Author: Peter M.K.H JAMAL
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ESS Topic 1 Exam Practice
Skills and Review 1.1 Perspectives 1.2 Systems 1.3 Sustainability Marking Scheme
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ESS HL.b.1 Introduction to The Environmental Economics
Learning objectives The Concepts Environmental Economics What is Environmental Economics? Perspectives in Environmental Economics Activity 1 Discussing Perspectives in Environmental Economics The Scope in Environmental Economics Environmental economics addresses several key questions: Connection between economics and environmental economics Economic growth often produces negative effects on environmental welfare. The use of resources and the production of…
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![ESS HL.b.2 [Case Study] Lithium-Ion Battery in Cars](https://mypytrclass.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/battery-powered-cars.png?w=1024)
ESS HL.b.2 [Case Study] Lithium-Ion Battery in Cars
Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in portable electronics and electric vehicles due to their high energy density and long cycle life (Wang et al., 2023). However, their performance declines significantly at sub-zero temperatures, where sluggish ion transport at the graphite anode reduces charge storage capacity and leads to rapid energy loss (Zhang et al., 2021).…
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ESS 6.1.2 GHGs and Greenhouse Effect
Learning Objectives Greenhouse Gasses (GHGs) and Aerosols Greenhouse Gasses The principal greenhouse gases (GHGs) present in the atmosphere include: Greenhouse gases allow the transmission of incoming short-wave solar radiation but absorb outgoing long-wave radiation, owing to differences in wavelength between the two processes. While most greenhouse gases contribute to atmospheric warming, certain components can exert…
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ESS 6.1.1 The Earth’s Atmosphere
Learning Objectives The Earth’s Vertical Atmospheric Structure The atmosphere represents the transitional boundary between the Earth and outer space and plays a critical role as the outermost limit of the biosphere. Its composition and dynamic processes are fundamental to sustaining life. It is composed predominantly of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%), with the remaining 1%…
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![ESS 5.2.5 [AHL] The Environmental Impact of Dietary Choices](https://mypytrclass.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-16.png?w=1024)
ESS 5.2.5 [AHL] The Environmental Impact of Dietary Choices
Learning Objectives Dietary choices significantly influence environmental sustainability due to variations in production practices, supply chain efficiencies, transportation distances, and resource inputs. While plant-based diets are generally more environmentally sustainable than those rich in animal products, their overall impact depends on multiple factors, including: For instance, in Sweden, a diet consisting of imported avocados, soft…
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ESS 1.3.2 Sustainability Models
Learning Objectives You can join in to ensure sustainability as a citizen science Sustainability models provide simplified abstractions of complex realities, offering both analytical utility and inherent limitations. In this section, four major frameworks are examined: the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Planetary Boundaries model, Doughnut Economics, and the Circular Economy. While each model contributes…
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ESS 1.3.1 The Concept of Sustainability
Learning Objectives Sustainability is a measure of the extent to which practices allow for the long-term viability of a system. It is generally used to refer to the responsible maintenance of socio-ecological systems such that there is no diminishment of conditions for future generations. Part 1: The Concept of Sustainability The notion of sustainability has…
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![ESS HL.a.4 [Case Study] CITES List for African Elephants](https://mypytrclass.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/image-12.png?w=1024)
ESS HL.a.4 [Case Study] CITES List for African Elephants
Learning objectives CITES and the Regulation of African Elephants The African elephant (Loxodonta africana) was formally listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1989. Appendix I encompasses species that are threatened with extinction, where international trade is permitted only under exceptional circumstances…
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ESS HL.a.3 International Environmental Law
Learning objectives International Environmental Law Framework Because the causes, impacts, and solutions to climate change cross national borders, environmental law often requires international cooperation. One of the earliest global summits on environmental issues was held by the UN in 1972. Since then, governments, NGOs, human rights groups, and international organisations have developed frameworks, treaties, and…
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ESS 1.2.2 Feedback Loop, Tipping Points and Resilience
Learning Objectives Part 1: Feedback Loop Mechanisms Systems are influenced by both internal and external information, leading to responses: Negative Feedback Helps maintain stability by counteracting changes. Positive Feedback Reinforces changes, often leading to instability. Learning Activity 1 – Feedback Loop Construct a positive feedback loop model and a negative feedback loop model using named…
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ESS 1.2.1 Environmental Systems
Learning Objectives Part 1: The Human Place in the Biosphere The biosphere includes all regions of Earth where life exists—essentially, all ecosystems. It is made up of living organisms, soil, water, and air. Humans, along with every other organism, live within this thin layer. Yet, our understanding of how it functions, self-regulates, and responds to…
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ESS 5.2.3 Making Agricultural Sustainable
Learning Objectives Agricultural Systems and Soil Degradation Agricultural systems can be understood as simplified ecosystems in which farmers cultivate selected crops while deliberately suppressing competing plant species and pests in order to maximise yields. This simplification extends to soil processes: the continuous removal of organic matter through harvesting reduces fertility, while the reliance on inorganic…
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ESS HL.a.2 Transboundary Environmental Agreements
Learning objectives Transboundary Environmental Issues and Regional Agreements Environmental challenges often transcend national borders, necessitating cooperative and transboundary solutions. International agreements addressing these challenges generally fall into two categories: (1) those targeting transboundary pollution, such as the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP), and (2) those focused on transboundary…
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