Earth science is not a basic science. It is based upon physics, chemistry
and biology. In my high skool days those of lesser talents took earth
science. One could not master earth science without mastering physics,
chemistry and biology.

Ever wonder why there is such great debate over global warming? But yet not
much argument over Stokes Theorem? Anyone and everyone can be an earth
scientist, just ask Al Gore.

Earth science in high school is a basic regurgitation of complex principles
that may not even be understood by experts in the field. When one throws in
the mathematical skills required to correctly model earth systems I doubt
there are even 1000 people worldwide extremely competent in the field.