Wesleyan University – Philippines

Cabanatuan City

College of Arts and Sciences

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Learning Outcomes  Apply analytical, critical ad 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.
Core Values “The proper use of science is not to conquer nature but to live in it.”
—Barry Commoner

https://earth911.com/inspire/earth-day-23-quotes/

Learning Activities and The students will make a poem about the scope and importance of
Resources environmental science.

https://www.mendeley.com/careers/news/careers-jobs-
field/studying-environmental-science-what-it-and-where-can-it-take-
you

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G3eXI_DPn8

SCIENCE AND ITS IMPACT ON SOCIETY

Science has transformed the world profoundly. The most visible change is the rapid
development of technology, not only in industry but also in agriculture and in medicine.

The current material affluence of technologically developed societies, exemplified by abundant

food supply, adequate medical service and the variety of useful inventions can largely be traced
to the advancement of science

In all these developments, science has been regarded as a productive factor contributing to the
progress of society. Throughout history, mankind has been plagued by poverty, famine and
pestilence. In the struggle for subsistence and survival, science and technology were the main
allies.

However, a drastic change has taken place in the past decade. The rapid industrial development
that accompanies the improving standard of living has created new problems. These problems
include DEGRADATION OF THE Environment which impoverishes our life and endangers our
health, and the DEPLETION OF NATURAL RESPOURCES which disrupts and may eventually bring
to a halt our economic activities.

WUP GEE 1 Engr. Heide de Guzman 1

 Wesleyan University – Philippines
Cabanatuan City

College of Arts and Sciences

The current energy crisis signals the beginning of one of our resource problems.

As these new problems began to claim our attention, attitudes towards science and technology
changed.

Suddenly, on the environmental movement, science and technology were seen as VILLAINS
because of the harm one to our environment.

One case in point is the nuclear power plant operation in Bataan which was questioned ,
delayed, then ultimately shut down because of its possible impoverishes our life and endangers
our health, and the DEPLETION OF NATURAL RESPOURCES which disrupts and may eventually
bring to a halt our economic activities.

The very recent energy crisis adds a new dimension to the problem.

We are beginning to realize how much we are dependent on technology.

We also realize that environmental issues must be dealt with in relation to many other
problems.

It is time to review the role of science and technology in our society.

Division of Science

A. Social Science: explore human society past and present, and the way human beings behave. This
includes areas of:
a. Economics: analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and
services.
b. Anthropology: the study of man
c. Sociology: the study of the origin and constitution of society.
d. Psychology: deals with individual behavior and mind.
e. History: is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about
past events.

B. Natural Science: division of science which deals with natural objects and natural phenomena.
This may be grouped into:

B1. Physical Science: deals with the predictable behavior of the world around us. This includes:
a. Astronomy: is the science dealing with all the celestial objects in the universe, including
the planets and their satellites, comets and meteors, the stars, and interstellar matter,
the star systems known as galaxies, and clusters of galaxies
b. Mathematics: deals with abstractions rather than observables, e.g. numbers, shapes,
logic, size, structure, order, and other relationships among quantities

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 Wesleyan University – Philippines
Cabanatuan City

College of Arts and Sciences

c. Geology: deals with the study of the earth

d. Mineralogy: identification of minerals, properties, origin and classification
e. Meteorology: weather
f. Oceanography
g. Climatology
h. Earth science

B2. Biological Science: those concerned with living things their structure, processes and influencing
factors. Among these are:

a. Biology: The science and study of life, from the tiniest microscopic organisms to the largest
whales in the sea.
b. Botany: which is focused on plant life
c. Zoology: which is the study of animal life
d. Microbiology: a study dealing with the structure and existence of microorganisms, which are
tiny life forms such as a bacteria or a virus; organism as bacteria, viruses and fungi
e. Bacteriology: study of bacteria and diseases

Scientific Method

Scientific method refers to a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new
knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. This method consists of collecting facts
and data by the observation of natural phenomena.

The collected facts and data are then correlated into temporary explanation or supposition of related
facts called hypothesis. This hypothesis is then tested to either show it is correct or find where it is
wrong. When it has been proven to be correct and permanent and no other data is found to contradict,
the hypothesis becomes a theory. Theory, therefore, is the explanation of a supposed fact.

A theory becomes a scientific law when facts can be satisfactorily explained. Scientific law is thus a
statement of the behavior of nature. Laws are usually expressed as concise statements or in
mathematical formula.

STEPS:
1. Define a problem.
2. Gather information about the problem.
3. Form a hypothesis.
4. Testing a hypothesis. (experimentation)
5. Observation and record the data.
6. Analyze and interpret the data.
7. Draw a conclusion.

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 Wesleyan University – Philippines
Cabanatuan City

College of Arts and Sciences

Environmental Science

 is 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.

 Provides principles, concepts and methodologies to understand the interrelationships of natural

world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to
evaluate relative risks associated with these problems and to examine alternative solutions for
resolving or preventing them.

Sub-Categories of Environmental Science

Atmospheric Sciences

 Focuses on the Earth’s atmosphere, with an emphasis upon its interrelation to the other system.
Studies in meteorology (study of weather), greenhouse gas phenomena, atmospheric dispersion
modeling of airborne contaminants, sound propagation phenomena related to noise pollution
and even light pollution.

Ecology

 Is the study of the interactions between life and its physical environment; the relationship
between animals and plants and how one species affect another.
 The chief environmental factors governing the distribution of plants and animals are
temperature, humidity, soil, light intensity, day length, food supply, presence of other
microorganism.

Environmental Chemistry

 Is the study of the sources, reactions, transport, effects, and fates of chemical species in the
hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.
 Principal area of study includes soil contamination and water pollution. Analysis includes
chemical degradation in the environment, multiphase transport of chemicals and its effect upon
biota.

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 Wesleyan University – Philippines
Cabanatuan City

College of Arts and Sciences

Geosciences

 Include environmental geology, soil sciences, volcanic phenomena and evolution of earth’s
crust.

Historical Aspect of Ecology

Rachel Carson – biologist, author a book that animated the environmental awakening

Benjamin Franklin – fought for public rights and against water pollution

George Washington Carver – pioneer of chemurgy movement for renewable bioenergy systems

John Snow – proved polluted water causes cholera

Alice Hamilton – studied the dangerous trades

John Muir – author and advocate for wilderness

Environmental issues in the Philippines

The Philippines are prone to natural disasters, particularly typhoons, floods, landslides, volcanic
eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis, lying as it does astride the typhoon belt, in the active volcanic
region known as the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” and in the geologically unstable region between the Pacific
and Eurasian tectonic plates. The Philippines also suffers major human-caused environmental
degradation aggravated by a high annual population growth rate, including loss of agricultural lands,
deforestation, soil erosion, air and water pollution, improper disposal of solid and toxic wastes, loss of
coral reefs, mismanagement and abuse of coastal resources, and overfishing.

References:

1. Abella, E. Advance Ecology Lecture.

2. Akre B, Brainard J, Goose H, Rogers-Estable, and Stewart R (2011): Introduction to Environmental
Science, FlexBook Platform, USA.
3. Allaby M (1996): Basics of Environmental Science, 2nd edn. Routledge, London.
4. Saravanan K, Ramachandran S, and Baskar R (2005): Principles of Environmental Science &
Technology, New Age International (P) Ltd., Publishers, New Delhi.
5. Singh Y.K (2006): Environmental Science, New Age International (P) Ltd., Publishers, New Delhi.

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