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Is recent climate change mainly natural?
Yes, humans have no effect on climate No
Climate Change & Energy is a core part of IB Environmental Systems. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.
Key concepts Energy security Uninterrupted, affordable access to energy resources; balanced via diversity and storage.
Fossil fuels Coal, oil, natural gas; provide ~80% global primary energy (IEA 2023); main CO2 source.
Renewable energy Solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass; share growing; intermittency requires storage/grid.
Nuclear fission U-235 splits with neutron release; ~10% global electricity (IEA); waste storage controversial.
Climate sensitivity Equilibrium warming for doubled CO2; IPCC AR6 best estimate 3 degrees C (range 2.5-4).
Paris Agreement 2015 COP21 treaty: limit warming well below 2 degrees C, pursue 1.5 degrees C; NDC mechanism.
L Learn Climate Change & Energy step by step
Free interactive mini-lessons: short screens, worked examples and quick checks. Pick your exam board:
Common mistakes to avoid Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:
Is recent climate change mainly natural? ✗ Yes, humans have no effect on climate. ✓ No — the rapid recent warming is driven mainly by human emissions.
Does the ozone hole cause global warming? ✗ Yes, the ozone hole causes global warming. ✓ No — they are separate issues that are often confused.
Practise Climate Change & Energy — free games
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