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Briefcase

Unit 8 - Human Systems & Resource Use

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Globe Showing Europe Africa

Unit 1 - Foundations Of Environmental Systems & Societies

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Herb

Unit 2 - Ecosystems & Ecology

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Flexed Biceps

Unit 3 - Biodiversity & Conservation

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Writing Hand

Unit 4 -Water & Aquatic Food Production Systems & Societies

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Deciduous Tree

Unit 5 - Soil Systems & Terrestrial Food Production Systems & Societies

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Cloud

Unit 6 - Atmospheric Systems & Societies

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Thermometer

Unit 7 - Climate Change & Energy Production

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Bar-Chart

Internal Assessment

Carrying Capacity - The maximum number of individuals (or &quot;load&quot;) of a species that can be sustainably supported by a given environment.

Imagine a party where only 30 people can fit comfortably. If 50 people come, it&#39;ll be overcrowded, right? Similarly, an environment has a limit to how many creatures it can support. When that limit is crossed, problems can arise!

<ul>
	<li>Diverse Resources: Unlike many species that rely on specific resources, we humans use a vast array of them. It&#39;s like having a buffet of choices compared to a fixed menu!</li>
	<li>Resourceful Thinkers: Humans are quite clever! When we run out of one resource, we often find another to replace it. 🛢️&rarr;💡Real-world Example: When oil became limited, we began exploring shale gas as an alternative.</li>
	<li>Lifestyle Matters: The resources we need can change based on our lifestyle and location.&nbsp; 
	Real-world Example: Think of a nomadic shepherd who only needs basic resources to survive, compared to a city-dwelling person who might want the latest tech gadgets, various foods, and more. It&#39;s like comparing a backpacker&#39;s needs to someone living in a mansion!</li>
	<li>Resource Imports: Instead of only using what&#39;s in our backyard, we often get resources from all over the world. 
	Real-world Example: Europe doesn&#39;t produce all the food it consumes. Many products, like fruits or meat, might come from far away lands like Brazil or New Zealand. By importing, Europe can support more people than its own resources would allow. But remember! This doesn&#39;t increase the global carrying capacity&mdash;it&#39;s like borrowing a cup of sugar from your neighbor; it doesn&#39;t mean you have more sugar in your entire neighborhood.</li>
</ul>

Estimating carrying capacities for animals in a specific environment? Doable. For humans? Super tricky, due to our unique behaviors, needs, and ways of adapting! It&#39;s like trying to predict how many songs someone can hold on their phone when they keep changing phones and using cloud storage.

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Remember, the Earth is our shared home. Understanding carrying capacity helps us appreciate the need to balance our resources and growth. 🌱🌏🌟

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Happy studying! 📚

Decoding Earth's Capacity for Humanity

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Standard Level

Environmental Systems & Societies SL

Unit 8 - Human Systems & Resource Use

Decoding Earth's Capacity for Humanity

Table of content

Basic definition🌍

Fun to think about🤔

Unlock the Full Content!

Unit 8 - Human Systems & Resource Use

Decoding Earth's Capacity for Humanity

Table of content

Basic definition🌍

Fun to think about🤔

Unlock the Full Content!