ES LECTURE 1:

The Multidisciplinary Nature on

Environmental Science

Prepared by:
DIVINE GRACE S. BATENGA, MSc., LPT
 LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon the completion of the course, you are expected to:

a) Apply analytical, critical and problem-solving skills using
the scientific method.
b) Extend knowledge, critically assess, and solve problems
regarding environmental issues in the Philippines.
c) Understand the importance of studying environmental
science as part of their curriculum.
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“
This chapter comprises four topics which focuses
mainly on the importance of studying
environmental science. The chapter will start on
the introduction of science and its branches, and
the use of scientific method in investigating a
phenomenon. The second lesson will introduce you
to the interdisciplinary nature of environmental
studies and the importance of studying
environmental science as well as the different
environmental issues in the country.

”
 SCIENCE
▰ Organized body of knowledge
that is obtained by study and
experimentation

▰ “philosophy of the natural

world”

▰ Scientia – knowledge
4
 It is a systematic body of
SCIENCE knowledge based on careful
observation and
experimentation

Social It is the study of Natural It seeks to understand

people, culture, and
Science society Science the natural world

Living things Biological Physical Non-living things

Science Science
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THE NATURE OF SCIENCE

▰ The goal of science is to learn how nature works

by observing the physical world.
▰ Science is a distinctive way of learning about
the natural world.
▰ The reliability of scientific knowledge comes
partly from the objectivity of scientific methods.
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A SCIENTIFIC VIEW OF THE WORLD

Science presumes that events

in the universe happen in
patterns that can be
understood by careful study

▰ NATURE CAN BE UNDERSTOOD

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A SCIENTIFIC VIEW OF THE WORLD

Science is a process for

developing knowledge

▰ SCIENTIFIC IDEAS CAN CHANGE

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A SCIENTIFIC VIEW OF THE WORLD

Continuity and stability

▰ SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE CAN

STAND THE TEST OF TIME
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A SCIENTIFIC VIEW OF THE WORLD

There are many things that

cannot be examined in a
scientific way

▰ SCIENCE CANNOT OFFER

ANSWERS TO ALL QUESTIONS
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THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

▰ Scientific investigations examine, gain new

knowledge, or build on previous knowledge
about phenomena.
▰ Scientific methods are based on gathering
observable, empirical (produced by experiment
or observation), and measurable evidence that
is critically evaluated.
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The general process of scientific method

A diagram that illustrates how

scientific investigation moves from
observation of phenomenon to a
theory. The progress is not as
straightforward as it looks in this
diagram. Many times, every
hypothesis is falsified which
means the investigator will have
to start over again.

LAW
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Steps of Scientific Method

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Common Terms Used in Scientific

Investigations
TERM DEFINITION
Scientific Method The process of scientific investigation.
Observation The act of noting or detecting phenomenon by the senses. For example, taking
measurements is a form of observation.
Hypotheses A suggested explanation based on evidence that can be tested by observation or
experimentation.
Scientific Reasoning The process of looking for scientific reasons for observations.
Experiment A test that is used to rule out a hypothesis or validate something already known.

Rejected Hypothesis An explanation that is ruled out by experimentation.

Confirmed Hypothesis An explanation that is not ruled out by repeated experimentation, and makes
predictions that are shown to be true.
Inference Developing new knowledge based upon old knowledge.
Theory A widely accepted hypothesis that stands the test of time. Theories are often
tested, and usually not rejected.
INTRODUCTION TO
ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE
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ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

▰ The study of interactions among physical,

chemical, and biological components of the
environment and the solution of the
environmental problems.
▰ Provides an integrated, quantitative, and
interdisciplinary approach to the study of
environmental systems.
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SUB-CATEGORIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE

▰ ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES – focuses on the Earth’s

atmosphere and its interrelation to the other system.
╺ Meteorology
╺ Greenhouse gas phenomena
╺ Atmospheric dispersion of airborne contaminants
╺ Sound propagation phenomena (noise, light pollution)
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SUB-CATEGORIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE

▰ ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY - study of the

sources, reactions, transport, effects, and fates
of chemical species in the hydrosphere,
lithosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.
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SUB-CATEGORIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE

▰ GEOSCIENCES
╺ Environmental geology
╺ Soil sciences
╺ Volcanic phenomena (volcanism)
╺ Evolution of Earth’s crust
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SUB-CATEGORIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE

▰ ECOLOGY
╺ The study of the interactions between life
and its physical environment.
╺ The relationship between animals and
plants and how one species affect another.
╺ Distribution of plants and animals
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SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENT

The environment consists of four segments as

under:
▰ Atmosphere
▰ Hydrosphere
▰ Lithosphere
▰ Biosphere
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SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENT

▰ ATMOSPHERE
╺ the protective
blanket of gases
(N, O2, Ar, CO2,
trace gases),
surrounding the
Earth
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SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENT

▰ HYDROSPHERE
╺ comprises all types
of water resources
oceans, seas, lakes,
rivers, streams,
reservoir, polar
icecaps, glaciers,
and ground water.
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SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENT

▰ LITHOSPHERE
╺ Lithosphere is
the outer mantle
of the solid earth.
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SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENT

▰ BIOSPHERE
╺ Where life
operates.
 ELEMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT
▰ PHYSICAL ELEMENTS
╺ Determine the
variable character
of the human
habitat, its
opportunities as
well as limitations.

27
 ELEMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT
▰ BIOLOGICAL
ELEMENTS
╺ Plants, animals,
microorganisms,
and men.

28
 ELEMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT
▰ CULTURAL ELEMENTS
╺ economic, social
and political
elements are
essentially
manmade features,
which make
cultural milieu

29
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“
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES:
IMPORTANCE
The environmental studies
enlighten us, about the
importance of protection and
conservation of our
indiscriminate release of
pollution into the environment.

”
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ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES: IMPORTANCE

At present a great number of

environmental issues, have
grown in size and complexity
day by day, threatening the
survival of mankind on earth.
We study about these issues
besides and effective
suggestions in the
Environmental Studies
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Environmental studies have

become significant for the following reasons:

▰ Environmental Issues Being of

International Importance
╺ Global warming
╺ Ozone depletion
╺ Acid rain
╺ Marine pollution
╺ Biodiversity
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Environmental studies have

become significant for the following reasons:

▰ Problems Cropped in The Wake of

Development
╺ The North, to cleanse their own
environment has, fact fully,
managed to move ‘dirty’ factories
of South.
╺ When the West developed, it did
so perhaps in ignorance of the
environmental impact of its Canada garbage shipped to the Philippines
activities.
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Environmental studies have

become significant for the following reasons:

▰ Need for An Alternative

Solution
╺ It is essential, specially
for developing countries
to find alternative paths
to an alternative goal.
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Environmental studies have

become significant for the following reasons:

▰ Need To Save Humanity

From Extinction
╺ constricting the
environment and
depleting the biosphere,
in the name of
development
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NEED FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS

▰ It is essential to make the public aware of

the formidable consequences of the
Environmental Degradation, if not retorted
and reformative measures undertaken,
would result in the extinction of life.
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NEED FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS

▰ Growing Population
╺ Over 17 million people
are added each year.
╺ It puts considerable
pressure on its natural
resources and reduces
the gains of
development.
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NEED FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS

▰ Poverty
╺ The vast majority of our people
directly dependent on the
nature resources of their
country for their basic needs
╺ Environmental degradation has
adversely affected the poor who
depend upon the resources of
their immediate surroundings
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NEED FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS

▰ Agricultural Growth
╺ acquainted with
the methods to
sustain and
increase
agricultural growth
without damaging
the environment.
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NEED FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS

▰ Need for Groundwater

╺ Factors like community wastes,
industrial effluents and chemical
fertilizers and pesticides have
polluted our surface water and
affected quality of the
groundwater.
╺ It is essential to restore the water
quality of our rivers and other
water bodies.
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NEED FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS

▰ Reduction of Genetic Diversity

╺ Proper measures to
conserve genetic diversity
need to be taken.
╺ At present most wild
genetic stocks have been
disappearing from nature
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ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES IN THE
PHILIPPINES
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN
THE PHILIPPINES
▰ Prone to natural disaster
▰ Typhoon belt
▰ Pacific Ring of Fire
Climate Change and the
Philippines
▰ The Philippines is a
hotspot for climate
change disasters
particularly the risk for
agriculture and food
security due to extreme
El Nino and severe
tropical cyclones.
 Decline of Natural Resources and
Biodiversity
▰ The Philippines is suffering from
degradation of the natural
environment.
▰ It has fifty major rivers now
polluted due to abuse and
neglect.
▰ Approximately two-thirds of the
country's original mangroves have
been lost.
 Alarming Waste Problem in the
Philippines
▰ The Philippines is looming with
garbage problems despite the
passage of the Ecological Solid
Waste Management Act or the
Republic Act (RA) 9003.
 People’s Behavior Towards Waste

▰ Behavior is a key cultural aspect that is embedded in people’s

way of life.
 People’s Behavior Towards Waste

▰ Recognizing the importance of the

environment’s immediate
recovery and effects of improper
waste management to the
Philippines, there is a need for
understanding and reformation of
attitudes and concern towards
the protection of environment.
 People’s Behavior Towards Waste

▰ The impending garbage crisis can

be prevented if we only practice
waste segregation at source,
recycling, and composting as
what the law requires.
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End of Lecture…
VALUES INTEGRATION

WU-P upholds the value of COMPASSION, recent research

has shown that compassionate feelings for the suffering
environment promote conservation of nature (Pfattheicher et
al., 2015). Our planet presently suffers because of our
destructive activities, if we develop a sense of responsibility
and appreciation to our planet’s natural resources, we could
save it for the next generation to come.
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References:

▰ Akre B, Brainard J, Goose H, Rogers-Estable, and Stewart R (2011): Introduction to

Environmental Science, FlexBook Platform, USA.

▰ Cirjak, A. (2020). 5 Major Fields of Environmental Science. Retrieved:

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/5-major-fields-of-environmental-science.html#:~:text=
There%20are%20five%20major%20fields,%2C%20geosciences%2C%20and%20social%2
0sciences.

▰ Ocampo, E. (2020). Major report on Climate Change Polices, Green Jobs and Decent

▰ Work in the Philippines. Retrieved: https://www.academia.edu/7515937/TUCP_Ocampo