Table 2 Examples of water-related standards across thematic outcomes

Water and Human Settlements

“Describe and compare distributions of people, places, and environments to examine spatial patterns, sequences, regularities, and irregularities, as exemplified by being able to: Describe and compare the natural features and human factors us­ing geographic representations that may influence where people live (e.g., access to water, climatic conditions, rivers, and bridges)” (NatGeo 3.4.2.A).

Food-Energy-Water Nexus

“Human use of energy is subject to limits and constraints. Industry, transportation, urban development, agriculture, and most other human activities are closely tied to the amount and kind of energy available. The availability of energy resources [including water] is constrained by the distribution of natural resources, availability of affordable technologies, socioeconomic policies, and socioeconomic status” (ELP 4.2).

Water and Public Health

“The environment may contain dangerous levels of substances that are harmful to human beings. Therefore, the good health of individuals requires monitoring the soil, air, and water and taking steps to make them safe” (AAAS 6E/M5).

Impacts of Human Activities on Water Quality and Quantity

“Human activities alter the natural land surface. Humans use more than one-third of the land’s surface not covered with ice to raise or grow their food. Large areas of land, including delicate ecosystems such as wetlands, are transformed by human land development. These land surface changes impact many Earth processes such as groundwater replenishment and weather patterns” (ESLI 9.5).

Water Resources Management

“Describe benefits and challenges of using conservation practices for natural resources (e.g., soil, water, and forests), in agricultural systems which impact water, air, and soil quality” (NALO T1.6–8.b).