Key Idea: Most marks in topic 6.3 come from mitigation strategies and global action on climate change. Then learn decarbonization and adaptation, with named examples.
1. Mitigation (most marks)
- Mitigation cuts greenhouse gases or removes them from the air.
- Cut: renewables, energy efficiency, carbon taxes, emissions trading, less meat.
- Remove: reforestation, protecting mangroves and peat, carbon capture and storage.
2. Global action
- The atmosphere is shared, so one country alone cannot stop warming.
- Kyoto (1997) set binding cuts for rich countries only.
- Paris (2015): keep warming well below 2 °C, aim for 1.5 °C; every country sets its own targets.
3. Adaptation
- Adaptation reduces the harm of change: sea walls, flood plans, drought-resistant crops.
- The Netherlands' Room for the River gave rivers space to flood safely; Bangladesh built cyclone shelters.
- Decarbonization means ending the use of fossil fuels that release carbon dioxide.
How it is examined:
| Question | How to score |
|---|---|
| [1] to [2] Name a mitigation or adaptation strategy | Say which it is; do not mix them up. |
| [2] Outline how a strategy mitigates | Link it to less carbon dioxide released or more stored. |
| [4] Evaluate a strategy, such as reforestation | A strength, a limitation and a judgement. |
| [6] to [7] Compare or assess a country's actions | Named policies, what they achieved, what is missing. |
| [9] Discuss global action or worldviews | Agreements, values, named examples, both sides. |
Key terms, one line each:
| Term | In one line |
|---|---|
| Mitigation | reducing the causes of climate change by cutting or removing greenhouse gases |
| Adaptation | reducing the harm climate change causes |
| Carbon sink | a store that takes in more carbon than it releases |
| Carbon capture and storage | trapping carbon dioxide and storing it underground |
| Net zero | removing as much greenhouse gas as is released |
Last-minute check: answer, then tap to see.
Is a sea wall mitigation or adaptation? Adaptation: it reduces harm but not emissions.
How does planting trees mitigate climate change? Trees take in carbon dioxide and store it.
What warming limits did Paris set? Well below 2 °C, aiming for 1.5 °C.
One limit of carbon capture and storage? It is expensive and stored gas could leak.
IB-style questionEvaluate[4 marks]
A government plans to plant millions of trees to meet its climate targets. Evaluate reforestation as a way to mitigate climate change.
Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
Exam tips
- Say clearly whether each strategy is mitigation or adaptation.
- For mitigation, link the strategy to less carbon dioxide released or more carbon stored.
- Use named agreements with dates: Kyoto 1997, Paris 2015.
- In an evaluate, end with a judgement.