IB: Environmental Systems and Societies

 

 

ESS is a complex course, requiring a diverse set of skills from its students. It is firmly grounded in both a scientific exploration of environmental systems in their structure and function and in the exploration of cultural, economic, ethical, political, and social interactions of societies with the environment. As a result of studying this course, students will become equipped with the ability to recognize and evaluate the impact of our complex system of societies on the natural world. The interdisciplinary nature of the course requires a broad skill set from students and includes the ability to perform research and investigations and to participate in philosophical discussion. The course requires a systems approach to environmental understanding and problem-solving, and promotes holistic thinking about environmental issues. It is recognized that to understand the environmental issues of the 21st century and suggest suitable management solutions, both the human and environmental aspects must be understood. Students should be encouraged to develop solutions from a personal to a community and to a global scale.

 

Through the exploration of cause and effect, the course investigates how values interact with choices and actions, resulting in a range of environmental impacts. Students develop an understanding that the connections between environmental systems and societies are diverse, varied and dynamic. The complexity of these interactions challenges those working towards understanding the actions required for effective guardianship of the planet and sustainable and equitable use of shared resources.

 

Core content

Topic 1 — Foundations of environmental systems and societies.

1.1 Environmental value systems
1.2 Systems and models
1.3 Energy and equilibria
1.4 Sustainability
1.5 Humans and pollution

 

Topic 2 — Ecosystems and ecology.

2.1 Species and populations
2.2 Communities and ecosystems
2.3 Flows of energy and matter
2.4 Biomes, zonation and succession
2.5 Investigating ecosystems

 

Topic 3 — Biodiversity and conservation.

3.1 An Introduction to biodiversity 
3.2 Origins of biodiversity
3.3 Threats to biodiversity
3.4 Conservation of biodiversity

 

Topic 4 — Water and aquatic food production systems and societies.

4.1 Introduction to water systems
4.2 Access to freshwater
4.3 Aquatic food production systems
4.4 Water pollution

 

Topic 5 — Soil systems and terrestrial food production systems and societies.

5.1 Introduction to soil systems
5.2 Terrestrial food production systems 
and food choices
5.3 Soil degradation and conservation

 

Topic 6 — Atmospheric systems and societies.

6.1 Introduction to the atmosphere
6.2 Stratospheric ozone
6.3 Photochemical smog

6.4 Acid deposition

 

Topic 7 — Climate change and energy production.

7.1 Energy choices and security
7.2 Climate change- causes and impacts
7.3 Climate change- mitigation and 
adaptation

 

Topic 8—Human systems and resource use.

8.1 Human population dynamics
8.2 Resource use in society
8.3 Solid domestic waste
8.4 Human population carrying capacity