IB ESS HL 7.1.4 Natural Capital Perspective Questions
Practise IB ESS HL 7.1.4 by applying "natural capital" perspective concepts to environmental systems questions.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS HL
- Level
- HL
Exam points
- define natural capital as the stock of natural resources and natural income as its replenishment or yield
- explain why harvesting at or below natural income or maximum sustainable yield preserves the stock for future use
- evaluate sustainability by linking extraction, replenishment, ecosystem condition, policy and environmental value systems
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IB ESS HL 7.1.4 Natural Capital Perspective Questions question 1
[Maximum number: 4]
Outline how the concept of sustainability can be applied to managing natural capital.
natural capital refers to natural resources that can supply a natural income of goods or services;
natural income is the yield/growth obtained from natural resources/capital;
to be sustainable, natural capital must be used at rate slower than its replenishment / within maximum sustainable yield / that fulfils current needs without compromising future availability;
if more than the natural income is extracted, then the use is unsustainable;
exploitation of natural capital may also be unsustainable due to processes of extraction/transport/processing / environment should be in same condition as at outset to be sustainable;
altering human behaviour/values/choices through policies/legislations/campaigns so that unsustainable exploitation of natural capital is reduced;
non-renewable natural capital is either irreplaceable or can only be replaced over geological timescales / non-renewable natural capital can never be used sustainably;
The question addresses the essential nature (concept) of sustainability rather than specific practices. However, do credit candidates for valid and specific examples if they exemplify any of the generic principles above.
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