Name : Orly Jay J.

Trazo Course & Section : BSCpE- 2A

MODULE 1
 What is environmental science?
Answer: Environmental science (ES) is the study of our environment and our
interaction with it. It's interdisciplinary, drawing from biology, chemistry, physics, and
more. ES analyzes environmental problems using the scientific method, focusing on
connections in nature and human impacts. It emerged in the 1960s from concerns
over pollution and habitat destruction, spurred by influential works like "Silent Spring"
and "The Population Bomb."

 Can you give examples of principles of environmental science?

Answer: Examples of principles of environmental science:
1. Principle of Sustainable Development: Aim for a lifestyle that can be sustained
indefinitely without compromising the needs of future generations.
2. Principle of the Conservation of Energy (First Law of Thermodynamics): Energy
cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.
3. Principle E=MC2: Matter is a form of energy.
4. Principle of the Conservation of Matter: The quantity of matter remains constant; it
cannot be transformed from material to non-material form or vice versa.
5. Entropy Principle (Second Law of Thermodynamics): Systems tend towards
disorder over time.
6. Principle of Evolution through Natural Selection: Life forms evolve from a common
source, adapting to their environment for survival.
7. Principle of Ecology: Various living systems interact with each other and their
environment, from individuals to ecosystems.
8. Principle of Population: Populations tend to grow to the limits of their environment,
leading to cycles of scarcity and abundance.
9. Vicious Circle Principle: Human development often leads to cycles of resource
scarcity, technological innovation, increased consumption, and population growth.

Pause and ponder:

What environmental problems are you aware of? Give some examples.
Answer: As a Filipino student, I'm aware of several environmental problems that
affect our country and the world. Here are some examples:

1. Deforestation: Our forests are being cut down at an alarming rate for logging,
agriculture, and urbanization, leading to loss of biodiversity and disruption of
ecosystems.
2. Pollution: Air, water, and soil pollution are major concerns in many parts of the
Philippines. Industries, vehicles, and improper waste disposal contribute to polluted
air, water bodies, and soil, affecting human health and the environment.
3. Climate Change: Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise
are all consequences of climate change. In the Philippines, this leads to increased
vulnerability to typhoons, floods, droughts, and other natural disasters.
 4. Coral Reef Degradation: Our coral reefs, which are vital for marine biodiversity
and fisheries, are under threat from pollution, overfishing, and climate change-
induced coral bleaching.
5. Waste Management: Improper waste disposal, including plastic pollution, is a
significant problem in the Philippines. Landfills overflow, rivers and oceans are
polluted, and marine life is endangered by plastic waste.
6. Loss of Biodiversity: The Philippines is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, but
many species are endangered due to habitat destruction, pollution, poaching, and
climate change.
7. Water Scarcity: Despite being an archipelago, parts of the Philippines experience
water scarcity due to over-extraction, pollution, and poor water management
practices.

Environmental What are the activities in your day-to-day life interact with these
Component environmental components?
AIR  Commuting: Riding vehicles or public transportation
 Indoor Activities: Using appliances such as gas stoves, heaters, and air
conditioners
 Burning Waste
WATER  Drinking and Cooking: Consuming tap water or bottled water
 Personal Hygiene: Bathing, washing clothes, and cleaning
 Recreation: Visiting beaches, swimming pools, or engaging in water sports
LAND  Waste Generation: Producing household waste from packaging, food
scraps, and other materials
 Construction: Engaging in home renovation or construction projects
involves altering land use and may impact soil stability and ecosystem
services.
BIOTA (PLANTS  Pet Care: Owning pets requires feeding, grooming, and providing shelter
& ANIMALS)  Food Choices: Consuming various foods affects biodiversity and
ecosystems through agriculture, fishing, and livestock production.

Latest Developments. Match the following technological innovations to the

environmental problems they address

1. Air pollution and depletion of fossil a. smart home technology

fuels in transportation

2.Climate change b. “Direct Air Capture” (DAC)

of CO2 from the atmosphere

3. Energy wastage from appliances c. coco bio-diesel

Self-evaluation
• What is environmental science? Explain in your own words.
Answer: Environmental science is about understanding the world around us and how
humans interact with it. It's like being a detective, but instead of solving crimes, we're
figuring out how nature works and how we can take care of it better. We study things
like air, water, land, plants, and animals, and how they all connect together.
Environmental scientists look at problems like pollution, deforestation, and climate
change, and try to find solutions to make our planet healthier for everyone.

• Explain each of the environmental principles in your own words.

Answer:
 Principle of Sustainable Development: We need to live in a way that doesn't
harm our ability to live well in the future. Sustainable development balances the
needs of today without hurting the chances of future generations to meet their
own needs.
 Principle of Conservation of Energy: Energy can't be made or destroyed, only
changed from one form to another.
 Principle E=MC^2: Matter can be turned into energy, and energy into matter, as
shown by Einstein's famous equation.
 Principle of Conservation of Matter: Matter cannot be created or destroyed, only
changed in form.
 Entropy Principle: Systems naturally tend towards disorder over time. Eventually,
we'll run out of resources like fossil fuels if we use them faster than they can be
replenished.
 Principle of Evolution through Natural Selection: Life on Earth evolves over time
through processes like genetic adaptation to the environment, ensuring survival
of species.
 Principle of Ecology: Living beings are part of complex systems called
ecosystems, which rely on sunlight for energy. Each species depends on others
for survival.
 Principle of Population: Populations, including humans, tend to grow as long as
there are enough resources to support them. But when resources become
scarce, populations decrease to balance things out.
 Vicious Circle Principle: Human development often leads to a cycle of using up
resources, inventing new technologies to get more resources, consuming more,
and repeating the cycle.