3.1.1.1 Water and carbon as natural systems
Systems in physical geography: systems concepts and their application to the water and carbon cycles inputs - outputs, energy, stores/components, flows/transfers, positive/negative feedback, dynamic equilibrium.

Learning outcomes
This lesson will help students to understand:

• The concept and use of models by geographers as simplifications of a complex world.
• The concept of systems frameworks as a type of model fundamental to most areas of geographical understanding.
• Classification of systems and common characteristics of systems.
• How the four major subsystems of the Earth are interlinked.

Suggested timing
1 hour

3.1.1.2 The water cycle
Changes in the water cycle over time to include natural variation including storm events, seasonal changes and human impact including farming practices, land use change and water abstraction.

Learning outcomes
This lesson will help students to understand:

• How water abstraction affects the water cycle.
• The reasons for water abstraction in different areas.
• How water abstraction affects stores and transfers within the water cycle at different scales.

Suggested timing
1 hour

3.2.1.4 Global governance
The emergence and developing role of norms, laws and institutions in regulating and reproducing global systems.

Issues associated with attempts at global governance, including how agencies, including the UN in the post-1945 era, can work to promote growth and stability but may also exacerbate inequalities and injustices.

Learning outcomes
This lesson will help students to understand:

• what is meant by the term ‘global governance.
• what the important elements of global governance are and how they help global governance to be effective.
• the issues global governance focuses on and the reasons for this.
• what global organisations are and the roles they play.
• the strengths and limitations of these intergovernmental organisations.

Suggested timing
2 to 3 hours