (1 p) Mark the “best answer”

How does climate change contribute to ocean acidification?

  • Increased atmospheric oxygen levels lead to higher oceanic pH levels.
  • Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels lead to higher oceanic pH levels.
  • Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels lead to lower oceanic pH levels.
  • Increased atmospheric nitrogen levels lead to lower oceanic pH levels.

4. SDGs and planetary boundaries

One of the transformations needed to achieve the SDGs is “sustainable food and land use”. In light of the “planetary boundaries”, discuss some main problems with food production. (3p)

Food production puts strong pressure on specific planetary boundaries:

Biosphere integrity – Deforestation, monocultures, and pesticides cause biodiversity loss and weaken ecosystems.

Land-system change – Expansion of farmland drives deforestation, soil degradation, and loss of carbon sinks.

Biogeochemical flows & Freshwater use – Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers pollute waters (eutrophication), while irrigation depletes rivers and aquifers.

Summary: Current food systems threaten biosphere integrity, land use, nutrient cycles, and freshwater resources, making transformation toward sustainable practices essential.

Answered by ChatGPT

5. Chemicals of concern globally - arsenic

Arsenic (As) is a metalloid element that forms several poisonous compounds. Arsenic is therefore often included on lists of substances of high concern. Briefly explain why the exposure became high in Bangladesh and give examples of health effects (at least two) that follow from long-term exposure. (3 p)

Why exposure became high:
From the 1970s, millions of tube wells were installed in Bangladesh to provide safe water free from pathogens. However, many wells tapped arsenic-rich groundwater, which was only discovered in the 1990s. WHO called this “the largest mass poisoning in history.” Tens of millions remain exposed.

Health effects (long-term):

  • Cancers: bladder, lung
  • Skin lesions (arsenicosis), pigmentation changes
  • Cardiovascular disease and impaired child development/cognition

Summary: Tube wells intended to provide clean water caused widespread arsenic exposure, leading to severe chronic health outcomes.

Answered by ChatGPT based on slides.

6. Climate change and heat stress

Climate change will lead to more episodes with heat stress in the future. Briefly state vulnerable groups (at least two) for the heat stress and suggest at least two adaptation measures that you recommend for a city. (2 p)

Vulnerable groups:

  • Elderly
  • Children and pregnant women
  • People with cardiorespiratory or psychiatric diseases
  • Outdoor workers

Adaptation measures for a city:

  • Heat plans
  • Early warning systems
  • Resilient health systems

Summary: Vulnerable groups need targeted protection, and cities should adapt through planning, resilient health systems, and green infrastructure.

Answered by ChatGPT based on slides.

7. Air pollution

What does PM2.5 refer to in the context of air pollution? How have PM2.5 levels in Sweden changed over the last decade (increased or decreased)? Provide an example of a country or region that experiences very high PM2.5 levels. (2 p)

PM2.5: Fine particulate matter with diameter ≤2.5 µm. These tiny particles penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, causing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

Sweden: PM2.5 levels have decreased over the last decade due to regulations and cleaner energy/transport.

High exposure example: India (e.g., Delhi) experiences very high PM2.5 levels and severe health impacts.

Answered by ChatGPT based on slides.

8. Legislation and sound chemical management

a) The “Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)”, addresses classification of chemicals. State three main purposes with the system. (1.5 p)
b) What is regulation in the “Stockholm convention”? (0.5 p)

a) from slides

  1. Enhance the protection of human health and the environment by providing an internationally comprehensible system for hazard communication;
  2. Provide a legal framework for countries without an existing system;
  3. Reduce the need for testing and evaluation of chemicals;
  4. Facilitate international trade in chemicals whose hazard have been properly assessed and identified on an international basis

b) summaried by ChatGPT based on slides.

The Stockholm Convention (2001) regulates Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) by requiring parties to eliminate, restrict, or reduce releases of listed chemicals (Annex A, B, C), to protect human health and the environment.

9. Antibiotic resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top global public health and development threats. State three actions you personally can take to help prevent AMR! (1.5 p)

Three personal actions to prevent AMR:

  1. Use antibiotics only when prescribed by a qualified health professional – never self-medicate.
  2. Always complete the full prescribed course of antibiotics.
  3. Prevent infections through good hygiene, vaccination, and safe food practices, reducing the need for antibiotics.

Answered by ChatGPT.

10. Solutions – Doughnut Economy model

Which of the following statements are correct regarding “Doughnut Economy model”? (mark all correct) (1,5 p)

  • The purpose of the model is to ensure that economic activity is within the ecological
    limits of the planet while meeting the basic needs of all people.
  • The purpose of the model is to prioritize technological innovation over environmental concerns.
  • The model emphasizes the reduction of government intervention in the economy.
  • The area between the outer and inner rings (the doughnut) is considered safe and just space for humanity
  • The outer part of the doughnut (the crust) represents the ecological ceilings (planetary boundaries)

Answered by ChatGPT.

11. Solutions – Behavioral change

It seems obvious that we need to change our behavior in order to stay within the planetary boundaries. But changing behavior seems hard. Briefly explain decision making based on “system 1 and 2” as explained by Daniel Kahneman and give one example of a successful way to encourage the “right” behavior of people. (2 p)

Decision making (Kahneman):

  • System 1: Fast, unconscious, automatic – everyday decisions, but error-prone.
  • System 2: Slow, conscious, effortful – reliable for complex decisions.

Example of encouraging the right behavior:

  • Use nudges that guide System 1 decisions. For instance, making renewable electricity the default contract choice greatly increases adoption without requiring extra effort.

Answered by ChatGPT based on slides.

12. Own actions
You are working as a PhD student at a department at KI and are involved in the arrangement of a scientific conference. You want the conference to be a “sustainable” event. Briefly describe some (at least three) measures you take to ensure this and explain which SDG that will be positively affected for each measure! (3 p)

Measures and linked SDGs:

  1. Reduce travel emissions – encourage train travel, hybrid/online participation → SDG 13: Climate Action.
  2. Sustainable catering – vegetarian/locally sourced food, minimize food waste → SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
  3. Minimize resource use – avoid single-use plastics, use digital programs instead of printed → SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
  4. Promote inclusivity – ensure accessibility for all participants → SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Answered by ChatGPT.

Exam 2023

  1. What is a sustainable development? Explain and discuss the concept based on the definition from the Brundtland commission and its report “Our common future” (1987) as well as the ideas presented by Prof. J. Sachs. (4p)

Same as 2024

  1. The Sustainable Development Goals have been adopted by all UN member states. But the challenges to achieve the goals are different depending on the country and presently, no country is on track towards achieving all SDGs. (6 p total)

    a) According to the SDG-index, give examples of two goals that are hard to achieve for high-

    income countries like Sweden, Norway and Finland and briefly explain reasons (give examples of

    indicators) (2 p)

    b) One of the transformations needed to achieve the SDGs is “sustainable food and land use”. In light of the “planetary boundaries”, discuss some main problems with food production. (3 p)

    c) Mention one other “transformation” needed according to Prof. Sachs. (1 p)

a) Hard SDGs for Sweden (2p):

  • SDG 2: Zero hunger – Challenges with obesity (BMI ≥ 30), high meat consumption (human trophic level), and nitrogen management despite good food security.
  • SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production – High material footprint, production- and import-related air pollution, nitrogen emissions, plastic waste exports, and limited recycling.

b) Food production & planetary boundaries (3p):
Food systems cross multiple boundaries:

  • Biosphere integrity – biodiversity loss from pesticides, monocultures, deforestation.
  • Land-system change – cropland and pasture expansion drives deforestation and soil degradation.
  • Biogeochemical flows (N & P) – excessive fertilizer use → eutrophication and nutrient imbalance.
  • Freshwater use – irrigation stresses rivers and aquifers.

c) Other transformation (1p):
Prof. Jeffrey Sachs stresses the need for social inclusion – making prosperity widely shared, reducing inequality, ensuring gender equality, and building trustworthy governance. This social transformation is as critical as energy or food transitions for achieving the SDGs.

Answered by ChatGPT based on information of SDG official website and subtitle of the video(Sachs_Intro_sustainable_development-1).

  1. Project Drawdown explains five main sources to climate change gases and states effective solutions. Mention three of these sources as well as an effective solution to each! (3 p)

    Not included in lecture this semester.

  2. Climate change will cause health- and ecological effects and actions are urgently needed to avoid a risk for reaching a “tipping point”. (5 p total)
    a) Give examples of two direct and two indirect important health effects of climate change. (2 p)
    b) What is a “tipping point”? Briefly explain. (1 p)
    c) One of the tipping points is permafrost thawing; state two potential dangers for human health that could occur from permafrost degradation. (1 p)
    d) Explain the link between elevated sea temperatures and coral bleaching (1 p)

    a) Health effects of climate change (2p):

    • Direct: Heat stress/heat stroke; injuries and deaths from extreme weather (storms, floods, wildfires).
    • Indirect: Spread of vector-borne diseases (e.g., malaria, dengue); malnutrition from reduced food security; mental health impacts.

    b) Tipping point (1p):
    A tipping point is a critical threshold in the Earth system where small changes push the system into a large, often irreversible shift (e.g., ice sheet collapse, rainforest dieback).

    c) Permafrost thawing – dangers (1p):

    • Emergence of new pathogens from thawed soils, posing risks of infectious disease outbreaks in humans and animals if not treated promptly.
    • Unstable land and infrastructure collapse, increasing risk of injuries, property damage, and indirectly affecting mental well-being of local populations.

    d) Elevated sea temperatures & coral bleaching (1p):
    Corals live in symbiosis with algae (zooxanthellae). When water temperature rises, corals expel the algae, losing color and energy → bleaching, which weakens or kills reefs.

  3. Arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) are both on the WHO list of “10 chemicals of public health concern”. (4p total)
    a) Briefly explain why the exposure became high in Bangladesh and state one main health effect in adults that follow from long-term exposure. (2 p)
    b) Previously one main source of lead exposure was leaded gasoline, but now there are other main sources. Give examples of two other main sources and state a main health effect in children that can be observed at a relative low blood level (˂5µg/dL). (2 p)

a) Arsenic in Bangladesh (2p):

  • Exposure became high when millions of tube wells were installed in the 1970s to avoid pathogen-contaminated surface water, but many tapped arsenic-rich groundwater (discovered in the 1990s).
  • Main adult health effect: Increased risk of cancer (skin, bladder, lung).

b) Lead (2p):

  • After the phase-out of leaded gasoline, main sources include lead-based paints and plumbing, and informal battery recycling/e-waste/contaminated soil.
  • Main health effect in children (<5 µg/dL): Reduced neurodevelopment, including lower IQ and behavioral problems.

  1. You are organizing a course for participants from a low-income country, and you lecture about some basic elements for the attainment of sound chemicals and waste management at the national level. State at least four such basic elements. You also mention the Minamata Convention. What is regulated in this convention? (3 p)

    Basic elements (2p):

    1. Legal and regulatory frameworks for chemicals and waste.
    2. Institutional capacity and enforcement (agencies, inspectors).
    3. Information systems and monitoring (data on chemicals, exposure, risks).
    4. Risk assessment and management throughout the chemical life cycle.
    5. Public awareness, training, and education.

    Minamata Convention (1p):

    • Regulates mercury: bans new mercury mines, phases out existing ones, restricts trade, controls emissions and releases, bans mercury-added products (e.g., thermometers, certain batteries), and addresses artisanal gold mining.

  2. Consumption and fast fashion can have a large environmental impact. (6 p total)
    a) State some (at least two) main environmental impacts of the textile industry and suggest two actions you can take to decrease your own impact as a consumer/user. (3 p)
    b) Approximately how much consumption-based CO2 (capita/year) do we have in Sweden? How much should it be to be in line with the Paris agreement? (1 p)
    c) Lisa and Peter are discussing how large part of the CO2 emissions that are due to aviation/airplanes. Lisa states that this is a main contribution whereas Peter argues that it is not. Why do you think they disagree? Briefly discuss! (2 p)

Fast Fashion & Consumption (6p)

a) Textile industry impacts & consumer actions (3p):

  • Environmental impacts: High water use (cotton), chemical pollution (dyes, pesticides), greenhouse gas emissions, and large textile waste.
  • Actions as consumer: Buy fewer/longer-lasting clothes, choose second-hand, support sustainable brands, repair/reuse garments.

b) CO₂ consumption in Sweden (1p):

  • Current: ~9 tons CO₂ per person per year.
  • Needed for Paris Agreement: ~1 ton CO₂ per person per year.

c) Aviation debate (2p):

  • Lisa’s view: Flying is a large personal footprint – a few long flights equal several tons of CO₂.
  • Peter’s view: Aviation is smaller in national/global statistics compared to road traffic, heating, and food.
  • Reason for disagreement: Different perspectives – individual impact vs. overall share of emissions.

  1. Biodiversity refers to variety and variability of life on Earth and often five major drivers of biodiversity loss are described. Mention three different drivers of biodiversity loss and state one example of the species most often used in ecotoxicology studies. (2 p)

    (i) Habitat destruction, e.g. deforestation for agricultural purposes
    (ii) Overexploitation of natural resources, e.g. overfishing
    (iii) Climate change, e.g. changes in temperature
    (iv) Invasive alien species
    (v) Pollution
    • Mainly eutrophication: overfertilization with nitrogen and phosphorus
    • Occasionally the toxicity caused by a few selected classes of chemicals: pesticides and metal(loid)s

    Zebrafish

Answered myself.

  1. You and your dad are discussing the use of pharmaceuticals and he claims that there is no proof of any harmful effects in the wildlife. But you explain that there are two classical examples of such effects. Briefly explain one example and include the type of pharmaceutical and which effect that was observed (2 p)

    One classical example is the use of the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac in livestock. Vultures in South Asia fed on carcasses of treated cattle, and the drug caused kidney failure (visceral gout) and massive population declines in several vulture species.

  2. It seems obvious that we need to change our consumption behavior in order to stay within the planetary boundaries. Based on the course content, explain psychological mechanisms (at least two) that could be a hindrance for behavioral change! (2 p)

    Barriers to Behavioral Change – System 1 & 2 (2p)

    According to Daniel Kahneman, System 1 is fast, automatic, and effortless, while System 2 is slow, deliberate, and requires conscious effort.

    Hindrances:

    • People often rely on System 1 habits and egoistic thinking (e.g., “if nobody else changes, why should I?”), leading to collective inaction.
    • Engaging System 2 requires responsibility and effort. Many avoid it, staying in denial about the seriousness of climate challenges instead of consciously changing behavior.

    Summary: Change is hard because people stick to System 1 shortcuts and resist activating System 2 responsibility and collective action.

  3. You are working as a PhD student at a department at KI and are involved in the arrangement of a scientific conference. You want the conference to be a “sustainable” event. Briefly describe some (at least three) measures you take to assure this and explain which SDG that will be positively affected for each measure! (3 p)

    Same as 2024