Extreme environments are a key topic in IB Geography, particularly within Option C: Extreme Environments. An extreme environment is a place where physical conditions make human survival and economic activity difficult. These environments are characterised by harsh climates, limited resources, high levels of risk, and restricted accessibility. Despite these challenges, extreme environments are not uninhabitable and are increasingly shaped by human activity.
One defining feature of extreme environments is climate. Extreme temperatures are common, either very hot or very cold. Hot deserts experience high daytime temperatures, limited rainfall, and intense evaporation, while cold environments such as polar regions have sub-zero temperatures, ice cover, and long periods of darkness. These conditions limit vegetation growth, water availability, and agricultural potential.
Another key characteristic is environmental risk. Extreme environments are often associated with natural hazards such as avalanches, blizzards, droughts, heatwaves, or permafrost instability. These hazards increase the danger of living and working in such regions. In IB Geography, risk is understood as the interaction between hazard, vulnerability, and exposure, all of which are high in extreme environments.
Limited accessibility is also a defining feature. Many extreme environments are remote, sparsely populated, and difficult to reach due to distance, terrain, or climate. Transport infrastructure is often poorly developed, making the delivery of supplies and emergency services challenging. This isolation increases costs and limits economic opportunities.
Extreme environments typically have low population density. Few people choose to live permanently in such harsh conditions. Those who do often rely on specialised livelihoods, such as mining, energy extraction, research, or tourism. Indigenous communities may have long histories of adaptation, using traditional knowledge to survive in challenging conditions.
In IB Geography, it is important to recognise that extreme environments are not defined only by physical factors. Human perception and technology also play a role. Advances in engineering, clothing, transport, and communication have reduced the impact of extreme conditions. As a result, activities such as oil extraction, scientific research, and adventure tourism have expanded into environments once considered inaccessible.
Extreme environments are also environmentally fragile. Ecosystems tend to recover slowly from disturbance due to short growing seasons, low biodiversity, and limited soil development. Human activity can therefore have long-lasting impacts. This fragility makes management and sustainability central concerns in IB Geography.
Overall, extreme environments are defined by harsh climatic conditions, high risk, limited accessibility, low population density, and environmental fragility. Understanding these characteristics helps explain patterns of human activity, adaptation, and management in these challenging regions.
RevisionDojo helps IB Geography students understand extreme environments clearly, linking physical conditions, risk, and human adaptation into structured, exam-ready explanations.
