Earth and Space Science (Grades 9–12) Subtest 2

Subarea II. Human Interactions with Earth Systems

0011

Understand the characteristics and management of natural resources.

recognizing types and characteristics of renewable and nonrenewable resources and their importance to society
analyzing the physical and chemical processes involved in the formation of geologic and hydrologic resources
analyzing factors that affect the availability and use of natural resources, such as mineral deposits, surface water, and groundwater
demonstrating knowledge of the distribution and extraction of geologic resources, including strategies and technologies for managing associated environmental problems
recognizing the benefits and risks for human society and for the environment that are associated with the use and depletion of natural resources

0012

Understand environmental hazards and their effects on human society.

demonstrating knowledge of common atmospheric pollutants, their production, and their effects on people and the environment
recognizing strategies used to reduce atmospheric pollution from a variety of sources
demonstrating knowledge of common water pollutants, their production, and their effects on people and the environment
recognizing strategies used to reduce the contamination of groundwater and surface water
analyzing geographic factors that can affect the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere and hydrosphere
demonstrating knowledge of environmental hazards (e.g., flooding, landslides, hurricanes, ozone depletion) and the effects that these types of hazards have had on human society and the environment

0013

Understand causes and consequences of climate change for Earth systems and human society.

demonstrating knowledge of the characteristics of Earth's major climate zones
analyzing factors that affect the climate in a particular location on Earth (e.g., insolation, wind patterns, ocean currents, topography)
analyzing climate teleconnections and associated phenomena (e.g., El Niño-Southern Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation, monsoons)
demonstrating knowledge of the causes of and the evidence for climate change over the course of geologic time (e.g., Milankovitch cycles, tectonic plate movements, meteor impacts) and its effects on Earth systems (e.g., sea-level changes, long-term droughts) and human society (e.g., migrations, adaptation to Pleistocene environments)
analyzing the possible human and natural causes of and evidence for recent climate change and the potential consequences of global warming for human society and the environment