IB ESS REVISION EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED.
Environment - ANS The external surroundings that act on an organism, population, or
community and influence its survival and development.
Environmental value(s system) - ANS This is a worldview or paradigm that shapes the way an
individual, or group of people, perceives and evaluates environmental issues.
Minamata disaster/disease - ANS This is a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury
poisoning. The Chico Corporation built a chemicals factor in Minamata, Japan. However, the by-
product was methylmercury, which bioaccumulated in the bodies of humans, causing mercury
poisoning
Chernobyl - ANS In Kiev, Ukraine, an explosion and fire happened when the reactor vessel
containing the uranium radioactive material split--thus exposing the graphite moderator to aide
which caused it to catch fire. Then the reactor went into uncontrollable meltdown and a cloud
of highly radioactive material from this drifted over much of Russia and Europe as far west as
Wales and Scotland.
Rachel Carson (Silent Spring) - ANS She is considered an influential individual because
because the publication of her book, Silent Spring, raised issues and started debates about the
use of DDT.
Significance: General acceptance of dangers of chemical toxins affecting humans. The pesticide
DDT is banned.
, David Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) - ANS An Inconvenient Truth was a documentary
made in 2006 that helped raise awareness on climate change/global warming as a result of
human activities. This was an inspiration to Al Gore (former US vice-president) to become more
involved in environmental issues.
Aldo Leopold (A Sand County Almanac) - ANS His book A Sand County Almanac is a reason
why he is considered an influential individual. He helped raise issues and start debates on
environmental ideas. He promoted a "Land Ethic" in which humans are
ethically responsible for serving as the protectors of nature.
Significance: The concept of "stewardship" is applied to nature. 1949.
Chipko Movement (Chipko andolan) - ANS A nonviolent social and ecological movement by
rural villagers, particularly women, in India in the 1970s, aimed at protecting trees and forests
slated for government-backed logging.
Biorights - ANS Universal rights where all species and ecosystems have an inherent value and
humans have no right to interfere with this
Capitalism - ANS An economic system based on open competition in a free market, in which
individuals and companies own the means of production and operate for profit
Chief Seattle - ANS A Native American that believed that the land is sacred.
"We don't own the land, the land owns us."
"Whatever befalls the Earth--befalls the sons of the Earth. Humankind has not woven the web
of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All
things are bound together. All things connect."
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - ANS An organization founded in 1961 that works to conserve,
research, and restore the environment
AND ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED.
Environment - ANS The external surroundings that act on an organism, population, or
community and influence its survival and development.
Environmental value(s system) - ANS This is a worldview or paradigm that shapes the way an
individual, or group of people, perceives and evaluates environmental issues.
Minamata disaster/disease - ANS This is a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury
poisoning. The Chico Corporation built a chemicals factor in Minamata, Japan. However, the by-
product was methylmercury, which bioaccumulated in the bodies of humans, causing mercury
poisoning
Chernobyl - ANS In Kiev, Ukraine, an explosion and fire happened when the reactor vessel
containing the uranium radioactive material split--thus exposing the graphite moderator to aide
which caused it to catch fire. Then the reactor went into uncontrollable meltdown and a cloud
of highly radioactive material from this drifted over much of Russia and Europe as far west as
Wales and Scotland.
Rachel Carson (Silent Spring) - ANS She is considered an influential individual because
because the publication of her book, Silent Spring, raised issues and started debates about the
use of DDT.
Significance: General acceptance of dangers of chemical toxins affecting humans. The pesticide
DDT is banned.
, David Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) - ANS An Inconvenient Truth was a documentary
made in 2006 that helped raise awareness on climate change/global warming as a result of
human activities. This was an inspiration to Al Gore (former US vice-president) to become more
involved in environmental issues.
Aldo Leopold (A Sand County Almanac) - ANS His book A Sand County Almanac is a reason
why he is considered an influential individual. He helped raise issues and start debates on
environmental ideas. He promoted a "Land Ethic" in which humans are
ethically responsible for serving as the protectors of nature.
Significance: The concept of "stewardship" is applied to nature. 1949.
Chipko Movement (Chipko andolan) - ANS A nonviolent social and ecological movement by
rural villagers, particularly women, in India in the 1970s, aimed at protecting trees and forests
slated for government-backed logging.
Biorights - ANS Universal rights where all species and ecosystems have an inherent value and
humans have no right to interfere with this
Capitalism - ANS An economic system based on open competition in a free market, in which
individuals and companies own the means of production and operate for profit
Chief Seattle - ANS A Native American that believed that the land is sacred.
"We don't own the land, the land owns us."
"Whatever befalls the Earth--befalls the sons of the Earth. Humankind has not woven the web
of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All
things are bound together. All things connect."
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - ANS An organization founded in 1961 that works to conserve,
research, and restore the environment
