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INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE

Report By:

Alvarez, Liane Rose P.

Ansiboy, Kristine May G.

Austria, Ma. Arabela D.

Caasi, Cristly Faith C.

De Luna, Mylene B.

Resultay, Melissa M.

Reyes, Jean Mikaellah A.

Onatec, Alex Evanz

Tandoc, Kristel M.
What is Environmental Science?

• Environmental science is the interdisciplinary study of how living things

interact with their non-living environment and the impact of human activities
on these interactions.
• It examines the complex relationships between living organisms, the
physical environment, and human society.
• Understanding environmental science is crucial for addressing global
challenges like climate change and resource depletion.

The Interdisciplinary Nature of Environmental Science

• Biology: Studies the living components of ecosystems.

• Politics: Shapes environmental policies and regulations.
• Economics: Analyzes the economic costs and benefits of environmental
protection.
• Chemistry: Examines the chemical processes within the environment.
• Ecology: Studies the relationships between organisms and their
environment.
• Physics: Explores the physical processes influencing the environment (e.g.,
climate).
• Geology: Studies the Earth’s structure and processes.
• Geography: Studies the spatial distribution of environmental phenomena
and their relationships. This includes the impact of location and landscape
on environmental processes.

1.1. History of Environmental Science

Environmental science is a very interesting science subject because it reminds

people to love, care and protect all the natural resources in this planet.

Ancient Civilization (About 5,000 years ago)

• burning of woods, gas work and mining.

Middle Age and Renaissance Period

• emergence of disease 5 million of Europe population were affected caused

by infected rats transmitted to human.

Era of Enlightenment/Age of Reasoning (1750-1830)

• increased of population in different parts of the world where Thomas Maltus

wrote an essay on “Principle of Population”

Industrial Revolution (1830-1890)

• conservation of forest has started and changes in agricultural techniques.

Progressive Era (1890-1920)

• people were aware of sanitation and clean water system.

Evolution of Environmental Awareness (World War II – 1950s)

• Increased Awareness Post-World War II

• Emergence of Environmental Science
• Environmental Problems Identified

Environmental Awareness in the 1960s – 1970s

• Heightened Awareness of Pesticides

• Regulatory and Infrastructure Advances
• Focus on Air Pollution
• Environmental Problems Identified

Environmental Challenges from the 1980s to Present

• Major Environmental Disasters

• Strengthening Environmental Laws
• 1990s to Present – Climate Change and Population Impact
• Global efforts and Current Issues
• Environmental Problems Identified
 1.2. Major Fields

1. Biology – study of living things (organisms).

2. Chemistry – study of chemicals and their interactions.
3. Earth Science – study of the planet as a whole and its nonliving system.
4. Social sciences – studies of human society.
5. Humanities – study of the aspects of the human condition not covered
by the physical and social sciences.

Subfields:

• Ecology – study of how organisms interact with one another and with their
• Nonliving environment.
• Botany – study of plants.
• Zoology – study of animals.

Chemistry

• Biochemistry – study of the chemistry of living things.

Earth science

• Climatology – study of earth’s atmosphere and climate.

• Geology – study of the earth’s origin, history, surface and interior processes.
• Mineralogy – study of minerals and how to classify, distinguish, and
• Locate them.
• Volcanology – study of volcanges, including their formation, signs of an
eruption, and other aspects of volcanic activity.
• Oceanology – study of oceans and their composition,
• Paleontology – study of life in prehistoric times by using fossil evidence
• Hydrology – study of the properties, distribution, use, and circulation of the
Water on earth ad in the atmosphere in all of its forms.

Social Science

• Anthropology – study of human cultures.

• Demography – study of the characteristics of human populations.
• Geography – study of the relationships between human populations and the
earth’s surface features.
 • Economics – study of the/production, distribution, and consumption of
goods and services.
• Political Science – study of the principles, processes, and structure of
government and/political institutions

Humanities

• History – study of information and ideas about humanity’s past.

• Ethics study of moral values and concepts concerning right and wrong
human behavior and responsibilities.
• Philosophy – study of knowledge and wisdom about the nature of reality,

1.3 SCOPE AND IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

1. Increase Awareness and Inclusion Sensitivity in Environmental Problems

2. Direct Involvement of Educational Institutions in Government Projects
3. Inculcation of Values, Skills, and Attitudes Toward Environmental
Protection
4. Conservation of Natural Resources
5. Review of Environmental Laws and Programs
6. Mitigation of Climate Change

1.4 SCOPE AND IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

The four spheres of the Earth

• Lithosphere
• Hydrosphere
• Atmosphere
• Biosphere

2 Agreements/Protocols

1. Montreal

2. Kyoto
Both protocols are concerned the impacts of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) on ozine
laters and carbon reduction upon warming the earth as pointed out by some
experts

Studying environmental science is important because:

1. Environmental issues are of international importance.

2. It can save humanity from extinction.
3. It can help the people and the government design alternative solutions to
environmental issues and concerns.
4. Environmental science is essential for smart planning and development for
the attainment of environmental sustainability.
5. It can develop environmental awareness among teachers and students.
6. It can develop knowledge and understanding of the principles and concepts
of environmental studies.
7. It can develop appreciation, care, and respect for the environment.
8. It can help determine the threats to the environment and provide eco-
friendly solutions.
9. It can help determine the impacts of environmental problems on organisms.
10. It can help the community in the preservation and conservation of
biodiversity.
11. It can help students become guardians of the environment.
12. It can help students get involved in protecting and conserving the
environment.
13. It can help the community respond and adapt to environmental changes due
to climate change.
14. It can help people understand the role of humans in conserving and
preserving natural resources.

1.5 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND IT’S BENEFITS

I. Introduction to Environmental Management:

o Wise utilization of resources and conservation of the environment.

o Maintaining the balance of the earth’s ecosystem for sustainability.
o A shared responsibility of all humans.
o Goal-oriented, encompassing various approaches (tools, philosophy, etc.).
 o Involves diverse stakeholders (academics, policymakers, NGOs, etc.).

II. Benefits of Environmental Management:

Agriculture & Environment:

o Assesses and evaluates the condition of natural resources.

o Attains Sustainable agricultural production.
o Regulates access to the agricultural products.
o Saves and protects of endemic and endangered flora and fauna.
o Attains sustainable biodiversity.

Business:

o Achieves sustainable business sector.

o Accelerates the gross national products (GNP) and gross domestic
products(GDP).
o promotes and utilizes Eco-friendly products.
o Adapts the principle of corporate environmental responsibility.
o Maintains safe and healthy work environment.

Industries:

o Attains sustainable industrial revolution.

o Decreases the industrial carbon emissions.
o Promotes and implements carbon reduction programs by the government.
o Produces products that releases less carbon.
o Adapts and complies with work environment measures (WEM) and wastes
and wastewaters measures standard requirements of the government.
o Decreases all kinds of industrial pollutants.

Education:

o Improves environmental responsibility among students and teachers.

o Promotes love and care to the environment.
o Integrates environmental concerns with other discipline.
o Accelerate research on environmental management and sustainability.
o Imparts environmental science course in the tertiary programs as well as in
Department of Education (DepEd) programs. i.e., kinder, grade school, and
senior high school.
Health & Medical:

o Attains safe, clean, and sustainable health and medical services.

o Improves the quality of life of the people.
o Decreases biomedical wastes and other hospital wastes.
o Utilizes reen medical procedures for healthcare and medical services.
o Utilizes natural products as alternative medicines.

1.6. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Environmental Sustainability is the ability to maintain an ecological balance in our

planet’s natural environment and conserve natural resources to support the well-
being of current and future generations

2 Classification of Resources

Renewable:

• air
• water
• soil
• plants
• wind

Nonrenewable:

• Iron
• Nickel
• Gold
• Oil
• Coil
1.7. CULTURAL TRENDS, ISSUES AND PLANS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE

Efforts of the Philippine Government

The good news is that the Philippine government is taking action to protect the
environment. Here are some important projects they have started:

Methane Gas Facility in Payatas, Quezon City

o Converts waste into energy.

Windmills in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, and Tanay, Rizal

o Uses wind to generate electricity.

Geothermal Energy in Mt. Makiling, Laguna, and Tungonan, Leyte

o Uses heat from the earth as a renewable energy source.