The Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Science Study Notes
LECTURE 1: THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
This lecture was prepared by Divine Grace S. Batenga, MSC., LPT, Subject Teacher for Environmental Science.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to:
Apply analytical, critical, and problem-solving skills using the scientific method.
Extend knowledge, critically assess, and solve problems regarding environmental issues in the Philippines.
Understand the importance of studying environmental science as part of their curriculum.
THE NATURE OF SCIENCE
Science is defined as an organized body of knowledge obtained by study and experimentation.
It is referred to as the "philosophy of the natural world."
The term is derived from the Latin word Scientia, meaning "knowledge."
Science is a process used to solve problems or develop an understanding of nature that involves testing possible answers.
It is a systematic body of knowledge based on careful observation and experimentation.
CLASSIFICATIONS OF SCIENCE
Social Science: The study of people, culture, and society.
Natural Science: Seeks to understand the natural world. It is further divided into:
Biological Science: The study of living things.
Physical Science: The study of non-living things.
A SCIENTIFIC VIEW OF THE WORLD
Nature Can Be Understood: Science presumes that events in the universe happen in patterns that can be understood through careful study.
Scientific Ideas Can Change: Science is a continuous process for developing and refining knowledge.
Scientific Knowledge Can Stand the Test of Time: While ideas can change, scientific knowledge also possesses continuity and stability.
Science Cannot Offer Answers to All Questions: There are many things that cannot be examined in a scientific way.
Goal of Science: To learn how nature works by observing the physical world.
Distinctiveness: Science is a unique way of learning about the natural world.
Reliability: The reliability of scientific knowledge is derived partly from the objectivity of scientific methods.
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Scientific investigations examine, gain new knowledge, or build on previous knowledge about phenomena.
It is a way of gaining information (facts) about the world by forming possible solutions to questions, followed by rigorous testing to determine validity.
Elements of the Scientific Method
Observation: Occurs when senses (smell, sight, hearing, taste, touch) or extensions of senses (microscope, tape recorder, X-ray machine, thermometer) are used to record an event.
Questioning and Exploring: Observations lead to questions such as:
Why did this event happen?
Will it happen again in the same circumstances?
Is it related to something else?
Constructing Hypothesis: A hypothesis is a statement providing a possible answer to a question or an explanation for an observation that can be tested.
Characteristics of a Good Hypothesis: Must be logical, account for all relevant available information, allow for prediction of future events, and be testable.
Testing Hypothesis: Scientists test the predictive ability of a hypothesis to see if it is supported or disproved.
Experiment: A common method for testing involving the re-creation of an event or occurrence to support or disprove the hypothesis.
Development of Theories and Laws:
Theory: A widely accepted, plausible generalization about fundamental concepts in science that explains why things happen. Example: Kinetic Molecular Theory (all matter consists of tiny, moving particles).
Scientific Law: A uniform or constant fact of nature that describes what happens in nature. Example: Law of Conservation of Mass (matter is not gained or lost during a chemical reaction).
Communication: A central characteristic of the scientific method involving publication in scientific journals, attendance at conferences, and dialogue via phone, email, or the internet. This subjects science to examination by many minds.
The Process Flow
The general process moves from the observation of a phenomenon to a theory, though it is often not straightforward. If a hypothesis is falsified, the investigator must start over.
Steps of Scientific Method:
Define a problem.
Gather information about the problem.
Form a hypothesis.
Testing a hypothesis (experimentation).
Observation and record the data.
Analyze and interpret the data.
Draw a conclusion.
THE NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Environment: Defined as everything that affects an organism during its lifetime and the surrounding conditions.
Science in this Context: An approach to studying the natural world involving formulating and testing hypotheses to see if they are supported or refuted.
Complexity: Because humans are organized into complex societies, Environmental Science must also deal with politics, social organization, economics, ethics, and philosophy.
Definition of Environmental Science:
A mixture of traditional science, individual and societal values, economic factors, and political realities.
The study of interactions among physical, chemical, and biological components of the environment and the solution of environmental problems.
SUB-CATEGORIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Atmosphere Sciences: Focuses on Earth's atmosphere and its interrelation to other systems.
Includes: Meteorology, Greenhouse gas phenomena, Atmospheric dispersion of airborne contaminants, and Sound propagation phenomena (noise, light pollution).
Environmental Chemistry: The study of the sources, reactions, transport, effects, and fates of chemical species in the hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.
Geosciences: Includes Environmental geology, Soil sciences, Volcanic phenomena (volcanism), and the Evolution of Earth's crust.
Ecology:
The study of interactions between life and its physical environment.
The relationship between animals and plants and how species affect one another.
Distribution of plants and animals.
SCOPE AND ELEMENTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Four Segments of the Environment
Atmosphere: The protective blanket of gases surrounding Earth, including $N$, $O_2$, $Ar$, $CO_2$, and trace gases.
Hydrosphere: Comprises all water resources: oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, polar icecaps, glaciers, and groundwater.
Lithosphere: The outer mantle of the solid Earth (includes oceanic crust, continental crust, and asthenosphere).
Biosphere: The realm where life operates, including birds in the air, sea creatures, animals, microscopic organisms, and vegetation.
Elements of the Environment
Physical Elements: Determine the variable character of the human habitat, its opportunities, and its limitations.
Biological Elements: Consists of plants, animals, microorganisms, and men.
Cultural Elements: Economic, social, and political elements which are man-made features forming the cultural milieu.
IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Enlightens people about the importance of protection and conservation against the indiscriminate release of pollution.
Addresses environmental issues that have grown in complexity, threatening human survival.
Key Reasons for Significance:
International Importance: Global warming, ozone depletion, acid rain, marine pollution, and biodiversity.
Problems in Development: Countries in the "North" (developed) have moved "dirty" factories to the "South" (developing) to cleanse their own environments. Example provided: Canada's garbage shipped to the Philippines.
Alternative Solutions: Developing countries must find alternative paths to development goals.
Saving Humanity: Development is currently constricting the environment and depleting the biosphere, risking extinction.
THE NEED FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS
Public awareness is essential to avoid formative consequences of environmental degradation that leads to extinction.
Growing Population: Over $17 \times 10^0$ million people are added each year, putting pressure on natural resources.
Poverty: A majority of people depend directly on natural resources; degradation adversely affects the poor who rely on their immediate surroundings.
Agricultural Growth: Need for methods to sustain growth without damaging the environment.
Groundwater: Pollution from community wastes, industrial effluents, fertilizers, and pesticides affects water quality; restoration of rivers is essential.
Reduction of Genetic Diversity: Wild genetic stocks are disappearing; conservation measures are needed.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THE PHILIPPINES
Natural Disaster Prone: Located in the Typhoon belt and the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Climate Change: The Philippines is a hotspot for climate change disasters, specifically risks to agriculture and food security due to extreme El Niño and severe tropical cyclones.
Decline of Resources:
50 major rivers are now polluted due to abuse and neglect.
Roughly two-thirds () of the country's original mangroves have been lost.
Waste Problem: Looming garbage crisis despite Republic Act (RA) 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act).
Behavioral Aspect: Behavior is embedded in cultural life. Reformation of attitudes and concern is needed.
Prevention: The crisis can be prevented through waste segregation at the source, recycling, and composting as required by law.
VALUES INTEGRATION
Wesleyan University-Philippines (WU-P) upholds the value of COMPASSION.
Research by Pfattheicher et al. (2015) shows that compassionate feelings for the environment promote conservation.
Developing responsibility and appreciation for natural resources is required to save the planet for future generations.