Module 2 /LESSON 2

Goals and importance of

Environmental Science

Different field of sciences related

to environmental science
Prepared by : Dr. Amelinda D. Marmol

What is Environmental Science?

The environment is an evergreen subject because it matters a lot to our daily lives. It’s where we live,
eat, breathe, and bring up our children. Our life support systems entirely rely on the well-being of every
organism living on planet earth. This is why a lot has been written and spoken about the protection
and conservation of the environment. There are even high-value courses dedicated to the study of the
environment. A typical example is an environmental science.

Environmental science is a field that deals with the study of the interaction between human systems and
natural systems. Natural systems involve the earth itself and life. Human systems are primarily
the populations of the earth.

VIDEO LINK

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/what-is-environmental-science-and-its-components.php
According to Wikipedia,

“Environmental science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical, biological and
information sciences (including ecology, biology, physics, chemistry, plant science, zoology, mineralogy,
oceanography, limnology, soil science, geology and physical geography, and atmospheric science) to the
study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems.

Environmental science emerged from the fields of natural history and medicine during the
Enlightenment. Today it provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study
of environmental systems.”

Environmental science is the academic field that takes physical, biological, and chemical sciences to
study the environment and discover solutions to environmental problems. Sciences used in
environmental science include geography, zoology, physics, ecology, oceanology, and geology.

Environmental science also branches out into environmental studies and environmental engineering. It
provides an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental problems.

o Environmental studies are the study of social sciences to understand human interactions with
the environment.
 o Environmental engineering is the focus on analyzing and deducing problems with the
environment and the effect of man-made programs on the environment, and for finding
solutions to help protect and preserve the environment by disposing of pollution in the air,
water, and land.

Environmental science involves different fields of study. Most often, the study of environmental science
includes the study of climate change, natural resources, energy, pollution, and environmental issues.

In environmental sciences, ecologists study how plants and animals interact with each other, chemists
study the living and non-living components of the environment, geologists study the formation,
structure, and history of the earth, biologists study the biodiversity, physicists are involved
in thermodynamics, computer scientists are involved in technical innovations and computer modeling
and biomedical experts study the impact of environmental issues on our health and social lives.

The growing complexity of environmental problems is creating a need for scientists with rigorous,
interdisciplinary training in environmental science. Environmental scientists and specialists use their
knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health. They must have a
solid background in economics, sociology, and political science.

Contents

Importance of Environmental Science

1. To Realize That Environmental Problems are Global

Environmental science lets you recognize that environmental problems such as climate change, global
warming, ozone layer depletion, acid rains, and impacts on biodiversity and marine life are not just
national problems, but global problems as well. So, concerted effort from across the world is needed to
tackle these problems.

2. To Understand the Impacts of Development on the Environment

It’s well documented and quantified that development results in Industrial growth, urbanization,
expansion of telecommunication and transport systems, hi-tech agriculture, and expansion of housing.

Easy and Simple Ways To Stop Global Warming and Reduce Earth's Temperature

Environmental science seeks to teach the general population about the need for decentralization of
industries to reduce congestion in urban areas. Decentralization means many people will move out of
urban centers to reduce pollution resulting from overpopulation.

The goal is to achieve all this sustainably without compromising the future generation’s ability to satisfy
their own needs.
3. To Discover Sustainable Ways of Living

Environmental science is more concerned with discovering ways to live more sustainably. This means
utilizing present resources in a manner that conserves their supplies for the future.

Environmental sustainability doesn’t have to outlaw living luxuriously, but it advocates for creating
awareness about the consumption of resources and minimizing unnecessary waste.

This includes minimizing household energy consumption, using disposals to dispose of waste, eating
locally, recycling more, growing your own food, drinking from the tap, conserving household water, and
driving your car less.

4. To Utilize Natural Resources Efficiently

Natural resources bring a whole lot of benefits to a country. A country’s natural resources may not be
utilized efficiently because of low-level training and a lack of management skills. Environmental science
teaches us to use natural resources efficiently by:

o Appropriately putting into practice environmental conservation methods

o Using the right tools to explore resources

o Adding value to our resources

o Making sure machines are maintained appropriately

o Thorough training of human resources

o Provision of effective and efficient supervision

o Using the right techniques to minimize exploitation

o To understand the behavior of organisms under natural conditions

Behavior is what organisms manifest to respond to, interact with, and control their environment. An
animal exhibits behavior as the first line of defense in response to any change of environment.

So, critical look at organism’s behavior can offer insightful information about animal’s needs, dislikes,
preferences, and internal conditions providing that your evaluation of those observations firmly hinge
on knowledge of species’-natural behavior.

5. To Shed Light on Contemporary Concepts Such as How to Conserve Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of life on earth. The present rate of biodiversity loss is at an all-time high.
Environmental science aims to teach people how to reverse this trend by:

o Using sustainable wood products

 o Using organic foods

o Embracing the 3R’s, reduce, reuse, and recycle

o Purchasing sustainable seafood

o Supporting conservation campaigns at local levels

o Conserving power

o Minimizing the consumption of meat

o Utilizing eco-friendly cleaning products

o To understand the interrelationship between organisms in population and communities

Organisms and humans depend on each other to get by. Environmental science is important because it
enables you to understand how these relationships work.

For example, humans breathe out carbon dioxide, which plants need for photosynthesis. Plants, on the
other hand, produce and release oxygen to the atmosphere, which humans need for respiration.

Animal droppings are sources of nutrients for plants and other microorganisms. Plants are sources of
food for humans and animals. In short, organisms and humans depend on each other for survival.

6. To Learn and Create Awareness About Environmental Problems at Local, National and International
Levels

Environmental problems at local, national, and international levels mostly occur due to lack of
awareness. Environmental science aims to educate and equip learners with the necessary
environmental skills to pass to the community in order to create awareness.

Environmental awareness can be created through social media, creating a blog dedicated to creating
awareness, community-centered green clubs, women forums, and religious podiums.

Components of Environmental Science

1. Ecology
Ecology is the study of organisms and the environment interacting with one another. Ecologists, who
make up a part of environmental scientists, try to find relations between the status of the environment
and the population of a particular species within that environment, and if there are any correlations to
be drawn between the two.

For example, ecologists might take the populations of a particular type of bird with the status of the part
of the Amazon Rainforest that the population is living in.
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The ecologists will study and may or may not come to the conclusion that the bird population is
increasing or decreasing as a result of air pollution in the rainforest. They may also take multiple species
of birds and see if they can find any relation to one another, allowing the scientists to come to a
conclusion if the habitat is suitable or not for that species to live in.

2. Geoscience
Geoscience concerns the study of geology, soil science, volcanoes, and the Earth’s crust as they relate to
the environment. As an example, scientists may study the erosion of the Earth’s surface in a particular
area. Soil scientists, physicists, biologists, and geomorphologists would all take part in the study.

Geomorphologists would study the movement of solid particles (sediments), biologists would study the
impacts of the study to the plants and animals of the immediate environment, physicists would study
the light transmission changes in the water causing the erosion, and the soil scientists would make the
final calculations on the flow of the water when it infiltrates the soil to full capacity causing the erosion
in the first place.

3. Atmospheric Science
Atmospheric science is the study of the Earth’s atmosphere. It analyzes the relation of the Earth’s
atmosphere to the atmospheres of other systems. This encompasses a wide variety of scientific studies
relating to space, astrology, and the Earth’s atmosphere: meteorology, pollution, gas emissions, and
airborne contaminants.

An example of atmospheric science is where physicists study the atmospheric circulation of a part of the
atmosphere, chemists would study the chemicals existent in this part and their relationships with the
environment, meteorologists study the dynamics of the atmosphere, and biologists study how the
plants and animals have affected and their relationship with the environment.

4. Environmental Chemistry
Environmental Chemistry is the study of the changes chemicals make in the environment, such as
contamination of the soil, pollution of the water, degradation of chemicals, and the transport of
chemicals upon the plants and animals of the immediate environment.

An example of environmental chemistry would be the introduction of a chemical object into an

environment, in which chemists would then study the chemical bonding to the soil or sand of the
environment. Biologists would then study the now chemically induced soil to see its relationship with
the plants and animals of the environment.

Environmental science is an active and growing part of the scientific world accelerated by the need to
address problems with the Earth’s environment. It encompasses multiple scientific fields and sciences to
see how all interchange and relate with one another in any of the above four components.

Top 5 Environmental Science Careers

1. Environmental Scientist

An environmental scientist performs research to pinpoint, minimize the grave impacts of, or get rid of
hazards and pollutants to the environments or the health of the globe’s population. His or her main aim
is to protect and conserve Mother Nature. The average annual salary of an environmental scientist is
$67,400.

Environmental scientist jobs are normally full time, including working over 40 hours a week. Their main
workplaces are laboratories and outdoor field works. You need impeccable skills set to be an
environmental scientist including communication skills, reading comprehension, and self-discipline.

2. Environmental Engineer
An environmental engineer finds solutions to problems in the environment by leveraging his or her
knowledge of soil science, engineering, biology, and chemistry. His or her area of focus includes the
control of pollution, recycling, and Public health aspects.

A bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering is required to become an environmental engineer.

The environmental engineer takes home an annual salary of about $87,620. An environmental engineer
should be able to:

o Offer suggestions for maintaining and beefing up the environmental performance

o Find out, evaluate and apply stormwater good management practices for municipal, industrial
and construction stormwater programs

o Evaluate environmental regulations and seek counsel with applicability determination

o He or she should document all environmental incidences

o Develop and keep in line environmental management systems to conform to air and permit
regulations

o Lead from the front in the negotiation and of permit applications

o Liaise with regulatory bodies, prepare required documentation, organize any testing sessions,
and provide more follow-up documentation needed.

READ Oil Spill in The Pacific Threatens An Endangered World Heritage Site of UNESCO

3. Environmental Biologist

An environmental biologist deals with the ecosystem and wildlife that reside in it. However,
environmental biologist focuses a lot on the biological side of any ecosystem, which means his or her
duties are more inclined to biology. To qualify as an environmental biologist, you need a bachelor’s
degree in environmental biology. The duties of an environmental biologist include:

o Administering biological and project schedules using scientific techniques, statistical tools and
in-depth knowledge in the domain

o Scheduling and conducting biological experiments and follow up with field and laboratory
operating processes

o Pinpoint project technicalities and counteract them effectively without compromising resources
and time

o Bring up findings of experiments to colleagues and stakeholders

 o Ensure scientific integrity by working with a team in conjunction with peer review data

4. Environmental Geologist

Environmental geology is a field of study that blends the main cornerstone of environmental science and
puts more emphasis on geology and how to apply it in a real-world scenario to solve environmental
problems.

An environmental geologist goes beyond interest in the environment and correlation between humans
and wildlife in it. He or she also focuses on fossil fuels, non-renewable resources, minerals, and the
earth’s crust.

An environmental geologist will spend most of his or her work life serving as a consultant, assisting in
the mitigation of soil and groundwater contamination by determining the right location for
new landfills and drawing up a plan for underground waste disposal.

He or she also ensures water supplies and soils that are responsible for growing food stay clean and
uncontaminated without affecting or limiting access to any organism or animal that relies on them for
survival. The average annual salary for an environmental geologist is $91,130.

5. Environmental Biotechnologist

This professional synchronize engineering and biology to create and utilize procedures that correct
contaminated sites. For instance, there is a wide range of bacteria, microbes, and fungi that are able to
consume pollutants and later break them down into safe elements over time.

An environmental biotechnologist finds out, utilize, and create necessary microbes for correcting a
specific area and the pollutants unique to it. Contaminated soil might be corrected or remedied on-site
or loaded into containers and transported for treatment. Environmental biotechnologists perform the
following duties:

o Develop plant-based bioplastics

o Transform plants into biofuels

o Draw up correction plans for specific sites that abide by environmental regulations

o Develop procedures to convert waste into biogas or other cleaner sources of energy

o Develops cleaner industrial processes by substituting chemicals with biological processes

o Utilize GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to pinpoint contaminated sites and distribution of
pollutants

Typically, one needs to have master’s and doctorate degrees to qualify as an environmental
biotechnologist. However, the exponential growth of the domain has opened up a whole lot of
opportunities for those having bachelor’s and associate’s degrees.
References:

Environmental Science

Importance of Environmental Science

Educating the Public on Environmental Science

Module 2 /LESSON 2 Nature of Environmental Science,

Importance and Other Sciences Related to EnviSci.
MODULE TEST

1. Which statement matches the "stewardship worldview" ?

A. we should live in a way that human needs are met indefinitely
B. we should live in coexistence with environment and all of its occupants
C. we should manage Earths resources to achieve maximum benefits
C. none of the above

2.An ecological footprint is the

A.number of trees people cut down

B.mark a persons shoe makes on the ground when walking through mud

C.amount of land and ocean area needed to support one person

D.the footprint of a animal

3.Which of the five global issues we had presentations on would make all the other issues worse

A.resource depletion

B.global warming

C.loss of biodiversity

D.human overpopulation

4. Which of the following was not a benefit from the industrial revolution ?

A.population growth in rural areas

B.improved medical services

C.increased agricultural activity

D.improved sanitation

5. A resident of ______ is likely to leave the largest ecological footprint

A.U.S

B.Britain

C.India

D.Indonesia

6.In which country is the population likely to be increasing most rapidly ?

A.Germany

B.Australia

C.Norway

D.Kenya

7 It is a field of study that blends the main cornerstone of environmental science and puts more
emphasis on geology and how to apply it in a real-world scenario to solve environmental problems.

A. Atmospheric Science

B. Ecology
C. Geoscience
D. Environment Geology

8. Which law describes the rules for handling toxic and hazardous waste.

A. Resource conversation and recovery act

B. endangered species act

C.clean air act

D.safe drinking water act

9. which of the following is a developing nation ?

A.Ethiopia

B.Canada
C.France

D. The U.S.

10. All of these fields of study contributes to environmental science except .

A.physics and chemistry

B.social sciences

C.biology and earth science

D. Linguistics

11. Solar energy ,petroleum , wood , water , minerals and air are all examples of .

A.biodegradable pollutants

B.non renewable resources

C.natural resources

D.renewable resources

12.Biodiversity is important to human society because it

A.is a natural resource

B.provides food and goods

C.provides medicine

D.all of the above

13.Which of the following would NOT be considered a "commons"

A.the ocean

B.public schools

C.homes and cars

D.the atmosphere

14.A human centered view of our relationship with the environment

A.humanitarianism

B.economism
C.egocentrism

D. anthropocentrism

15. Fossil fuels, minerals, and the earth’s crust are examples of

A. Renewable

B. Non renewable

C. Disposable

D. Communicable

16. What did environmentalists focus on during the progressive era ?

A.conversation of natural resources

B.environmental health hazards

C.pollution

D. environmental ethics

17.The sphere that contains all life on Earth

A.Biosphere

B.Hemisphere

C.atmosphere

D.Galaxy

18. Non-Living parts of an ecosystem

A. populations

B. biotic factors

C. abiotic factors

D. organisms

19. Metals, many chemicals, and most plastics are biodegradable.

A.true

B. false

20. Paper, cardboard, untreated wood are biodegradable.

A. true

B. false