Significant Ideas
There is a range of different energy sources available to societies that vary in their sustainability, availability, cost and sociopolitical implications.
The choice of energy sources is controversial and complex. Energy security is an important factor in making energy choices.
Knowledge & Understanding
Fossil fuels contribute to the majority of humankind’s energy supply, and they vary widely in the impacts of their production and their emissions; their use is expected to increase to meet global energy demand.
Sources of energy with lower carbon dioxide emissions than fossil fuels include renewable energy (solar, biomass, hydropower, wind, wave, tidal and geothermal) and their use is expected to increase. Nuclear power is a low-carbon low-emission non-renewable resource but is controversial due to the radioactive waste it produces and the potential scale of any accident.
Energy security depends on adequate, reliable and affordable supply of energy that provides a degree of independence. An inequitable availability and uneven distributions of energy sources may lead to conflict.
The energy choices adopted by a society may be influenced by availability; sustainability; scientific and technological developments; cultural attitudes; and political, economic and environmental factors. These in turn affect energy security and independence.
Improvements in energy efficiencies and energy conservation can limit growth in energy demand and contribute to energy security.
Applications & Skills
Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different energy sources.
Discuss the factors that affect the choice of energy sources adopted by different societies.
Discuss the factors that affect energy security.
Evaluate the energy strategy of a given society.
Guidance
Strengths and weaknesses of the use of a fossil fuel, of a renewable source of energy, and of nuclear power should be considered.
Use case studies to highlight the energy choices of different countries.
Key Vocabulary
Species
Textbook Reading and/or Activities
Click HERE for a pdf of chapter 4.
Pages x-xx
Challenge Yourself (p.x)
Worked Example (p.x-xx)
Exercises (p.x)
Notes
i-Biology Notes (Not available)
A detailed set of notes, created by Stephen Taylor, examining U1 - U8 and A1 - A4.
i-Biology Study Questions (Not available)
A series of questions, created by Stephen Taylor, to help check your understanding of the IB learning expectations. This is VERY GOOD practice.
Bioknowledgy Notes (Not available)
A detailed set of notes, created by Chris Paine, examining all of the IB learning expectations.
Bioknowledgy Study Questions (Not available)
A series of questions, created by Chris Paine, to help check your understanding of the IB learning expectations. This is VERY GOOD practice.
Learning Activities
Coal-Fired Power to Solar City
This article, published by the Guardian on Mar.23, 2016, examines the transition taking place in an Australian town from coal-fired power to concentrated solar power. Follow up questions included.
This video, released by The National (a Canadian news agency), outlines the transition leading Canada toward more renewable energy sources (12:57).
Supplemental Reading
This article, published by The Guardian in June 2015, examines the issues surrounding the development of Arctic oil reserves. How will countries act? How will nature respond?
Must Watch Videos
"Natural Ecosystem Change" by Bozeman Science (6:37)
This video examines the natural processes by which Earth's climate changes and how this can impact living organisms.
"Climate Science: What You Need To Know" by It's Okay To Be Smart (6:19)
This video outlines the major points of evidence supporting human induced climate change.
Should Watch Videos