The Need for Earth and Space Science Education

Let's not mince words. The very future of our planet depends on our ability to understand Earth as a dynamic interconnected system and manage its resources responsibly. Humanity's ability to administer our planetary resources like water and energy; deal with natural events such as hurricanes, tsunamis, droughts and floods; and cope with climate change all require a broad public understanding of how our planet works.

From energy and agriculture to manufacturing and construction, Earth and space science lie at the core of billion-dollar industries that drive our economy. (AGI, 2004). The procurement of energy - fossil fuels, solar, hydrogen and wind - are fundamentally rooted in Earth science. A better understanding of global wind patterns or geothermal dynamics can help us develop alternative energy sources. Better knowledge of sub-surface geology can help us tap into resources while minimizing long-term impacts. Weather and climate information is crucial to climate-sensitive industries that account for about one-third of the nation's GDP (NOAA, 2006). The US Department of Labor identified the geospatial industry as a "high growth" field with substantial projected growth (U.S. Dept of Labor, 2004). Earth and space science are clearly vital to our economic future.

Earth and space science is also vital to our national security and emergency preparedness. The impact of hurricane season is but one example of the need to understand Earth's processes, improve long-term planning, and forecast events and implement response systems. A global network of seismic sensors could have saved many lives in the 2004 tsunami. Better understanding of plate tectonics enables improved design and safer locations for buildings and homes and better emergency evacuation planning in areas affected by earthquakes and volcanoes. A new position in industry and government has emerged, the "Chief Risk Officer" who is responsible for preparing for and responding to such emergencies.

The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy calls attention to the scope, wealth and challenges of Earth's oceans, and released a comprehensive Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century. "All citizens-whether they reside in the country's farmlands or mountains, in its cities or along the coast-affect and are affected by the sea." (US Commission, 2004) Citing our oceans' life-sustaining assets, yet also raising concerns about our exploitation of these resources, the commission recommended both policy reform and ensuring that students learn about our oceans' dynamic processes, the life they sustain, and their integral connection with the rest of Earth's processes and our daily lives.

Space exploration is a similarly large and powerful domain for research, exploration and learning - and for inspiring students. The view from orbit has transformed our understanding of Earth, revealing Earth's processes with data and visualizations never before possible. The availability of new tools like Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and easy public access to Earth imagery means that scientists, students, and the public alike see our world in new ways. Furthermore, exploring the distant reaches of the universe with the Hubble Space Telescope, and the remarkable missions to Mars provide scientists with revolutionary insights into the universe.

Now we add global climate change as "the single most important driving force that will negatively affect the future of the human race unless we do something about it now" (Raven, 2006). Research from scientific organizations affirms the likelihood of significant global warming over the next century (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2001; National Academy of Science, 2001; American Meteorological Society, 2003; American Geophysical Union, 2001). Possible impacts include higher global mean temperatures, melting of polar ice, rising sea levels, greater extremes in weather, more severe floods and droughts and disruption of ocean thermohaline circulation patterns.

We don't cite these issues to be alarmist, though they are alarming. Rather, these challenges underscore the crucial need for students, the public, political and business leaders, and scientists to understand our home planet, manage its resources and prepare for its future...as well as enjoy its beauty and appreciate its dynamics as an integrated system. For all of these reasons, effective Earth science education is essential for the future of our planet.