Introduction
Climate change is one of the most important global issues, and in IB Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS), it is tested in multiple ways. For the 2026 first assessment, climate change appears across different parts of the syllabus: atmosphere, energy resources, land use, biodiversity, and sustainability.
Students often expect straightforward questions like “What is climate change?” but examiners usually design more challenging tasks—requiring you to analyze data, evaluate strategies, and connect climate change to other ESS themes. Mastering this topic means being able to think critically, use case studies, and apply systems thinking.
Quick Start Checklist for ESS Students
When revising climate change in ESS, make sure you can:
- Distinguish between the greenhouse effect and global warming.
- Explain the causes of climate change (natural and human).
- Analyze impacts on ecosystems, societies, and economies.
- Evaluate mitigation and adaptation strategies.
- Use case studies to illustrate both causes and solutions.
Climate Change in the ESS Syllabus
Climate change runs through several syllabus topics:
- Atmospheric systems: greenhouse gases, energy balance, enhanced greenhouse effect.
- Energy resources: reliance on fossil fuels vs. renewables.
- Soil and land use: deforestation’s contribution to carbon emissions.
- Biodiversity and conservation: extinction risks, shifting ecosystems.
- Sustainability: ecological footprints and carrying capacity.
How Climate Change Appears in Exams
Paper 1
- Case study booklets may include graphs of global temperatures, CO₂ levels, or extreme weather patterns.
- You may be asked to interpret trends and link them to human activity.
Paper 2
Expect short-answer and extended-response questions like:
- “Distinguish between the greenhouse effect and global warming.”
- “Evaluate the effectiveness of international agreements to reduce climate change.”
- “Discuss the impacts of climate change on food production systems.”
Key Concepts to Revise
1. The Greenhouse Effect vs. Global Warming
- Greenhouse effect: natural process making Earth habitable.
- Global warming: human-driven increase in greenhouse gases, intensifying the effect.
2. Causes of Climate Change
- Natural: volcanic eruptions, solar variation.
- Human: burning fossil fuels, deforestation, agriculture (methane).
3. Impacts of Climate Change
- Environmental: melting ice, rising sea levels, biodiversity loss.
- Social: displacement, food insecurity, health impacts.
- Economic: damage to infrastructure, costs of adaptation.
4. Mitigation vs. Adaptation
- Mitigation: reducing emissions (renewables, carbon taxes, afforestation).
- Adaptation: responding to impacts (flood defenses, drought-resistant crops).
Case Studies for Climate Change
- IPCC global reports: rising CO₂ levels since 1850.
- Maldives: sea-level rise threatening island nations.
- Amazon Rainforest: deforestation releasing carbon.
- European heatwaves: social and health impacts of extreme weather.
Exam Tips
- Use systems thinking: show how climate change affects water, soil, and biodiversity.
- Distinguish clearly between greenhouse effect and global warming.
- Balance evaluation: highlight both strengths and weaknesses of mitigation/adaptation strategies.
FAQs
1. Do I need to memorize IPCC statistics?
Not exact numbers, but general trends (e.g., CO₂ levels rising since the Industrial Revolution) strengthen your answers.
2. Is climate change only tested under “atmospheric systems”?
No—it links to food production, biodiversity, energy, and sustainability. Expect cross-topic exam questions.
3. Could climate change appear in Paper 1?
Yes. Graphs of CO₂, temperature rise, or ice sheet data are very common in Paper 1.
Conclusion
Climate change is a cornerstone of the ESS syllabus because it connects every aspect of sustainability. To succeed in the 2026 exams, you must show a clear understanding of causes, impacts, and strategies—while also applying case studies and systems thinking.
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