Chapter 1: Introduction to Environmental Science

Chapter Objectives
After studying this chapter the students should be able to:
1. understand the fundamental concepts of environmental science;
2. describe its interrelationship with other sciences;
3. define environmental ethics;
4. enlighten with environmental attitudes

WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE?

Environmental science, interdisciplinary academic field that draws on ecology, geology,

meteorology, biology, chemistry, engineering, and physics to study environmental problems
and human impacts on the environment. Environmental science is a quantitative discipline with
both applied and theoretical aspects and has been influential in informing the policies of
governments around the world. Environmental science is considered separate from
environmental studies, which emphasizes the human relationship with the environment and
the social and political dimensions thereof. For example, whereas a researcher in
environmental studies might focus on the economic and political dimensions of international
climate-change protocols, an environmental scientist would seek to understand climate change
by quantifying its effects with models and evaluating means of mitigation.
 Interrelationship with other sciences

Environmental science is a multi-disciplinary science because it embraces

countless branches of studies like life sciences, biology, chemistry, and agriculture, public
health, sanitary engineering etc. It 1s the science of physical phenomena in the
environment. This field of study comprises both applied and theoretical facets of human
influence in the world. It converses the reactions, sources, transport, effect and
possibilities of biological activity that could also affect human to environment and
vice versa.

To understand its interrelationships, it would require you to focus upon the

scientific principles, concepts and methodologies of the natural world, to recognize
and investigate environmental difficulties both natural and human-made, to assess
the comparative perils associated with these problems, and to study alternative results
for resolving and/or preventing them.

Since science, as a process, allocates method of learning more about the world, it
constantly changes the way we understand the world. Earth, itself, is one interconnected
system. Its natural System change over time and space and that it’s biogeochemical - systems
vary in ability to recover from disturbances. Humans who lived for millions of years would
impact on the environment, and by applying technology and population growth, they are able
to increase both the rate and scale of their impact on the environment.
 With its interrelationship with humans, environmental problems have cultural and social
context. Understanding the role of cultural, social and economic need-factors is Vital to the
development of solutions that makes sustainable practices through the essential combination
of conservation, development and management of resources.

Environmental studies enlighten us of the importance of protection and conservation in

the indiscriminate release of pollution into the environment. There had been a great number of
environmental issues that have grown in size and complexity every day, threatening the survival
of mankind on earth. Environmental issues like global warming and ozone depletion, acid rain,
marine pollution and biodiversity are global issues and hence must be tackled by the
international community with all possible efforts and cooperation.

Components of Environmental Science

Since environmental science is by nature interdisciplinary, it involves several

components such as the study of biology, physics, earth science, chemistry and social sciences.
Other components that are being covered in studying environmental science are given below:

1. Atmospheric Sciences is a broad field that deals with the study of the atmosphere, its
processes, the effects other systems have on the atmosphere, and the effects of the
atmosphere on these other systems. It is covers the other fields; such as meteorology,
climatology and agronomy.

2. Ecology is the scientific study of the relationships between organisms and their environment.
This involves the diversity, distribution, amount (biomass), number (population) of organisms,
as well as competition between them within and among ecosystems. It came from a Greek
words oikos meaning "the family of households, and logy meaning "the study of which was first
coined by a German Zoologist Ernst Haeckel in 1866.

3. Environmental Chemistry is a scientific discipline focus on the chemical changes in the

environment. The principal areas covered in the study are soil contamination and water
pollution. The topics of analysis include chemical degradation in the environment, multi-phase
transport of, and chemical effects in the environment.

4. Geosciences is a scientific study on the earth's crust that includes environmental geology,
environmental sol science and volcanic phenomena and in some classifications cover hydrology
like oceanography.
 The Environmental Ethics
The concept of ethics involves standards of conduct. These standards distinguish
between behaviors that are considered right or wrong. In some aspects, it would be very
difficult to distinguish between right and wrong, as there is no universal code of ethics. Right
and wrong are usually determined by an individual’s morals, and to change the ethics of an
entire society, it is necessary to change the individual ethics of a majority of the people in that
society.
Ethics is the branch of philosophy that is derived from the logical application of human
values. These values are the principles that an individual or a society considers important or
worthwhile. Ethics helps us determine which forms of conduct are morally acceptable and
unacceptable. Ethics plays a role in any types of human activities that involve intelligent
judgment and voluntary action.
The ways in which humans interact with its natural resource are determined by the
ethical attitudes and behaviors. The Philippines, being the Pearl of the Orient Seas, is very rich
in natural resources. Around 15 million hectares of land are classified as timberland which is
manufactured for local consumption and for export. Philippine timbers are hardwood products
that are globally known for its distinct appearance and high quality, which makes them
appropriate as home furnishings. Its mountainous attractions and landforms are promising to
the tourist.
Coastal ecosystem is vital in the Philippines with its centuries-old coral reefs,
magnificent underwater world, its small attractive river systems and streams, specifying the
Puerto Princesa, Underground River National Park making it one of the most stunning tourist
attractions.
The Philippines, being a tropical rainforest, is rich in flora and fauna. There is an
estimated two million species of plants and animals, many of which are unique the islands. Due
to various reasons of deforestation and wildlife hunting, some kind’s species have been lost or
endangered while others were exploited for commercial purposes.
Attitudes towards these resources which assume that the earth has infinite supply is
called frontier ethic. It is absolutely anthropocentric (human-centered), for only the needs of
humans are measured. If resources run out in one area, more can be found elsewhere or
alternatively human ingenuity will find substitutes just to satisfy human desires.
Environmental Ethics is a field of applied ethics that considers the moral basis of
environmental responsibility. It includes of it humans as part of the natural community rather
than managers of it. Such an ethic places limits on human activities that may adversely affect
the natural community. It examines moral values to determine how humans should relate to
the natural environment.
 Sustainable ethic is environmental ethic by the way people treat the earth as ie its
resources are limited. This ethic assumes that the earth s resources are not unlimited and that
humans must use and conserve resources in a manner that allows their continued use in the
future. A sustainable ethic includes the following tenets:
1. The Earth has a limited supply of resources.
2 Humans must conserve and share the Earth’s resources with other living things.
3. Humans are part of nature and are affected by natural laws.

Three Ethical Perspectives

1. Anthropocentric (human-centered) is the set of ethics protects and promotes of
human interests or well-being at the expense of all other factors. Often, it places an emphasis
on short-term benefits while disregarding long term consequences. Its costs and benefits are
measured only on their impact on people. Anything not providing benefit to people has no
value.
2 Bio-centric is the belief that certain living things also have value and that all life has
ethical standing. In this sense, development is opposed if it destroys life, even if it creates jobs.
3. Eco centrism is advocated by John Muir, first president of the Sierra Club where he
believes that nature deserves to exist for its own sake regardless of degree of usefulness to
humans. The preservation of ecosystems or other living things takes priority over human needs.
 The Environmental Attitudes
There are several different attitudes about the environment according to Enger and
Smith (2004) but most of them fall under one three headings namely
(a) development ethic
(b) preservation ethic
(c) conservation ethics

a. Development ethic is based on individualism and egocentrism. It assumes that human

race is and should be the master of nature; therefore, the earth and its resources exist for our
benefit and pleasure.
b. Preservation ethic considers the special value of nature. Unchanged nature should
be protected for its own inherent value. We should protect our environment in a pristine State,
because it promotes human happiness and fulfillment.
c. Conservation ethic or Management ethics is using natural resources wisely for
greatest good for the most people. It is also described as a utilitarian standard that calls for
prudent, efficient, and sustainable resource extraction and use of the natural resources. It
stresses equilibrium of total development and absolute preservation from resource use and
resource availability.