Which science concepts are essential for addressing environmental issues in the PECK assessment?

Addressing environmental issues requires a deep understanding of human impact and ecosystems because these concepts are fundamental to analyzing how human activities affect the environment and the balance of ecosystems. This includes examining resource use, pollution, habitat destruction, climate change, and biodiversity loss, all of which are key elements in environmental science.

Understanding ecosystems enables students to evaluate species interactions, energy flow, and the cycling of matter, providing insights into how disruptions (often caused by human activities) can lead to ecological consequences. This knowledge equips individuals with the ability to make informed decisions regarding sustainability and conservation efforts, which are crucial in mitigating environmental problems.

Basic plant biology, historical geology, and physical chemistry principles, while important in their own contexts, do not directly address the interplay between human actions and ecological systems to the same extent. Thus, they are not as central when specifically focusing on addressing environmental issues.