🌍 IB Geography Exam Study Guide

Urban Carbon Footprint

Total greenhouse gas emissions produced by a city, including transport, buildings, industry, and waste.

Key sources of Urban Carbon Footprint

Transport (cars, freight), buildings (heating/cooling), energy production, consumption patterns.

Climate Mobilization Act

Legislation aimed at reducing carbon footprints, especially in cities like New York.

Urban Population Dynamics

Changes in urban population size, structure, and distribution.

Processes of Urban Population Dynamics

Natural increase, rural–urban migration, international migration, suburbanization/re-urbanization.

Case study: Lagos, Nigeria

Rapid growth leading to informal settlements and housing shortages.

Megacity

A city with a population greater than 10 million.

Urban hierarchy

The ranking of settlements based on criteria such as size and services.

Primate city

A city that is significantly larger and more influential than any other city in the country.

Pull factors in urban growth

Reasons attracting people to cities, such as job opportunities.

Push factors in urban growth

Reasons driving people away from rural areas, such as poverty.

Urban Infrastructure

Systems that support city life including transport, water, energy, and waste management.

Issues in Urban Infrastructure

Aging infrastructure, unequal access, and congestion.

Case study: São Paulo

Poor populations pushed to the periphery resulting in long commutes.

Eco-City Design

Cities designed to minimize environmental impact with features like renewable energy and compact design.

Case study: Masdar City (UAE)

Technologically advanced city, but expensive and socially limited in its effectiveness.

Smart Cities

Cities that use technology and data to enhance efficiency.

Examples of Smart City technology

Smart traffic lights, pollution sensors, smart grids.

Case study: Singapore

A smart city that reduced congestion and improved planning.

Sustainable Cities

Cities that meet the current needs without compromising future generations.

Case study: Copenhagen

A sustainable city known for its cycling infrastructure and carbon neutrality goals.

Urban Air Pollution

The presence of harmful pollutants in the city's air, including PM2.5, NOx, SO₂.

Impacts of Urban Air Pollution

Respiratory diseases, premature deaths, and economic costs.

Case study: Beijing

Dealt with smog by relocating factories and investing in renewable energy.

Factors Impacting Urban Pollution

Traffic density, energy sources, industrial activity, and topography.

Example of Urban Pollution

Los Angeles smog as a result of traffic and industrial activity.

Urban Waste Management

Processes for managing waste in cities, including landfill, recycling, and incineration.

Case study: San Francisco

Implemented zero waste policies and focused on composting.

Population Dynamics

Trends and changes in birth and death rates, natural increase, and population pyramids.

Demographic Transition Model (DTM)

Model explaining population growth stages based on birth and death rates.

Aging Populations

Demographics characterized by a high proportion of elderly individuals.

Challenges of Aging Populations

Issues like increased healthcare costs and a shrinking workforce.

Case study: Japan

An example of a country with an aging population (Stage 5 DTM).

Migration

Movement of people, both internal (within a country) and external (to another country).

Push factors for migration

Conditions prompting individuals to leave their home country, such as war and poverty.

Pull factors for migration

Attractive conditions in a destination country, such as job opportunities and safety.

Example of Migration Case Study

Syrian refugees migrating to Europe for safety and opportunities.

Climate Change Causes

Drivers of climate change including fossil fuels, deforestation, and agriculture.

Vulnerability in Climate Change

How susceptible a region is to the effects of climate change.

Resilience in Climate Change

Capacity of a community to recover from adverse effects of climate change.

Case study: Maldives

Highly vulnerable to climate change impacts like sea-level rise.

Case study: Netherlands

Adapted with high resilience through flood defense measures.

Impacts of Climate Change on Biomes

Effects include ice melt in the Arctic, bleaching of coral reefs, and desertification in savannas.

Government Climate Policies

Strategies like the Paris Agreement and carbon taxes to combat climate change.

Case study: Germany – Energiewende

Germany's transition to renewable energy as part of its climate policy.

Global Resource Consumption

The ongoing increase in the usage of resources as economies develop.

Resource Stewardship

The responsible management and protection of resources.

Food Production Issues

Challenges in food production due to climate change, conflict, and overpopulation.

Case study: Sahel Region

Struggles with food scarcity due to various environmental and social factors.

Energy Production Types

Comparison of renewable and non-renewable sources and their implications.

Case study: Germany's Renewable Transition

Germany's shift towards renewable energy sources.

Global Industries & Sustainability

The impact of industries like fast fashion on pollution and labor practices.

Economic Models: Linear

A model characterized by the sequence: take, make, waste.

Economic Models: Reuse

Model focused on extending the product life cycle.

Economic Models: Circular

A sustainable model where waste is minimized and materials are reused.

Case study: Sweden – Waste-to-Energy

Sweden's initiative converting waste into energy as a sustainable practice.

Final Exam Tips

Strategies including defining key terms, using real case studies, and managing time.

Real Case Studies

Examples that illustrate theoretical concepts in urban environments and sustainability.

Evaluate in Exams

Critically analyze successes and limitations of urban policies and models.

Linking Theory to Real World Problems

Applying theoretical knowledge to understand contemporary issues in urban environments.

Time Management in Exams

Essential skill for succeeding especially in heavily weighted sections.