Environmental Science Module 1

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Questions and Answers

 It means to encircle or surround an organism and includes the social and cultural conditions that may affect him.  It can be explained as the physical surroundings and factors - living things (organisms) and nonliving things/environments (matter and energy).  In a broader definition, it is everything that affects an organism during its lifetime

Environment

•Is the systematic study of our environment and our place in it, merely the connections and interactions in nature, and concerned with environmental problems/issues.  It can be explained as to how species interact with one another and the nonliving environment (matter and energy).  It is an interdisciplinary field that includes both the scientific and social aspects of human impact on the world.

Environmental Science

 This principle is the most basic and comprises all the others.  Humans have to appreciate and recognize the importance of nature and follow its rules. We must not interfere with various natural processes to a continuous and steady supply of resources provided to us. Remember, any disruption in the cycle of nature can bring imbalance to our ecosystem.

Principle #1: Nature knows best

 Each organism plays a vital role in nature.

Principle #2: All forms of life are important. Signup and view all the answers

 All living organisms are influenced and adapt to non-living components to ensure that the system is sustained.

Principle #3: Everything is connected to everything else. Signup and view all the answers

 The environment is continuously changing. All living organisms adapt to these changes to survive.  These changes may be linear, random, or cyclical.  For example; Linear change -Evolution of species brought about by complex types of organisms. Cyclical change may be exemplified by seasons and the rhythms in floral and faunal life stages that go with the seasons. Random change

the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo that alters the topography of the land.

Principle #4: Everything changes. Signup and view all the answers

 Matter is cycled so as wastes materials. Everything ends up elsewhere.

Principle #5: Everything must go somewhere. Signup and view all the answers

 Resources are limited in form.  It is essential to know how much of a resource can be consumed at a given time.

Principle #6: Ours is finite earth. Signup and view all the answers

 Humans are the most intelligent creatures that are capable of manipulating nature to their advantage. Humans will not exist; thus, it should not be ravaged or abuse in nature but to be taken care of.

Principle #7: Nature is beautiful, and we are stewards of God's creation. Signup and view all the answers

It is a field of philosophy that focuses on the study of value or quality and seeks to define what is right and what is wrong irrespective of the culture and society.

Ethics Signup and view all the answers

Moral principles that try to define one’s responsibility towards the environment

Environmental Ethics Signup and view all the answers

It is the study of moral perspectives, beliefs, attitudes, and issues concerning the environment. It applies ethical thinking to the natural world and the relationship between humans and the earth.

Environmental ethics Signup and view all the answers

What are the three fundamental propositions of environmental ethics

<ol> <li>The earth and its components (natural resources, human beings, animals, etc.) are worthy of ethical concern.</li> <li>The earth and its components have inherent value because they exist, not only because they provide resources for human needs.</li> <li>Based on the concept of an ecosystem, human beings should consider “wholes” that comprises other living organisms and the environment</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

 The fundamental premise is All life has a standpoint, regardless of its value to humans Understanding biology is at the center of environmental ethics The biosphere is central to life on earth  Some people believe that all living organisms have the right to exist. It is a system of ethics that attempts to protect all life in nature.  All life is interdependent.  For example, if the deer population is over-hunted, then the coyote and wolf will be affected.

Biocentrism (Life-centered Ethics) Signup and view all the answers

 The basic premise is Human beings are the central, most important species in the universe. Thus, understanding the natural world should be centered on anthropology  Some people believe that humans are essentially separate from or above nature.  It sees the world focusing on people and their needs

Anthropocentrism (Human-centered Ethics) Signup and view all the answers

Any person concerned with the protection of the environment or who believes that the sustainability of civilization depends on conserving natural aspects of the biosphere free from pollution and maintaining biodiversity

Environmentalist Signup and view all the answers

 It tends to be the most anthropocentric and assumes that humanity is above all.  It assumes that the human race is and should be the master of nature and that the earth and its resources exist solely for our benefit and pleasure. It suggests that improvements in human condition require converting ever more of nature to human use; thus, the environment has value only insofar as human beings economically utilize it.  It yields to industrialization and modernization.

Developmental Approach Signup and view all the answers

 It is concerned with using natural areas and wildlife (fauna, flora, and microorganisms) to benefit present and future generations of human races and other forms of life.  People who believe that land should be used only to a certain extent, to what needs to be used.

Conservationists Approach Signup and view all the answers

 tends to be the most eco-centric towards the environment.  It is concerned with the preservation of natural areas. Their primary goal is to ensure those undisturbed natural areas are free from harmful human activities.  protects the environment from harmful human activities

Preservationists Approach Signup and view all the answers

Are those who assume or believe that all parts of the environment (natural resources) are to be exploited for the advantage of humans.

Cornucopians Signup and view all the answers

 It involves the essence of the system, rather than on individuals, species.  The environment itself has moral worth.  The environment should be maintained and deserves direct moral considerations and not a concern that is merely derived from human or animal interests.

Eco-centrism Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Environmental Context

Encircling an organism includes both social and cultural conditions impacting it.
Environments consist of living (organisms) and non-living components (matter and energy).
Broadly defined, the environment includes all factors affecting an organism throughout its life.

Study of Environment

Systematic study incorporates connections and interactions in nature and addresses environmental issues.
Examines species interactions with each other and their non-living surroundings.
An interdisciplinary field blending scientific and social aspects of human impact on the planet.

Human Interaction with Nature

Humans must recognize the importance of nature and adhere to its principles.
Disruption of natural processes risks ecosystem imbalance.
Every organism has a crucial role in sustaining ecosystems and adapting to environmental changes.

Environmental Changes

Changes may be linear (evolution of complex organisms), cyclical (seasons affecting life stages), or random (e.g., volcanic eruptions altering landscapes).
Matter, including waste, is cycled within ecosystems, emphasizing the limited nature of resources.
Awareness of resource consumption limits is essential for sustainability.

Environmental Ethics

Philosophy studying values and moral principles regarding environmental responsibility.
Examines moral perspectives and beliefs about the relationship between humans and nature.
Key propositions include:
- All life has inherent value, independent of its utility to humans.
- Understanding biology is essential to ethical environmental considerations.
- The biosphere is fundamental to all life on Earth.

Interdependence of Life

All organisms demonstrate interdependence; actions like over-hunting can disrupt predator-prey relationships.
Some philosophies prioritize humanity as the central species, viewing the natural world through an anthropocentric lens.

Perspectives on Environmentalism

Some advocate for anthropocentric views, asserting human superiority over nature, valuing the environment primarily for human benefit.
This viewpoint promotes industrialization and modernization while utilizing natural resources for humanity's needs.

Eco-centric Views

Eco-centric perspectives focus on preserving natural areas and minimizing harmful human activities.
Emphasizes the intrinsic moral worth of the environment, advocating for direct moral consideration of ecosystems beyond human interest.

Conclusion

Various philosophies regarding environmental ethics highlight the importance of sustainability, protecting biodiversity, and understanding the interconnectedness of all life forms.

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