| H | uman Health and the Environment |
|---|---|
| O | cean and Natural Resource Sustainability |
| M | itigating Hazards and Community Resilience |
| E | ffects of Climate Change |
Earth Sciences for our H O M E
Human Health and the Environment
Earth and Health
Earth directly affects our health in many ways. Fresh air, clean water, and food grown in its soils sustain human life. Over the centuries many rocks and minerals have been used as therapeutic agents. At the same time, some natural Earth processes can create health problems. Naturally occurring arsenic that finds its way into drinking water, dust storms, and ash from volcanic eruptions are a few examples. Many earth science disciplines, including the emerging field of geology and health or medical geology, provide a framework in which geoscientists study the relationship between Earth and health.
Learn more about Earth and health
- U.S. Geological Survey
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Agency
- Carleton College/National Association of Geoscience Teachers
Life
One of the greatest mystery stories of all time is the evolution of life on Earth. Geoscientists read the past through fossil records, climate studies, and other research, piecing together our understanding of the evolution of life through time. While the trend has been toward increased diversity of life, Earth has undergone a number of major and minor mass extinctions throughout its history. We are now in the midst of what may prove be a particularly rapid loss of species.
Learn more about evolution of life on Earth
- Evolution resources from the National Academies
- Evolution: A Journey Into Where We're From And Where We're Going –
Public Broadcasting System/WGBH Boston - Understanding evolution