IB ESS First topic exam flashcards

IB ESS Topic 1 flashcards

What does anthropocentrism prioritize?

Human interests and needs, advocating for the management of environmental issues for the benefit of people.

Describe technocentrism.

A perspective that sees technology and scientific research as solutions to environmental problems, believing that innovation can overcome ecological limitations.

What is an environmental worldview?

A set of beliefs and values that shapes how an individual or society views environmental issues and their solutions.

What is a system?

A set of interrelated parts that work together to form a complex whole.

Differentiate between open, closed, and isolated systems.

Open System: Exchanges both energy and matter with its surroundings (e.g., ecosystems). Closed System: Exchanges only energy, not matter (e.g., Earth in terms of matter). Isolated System: Does not exchange energy or matter (hypothetical concept).

What is the Gaia hypothesis?

A theory proposed by James Lovelock that Earth functions as a self-regulating system, maintaining conditions suitable for life.

Define feedback loop.

A process where the output of a system is fed back into the system as input, either reinforcing (positive feedback) or balancing (negative feedback) the system.

What is the difference between positive and negative feedback?

Positive Feedback: Amplifies changes, leading to system instability. Negative Feedback: Counteracts changes, promoting system stability.

What is sustainability?

The capacity to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

What are the three pillars of sustainability?

Environmental, economic, and social.

Define natural capital.

The world’s stock of natural resources, which provides goods and services essential for life.

What is an ecological footprint?

A measure of how much biologically productive land and water an individual, population, or activity requires to produce the resources it consumes and to absorb its wastes.

What is carrying capacity?

The maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely without being degraded.

Explain sustainable development.

Development that balances economic growth, environmental stewardship, and social equity to ensure long-term ecological and human health.