4. Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS)

150 hours - SL

240 hours - HL

Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS)

Engage in complex problem-solving in this interdisciplinary subject. Take an holistic approach by combining the interrelated disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, geography, mathematics, technology, law, economics and ethics.

Investigate issues, from food security and renewable resources, to geoengineering and environmental migration. Collect and interpret data, and apply conclusions to specific local and global contexts. Generate implementable solutions towards a more just and sustainable world.

This interdisciplinary course is able to count as both a Group 3 and a Group 4 subject, which frees up students to select an additional subject from any group.

Foundation

How are environmental views and values formed, and how do they influence our actions?

To what extent can a systems approach supported by modelling support an informed investigation of environmental issues?

How can we measure sustainability? How does it relate to environmental justice?

Topic 1: Foundations

1.1 Perspectives

1.2 Systems

1.3 Sustainability

Topics

How can Earth's systems be modelled and understood?

In what ways do the systems interrelate and influence each other?

Topic 2 Ecology

Topic 3 Biodiversity and conservation

Topic 4 Water

Topic 5 Land

Topic 6 Atmosphere and climate change

Topic 7 Natural resources

Topic 8 Human populations and urban systems

Higher Level lens

How can environmental law and economics support sustainability?

How do perspectives, values and ethics influence approaches to environmental sustainability?

Topics:

HL a Environmental Law

HL b Environmental and ecological economics

HL c Environmental ethics

Experimental programme

Design and conduct practical research in areas of interest. Collect data in collaborative groups, and individually. Analyse, interpret, and evaluate the data, represent it in various forms, and apply it to specific contexts.

Components:

Practical work

Collaborative sciences project

Scientific investigation

Assessment

Internal

Individual Investigation (25% SL, 20% HL) - Written report (3,000 words), using data gathered and analysed in response to own research question.

External

Exam Paper 1 (25% SL, 35% HL) - Analyse and evaluate data related to a case study, answering all questions. SL - 1 hour. HL - 2 hours.

Exam Paper 2 (50% SL and HL) - Section A: short-answer and data-based questions. Section B: structured essay questions. SL - 2 hours. HL - 2.5 hours.

Standard Level / Higher Level

Higher Level students study Topics 2 to 8 in greater depth.

Higher Level students also study the Higher Level lens content.

Higher Level students respond to more questions on the two exams. The exams last a total of 2.5 hours for SL students, and 4.5 hours for HL students.

See the IB Subject Guide for Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) here.

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