Geography B

    Pearson Edexcel
    GCSE

    Specification: 1GB0

    The PEARSON-EDEXCEL GCSE Geography B specification covers 63 topics with 134 learning objectives (1GB0). Use the topic browser below to explore subtopics, exam tips, common mistakes, and key terminology for each area of the course.

    Starting Pearson Edexcel GCSE Geography B this term? The whole specification is below, unit by unit.

    This subject will help you develop key knowledge and skills required for exam success.

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    134

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    Key Features

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    About Pearson Edexcel GCSE Geography B

    Pearson Edexcel GCSE Geography B is a dynamic, issues-based course that explores the complex relationships between people and their environments. You will study both physical and human geography, focusing on key global challenges such as climate change, resource management, and urbanisation. The specification is structured into three engaging components: Global Geographical Issues, UK Geographical Issues, and People and Environment Issues, each designed to build your understanding of the world and your place within it.

    The course encourages you to think like a geographer, investigating real-world problems and considering different perspectives. You will develop critical thinking, data analysis, and fieldwork skills that are valuable for further study and future careers. The content is relevant and up-to-date, covering topics like tectonic hazards, development gaps, and the UK's changing landscapes, making it both interesting and applicable to current global debates.

    Assessment Structure

    This qualification is assessed through three written exam papers, each worth 30% of the final grade, plus a non-examined assessment (NEA) worth 10% of the final grade. Paper 1: Global Geographical Issues (1 hour 30 minutes, 94 marks) covers hazardous Earth, development dynamics, and challenges of an urbanising world. Paper 2: UK Geographical Issues (1 hour 30 minutes, 94 marks) focuses on the UK's evolving physical landscape, its evolving human landscape, and geographical investigations. Paper 3: People and Environment Issues (1 hour 30 minutes, 94 marks) examines people and the biosphere, forests under threat, and consuming energy resources. The NEA is a fieldwork-based project worth 10% of the total GCSE, assessed by your teacher and moderated by Pearson Edexcel.

    Why Choose Pearson Edexcel?

    • Pearson Edexcel GCSE Geography B offers a clear and coherent structure with a focus on contemporary global issues, making it highly relevant and engaging for students who want to understand the world today.
    • The specification includes a manageable and well-defined fieldwork requirement, with two compulsory fieldwork experiences (one physical and one human) that are assessed in Paper 2, reducing the burden of a separate controlled assessment.
    • Edexcel provides excellent support materials, including detailed schemes of work, exam practice questions, and online resources, which help students and teachers prepare effectively for the exams.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Specification Topics

    63 topics

    Topic 5: 5.8 The changing rural area creates challenges and opportunities

    b. New income and economic opportunities are created by rural diversification (farm shops, accommodation, leisure activities) and tourism projects, but these may have environmental impacts., a. The challenges of availability and affordability of housing, decline in primary employment, provision of healthcare and education and how they affect quality of life (IMD) for some rural groups (elderly and young people).

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 8: 8.1 The structure, functioning and adaptations of the tropical rainforest* reflect the equatorial climate

    b. Why tropical rainforests have a very high rate of nutrient cycling which, in turn, supports high levels of biodiversity and complex food webs., a. How biotic and abiotic characteristics are interdependent (climate, soil, water, plants, animals and humans), how plants (stratified layers, buttress roots, drip tips) and animals are adapted to the climate.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 2: 2.5 Globalisation causes rapid economic change in the emerging country

    a. The key economic trends (GDP, per capita GNI, changing importance of economic sectors, imports and exports and type and origin of foreign direct investment) since 1990., b. The role of globalisation (advances in communications and transport technology, TNCs and outsourcing) and government policy (receipt of tied or multi-lateral aid, education and infrastructure investment, pro-FDI policy) in the development of the chosen country.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 5: 5.3 The context of the city influences its functions and structure

    b. The city’s structure (Central Business District (CBD), inner city, suburbs, urban-rural fringe), in terms of its functions and variations in building age and density, land-use and environmental quality., a. Significance of site, situation and connectivity of the city in a national (cultural and environmental), regional and global context.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 5: 5.2 The UK economy and society is increasingly linked and shaped by the wider world

    b. Why the decline in primary and secondary sectors and the rise of the tertiary and quaternary sectors in urban and rural areas has altered economic and employment structure in contrasting regions of the UK., a. Why national and international migration over the past 50 years has altered the population geography of the UK (numbers, distribution, age structure) and how UK and EU immigration policy has contributed to increasing ethnic and cultural diversity., c. Why globalisation, free-trade polices (UK and EU) and privatisation has increased foreign direct investment (FDI) and the role of TNCs in the UK economy.

    3 objectives3 subtopics

    Topic 3: 3.4 The location and context of the chosen megacity influences its growth, function and structure

    a. Significance of site, situation and connectivity of the megacity in a national (environmental and cultural), regional and global context., b. The megacity’s structure (Central Business District (CBD), inner city, suburbs, urban-rural fringe) in terms of its functions and building age.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 5: 5.4 The city changes through employment, services and the movement of people

    a. Causes of national and international migration that influence growth and character the different parts of the city (age structure, ethnicity, housing, services, culture)., b. Reasons for different levels of inequality, in employment and services, education, health in the different parts of the city.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 2: 2.2 There is global inequality in development and different theories in how it can be reduced

    b. How Rostow’s modernisation theory and Frank’s dependency theory can be used to explain how and why countries develop over time., a. The causes and consequences of global inequalities; social (education, health), historical (colonialism, neo-colonialism), environmental (climate, topography), economic and political (systems of governance, international relations).

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 2: 2.4 Development of the emerging country is influenced by its location and context in the world

    a. The site, situation and connectivity of the country and its significance, in a national (environmental and cultural), regional and global context., b. Broad political, social, cultural and environmental context of the chosen country in its region and globally.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 5: 5.1 Population, economic activities and settlements are key elements of the human landscape

    a. Differences between urban core and rural (population density and age structure, economic activities and settlement) and how UK and EU government policies have attempted to reduce them (via enterprise zones, investment in transport infrastructure, regional development).

    1 objectives

    Topic 6: Investigating coastal change and conflict

    3. Secondary data sources: A geology map e.g. Geology of Britain viewer; One other source., Investigate the impact of coastal management on coastal processes and communities., 2. Selecting fieldwork methods: Fieldwork data collection must include at least: one quantitative fieldwork method to measure how coastal management has affected beach morphology and sediment characteristics; one qualitative fieldwork method to collect data on coastal management measures and their success. +1 more

    4 objectives4 subtopics

    Topic 8: 8.6 The taiga wilderness areas need to be protected from over- exploitation

    b. Reasons for conflicting views on protecting or exploiting forest and natural resources in the taiga., a. Challenges of creating and maintaining protected wilderness areas, national parks and sustainable forestry in the taiga.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 1: 1.3 Global climate is now changing as a result of human activity, and there is uncertainty about future climates

    c. The range of projections for global temperature change and sea level rise in the future, including physical processes and reasons for uncertainty about those projections., a. How human activities (industry, transport, energy, farming) produce greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane) that cause the enhanced greenhouse effect leading to global warming., b. Evidence for how human activity is causing climate change (sea level rise and warming oceans, global temperature rise, declining Arctic ice, increased extreme weather events) and the possible consequences on people.

    3 objectives3 subtopics

    Topic 6: Investigating river processes and pressures

    1. Formulating enquiry questions: Students must have an opportunity to develop understanding of the kinds of questions capable of being investigated through fieldwork in river environments. Students must have an opportunity to develop a question(s) based on their location and the task., Investigating how and why drainage basin and channel characteristics influence flood risk for people and property along a river in the UK., 2. Selecting fieldwork methods: Fieldwork data collection must include at least: one quantitative fieldwork method to measure changes in river channel characteristics; one qualitative fieldwork method to collect data on factors that might influence flood risk. +1 more

    4 objectives4 subtopics

    Topic 7: 7.1 The Earth is home to a number of very large ecosystems (biomes) the distribution of which is affected by climate and other factors

    b. Local factors (altitude, rock and soil type, drainage) can alter the biome distribution locally and how the biotic (flora, fauna) and abiotic (soils, rock, water, atmosphere) components of biomes interact., a. How the global distribution and characteristics of major biomes (tropical, temperate and boreal forests, tropical and temperate grasslands, deserts and tundra) are influenced by climate (temperature, precipitation, sunshine hours).

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 6: Fieldwork enquiry stage 1 - Understanding of questions and enquiry processes

    Understanding of the kinds of question capable of being investigated through fieldwork and an understanding of the geographical enquiry processes appropriate to investigate them.

    1 objectives

    Topic 3: 3.5 The megacity in the chosen country is growing rapidly

    b. How population growth has affected the pattern of spatial growth and changing urban functions and land use., a. Reasons for past and present trends in population growth (rates of natural increase, national and international migration, economic investment and growth) for the megacity.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 5: 5.7 The city is interdependent with rural areas, leading to changes in rural areas

    b. Why a rural area has experienced economic and social changes (counter-urbanisation, pressure on housing, increased leisure and recreation and population change) due to its links with the city., a. The city and accessible rural areas are interdependent (flows of goods, services and labour), which leads to economic, social and environmental costs and benefits for both.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 8: 8.4 The taiga is increasingly threatened by commercial development

    a. Direct threats from logging for softwood, pulp and paper production and indirect threats resulting from the exploitation of minerals, fossil fuels and HEP potential., b. How acid precipitation, forest fires, pests and diseases and forest fires contribute to a loss of biodiversity.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 2: 2.1 There are different ways of defining and measuring development

    b. How countries at different levels of development (developing, emerging and developed) have differences in their demographic data (fertility rates, death rates, population structures, maternal and infant mortality rates)., a. Contrasting ways of defining development (economic criteria and broader social and political measure) and measuring development (Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, the Human Development Index (HDI), measures of inequality and indices of political corruption).

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 3: 3.6 Rapid population growth creates opportunities and challenges for people living in the chosen megacity

    a. The opportunities for people living in the megacity (access to education and health services, and formal and informal employment opportunities)., b. The challenges for people living in the megacity caused by rapid population growth (housing shortages, poor quality housing, insecure property rights, inadequate water supply and waste disposal, poor employment conditions, limited service provision and traffic congestion)., c. The pattern of residential areas of extreme wealth contrasted with areas of poor quality housing and in some cases insecure property rights. Reasons for differences in quality of life within the megacity. The political and economic challenges of managing the megacity.

    3 objectives3 subtopics

    Topic 4: 4.5 The interaction of human and physical processes present challenges along coastlines and there are a variety of management options

    b. Why there are costs and benefits to, and conflicting views about, managing coastal processes by hard engineering (groynes and sea walls) and by soft engineering (beach replenishment, slope stabilisation) as well as more sustainable approaches (‘do nothing’ and ‘strategic realignment’ linked to Integrated Coastal Zone Management)., a. Why there are increasing risks from coastal flooding (consequences of climate change on marine erosion and deposition, including an increased frequency of storms and rising sea level) and the threats to people and environment.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 1: 1.8 There are different plate boundaries, each with characteristic volcanic and earthquake hazards

    a. Distribution and characteristics of the three plate boundary types (conservative, convergent and divergent) and hotspots., b. Causes of contrasting volcanic (volcano type, magma type/lava flows and explosivity) and earthquake hazards, including tsunami (shallow/deep, magnitude).

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 8: 8.5 Conservation and sustainable management of tropical rain forests is vital if goods and services are not to be lost for future generations

    b. The challenge of achieving sustainable forest management and why alternative livelihoods (ecotourism, sustainable farming) might better protect the remaining tropical rainforest., a. Advantages and disadvantages of global actions (CITES, REDD) designed to protect tropical rainforest species and areas and why deforestation rates are rising in some areas but falling in others.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 3: 3.3 Cities change over time and this is reflected in changing land use

    a. How urban population numbers, distribution and spatial growth change over time (urbanisation, suburbanisation, de-industrialisation, counter-urbanisation and in some cases, regeneration)., b. Characteristics of different urban land uses (commercial, industrial, residential) and the factors that influence land-use type (accessibility, availability, cost, planning regulations).

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 2: 2.7 Rapid economic development has changed the international role of the emerging country

    a. How rapid economic development has changed the geopolitical influence (regional influence, role in international organisations) and relationships with the EU and USA., b. Conflicting views of the costs and benefits of changing international relations and the role of foreign investment (TNCs) in the economic development.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 4: 4.4 Distinctive coastal landscapes are modified by human activity interacting with physical processes

    b. How the interaction of physical and human processes is causing change on one named coastal landscape including the significance of its location., a. How human activities (development, agriculture, industry, coastal management) have direct or indirect effects on coastal landscapes.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 3: 3.1 The world is becoming increasingly urbanised

    b. The global pattern of megacities (size, location, growth rates) and how in many countries some urban areas have disproportionate economic and/or political influence (urban primacy)., a. Past (since 1980) and current global trends in urbanisation, how it varies between global regions, and future projections of global urbanisation.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 5: 5.5 The changing city creates challenges and opportunities

    a. How parts of the city have experienced decline (de- industrialisation, de-population): de-centralisation (out-of-town shopping centres, retail and business parks), e-commerce, developments in transport., b. How parts of the city have experienced economic and population growth (sprawl on the rural-urban fringe, financial and business services, investment by trans-national corporations, gentrification/studentification, culture and leisure).

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 1: 1.5 Tropical cyclones present major natural hazards to people and places

    a. Physical hazards of tropical cyclones (high winds, intense rainfall, storm surges, coastal flooding, landslides) and their impact on people and environments., b. Why some countries are more vulnerable (physically, socially and economically) than others to the impacts of tropical cyclones.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 6: Investigating dynamic urban areas

    2. Selecting fieldwork methods: Fieldwork data collection must include at least: one qualitative fieldwork method to collect data on the views and perceptions of quality of life; one quantitative fieldwork method to collect data on environmental quality., Investigate how and why quality of life varies within urban areas., 3. Secondary data sources: Census data e.g. Office for National Statistics (ONS) Neighbourhood Statistics; One other source chosen by the centre. +1 more

    4 objectives4 subtopics

    Topic 1: 1.7 Earth’s layered structure, and physical properties is key to plate tectonics

    b. How the core’s internal heat source (through radioactive decay) generates convection, the key foundation for plate motion., a. Earth’s layered structure (including the asthenosphere), with different composition and physical properties (temperature, density, composition, physical state).

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 4: 4.7 River landscapes are influenced by human activity interacting with physical processes

    b. How the interaction of physical and human processes is causing river flooding on one named river , including the significance of its location., a. How human activities (urbanisation, land-use change, deforestation) change river landscapes which alter storm hydrographs.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 2: 2.6 Rapid economic growth results in significant positive and negative impacts on people and environment in the emerging country

    c. Impacts of economic development and globalisation on the environment (air, water and land pollution, greenhouse gases) at a variety of scales (human health and global climate change)., a. How rapid economic change has contributed to demographic change (fertility and death rates), caused urbanisation (rural- urban migration, city growth) and created different regions with different socio-economic characteristics., b. Positive and negative impacts of economic development and globalisation on different age and gender groups.

    3 objectives3 subtopics

    Topic 6: Fieldwork enquiry stage 3 - Processing and presenting fieldwork data

    Processing and presenting fieldwork data in various ways, including maps, GIS, graphs and diagrams (hand-drawn and computer-generated).

    1 objectives

    Topic 9: 9.2 Access to energy resources is not evenly distributed which has implications for people

    a. How access to energy resources is affected by access to technology and physical resources (geology, accessibility, climate and landscape influences on renewable potential)., b. The global pattern of energy use per capita and the causes of variations (levels of economic development, reliance of traditional fuel sources, demand from different economic sectors).

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 6: Fieldwork enquiry stage 4 - Analysing and explaining fieldwork data

    Analysing and explaining data collected in the field, using knowledge of relevant geographical case studies and theories.

    1 objectives

    Topic 6: Investigating changing rural areas

    2. Selecting fieldwork methods: Fieldwork data collection must include at least: a qualitative fieldwork method to collect data on the views and perceptions on quality of rural life; a quantitative fieldwork method to collect data on environmental quality., Investigating how and why deprivation varies within rural areas in the UK., 1. Formulating enquiry questions: Students must have an opportunity to develop understanding of the kinds of questions capable of being investigated through fieldwork in rural environments. Students must have an opportunity to develop a question(s) based on their location and the task. +1 more

    4 objectives4 subtopics

    Topic 3: 3.7 Quality of life in the chosen megacity can be improved by different strategies for achieving sustainability

    a. Advantages and disadvantages of city-wide government (top- down) strategies for making the megacity more sustainable (managing water supply, waste disposal, transport and air quality)., b. Advantages and disadvantages of community and NGO-led bottom-up strategies for making the megacity more sustainable (city housing, health and education services in the megacity).

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 8: 8.3 Tropical rainforests are threatened directly by deforestation and indirectly by climate change

    b. Why climate change is an indirect threat to the health of tropical rainforests (ecosystem stress, drought)., a. Causes of deforestation: commercial hardwood logging, subsistence and commercial agriculture, local demand for fuel wood and how demand for biofuels, mineral resources and electricity (HEP) contribute to deforestation.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 9: 9.1 Energy resources can be classified in different ways and their extraction and use has environmental consequences

    b. How mining and drilling can have environmental impacts (landscape scarring, oil spills, carbon emissions, removal of forests) and the landscape impacts of renewable energy (HEP flooding, land use for wind turbines and solar panels)., a. How energy resources can be classified as non-renewable (finite stocks of fossil fuel coal, oil and gas), renewable (flows of solar, wind, HEP) and recyclable (nuclear, biofuels).

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 8: 8.2 The taiga shows different characteristics, reflecting the more extreme and highly seasonal climate

    b. Why the taiga has lower productivity, with less active nutrient cycling and much lower levels of biodiversity., a. How biotic and abiotic characteristics are interdependent (climate, soil, water, plants, animals and humans), how taiga plants (cone-shaped, needles, simple structure) and animals (migratory) are adapted to the climate.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 6: Fieldwork enquiry stage 2 - Fieldwork techniques and methods

    Understanding of the range of techniques and methods used in fieldwork, including observation and different kinds of measurement.

    1 objectives

    Topic 4: 4.2 A number of physical and human processes work together to create distinct UK landscapes

    a. Why distinctive upland and lowland landscapes result from the interaction of physical processes: weathering and climatological, post-glacial river and slope processes., b. Why distinctive landscapes result from human activity (agriculture, forestry, settlement) over time.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 5: 5.6 Ways of life in the city can be improved by different strategies

    a. How regeneration and rebranding of the city has positive and negative impacts on people (increased population, environmental quality and economic opportunities)., b. Strategies aimed at making urban living more sustainable and improving quality of life in the city (recycling, employment, green spaces, transport, affordable and energy-efficient housing).

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 1: 1.2 Climate has changed in the past through natural causes on timescales ranging from hundreds to millions of years

    b. Evidence for natural climate change (ice cores, tree rings, historical sources) and how it is used to reconstruct glacial and interglacial climate during the Quaternary and UK climate since Roman times to the present day., a. The natural causes of climate change and how they explain past climate change events: asteroid collisions, orbital changes, volcanic activity, variations in solar output.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 9: 9.5 Reducing reliance on fossil fuels presents major technical challenges

    b. Costs and benefits of alternatives to fossil fuels (biofuels, wind, solar and HEP) and future technologies (hydrogen) aimed at reducing carbon footprints, improving energy security and diversifying the energy mix., a. The role of energy efficiency and energy conservation (in transport and the home) in reducing demand, helping finite energy supplies last longer and reducing carbon emissions.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 4: 4.6 Distinctive river landscapes have different characteristics formed by interacting physical processes

    b. The interaction of erosion (hydraulic action, abrasion, attrition and solution), transport (traction, saltation, suspension and solution) and depositional processes in river landform formation (meanders, interlocking spurs, waterfalls, flood plains, levees and oxbow lakes, deltas)., a. How river landscapes contrast between the upper courses, mid-courses and lower courses of rivers and why channel shape (width, depth), valley profile, gradient, discharge, velocity and sediment size and shape change along the course of a named UK river., c. Influence of climate, geology and slope processes on river landscapes and sediment load and how storm hydrographs and lag-times can be explained by physical factors (geology, soil type, slope, drainage basin shape, antecedent conditions).

    3 objectives3 subtopics

    Topic 4: 4.3 Distinctive coastal landscapes are influenced by geology interacting with physical processes

    c. How sediment transportation (longshore drift) and deposition processes (constructive waves) influence coastal landforms (spits, beaches and bars) on coastal landscapes of deposition., a. How geological structure (concordant/discordant, joints and faults) and rock type (hard/soft rock) influence erosional landforms (headlands and bays, caves, arches, cliffs, stacks, wave cut platforms) in the formation of coastal landscapes of erosion., b. How UK climate (seasonality, storm frequency, prevailing winds), marine (destructive waves) and sub-aerial processes (mass movement, weathering) are important in coastal landscapes of erosion as well as the rate of coastal retreat.

    3 objectives3 subtopics

    Topic 4: 4.8 Some rivers are more prone to flood than others and there is a variety of river management options

    a. Increasing risks from river flooding (increased frequency of storms and land-use change) and the threats to people and environment., b. Costs and benefits of managing flood risk by hard engineering (flood walls, embankments, flood barriers) and by soft engineering (flood plain retention, river restoration).

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 9: 9.6 Attitudes to energy and environmental issues are changing

    b. How, in some developed countries, rising affluence, environmental concerns and education are changing attitudes to unsustainable energy consumption and reducing carbon footprints., a. How different groups (consumers, TNCs, governments, climate scientists and environmental groups) have contrasting views about energy futures (business as usual versus sustainable).

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 4: 4.1 Geology and past processes have influenced the physical landscape of the UK

    b. Characteristics and distribution of the UK’s main rock types: sedimentary (chalk, carboniferous limestone, clay) igneous (granite), metamorphic (schists, slates)., a. The role of geology, past tectonic and glacial processes (glacial erosion and deposition) in the development of upland (igneous and metamorphic rocks) and lowland (sedimentary rocks) landscapes.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 1: 1.1 The atmosphere operates as a global system which transfers heat around the Earth

    a. The global atmospheric circulation and how circulation cells and ocean currents transfer and redistribute heat energy around the Earth., b. How global atmospheric circulation determines the location of arid (high pressure) and high rainfall (low pressure) areas.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 7: 7.2 The biosphere is a vital life- support system for people as it provides both goods and services

    b. How the biosphere regulates the composition of the atmosphere, maintains soil health and regulates water within the hydrological cycle, providing globally important services., a. How the biosphere provides resources for Indigenous and other local people (food, medicine, building materials and fuel resources) but is also increasingly exploited commercially for energy, water and mineral resources., c. The global and regional trends increasing demand for food, energy and water resources (population growth, rising affluence, urbanisation and industrialisation) and theories on the relationships between population and resources (Malthus and Boserup).

    3 objectives3 subtopics

    Topic 1: 1.4 Tropical cyclones are caused by particular meteorological conditions

    b. How the global circulation of the atmosphere leads to tropical cyclones in source areas, reasons why some tropical cyclones intensify and their dissipation., a. Characteristics (pressure, rotation, structure) and seasonal global distribution of tropical cyclones (hurricanes and typhoons) including source areas and tracks and how these change over time.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 9: 9.4 The world’s continuing reliance of fossil fuels increases pressure to exploit new areas

    a. Economic benefits and costs of developing new conventional oil and gas sources in ecologically-sensitive and isolated areas., b. Environmental costs (negative impacts on water quality and ecosystems) of developing new unconventional oil and gas sources (tar sands, shale gas) in ecologically-sensitive and isolated areas.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 1: 1.6 The impacts of tropical cyclones are linked to a country’s ability to prepare and respond to them

    b. The effectiveness of these methods of preparation and response in one developed country and in one developing or emerging country ., a. How countries can prepare for, and respond to, tropical cyclones: weather forecasting, satellite technology, warning and evacuation strategies, storm-surge defences.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 1: 1.9 Tectonic hazards affect people, and are managed, differently at contrasting locations

    b. Management of volcanic or earthquake hazards, in a developed and emerging or developing country including short-term relief (shelter and supplies) and long-term planning (trained and funded emergency services), preparation (warning and evacuation; building design) and prediction., a. Primary and secondary impacts of earthquakes or volcanoes on property and people in a developed and emerging or developing country .

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 2: 2.3 Approaches to development vary in type and success

    a. Characteristics of top-down and bottom-up strategies in terms of their scale, aims, funding and technology. The processes and players (transnational corporations (TNCs), governments) contributing to globalisation and why some countries have benefitted more than others., b. Advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to development: Non-governmental organisation-led (NGO-led) intermediate technology, Inter-governmental organisation (IGO)-funded large infrastructure and investment by TNCs.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 6: Fieldwork enquiry stage 6 - Critical reflection

    Reflecting critically on fieldwork data, methods used, conclusions drawn and knowledge gained.

    1 objectives

    Topic 9: 9.3 The global demand for oil is increasing, but supplies are unevenly available

    b. How oil supply and oil prices are affected by changing international relations (conflicts, diplomatic relations) and economic factors (periods of recession versus boom, over or under supply)., a. How oil reserves and production are unevenly distributed and why oil consumption is growing (rising per capita GDP, rapid industrialisation in emerging economies).

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 3: 3.2 Urbanisation is a result of socio-economic processes and change

    b. Why urban economies are different in the developing, emerging and developed countries (formal versus informal employment, relative importance of economic sectors, working conditions)., a. How economic change and migration (national and international) contributes to the growth and/or decline of cities in the developing, emerging and developed countries.

    2 objectives2 subtopics

    Topic 6: Fieldwork enquiry stage 5 - Drawing evidenced conclusions

    Drawing evidenced conclusions and summaries from fieldwork transcripts and data.

    1 objectives

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