Module 1: Introduction to Environmental Science PDF

After completion of this module, the students are expected to: a. define the following terms: - Environmental science - Environment - Environmental education - Science - Resources; b. discuss the goals of environmental science; c. describe the foundation of sustainable society a...

After completion of this module, the students are expected to: a. define the following terms: - Environmental science - Environment - Environmental education - Science - Resources; b. discuss the goals of environmental science; c. describe the foundation of sustainable society and explain the role of environmental science in attaining the objective of the society; and d. explain why resource management and resource technology are considered significant features in environmental studies. OVERVIEW Our environment is fascinating however it is threatened by climate change, biodiversity loss, resource depletion, and animal extinction. This is where environmental science enters the picture, but what is environmental science? You will find out about this in this module. Also, you will be exploring the definition and goals of environmental science, sustainable society, resources management and environmental technology.  Environmental science studies all aspects of the environment in an interdisciplinary way. Identify the different field of science that are incorporated in environmental science by filling up this semantic web below **1.1\|DEFINITION OF TERMS** - - - - - **1.2\|GOALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE** 1\. To develop sustainable world-a world in which the supply of food, ater, building materials, clean air, and other resources can sustain human population to continue to exist indefinitely with a high standard of living and health. 2\. To study environmental problems and issues; priorities regarding acceptable environmental preservation of natural species and habitats. **1.3\| SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY** A sustainable society is one that ensures the health and vitality of human life and culture's and of nature's capital for present and future generations. Such a society acts to stop the activities that serve to destroy human life and culture and nature's capital and to encourage those activities that serve to conserve what exists, restore what has been damaged and prevent human being from future dire consequences. Sustainable societies are defined as towns and cities that have taken steps to remain healthy over the long term. Sustainable societies have a strong sense of place. They have a vision that is embraced and actively promoted by all of the key sectors of society, including businesses, disadvantaged groups, environmentalists, civic associations, government agencies, and religious organizations. They are places that build on their assets and dare to be innovative. These communities value healthy ecosystems, use resources efficiently and actively seek to retain and enhance a locally based economy. Sustainable development concerns everybody in a society. **Objectives of Sustainable Society** Some important characteristics and objectives of a sustainable society can be scientifically narrated in the following manner such as:  1. **Economical goals**: Through this goal we need to make some effort like: - Creation of jobs that enhance the nature of work; - Equitable income distribution within and among the countries; - Economic stabilization and system equilibrium; - Technology exchange, not simply technology transfer, emphasizing technologies that emulate rather than destroy nature; - Economic self-sufficiency, at community, national and international level; and - Sufficiency, rather than efficiency, since high levels of consumption are generally incompatible with the conservation and preservation of nature's capital. 2. **Social and Cultural goals** include: - - - - - -  3. **Political Goals** include: - - - 4. **Ecological goals**: - - - - - - **Role of Environmental Science in Attaining the Objectives of the Society** Environmental science is more concerned with discovering ways to live more sustainably. This means utilizing present resources in a manner that conserves their supplies for the future. Environmental sustainability doesn't have to outlaw living luxuriously, but it advocates for creating awareness about the consumption of resources and minimizing unnecessary waste. This includes minimizing household energy consumption, using disposals to dispose of waste, eating locally, recycling more, growing your own food, drinking from the tap, conserving household water, and driving your car less. Moreover, If the objective of society is to enable its members to live healthy, happy, and productive lives, then environmental science plays a very large role in that process. By studying the environment, scientists understand the effects that humans are having on the world around them, and can better help them deal with any adverse effects, like air polluting the air they breathe, or acid rain polluting the ground in which they grow their crops. Environmental science helps develop ways to counteract these effects and implements these ways so that humans can lead happy, healthy, and productive lives in society, fulfilling the social objectives. **1.4\| RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCE TECHNOLOGY** Resource management and resource technology are considered significant features in environmental studies. **Environmental resource management** is the management of the interaction and impact of human societies on the environment. Environmental resource management aims to ensure that ecosystem services are protected and maintained for future human generations. Environmental resource management tries to identify factors affected by conflicts that rise between meeting needs and protecting resources. The resources which are included: The ecological balance and ecosystem stability are duly maintained by the nature itself but the emergence of modern industrial era has disturbed the ecological balance through heavy industrialization, technological revolution, faster growth of means of transportation, rapacious exploitation of resources, unplanned urbanization etc. The process, environmental management is related to the rational adjustment of man with nature involving judicious exploitation and utilization of natural resources without disturbing the ecosystem balance and ecosystem equilibrium. If the natural resources are overexploited, it will affect socio-economic development of a nation. Thus, environmental management must take into consideration the ecological principles and socioeconomic needs of the society. Environmental management is very wide in scope and includes all the technical, economical and other aspects of environment. Environmental resource management can be viewed from a variety of perspectives. - - The essential aspects of environmental resource management are ethical, economical, social, and technological. These underlie principles and help make decisions. The concept of environmental determinism, probabilism and possibilism are significant in the concept of environmental resource management. **Environmental technology**, also known as 'green' or 'clean' technology, refers to the application of environmental sciences in the development of new technologies which aim to conserve, monitor or reduce the harm humans regularly cause the environment while consuming its resources. Sustainable development sits at the core of environmental technology - adopted practices that fuel economic development by avoiding the depletion of natural resources and further polluting. Put simply, environmental technologies aim to protect the environment. They offer ways of consuming which are less polluting or do so in a sustainable manner, and often provide new ways to avoid depletion of natural resources altogether. Prominent examples include solar and wind energy, water desalination (the removal of salt or other minerals from saline water), electric vehicles, and pyrolysis (thermochemical decomposition of organic material). **THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ACTION PLAN FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ( 2005-2014)** The years 2005 to 2014 have been declared as the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD). **An Overview** OVERCOMING Poverty, Gender Equality, Health Promotion and , environmental Protection and Conservation, Rural Transformation, Human Rights, Intercultural Understanding and Peace, Sustainable Production and Consumption, Cultural Diversity and Information and Communication Technologies-these are the key themes in Education for Sustainable Development (under the UNESCO Framework for a Draft Implementation Scheme of the UNDESD). **The Philippine Response** Preparations for the declaration have been underway in the Philippines since 2003 as national government agencies, the civil society and the business sector gathered to draft a workable action plan to usher in the UNDESD. Through the Environmental Education and Information Division of the Environmental Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, which likewise chairs the Sub-committee of Information and Education of the Philippine Council of Sustainable Development, a multisectoral workshop was held in November 2003 to begin the updating of the National Environmental Education Action Plan ( NEEAP), which serve das the framework for environmental education in the country from 1992-2002. This consultative workshop sought to review and assess initiatives for the NEEAP 1992-2002, based on sectoral perspective in basic education; technical and vocational education; and tertiary and non-formal education ( including civil society, local governments, media, business and youth).Implementation gaps and recommendations for actions were ) and the updated NEEAP integrated into identified in the consultative workshop ( and the later smaller consultations that followed) and integrated into the updated NEEAP for Sustainable Development for 2005-2014, coinciding with the UNDESD. **Key Elements of Sustainable Development under the Enhanced Philippine Agenda 21 that the NEEAP for Sustainable Development for 2005-2014 must support** - Poverty Reduction - Social Equity - Empowerment of Good Governance - Peace and Solidarity - Ecological Integrity **Education for Sustainability** The aim is to pursue education to foster the transition to a sustainable society. As a process, education for sustainable development is used to: - Create awareness of sustainable issues - Enhance knowledge and understanding skills - Influence values and attitudes - Encourage more responsible behaviour - Promote learning that leads to action. **The Vision** The plan envisions an environmentally literate and proactive citizeny imbued with a sense of responsibility to care, protect, and enhance environmental quality that is conducive to their well-being supportive of the nation's economic development and unified in its pursuit of peace, social justice and equity in the use of natural resources. **The Mission** 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. In your own words, give the meaning of the following terms: A. Environmental science B. Environment C. Environmental Education D. Science E. Resources 2. Name one of the key differences between environmental science and natural science. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 3. Describe the foundation of a sustainable society and explain the role of environmental science in attaining the objective of the society. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 4. Explain why resources management and resources technology are considered significant features in environmental studies. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 5. What are the goals of environmental science? Give your insights for each goal. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 6. Explain the six key elements of sustainable development under Philippine Agenda \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **REFERENCES** **Book/ Journal** Lee, Sergio J. & Anes, Myrna L.( 2010). **Environmental Science. 2^nd^ Edition**. C & E Publishing, Inc. Siddiqui, A.H. (2018). A Sustainable Society: Its Meaning and Objectives*.* *International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI), 5(1),* 128-131. **On-line:** [[https://www.britannica.com/science/environmental-science]](https://www.britannica.com/science/environmental-science). Retrieved on July 30, 2020. [[https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/environmental-education]](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/environmental-education). Retrieved on July 30, 2020. [[https://www.toppr.com/guides/geography/resources/types-of-resources/]](https://www.toppr.com/guides/geography/resources/types-of-resources/). Retrieved on July 30, 2020. [[https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-environmental-science-definition-and-scope-of-the-field]](https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-environmental-science-definition-and-scope-of-the-field). Retrieved on July 30, 2020. [[https://www.rsisinternational.org/journals/ijrsi/digital-library/volume-5-issue-1/128-131.pdf]](https://www.rsisinternational.org/journals/ijrsi/digital-library/volume-5-issue-1/128-131.pdf) [[https://www.envirotech-online.com/news/environmental-laboratory/7/breaking-news/what-is-environmental-technology/3264]](https://www.envirotech-online.com/news/environmental-laboratory/7/breaking-news/what-is-environmental-technology/3264). Retrieved on August 4, 2020. [[https://edinburghsensors.com/news-and-events/impact-of-technology-on-the-environment-and-environmental-technology/]](https://edinburghsensors.com/news-and-events/impact-of-technology-on-the-environment-and-environmental-technology/). Retrieved on August 4, 2020. **PHOTO CREDITS** All images used were retrieved from Google Images.