ENVIRONMENTAL

SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING
2nd SEMESTER 2023 – 2024

MARIA AUREA B. GUIRIBA, MSc. ES

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR 1
BU RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT DIVISION (OVPRDE)

AFFILIATE FACULTY, BUCENG

Introduction
Ecological Terminologies
• Ecology
• The study of relationships between organisms and the environment” (Molles
2005)

• Ecosystem
• An assemblage of living and non-living elements contained within a boundary
such that these elements have functional relationships with each other and
can maintain the flow of energy and complete the chemical cycle.
Ecological Terminologies
• Environment
• (from the French environner – to encircle)
1. “the circumstances or conditions that surround an organism or group of
organisms”
2. “the complex of social or cultural conditions that affect an individual or
community”(CUNNINGHAM 1999)

• Environmental Science
• “The systematic study of our environment and our proper place in it” (Cunningham
1999)

• Applied ecology
Environmental Science
Environment is the
circumstances and
conditions that surround an
organism or a group of
organisms.

Environmental science is
the systematic study of our
environment and our place
in it.

Ecology is the study of an

organism or organisms, the
impact of the environment
on them, and their impact
on the environment.

5
Carrying Capacity
• The maximum number of individuals that a given environment can
support without detrimental effects.
• Limiting factor
• Threshold
• Refers to the limit, which when exceeded, constitute critical boundaries
within a system
Description
• amount of biologically productive land and sea area
necessary to supply the resources a human population
consumes, and to assimilate associated waste.

• Using this assessment, it is possible to estimate how much

of the Earth (or how many planet Earths) it would take to
support humanity if everybody followed a given lifestyle.

• For 2006, humanity's total ecological footprint was

estimated at 1.4 planet Earths – in other words, humanity
uses ecological services 1.4 times as fast as Earth can
renew them.
Characteristics of Good Governance
1. Participation
• key cornerstone of good governance. It needs to be informed and
organized. This means freedom of association and expression on the
one hand and an organized civil society on the other hand.
2. Transparency
• decisions taken and their enforcement are done in a manner that
follows rules and regulations.
• information is freely available and directly accessible to those who
will be affected by such decisions and their enforcement.
• enough information is provided and that it is provided in easily
understandable forms and media.
3. Accountability
• key requirement of good governance
• In general an organization or an institution is accountable to those
who will be affected by its decisions or actions.
http://www.unescap.org/pdd/prs/ProjectActivities/Ongoing/gg/governance.asp
Characteristics of Good Governance
4. Rule of law
• fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially
5. Responsiveness
• institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe.
6. Consensus oriented
• mediation of the different interests in society to reach a broad consensus in society on
what is in the best interest of the whole community and how this can be achieved.

http://www.unescap.org/pdd/prs/ProjectActivities/Ongoing/gg/governance.asp
Characteristics of Good Governance
7. Equity and inclusiveness
• ensuring that all its members feel that they have a stake in it and do not feel excluded
from the mainstream of society.
• all groups, but particularly the most vulnerable, have opportunities to improve or
maintain their well being.
8. Effectiveness and efficiency
• processes and institutions produce results that meet the needs of society while making
the best use of resources at their disposal.
• sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of the environment.

http://www.unescap.org/pdd/prs/ProjectActivities/Ongoing/gg/governance.asp
Thank you for listening
Carrying Capacity
• The maximum number of individuals that a given environment can
support without detrimental effects.
• Limiting factor
• Threshold
• Refers to the limit, which when exceeded, constitute critical boundaries
within a system
Description
• amount of biologically productive land and sea area
necessary to supply the resources a human population
consumes, and to assimilate associated waste.

• Using this assessment, it is possible to estimate how much

of the Earth (or how many planet Earths) it would take to
support humanity if everybody followed a given lifestyle.

• For 2006, humanity's total ecological footprint was

estimated at 1.4 planet Earths – in other words, humanity
uses ecological services 1.4 times as fast as Earth can
renew them.
Characteristics of Good Governance
1. Participation
• key cornerstone of good governance. It needs to be informed and
organized. This means freedom of association and expression on the
one hand and an organized civil society on the other hand.
2. Transparency
• decisions taken and their enforcement are done in a manner that
follows rules and regulations.
• information is freely available and directly accessible to those who
will be affected by such decisions and their enforcement.
• enough information is provided and that it is provided in easily
understandable forms and media.
3. Accountability
• key requirement of good governance
• In general an organization or an institution is accountable to those
who will be affected by its decisions or actions.
http://www.unescap.org/pdd/prs/ProjectActivities/Ongoing/gg/governance.asp
Characteristics of Good Governance
4. Rule of law
• fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially
5. Responsiveness
• institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe.
6. Consensus oriented
• mediation of the different interests in society to reach a broad consensus in society on
what is in the best interest of the whole community and how this can be achieved.

http://www.unescap.org/pdd/prs/ProjectActivities/Ongoing/gg/governance.asp
Characteristics of Good Governance
7. Equity and inclusiveness
• ensuring that all its members feel that they have a stake in it and do not feel excluded
from the mainstream of society.
• all groups, but particularly the most vulnerable, have opportunities to improve or
maintain their well being.
8. Effectiveness and efficiency
• processes and institutions produce results that meet the needs of society while making
the best use of resources at their disposal.
• sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of the environment.

http://www.unescap.org/pdd/prs/ProjectActivities/Ongoing/gg/governance.asp
Thank you for listening