Module 1: Embracing Environmental Science

What is Environmental Science?

It is a science revealing the relationship between human activities and the environment.
It explores the effects of environmental changes on human survival and the laws of environmental evolution.
It researches the technical and management measures to comprehensively prevent and control regional environmental pollution.

Physical Processes
- Processes shaping and influencing Earth’s physical features, creating constant change
- Examples: Tectonic Plate Movement, Wind and Water Erosion
Biological Processes
- Processes sustaining balance in ecosystems and are vital for organisms to function
- Examples: Photosynthesis and Hybridization of Plants, Stimuli Response, Transpiration, Reproduction
Chemical Processes
- Processes producing or converting new chemical substances essential to humans and the environment
- Examples: Digestion, Combustion, Osmosis, Phase Changes, Plastic Decomposition, Oil Spills, Acid Rain, Global Warming

Species Restoration
- What should be the reason behind efforts for the restoration of a species’ population?
- What would be our benefits if certain species will be saved from extinction?
Resource Management
- The sustainable utilization of major natural resources (land, water, air, minerals, forests, fisheries, and wild flora and fauna).
- Resources → Ecosystem Services
- Provisioning Services
  - Direct Products of an Ecosystem
  - Examples: Food, Water, Oxygen
- Regulating Services
  - Processes Regulating Natural Systems
  - Examples: Aquifers and Wells, Pollination, Photosynthesis
- Cultural Services
  - Non-Material Benefits Contributing to the Development and Cultural Advancement of Peoples
  - Example: Aesthetic Inspiration, Cultural Identity, Recreation, Spiritual Experience
- Supporting Services
  - Life-supporting Processes
  - Example: Photosynthesis, Water Cycle
Environmental Laws
- How many environmental laws are there in the Philippines?
- Are environmental laws properly enforced? Do they have any flawed provisions?
Sustainability
- Environment
- Economy
- (Social) Equity

Observation
- Asking Question(s)
- Can be observed by any of the five senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste)
Research (using reliable sources in learning background information)
Hypothesis
- Predicting what will occur in an experiment
- “If…then…”
Experiment and Data Collection
- Types of Data
- Qualitative Data (Descriptions)
- Quantitative Data (Numbers)
- Types of Variables
- Independent Variable (changeable)
- Dependent Variable (measurable)
- Types of Experiment Groups
- Experimental Group (one independent variable altered)
- Control Group (all other groups are compared to this)
Data Analysis
Draw Conclusions
Share Results

What is Psychobabble?
- These are words sounding scientific but are used incorrectly or misleadingly
- Example: “biofeedback, meridian lines, quantum energies” justifying “Energy Therapies”
What is Anecdotal Evidence?
- Unverifiable evidence based on personal experiences and events
- Pseudoscience heavily relies on anecdotal evidence
- Example: Product Reviews
Pseudoscience often uses extraordinary claims without extraordinary evidence supporting the claims
- Example: Product X eliminates all pain without any scientific basis
Pseudoscientific claims are often unfalsifiable, being incapable of being refuted in principle
- Example: Traditional Chinese Medicine and Qi are concepts incapable of being scientifically measured or tested
Pseudoscience is often absent of important scientific research principles:
- Connectivity to Other Research
- Connectivity → the extent to which assertions build on existing knowledge
- Example: “Dilution strengthens potency, water has memory”
- Adequate Peer Review
- Self-Correction
- Example: Astrology

Note

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