MST 101A*: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

1st SEMESTER | S.Y 2022-2023 STUDENT: ARA MAE M. VILLAFUERTE
PROFESSOR: MICHELLE S. AGUSTIN BSC 1-D | September 05, 2023

to a continuous and steady supply of resources

MODULE 1 provided to us. Remember, any disruption in the
ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES cycle of nature can bring imbalance to our
ecosystem.
THE NATURE OF ENVIRONMENTALS SCIENCE • All the things that is present in nature has a
responsibility and value.
Environment
• “Nitrogen” as abundant type of gas in the
• It means to encircle or surround an organism and environment. (Primary Producers)
includes the social and cultural conditions that • Nitrogen- Plants (Grass)- Photosynthesis-
may affect him. Oxygen
• All things that surround us.
• It can be explained as the physical surroundings Principle #2: All forms of life are important.
and factors - living things (organisms) and • Each organism plays a vital role in nature.
nonliving things/environments (matter and • All forms of life have a value and purpose.
energy). • Food chain- Simplest term from transferring
Biotic- Living things or God made. energy to one place to another.
Abiotic- Non-living things or manmade.
• All of the things that can affect living factors. Principle #3: Everything is connected to everything
• Example: soil, water humidity else.
• In a broader definition, it is everything that • All living organisms are influenced and adapt to
affects an organism during its lifetime. non-living components to ensure that the system
• The term "environment" has been used to is sustained.
describe our everyday surroundings since the • Everything is connected to and yet the only thing
day we were born. that is constant is change.
Science
▪ Systematically organized body of knowledge on Principle #4: Everything changes.
particular subject. • The environment is continuously changing. All
living organisms adapt to these changes to
survive.
Environmental Science
• Is the systematic study of our environment and • Three types of changes:
1. Linear- Producing a line that follows a
our place in it, merely the connections and
clear direction and timeline.
interactions in nature, and concerned with
Example: Evolution of species brought
environmental problems/issues.
about by complex types of organisms.
• Systematic study of environmental and our
place in it.
There is no returning back. It
2. Random- changes that occur in a
• It can be explained as to how species interact with system or process where the outcome
one another and the nonliving environment is not predictable and is influenced by
(matter and energy). chance.
• It is an interdisciplinary field that includes both Example: the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo
the scientific and social aspects of human impact that alters the topography of the land.
on the world. 3. Cyclical- process in which the initial and
• interdisciplinary field- Intercalating other final state is the same. Chronologically
body or field of science to another branch. arrange.
Example: Cyclical change may be
exemplified by seasons and the
THE 7 ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES rhythms in floral and faunal life stages
Principle #1: Nature knows best. that go with the seasons. The day, the
• This principle is the most basic and comprises all week, and the year.
the others. • Poinsettia- a type of Christmas
• Humans have to appreciate and recognize the flower that is present during
importance of nature and follow its rules. We Ber months.
must not interfere with various natural processes
 Principle #5: Everything must go somewhere. 1. The earth and its components (natural resources,
• Matter is cycled so as wastes materials. human beings, animals, etc.) are worthy of
• Everything ends up elsewhere. ethical concern.
2. The earth and its components have inherent
Principle #6: Ours is finite earth. value because they exist, not only because they
Finite- limited provide resources for human needs.
• Resources are limited in form. 3. Based on the concept of an ecosystem, human
• It is essential to know how much of a resource beings should consider “wholes” that comprises
can be consumed at a given time. other living organisms and the environment.
• Recycle the things that are still useful.
PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACHES TO ENVIRONMENTAL
Principle #7: Nature is beautiful, and we are ETHICS
stewards of God's creation.
1. Anthropocentrism (Human-centered Ethics)
• Humans are the most intelligent creatures that ▪ Human beings are the central, most important
are capable of manipulating nature to their
species in the universe. Thus, understanding the
advantage. Humans will not exist; thus, it should
natural world should be centered on
not be ravaged or abuse in nature but to be taken
anthropology.
care of.
• The needs of human will be provided by the
• As a person who is gifted with intelligent and
environment. Regardless of the effects that it
reason, we have the power and capability to
causes.
take good care of our environment.
▪ Some people believe that humans are essentially
• We are the one who is reliable in our actions,
separate from or above nature.
there isn't always a way to get things back to
normal.
▪ It sees the world focusing on people and their
needs.
▪ and believed that nature is provided for human
use/interest alone.
MODULE 2 2. Biocentrism (Life-centered Ethics)
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS ▪ All life has a standpoint, regardless of its value to
Different environmental issues arise humans.
throughout the years. Ethical attitudes and behaviors • All living things are being valued.
determine how humans interact with natural
resources. Philosophical consideration of various ▪ Understanding biology is at the center of
theories and perspectives on the environment and environmental ethics. The biosphere is central to
applying these theories to global moral issues are life on earth.
given extreme reflections. ▪ Some people believe that all living organisms
have the right to exist.
Ethics and morals should be considered in assessing ▪ It is a system of ethics that attempts to protect
different environmental issues. Depending on our all life in nature.
perspective, it could encompass differing principles ▪ All life is interdependent.
and beliefs. Example: if the deer population is over-hunted,
then the coyote and wolf will be affected.
Ethics - is a field of philosophy that focuses on the
study of value or quality and seeks to define what is 3. Eco-centrism
right and what is wrong ▪ Focuses on the environment and its need.
the environment are called environmental ethics. ▪ Protecting the environment
Example: different cultures that respects each other ▪ It involves the essence of the system, rather than
on individuals, species.
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS ▪ The environment itself has moral worth.
is the study of moral perspectives, beliefs, attitudes, ▪ The environment should be maintained and
and issues concerning the environment. It applies deserves direct moral considerations and not a
ethical thinking to the natural world and the concern that is merely derived from human or
relationship between humans and the earth. animal interests.
Generally, it consists of three fundamental Example: Sagada park is a place where you can
propositions: trek, eat, and do anything you choose, but you
must be responsible and eco-friendly by
disposing of your trash in the designated areas.
 ▪ Environmentalist- a person who is concerned
ENVIRONMENTAL ATTITUDES with or advocates the protection of the
Any person concerned with the protection of the environment.
environment or who believes that the sustainability of • Taking good care of the environment and
civilization depends on conserving natural aspects of knowledgeable enough
the biosphere free from pollution and maintaining ▪ Cornucopians – a person who assume or believe
biodiversity is called an Environmentalist. that all parts of the environment (natural
• Way or feeling towards the environment our resources) are to be exploited for the advantage
thoughts about the environment and what of humans.
should be done. • Anthropocentrism (human centered)
TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ATTITUDES approach of human.
1. Developmental Approach • Counterpart of environmentalist thus,
➢ It tends to be the most anthropocentric (Human tends to lead industrialization and
Centered) and assumes that humanity is above modernization.
all.
➢ It yields to industrialization and modernization
that slowly sacrificing our environment.
➢ 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.
➢ 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.

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.
➢ Using the natural resources in a proper manner
Example: conserving water while brushing teeth using
a cup

3. Preservationists Approach
➢ tends to be the most eco-centric towards the
environment.
➢ Restricted from using to protect 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.
Example: forest and other areas that are
inaccessible to the general public unless for
the use of research purposes