Themes and topics

The Transforming World 

Through the concept of geographical change, students examine the transformation of human and physical environments and their interconnectedness. Students study the causes of change in environmental, social, and economic systems, consider the impacts and implications of these changes, and consider possible strategies and recommendations for sustainability. In each of the three systems, students examine the role of people in causing both positive and negative changes. Through the study of environmental change, students investigate the interrelationship between people and ecosystems, changes in land cover, and how people contribute to climate change. Students develop their understanding of population and economic change and how these are interdependent through the study of population trends, the impact of globalisation, and patterns of inequality.

The transforming world focuses on the following five topics, which are organised under the two themes of environmental change and social and economic change.

Theme 1: Environmental Change

• Topic 1: Ecosystems and people
• Topic 2: Climate change

Theme 2: Social and Economic Change

• Topic 3: Population change
• Topic 4: Globalisation
• Topic 5: Transforming global inequality.

All topics should be studied.

Topic 1 and Topic 3 are the focus of Section 2 of the external examination.

Details of the themes and topics follow.