IB ESS HL 7.2.3 Energy Source Sustainability Questions
Practise IB ESS HL 7.2.3 by applying energy source sustainability concepts to environmental systems questions.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS HL
- Level
- HL
Exam points
- compare environmental costs of renewable and non-renewable energy sources
- analyse ecological, climate and pollution impacts of different energy choices
- evaluate sustainability trade-offs using named energy-source examples
IB ESS HL 7.2.3 Energy Source Sustainability Questions question 1
[Maximum number: 9]
The future growth of human populations is unlikely to be limited by the availability of energy resources. However, they could easily be limited by the impacts of energy production.
Discuss the validity of this statement.
• understanding concepts and terminology of human population growth, limiting factors, "limits to growth", renewable/non-renewable energy, sustainable development; natural capital/income, carrying capacity, ecological footprints, energy choice, energy security, impacts of climate change, air, water pollution, soil degradation on food production/water availability/disease, etc, predictive models on growth and resource availability;
• breadth in addressing and linking longevity/sustainability of a range of energy sources with human population growth and a range of impacts of energy production from extraction to transportation to infrastructure with a range of limits to human population growth, etc;
• examples of non-renewable energy sources eg oil, coal, fracking, natural gas, nuclear, etc and renewable sources eg hydropower, geothermal, wind, wave, tidal, etc and impacts of energy production eg climate change/shifting biomes/agricultural conditions/food production/water availability/scarcity/disease and possible limits to growth eg pollution, disease, potable water, arable land, food, etc;
• balanced analysis of likelihood of energy itself becoming a limiting factor to human population growth compared to a variety of limiting factors resulting from energy production, including counter arguments (possible sustainability of energy choices), etc;
• a conclusion that is consistent with, and supported by, analysis and examples given eg "despite the development of sustainable energy that would prevent energy itself becoming a limiting factor, countries still persisting in their dependence on fossil fuels may well impair the availability of food and water and spread of disease, each of which could soon become a limiting factor to the growth of human populations";
The following guide for using the markbands suggests certain features that may be offered in responses. The five headings coincide with the criteria given in each of the markbands (although "ESS terminology" has been conflated with "Understanding concepts"). This guide simply provides some possible inclusions and should not be seen as requisite or comprehensive. It outlines the kind of elements to look for when deciding on the appropriate markband and the specific mark within that band.
These are possible inclusions, not required points. Assess the response using the official Section B, part (c) markbands below.
| Marks | Level descriptor |
|---|---|
| 0 | The response does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below and is not relevant to the question. |
| 1–3 | The response contains: • minimal evidence of knowledge and understanding of ESS issues or concepts • fragmented knowledge statements poorly linked to the context of the question • some appropriate use of ESS terminology • no examples where required, or examples with insufficient explanation/relevance • superficial analysis that amounts to no more than a list of facts/ideas • judgments/conclusions that are vague or not supported by evidence/argument. |
| 4–6 | The response contains: • some evidence of sound knowledge and understanding of ESS issues and concepts • knowledge statements effectively linked to the context of the question • largely appropriate use of ESS terminology • some use of relevant examples where required, but with limited explanation • clear analysis that shows a degree of balance • some clear judgments/conclusions, supported by limited evidence/arguments. |
| 7–9 | The response contains: • substantial evidence of sound knowledge and understanding of ESS issues and concepts • a wide breadth of knowledge statements effectively linked with each other, and to the context of the question • consistently appropriate and precise use of ESS terminology • effective use of pertinent, well-explained examples, where required, showing some originality • thorough, well-balanced, insightful analysis • explicit judgments/conclusions that are well-supported by evidence/arguments and that include some critical reflection. |
Section B, part (c) markbands (official markscheme p17)
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