Module 1 Environmental Science
Chapter Introduction to Environmental Science
1.1
Intended Learning Outcomes: At the end of this chapter, the students are expected to:
1. Identify the major fields of study related to environmental science and their
contributions to addressing environmental issues.
2. State own definition of environment and environmental science.
3. Explain the different environmental principles.
4. Differentiate the elements of the environment.
5. Discuss the importance of environmental science.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Environmental Science deals with the complex nature of the ecosystem, i.e.,
living and non-living things, and social implications of human activities to the
environment. It is an interdisciplinary study of how humans interact with the
environment, e.g., plants, animals, soil, water, and forest. This course is considered
central science which can be linked to all branches of science like chemistry,
physics, biology, ecology, environmental philosophy, humanities, political science
and economics, among others
Source: https://www.australianenvironmentaleducation.com.au/education-resources/environmental-science/
Fig. 1. Environmental science as a multidisciplinary field
and interrelated to several disciplines
1.1.1 Major Field of Study Related to Environmental Science
Major Fields
1. Biology – study of living things
2. Chemistry – study of chemicals and their interactions
3. Earth Science - study of planet as a whole and its nonliving system
4. Social Sciences – study of human society
5. Humanities – study of the aspects of the human condition not covered by the
physical and social sciences
Subfields
1. Ecology – study of how organisms interact with one another and with their
nonliving environment
2. Botany – study of plants
3. Zoology – study of animals
4. Biochemistry – study of the chemistry of living things
5. Climatology – study of earth’s atmosphere and climate
6. Geology – study of the earth’s origin, history, surface and interior processes
7. Mineralogy – study of minerals and how to classify, distinguish, and locate
them
8. Volcanology – study of volcanoes, including their formation, signs of an
eruption, and other aspects of volcanic activity
9. Oceanology – study of oceans and their composition
10. Paleontology – study of life in prehistoric times by using fossil evidence
11. Hydrology – study of the properties, distribution, use, and circulation of the
water on earth and in the atmosphere in all of its forms
12. Anthropology – study of human cultures
13. Demography – study of the characteristics of human populations
14. Geography – study of the relationships between human populations and the
earth’s surface events
15. Economics – study of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods
and services
16. Political Science – study of the principles, processes, and structure of
government and political institutions.
17. History – study of information and ideas about humanity’s past
18. Ethics – study of moral values and concepts concerning right and wrong
human behavior and responsibilities
19. Philosophy – study of knowledge and wisdom about the nature of reality,
values, and human conduct
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1.1.2 Definitions of Environment
1. Boring: “A person’s environment consists of the sum total of the stimulation
which he receives from his conception until his death.” It can be concluded from the
above definition that Environment comprises various types of forces such as
physical, intellectual, economic, political, cultural, social, moral and emotional.
2. Douglas and Holland: The term environment is used to describe, in the
aggregate, all the external forces, influences and conditions, which affect the life,
nature, behavior and the growth, development and maturity of living organisms.’
1.1.3 Elements of Environment
Environment is constituted by the interacting systems of physical, biological, and
cultural elements interrelated in various ways, individually as well as collectively.
These elements may be explained as below:
(1) Physical elements
Physical elements are space, landforms, water bodies, climate soils, rocks
and minerals. They determine the variable character of the human habitat, its
opportunities as well as limitations.
(2) Biological elements
Biological elements such as plants, animals, microorganisms and men
constitute the biosphere.
(3) Cultural elements
Cultural elements such as economic, social, and political elements are
essentially manmade features, which make cultural milieu.
1.1.4 Environmental Principles
Environmental education, as defined by the Asian Development Bank, is the
process by which people develop awareness, concern and knowledge of the
environment and its diverse values and processes, and learn to use this
understanding to preserve, conserve, and utilize the environment in a sustainable
manner for the benefit of present and future generations.
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Environmental education centers on principles that can be grouped under
themes covering the natural resources – air, land, water, energy, and life forms. They
highlight the broad values that people must seriously consider preserving the
environment and attaining a better quality of life. The environmental principles are:
• Interdependence/Interrelatedness
Living things are interdependent with one another and with their environment.
Both biotic and abiotic components are equally important in the ecosystem
because the absence of one affects the functions and existence of the others and
of the whole ecosystem.
A basic example of interdependence is the relationship between autotrophs
(plants) and heterotrophs (animals). The chlorophyll containing plants capture
energy from the sun and use this to produce food through photosynthesis. This
process provides oxygen which is required for respiration by all humans, animals,
plants, and all other aerobic organisms. In turn, the aerobic organisms produce
carbon dioxide, which plants need in order to photosynthesize. Bacteria break
down plant and animal parts, a process which may be interpreted as harmful, but
it is actually beneficial because the process of decomposition returns to the soil
the nutrients needed for plant growth and animal food. Each species in this web of
relationships is actually very important to the survival of the others.
• Diversity and Stability
It is believed that a diverse community is a stable community. The more
species present, the more stable the community is because several species keep
other species in check, preventing any species from overpopulating the habitat.
• Change
It has been said that the only constant thing on this earth is change. Change is
basic to nature. Ecosystems change over time and space. Any change in the
community affects the different organisms within it. Natural change like this is
healthy but human-induced changes like environmental disturbances wreak
havoc in natural systems. These result in the environmental crises that the world
faces today.
• Balance of Nature
Ecosystems are capable of self-maintenance and self-regulation. Predation
kills off some members of the population and is a good regulator of population
density. If there were no predation, the population of individuals would swell and
lead to overcrowding and severe competition for resources. Such resources
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would then become scarce due to high consumption. This would lead to stress
and then stress-related diseases, sometimes even epidemics which result in
massive deaths that may lead to species extinction. Predation checks population
down to a healthy size.
• Finiteness of Resources
Even the most abundant natural resources are in danger of being depleted in
the light of human overpopulation and overexploitation. Fossil fuels are in danger
of running out in this century because of too much use of industrialization and
domestic consumption by the fast-growing world population. Some species are
now extinct because of habitat destruction, overhunting, and excessive
harvesting. Potable water, which is considered as a free resource, is getting
scarce in many areas, as manifested in the blooming industry of bottled water, in
frequent droughts, and water shortage especially during the summer months.
Finiteness of resources means that there are limitations and boundaries to
utilization. Extraction of resources should be anchored on the concepts of
sustainable development and wise utilization.
• Pollution
Pollution is the undesirable accumulation of substances resulting in
diminished quality and utility of a resource. Pollution is found in the air, water,
and soil, and these results in several problems in the environment, health, and
economy. Air pollution is felt globally in terms of continuous increase in
temperature and changes in climatic patterns. Rivers, lake, and oceans become
dumping grounds of various domestic and industrial wastes, thus making them
less productive if not killing them off entirely. Soils are degraded through soil
erosion, siltation, and sedimentation of rivers, lakes, and streams.
• Stewardship
Christian doctrine posits that nature, and its resources are God’s gifts to all
and that, when God created the earth, He commanded man to be His steward.
The natural resources that we are enjoying now are borrowed from future
generations. It is our major responsibility to pass on these resources in their
sustainable state. Stewardship of resources means efficient management by
maintaining a balance between population growth and resource use. It is not an
act of a good steward to overexploit borrowed resources.
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• Sustainability
Actions that address the needs of the present without compromising the
needs of the future generations to meet their own needs are embodied in the
concept of sustainable development. It is equally concerned with socio-
economic development (human wellbeing) and environmental quality. A society
should manage its economic growth in such a way as to do no irreparable
damage to the environment. By balancing economic requirements with
ecological concerns, the needs of the people are satisfied without
compromising the needs of future generations. Environmental issues are
addressed at the same time that economic development is pursued but not at
the expense of the environment.
1.1.5 Environmental Studies: Importance
Environmental studies enlighten us, about the importance of protection and
conservation of our indiscriminate release of pollution into the environment. At
present a great number of environmental issues have grown in size and complexity
day by day, threatening the survival of mankind on earth. We study these issues
besides and effective suggestions in the Environment Studies. Environment studies
have become significant for the following reasons:
1. Environment Issues Being of International Importance
It has been well recognized that environmental issues like global warming and
ozone depletion, acid rain, marine pollution and biodiversity are not merely national
issues but are global issues and hence must be tackled with international efforts and
cooperation.
2. Problems Cropped in The Wake of Development
Development, in its wake gave birth to Urbanization, Industrial Growth,
Transportation Systems, Agriculture and Housing etc. However, it has become
phased out in the developed world. The North, to cleanse their own environment has,
in fact fully, managed to move ‘dirty’ factories of South. When the West developed, it
did so perhaps in ignorance of the environmental impact of its activities. Evidently
such a path is neither practicable nor desirable, even if the developing world follows
that.
3. Explosively Increase in Pollution
World census reflects that one in every seven persons in these planet lives in
India. Evidently with 16 per cent of the world's population and only 2.4 per cent of its
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land area, there is heavy pressure on natural resources including land. Agricultural
experts have recognized soils health problems like deficiency of micronutrients and
organic matter, soil salinity and damage of soil structure.
4. Need for An Alternative Solution
It is essential, especially for developing countries, to find alternative paths to
an alternative goal. We need a goal as under:
(1) A goal, which ultimately is the true goal of development an environmentally
sound and sustainable development.
(2) A goal common to all citizens of our earth.
(3) A goal distant from the developing world in the manner it is from the over-
consuming wasteful societies of the “developed” world.
5. Need To Save Humanity from Extinction
It is incumbent upon us to save the humanity from extinction. Consequent to
our activities constricting the environment and depleting the biosphere, in the name
of development.
6. Need For Wise Planning of Development
Our survival and sustenance depend. Resources withdraw, processing and
use of the product have all to be synchronized with the ecological cycles in any plan
of development our actions should be planned ecologically for the sustenance of the
environment and development.
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Module (GEMST 01) Name: ____________________________________________
Activity No. 1 Program/Year: ____________Date Submitted: ___________
ACTIVITY 1a
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CONCEPT MAP: SCOPE AND IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
1. Objective:
a. Create a concept map on the scope and importance of environmental
science
2. Materials:
a. Paper and pen
b. Manila paper
3. Procedure:
a. Form a group of eight (8) members.
b. Create a concept map using the terms inside the box below:
Environment, international, extinction, humanity, awareness,
save,
Principles, concepts, development, alternative, planning, care,
Respect, solution, importance, need, responsibility, knowledge,
Understand, teachers, students, community, society, nation,
animals, plants, air, water, land, mountains, forest, duty,
oceans
c. In not more than thirty (30) minutes, construct your concept map on a ½
manila paper.
d. Present your concept map in front of the class.
e. Submit your concept map and the answered activity sheet to your
teacher.
4. Guide Questions: In three sentences. Answer the following questions
below. Write your answer on the spaces provided below the question.
a. Discuss the importance of environmental science courses.
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b. What are the scopes of environmental science studies?
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Module (GEMST 01) Name: ____________________________________________
Activity No. 1 Program/Year: ____________Date Submitted: ___________
ACTIVITY 1b
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COMPLETING THE TABLE
Directions: Fill in the table below:
Fields Benefits
Environment Humanity
Biology
Chemistry
Earth Science
Social Science
Ecology
Mathematics
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