Common Planner
K–12 Standards

Grades 9-12

Other Maryland Environmental Literacy sets

Environmental Issue Investigation & Action: Environmentally literate students investigate environmental issues in order to develop and implement local actions that protect, sustain, or restore the natural environment.9-12.1

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    Everyone can exhibit personal agency by exercising individual rights and responsibilities in addressing environmental, social, and economic sustainability while recognizing the mechanisms that may disproportionately affect underrepresented groups and proposing strategies for meaningfully connecting with diverse stakeholders.

    1. A

      Examine an environmental issue in the context of the local and global environment and human behaviors that contribute to it. 9-12.1.A

    2. B

      Evaluate evidence-based solutions to mitigate or prevent the environmental impacts associated with the environmental issue. 9-12.1.B

    3. C

      Formulate individual and collective actions that can be undertaken to address local environmental issues considering cultural, social, economic, and political factors as they relate to the development of solutions.9-12.1.C

    4. D

      Critique the feasibility of the plan including the economic requirements, and the willingness/ability of stakeholders to participate in the plan. 9-12.1.D

    5. E

      Implement the plan based on the environmental issue investigation and evaluate the success of actions taken.9-12.1.E

Human Dependence on Earth Systems and Natural Resources: Environmentally literate students construct and apply understanding of how Earth’s systems and natural resources support human existence.9-12.2

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    Humans’ physical, emotional, and psychological health and well-being depend on the development of sustainable practices related to natural resources that support modern civilization while maintaining healthy ecosystems.

    1. A

      Analyze how humans alter natural systems to meet their needs, including the role of technology.9-12.2.A

    2. B

      Clarify how ecosystem services are essential for human life and how these services impact the quality of life, including physical health, and emotional and psychological well-being.9-12.2.B

    3. C

      Support the value of biodiversity-related experiences as essential components in developing a sense of place.9-12.2.C

    4. D

      Illustrate how sustaining a healthy ecosystem supports the continued existence of humans on the Earth.  9-12.2.D

    5. E

      Analyze the various challenges associated with natural resource extraction, use, and conservation.9-12.2.E

Environmental Impact of Human Activity: Environmentally literate students construct and apply understanding of the environmental impact of human activities on Earth’s systems and resources. 9-12.3

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    Human population growth will continue to increase the stress on the environment and natural resources, which may affect the ability to provide essential services such as clean water and breathable air. Sustainable methods must be developed to meet human needs and protect the integrity of Earth’s resources.

    1. A

      Evaluate the short-term and long-term environmental consequences of human choices.9-12.3.A

    2. B

      Compare alternative points of view on environmental issues and how these points of view arise from experience, and culture. 9-12.3.B

    3. C

      Explain how human society depends on developing sustainable practices that preserve the natural world. 9-12.3.C

    4. D

      Illustrate how sustainable practices create a society that can be maintained without causing further harm to the environment. 9-12.3.D

Consequences of Environmental Change on Human Health and Well-Being: Environmentally literate students construct and apply understanding of the consequences of human-induced environmental change on individual and collective health and well-being.9-12.4

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    Human-induced environmental changes are leading to human health problems in many communities which have far-reaching consequences for society.

    1. A

      Analyze how the environment contributes to human health and wellbeing. 9-12.4.A

    2. B

      Identify populations that are most vulnerable to environmental changes. 9-12.4.B

    3. C

      Discuss the burden of environmental pollution as experienced by developed and developing nations. 9-12.4.C

    4. D

      Describe how environmental injustice and inequality contribute to environmental health disparities across populations of differing ethnicity, race, and socioeconomic status.9-12.4.D

    5. E

      Explore preventative behaviors and corrective measures to limit exposure to environmental health hazards.9-12.4.E

Individual and Collective Responses to Environmental Change: Environmentally literate students construct and apply understanding of individual, collective, and societal responses to human-induced environmental change.9-12.5

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    Any effective response to environmental change requires individual and collective action and must recognize the disproportionate burden that environmental degradation places on communities of color, low socioeconomic status, and ethnic minorities as well as on developing countries.

    1. A

      Explain that both individual and collective action is needed to address environmental problems.9-12.5.A

    2. B

      Evaluate the effectiveness of various individual, collective, and societal responses to human-induced environmental change.  9-12.5.B

    3. C

      Identify actions to reduce the effect of environmental degradation on communities of color, low socioeconomic status, and ethnic minorities. 9-12.5.C

    4. D

      Evaluate current approaches to address environmental change to include diverse points of view and more effective and just strategies. 9-12.5.D

    5. E

      Research global efforts to implement environmental policies in developing countries.9-12.5.E

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, and Grade 12
Where can I read the official document?
Environmental Literacy Standards Framework March 2023

Keep exploring

Keep exploring Environmental Literacy standards

Sibling grade bands, other subjects in this jurisdiction, and the same subject across other states.

More Maryland Environmental Literacy sets

Environmental Literacy