IB ESS Topic 7 (SG26)

Finite

having limits; lasting for a limited time

renewable resource

natural resources that can be regenerated and/or replaced as fast as they are being used through natural growth, reproduction, or recurring processes

nonrenewable resources

A natural resource that is not replaced in a useful time frame.

natural resource

raw materials and sources of energy used and consumed by society

natural capital

the stock of natural resources available on Earth

natural income

natural resources (goods or services) provided by natural capital.

goods

physical items provided by nature

services

Activities that are consumed at the same time they are produced

ecosystem services

the processes by which life-supporting resources such as clean water, timber, fisheries, and agricultural crops are produced

anthropocentric worldview

A human-centered view of our relationship with the environment.

biocentric wolrdview

A worldview that considers human beings to be just one of many species on Earth, all of which have equal intrinsic value.

ecocentric worldview

a worldview that places equal value on all living organisms and the ecosystems in which they live

pluricentric worldview

worldview that focuses on relationships between humans and other-than-humans, as well as nature's elements and systemic processes.

aesthetic

pertaining to beauty

carbon sequestration

A method of storing carbon emissions to prevent their release into the atmosphere

buffer zones

transitional area between a natural environment and human development

intrinsic

belonging to a thing by its very nature

dynamic

Changing; changeable (able to be changed)

Sustainability

meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

resource security

the ability of country (or other scale of organisation) to maintain a reliable and sustainable flow of resources to maintain and/or improve living standards

per capita

for each person; in relation to people taken individually.

wind power

power obtained by harnessing the energy of the wind.

solar power

power obtained by harnessing the energy of the sun's rays.

tidal power

Electricity generated by the movement of sea water caused by the tides

geothermal power

This is energy in underground thermal energy stores. It is possible in volcanic areas or where hot rocks lie close to the surface. The source of a lot of this energy is the slow decay of various radioactive elements deep inside the earth

hydropower

Electricity generated from the energy of moving water

biomass power

The capture of energy from the burning of organic matter and organic waste

nuclear power

Energy that is harnessed from reactions among radioactive isotopes

fossil fuels

Coal, oil, natural gas, and other fuels that are ancient remains of plants and animals.

rare earth elements

Seventeen chemical elements that commonly occur together but are difficult to separate. They are commonly used to make high tech electronics and weapons systems.

extraction

process of removal or something removed

biohazardous waste

Materials that are contaminated with potentially infectious agents or other materials that are considered a threat to public health or the environment. Clinical waste may contain blood, body fluids, human cell lines, drugs and other pharmaceutical products, swabs and dressings, syringes, and needles.

liquefaction

the process of converting solid or gaseous fossil fuels into a liquid form, typically to make them easier to transport or use as a substitute for conventional liquid fuels

circular economy

An economy model in which resources remain in use for as long as possible, from which maximum value is extracted while in use, and the products and materials are recovered and regenerated at the end of the product life cycle.

solid domestic waste

Waste produced by households as opposed to that produced by other sectors of an economy.

landfill

The disposal of refuse and other waste material by burying it and covering it over with soil

incineration

The process of burning waste materials to reduce volume and mass, sometimes to generate electricity or heat

waste to energy

A system in which heat generated by incineration is used as an energy source rather than released into the atmosphere

recycling

the separation, collection, processing, marketing, and reuse of unwanted material

composting

The process of helping biodegradable wastes to decompose naturally

pollution

Release of harmful materials into the environment at a rate greater than the environment can naturally degrade them

e-waste

discarded electronic equipment such as computers, cell phones, television sets, etc.

energy conservation

the practice of finding ways to use less energy or to use energy more efficiently