Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
Climate Management & Intervention Challenges (HL) (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))
Revision Note
Written by: Alistair Marjot
Reviewed by: Jacque Cartwright
Climate Management & Intervention Challenges
Climate management and intervention strategies aim to mitigate climate change effects
Implementation faces several barriers, including social, economic, and political challenges
Key challenges in implementing climate management strategies
1. Belief in the seriousness of climate change
Some individuals and groups do not view climate change as a serious or immediate threat
This lack of belief can:
Hinder public support for climate initiatives
Reduce pressure on governments to act
2. Financial constraints
Many national governments lack the financial resources needed for large-scale climate action
E.g. developing countries may struggle with financing renewable energy infrastructure
Limited budgets can also affect research, development, and use of climate-friendly technologies
3. Lack of leadership from key stakeholders
Effective climate action requires leadership from a wide range of stakeholders, including:
Individuals making environmentally friendly choices
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) promoting climate awareness
Political leaders passing and enforcing climate policies
Transnational companies investing in sustainable practices
Without strong leadership, climate initiatives lack coordination and impact
4. International inequalities
Economic and geographical inequalities affect the ability to manage and adapt to climate change
Countries with economies dependent on fossil fuels face challenges in transitioning to renewables
Low-income countries are often more vulnerable to climate impacts but have fewer resources for adaptation
High-income countries may have more resources to mitigate and adapt to climate change
However, they often contribute the most to emissions
The tragedy of the commons and global climate responsibility
Concept of the tragedy of the commons
The 'tragedy of the commons' is a situation where shared resources are overused and depleted due to individual self-interest
In climate terms:
The atmosphere is a shared resource
This means that when one nation benefits from an action that harms the atmosphere (e.g. burning of fossil fuels), all nations and their ecosystems share the costs
The reverse scenario is also true:
The costs of restoring the atmosphere (e.g. carbon capture and storage) might be paid by a single nation, but the benefits are gained by all nations
Importance of global cooperation
Climate change is a global issue requiring unprecedented levels of international cooperation
No single nation can fully resolve climate change alone
Coordinated efforts are essential.
E.g landmark agreements like the Paris Agreement aim to unite nations in setting emissions reduction targets
Without cooperation, the 'tragedy of the commons' predicts that climate change impacts could become catastrophic due to overuse of atmospheric resources
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