Environmental Science MODULE 1

Introduction to Environmental Science and Engineering

Environmental Engineering

A branch of engineering that integrates science and engineering principles to improve the natural environment, provide healthy water, air, and land, and manage pollution and waste.

1. Atmosphere

2. Hydrosphere

3. Lithosphere

4. Biosphere

Environmental Systems Overview

Atmosphere

Air systems and climate

Hydrosphere

Water bodies and cycles

Lithosphere

Earth's crust and soils

Biosphere

Living organisms

1. Mitigators

2. Innovators

The Role of Engineers in the Environment

Mitigators

Preventing and reducing environmental damage

Innovators

Designing sustainable, efficient, and eco-friendly systems

1. Flooding

2. Solid Waste Mismanagement

3. Air Pollution

4. Water Pollution

5. Deforestation and Land Degradation

Local Issues

1. Climate Change and Global Warming

2. Sustainable Urbanization

3. Plastic and Marine Pollution

4. Water Scarcity and Sanitation

Current Trends and Emerging Issues in Environmental Engineering

Climate Change and Global Warming

• Caused by greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, industries, and land use changes.

• Civil engineers must now design infrastructure resilient to extreme weather (e.g., typhoon-resistant buildings, flood-resistant roads).

Sustainable Urbanization

• Shift toward smart cities, green building designs, and transit-oriented developments.

• Civil engineers lead the implementation of renewable energy integration, bike lanes, and efficient waste systems.

Plastic and Marine Pollution

• Oceans are filled with microplastics and plastic waste, causing biodiversity damage.

• Engineers contribute by improving solid waste management, designing eco-friendly packaging systems, and building waste-to-energy plants.

Water Scarcity and Sanitation

• Many developing countries face clean water shortages.

• Engineers now adopt integrated water resource management and low-cost water purification technologies.

1. DENR

2. EMB

3. LLDA

4. DOST-PCIEERD

5. LGUs

Environmental Agencies in the Philippines

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

DENR

Environmental Management Bureau

EMB

Laguna Lake Development Authority

LLDA

Local Government Units

LGUs

DENR

o Environmental policy and enforcement
o EIA and pollution control

EMB

o Monitors air and water quality

o Implements RA 8749 (Clean Air Act) and RA 9275 (Clean Water

Act)

LLDA

o Manages the Laguna Lake region

LGUs

o Implement Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003)

1. GIS and Remote Sensing

2. Green Concrete

3. Smart Water Meters

4. Bioremediation

5. Carbon Capture Systems

Emerging Technologies in Environmental Engineering

GIS and Remote Sensing

Environmental mapping, flood risk assessment

Green Concrete

Uses recycled aggregates and reduces CO2 emissions

Smart Water Meters

Tracks consumption and leakage in real time

Bioremediation

Uses microbes to clean up oil spills and toxic waste

Carbon Capture Systems

Reduce greenhouse gases from factories and power plants