6.3 Climate change — mitigation and adaptation

Guiding question

How can human societies address the causes and consequences of climate change?

This is part 1 of 2 in the SL topic 6.3 video series.

This is part 2 of the SL topic 6.3 video series.

You can find my student workbook for IB ESS topic 6.3 Climate change mitigation and adaptation here, including an answer key.

Here’s a set of IB ESS flashcards for topic 6.3 Climate change mitigation and adaptation.

SL and HL knowledge statements

6.3.1 To avoid the risk of catastrophic climate change, global action is required, rather than measures adopted only by certain states.

This short video provides a quick overview of the differences between climate mitigation and climate adaptation.

6.3.2 Decarbonization of the economy means reducing or ending the use of energy sources that result in CO₂ emissions and their replacement with renewable energy sources.

6.3.3 A variety of mitigation strategies aim to address climate change.

This PBS Nova video summarizes a few strategies to reduce human-caused climate change.

6.3.4 Adaptation strategies aim to reduce adverse effects of climate change and maximize any positive consequences.

This video provides some data-based arguments about ways to reduce the process of climate change.

6.3.5 Individuals and societies on a range of scales are developing adaptation plans, such as National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs), and resilience and adaptation plans.

Bhutan is widely seen as one of the most sustainable countries in the world. This video offers an overview of the Bhutanese National Adaptation Programme of Action.

Knowledge statements for HL only

Click here for a set of vocabulary flashcards for the HL only content in topic 6.3 Climate change mitigation and adaptation.

6.3.6 Responses to climate change may be led by governments or a range of non-governmental stakeholders. Responses may include economic measures, legislation, goal setting commitments and personal life changes.

Sea level is rising. This video discusses the problem and some potential solutions for future adaptation.

6.3.7 The UN has played a key role in formulating global strategies to address climate change.

6.3.8 The IPCC has proposed a range of emissions scenarios with targets to reduce the risk of catastrophic climate change.

6.3.9 Technology is being developed and implemented to aid in the mitigation of climate change.

This video explains the science behind some of the climate mitigation and adaptation strategies being deployed around the world.

6.3.10 There are challenges to overcome in implementing climate management and intervention strategies.

6.3.11 Geoengineering is a mitigation strategy for climate change, treating the symptom not the cause.

6.3.12 A range of stakeholders play an important role in changing perspectives on climate change.

6.3.13 Perspectives on the necessity, practicality and urgency of action on climate change will vary between individuals and between societies.

Despite there being scientific consensus around human-induced climate change, different people and sectors of societies perceive and respond to the issue differently.

6.3.14 The concept of the tragedy of the commons suggests that catastrophic climate change is likely unless there is international cooperation on an unprecedented scale.

Practical activities

6.3.4 Application of skills: Create surveys to investigate attitudes to a proposed solution in the school or community to mitigate climate change.
6.3.6 Application of skills: Investigate mitigation and adaptation policies of the regional or national government.
6.3.8 Application of skills: Investigate graphs of the IPCC scenarios and their implications.
Measure soil evaporation rates under different amounts of forest canopy to simulate responses to reforestation or afforestation.

Possible engagement opportunities

Turn these into CAS suggestions connected to the UN SDGs.

Create information posters for the school about personal behaviors that can be taken to mitigate climate change.
Form a student council on climate change.
Engage with the doughnut economics groups around the world, and implement a plan for the school.
Create a social media channel to inform others about behavior change to act on climate change.
Visit a local power production site or carbon offsetting project.

Happy learning!

Biology and Ecology Field Notebook cover

Even though you may not be able to directly measure climate change at home or school, you can still assess the effectiveness of mitigation strategies via fieldwork. My pocket-sized guide to fieldwork techniques is a great companion for data collection in the ESS Internal Assessment and other outdoor investigations. You can find it here at Amazon.

IB ESSential Science