IB Environmental Systems: Human Systems & Resource Use Revision

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Where does pollution come from?

Human Systems & Resource Use 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

Demographic transitionFour/five-stage model from high birth/death to low rates (Thompson 1929, Notestein 1945).

Population pyramidBar chart of age-sex structure; reveals dependency ratios and demographic momentum.

Ecological footprintLand/sea area needed to provide resources and absorb waste (Wackernagel & Rees 1996).

Earth Overshoot DayDate humanity exhausts annual biocapacity; in 2023 around August 2 (Global Footprint Network).

Resource depletionNon-renewable extraction (fossil fuels, metals) reduces remaining stock; renewable above MSY also depletes.

Circular economyDesigns out waste through reuse, repair, remanufacture, recycling (Ellen MacArthur Foundation 2010).

Learn Human Systems & Resource Use 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:

Where does pollution come from?✗ Only from factories. ✓ Many sources: transport, farming, homes and waste, not just factories.

Is nuclear power a renewable energy source?✗ Yes, nuclear power is renewable. ✓ No — it uses finite uranium, though it is low-carbon.

Practise Human Systems & Resource Use — free games

Test yourself with these quick revision games for this topic:

▶ Two Truths, One Lie ▶ Reveal Race ▶ Connections Grid ▶ Falling Words ▶ Word Web

See all 22 games in the Revision Arcade →

Human Systems & Resource Use

Key concepts

Common mistakes to avoid

Practise Human Systems & Resource Use — free games

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