IB ESS SL 5.2.10 Diet Trophic Level and Sustainability Questions
Practise IB ESS SL 005.002.010 by applying diet trophic level and sustainability concepts to environmental systems questions.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS SL
- Level
- SL
Practise IB ESS SL 005.002.010 by applying diet trophic level and sustainability concepts to environmental systems questions.
Figure:World grain production and consumption over time
the grain-production chart shown above shows changes in world grain production and consumption between 1960 and 2006.
Explain how the size of the ecological footprint of individuals may be affected by their diet.
footprint for a meat eater is likely to be much larger than for a vegetarian;
production of meat requires a greater energy input than growing crops;
(meat eater is) eating at a higher trophic level;
means land is required to create feed for livestock and for raising livestock;
transport of meat for processing will increase the footprint size;
diet based on imported goods will lead to a bigger footprint / local goods will lead to a smaller footprint;
more fossil fuel consumed in process of transportation;
increase in material consumption for packaging;
greater (food) consumption will mean a bigger footprint;
more natural resources (land, fossil fuel, irrigation) required for meeting increased demand;