CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

OVERVIEW

This chapter will provide you an overview of what the study

of environmental science encompasses. It is composed of two
modules with the fundamental concepts on the Environmental
Principles and Environmental Ethics.
In the first module, you will acquaint yourself with the
seven environmental principles and how it affects one's life and
decision making. In the second module, you will do an activity
that will allow you to understand the different environmental
ethics and attitudes.
You will also have an opportunity to reflect on your
behavior towards your connection with the environment. Finally,
different environmental issues and concerns will be given
emphasis to fully understand the concepts involved in this
chapter.

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Chapter Content:
 Environmental Principles
 Environmental Ethics

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CHAPTER 1
Module 1 Environmental Principles

Duration: 1.5 hour

INTRODUCTION
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Our concern over the condition of the natural environment has led to the
study of the science behind the environment. This opening module provides a
general introduction to environmental science, its nature, and its principles.

OBJECTIVES
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Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

1. state and reflect on the seven environmental principles; and
2. analyze the relationship between the individual, society, economy, culture,
and environmental issues.

LESSON PROPER
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THE NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Environment
 It means to encircle or surround an organism and includes the social and cultural
conditions that may affect him.

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  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.

Environmental Science
 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.

THE 7 ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES

Principle #1: Nature knows best.
 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 #2: All forms of life are important.

 Each organism plays a vital role in nature.

Principle #3: Everything is connected to everything else.

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

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Principle #4: Everything changes.
 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 #5: Everything must go somewhere.

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

Principle #6: Ours is finite earth.

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

Principle #7: Nature is beautiful, and we are stewards of God's creation.

 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.

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CHAPTER 1
Module 2 Environmental Ethics
Duration: 2 hours

INTRODUCTION
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Different environmental issues arise throughout the years. Ethical attitudes and
behaviors determine how humans interact with natural resources . Philosophical
consideration of various theories and perspectives on the environment and applying
these theories to global moral issues are given extreme reflections.
This module shall scrutinize and evaluate different ethical theories concerning
the environment as we apply them to various environmental, ethical issues.

OBJECTIVES
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Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:
1. declare some philosophical and ethical views, issues, and arguments as they relate
to the environment; and
2. establish your critical thinking in an attempt to consider and scrutinize arguments
about different environmental problems.

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 LESSON PROPER
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Ethics and morals should be considered in assessing different environmental

issues. Depending on our perspective, it could encompass differing principles and
beliefs.

Ethics 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.
Moral principles that try to define one’s responsibility towards the environment are
called environmental ethics.

Environmental ethics 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.
Generally, it consists of three fundamental propositions:
1. The earth and its components (natural resources, human beings, animals, etc.)
are worthy of ethical concern.
2. The earth and its components have inherent value because they exist, not only
because they provide resources for human needs.
3. Based on the concept of an ecosystem, human beings should consider “wholes”
that comprises other living organisms and the environment.

Philosophical Approaches to Environmental Ethics

1. Anthropocentrism (Human-centered Ethics)
 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

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  and believed that nature is provided for human use/interest alone.

2. Biocentrism (Life-centered Ethics)

 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.

3. Eco-centrism
 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.

Environmental Attitudes
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 is called an Environmentalist.
Specifically,

1. Developmental Approach
 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.

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  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.

2. Conservationists Approach
 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.

3. Preservationists Approach
 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

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

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