MODULE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ECONOMICS

TACURONG CAMPUS

COURSE CODE : GE 001

COURSE TITLE : ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

TOPICS:
Chapter 1- Introduction to Environmental Science
Chapter 2- Matter and Energy
Chapter 3- Population
Chapter 4- Hydrology
Chapter 5- Atmosphere
Chapter 6- Ecosystem
Chapter 7- Soil
Chapter 8- Human Impact in the Environment
Chapter 9- Air Pollution
Chapter 10- Water Pollution Management
Chapter 11- Solid Waste Management
Chapter 12 – Hazardous and Nuclear Materials

I- INTRODUCTION: Multidisciplinary nature of Environmental Studies: Definition, Scope and

Importance – Need for Public Awareness.

The word Environment is derived from the French word “Environ” which means
“surrounding”. Our surrounding includes biotic factors like human beings, Plants, animals,
microbes, etc and abiotic factors such as light, air, water, soil, etc. Environment is a complex
of many variables, which surrounds man as well as the living organisms.

Environment includes water, air and land and the interrelation ships which exist among and
between water, air and land and human beings and other living creatures such as plants,
animals and microorganisms. She suggested that environment consists of an inseparable
whole system constituted by physical, chemical, biological, social and cultural elements,
which are interlinked individually and collectively in myriad ways. The natural environment
consist of four interlinking systems namely, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the lithosphere
and the biosphere. These four systems are in constant change and such changes are affected
by human activities and vice versa.

Components of Environment

Environment has been classified into four major components:

1. Hydrosphere,
2. Lithosphere,
3. Atmosphere,
4. Biosphere.
 MODULE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ECONOMICS
TACURONG CAMPUS

Hydrosphere includes all water bodies such as lakes,

ponds, rivers, streams and ocean etc. Hydrosphere
functions in a cyclic nature, which is termed as
hydrological cycle or water cycle.

Lithosphere means the mantle of rocks constituting the

earth’s crust. The earth is a cold spherical solid planet of
the solar system, which spins in its axis and revolves
around the sun at a certain constant distance.
Lithosphere mainly, contains soil, earth rocks, mountain
etc. Lithosphere is divided into three layers-crusts,
mantle and core (outer and inner). Atmosphere The
cover of the air, that envelope the earth is known as the
atmosphere.

Atmosphere is a thin layer which contains gases like

oxygen, carbon dioxide etc. and which protects the solid
earth and human beings from the harmful radiations of the
sun. There are five concentric layers within the
atmosphere, which can be differentiated on the basis of
temperature and each layer has its own characteristics.
These include the troposphere, the stratosphere, the
mesosphere, the thermosphere and the exosphere.

Biosphere it is otherwise known as the life

layer, it refers to all organisms on the
earth’s surface and their interaction with
water and air. It consists of plants, animals
and micro-organisms, ranging from the
tiniest microscopic organism to the largest
whales in the sea. Biology is concerned
with how millions of species of animals,
plants and other organisms grow, feed, move, reproduce and evolve over long periods of time
in different environments. Its subject matter is useful to other sciences and professions that
deal with life, such as agriculture, forestry and medicine. The richness of biosphere depends
upon a number of factors like rainfall, temperature, geographical reference etc. Apart from the
physical environmental factors, the man made environment includes human groups, the
material infrastructures built by man, the production relationships and institutional systems
 MODULE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ECONOMICS
TACURONG CAMPUS

that he has devised. The social environment shows the way in which human societies have
organized themselves and how they function in order to satisfy their needs.

SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Because of environmental studies has been seen to be multidisciplinary in nature so it is

considered to be a subject with great scope. Environment is not limited to issues of sanitation
and health but it is now concerned with pollution control, biodiversity conservation, waste
management and conservation of natural resources. This requires expert eyes and hence is
creating new job opportunities. The opportunities in this field are immense not only for
scientists but also for engineers, biologists. There is a good chance of opportunity to find a
job in this field as environmental journalists. Environmental science can be applied in the
following spheres:

Ecosystem Structure and Function

The study of ecosystems mainly consists of the study of the processes that link the leaving
organism or in other words biotic component to the non-living organism or a biotic
component. So for the study of environment we should aware with biotic and a biotic
components.

Natural Resource Conservation

For managing and maintenance of forests which are natural resources and for the
maintenance of wildlife forms task under natural resource conservation. It is also a scope of
environmental studies

Environmental Pollution Control

With the knowledge of environmental science everybody can control the pollution. He/she
can handle the waste management and also look for ways to control pollution on the aspect of
pollution control.

Environmental management
There are several independent environmental consultants who are working with Central and
State pollution control Board. They offer advice to solve the problems of environment the
optimum solution for the upcoming problems. They give direction for controlling pollution
due to industrial development. There are several current consultants who are working with
government pollution control boobs, involved in policy making, pollution control and
maintenance of ecological balance.

The scope of environmental studies in industry

 MODULE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ECONOMICS
TACURONG CAMPUS

Environmental scientist’s work towards maintenance of ecological balance, they also work
towards conservation of biodiversity and regulation of natural resources as well as on
preservation of natural resources. Most of the industries have a separate environmental
research and development section. These sections govern the impact that their industry has on
the environment. Our environment is being degraded by the rapid industrialization. To combat
this menace there is a growing trend towards manufacture of "green" goods and products. So
we can say that there is a good scope in the field of industry from environmental studies.

Research and development

Research and development have tremendous scope due to increment in public awareness
regarding the environment. Various universities and governmental organizations offer a scope
for such research. These universities conduct research studies in order to develop the methods
toward monitoring and controlling the source of environmental pollution. Due to an increasing
threat from global warming, many steps are being undertaken for the reduction of greenhouse
gases and the adoption of renewable energy resources. They generate awareness now
regarding the use of solar energy for variety of purposes. This provides scope of
environmental history in the field of research and development.

Social Development
NGO (Nongovernmental organizations) help in creating awareness regarding the protection
of the environment and making the masses aware of various environmental issues . They also
generate a public opinion in this field. They work towards disseminating information and in
bringing about changes in political policies that are personally effect the environment. The
social dimension of this profession includes controlling population explosion through
organizing advisory awareness camps.

IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

The environment studies enlighten us, about the importance of protection and conservation of
our indiscriminate release of pollution into the environment.

Environment science has become significant for the following reasons:

1. Environment Issues Being of International Importance

It has been well recognized that environment issues like global warming and ozone depletion,
acid rain, marine pollution and biodiversity are not merely national issues but are global
issues and hence must be tackled with international efforts and cooperation.

2. Problems Cropped in the Wake of Development

Development, in its wake gave birth to Urbanization, Industrial Growth, and Transportation
Systems, Agriculture and Housing etc. However, it has become phased out in the developed
World. The North, to cleanse their own environment has fact fully, managed to move ‘dirty’
Factories of South. When the West developed, it did so perhaps in ignorance of the
Environmental impact of its activities. Evidently such a path is neither practicable nor
desirable, even if developing world follows that.

Explosively Increase in Pollution

World census reflects that one in every seven persons in this planted lives in India. Evidently
with 16 per cent of the world's population and only 2.4 per cent of its land area, there is a
heavy pressure on the natural resources including land. Agricultural experts have recognized
soils health problems like deficiency of micronutrients and organic matter, soil salinity and
damage of soil structure.

3. Need to Save Humanity from Extinction

It is incumbent upon us to save the humanity from extinction. Consequent to our activities
Constricting the environment and depleting the biosphere, in the name of development.

4. Need for Wise Planning of Development

 MODULE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ECONOMICS
TACURONG CAMPUS

Our survival and sustenance depend. Resources withdraw, processing and use of the product
have all to by synchronized with the ecological cycles in any plan of development our actions
should be planned ecologically for the sustenance of the environment and development.

5. Need for public awareness

It is essential to make the public aware of the formidable consequences of the Environmental
Degradation, if not retorted and reformative measures undertaken would result in the
extinction of life. We are facing various environmental challenges. It is essential to get the
country acquainted with these challenges so that their acts may be eco-friendly.

Some of these challenges are as under:

1. Growing Population
A population of over thousands of millions is growing at 2.11 per cent every year. Over 17
million people are added each year. It puts cons iderable pressure on its natural resources and
reduces the gains of development. Hence, the greatest challenge before us is to limit the
population growth. Although population control does automatically lead to development, yet
the development leads to a decrease in population growth rates. For this development of the
women is essential.

2. Poverty
India has often been described a rich land with poor people. The poverty and environmental
degradation have a nexus between them. The vast majority of our people are directly
dependent on the nature resources of the country for their basic needs of food, fuel shelter and
fodder. About 40% of our people are still below the poverty line. Environment degradation
has adversely affected the poor who depend upon the resources of their immediate
surroundings. Thus, the challenge of poverty and the challenge environment degradation are
two facets of the same challenge. The population growth is essentially a function of poverty.
Because, to the very poor, every child is an earner and helper and global concerns have little
relevance for him.

3. Agricultural Growth
The people must be acquainted with the methods to sustain and increase agricultural growth
with damaging the environment. High yielding varieties have caused soil salinity and damage
to physical structure of soil.

4. Need to Ground water

It is essential of rationalizing the use of groundwater. Factors like community wastes,
industrial effluents and chemical fertilizers and pesticides have polluted our surface water and
affected quality of the groundwater. It is essential to restore the water quality of our rivers and
other water bodies as lakes are an important challenge. It so finding our suitable strategies for
consecration of water, provision of safe drinking water and keeping water bodies clean which
are difficult challenges is essential.

5. Development and Forests

Forests serve catchments for the rivers. With increasing demand of water, plan to harness the
mighty river through large irrigation projects were made. Certainly, these would submerge
forests; displace local people, damage flora and fauna. As such, the dams on the river
Narmada, Bhagirathi and elsewhere have become areas of political and scientific Debate.
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 MODULE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ECONOMICS
TACURONG CAMPUS

Interrelationship with other Science

HEAT WAVES

PEST INFESTATIONS TORNADOES

OTHERS… FLOODING

ENVIRONMENT
HUMAN ENVIRONMENTAL
ACTIVITY SCIENCE

LAND USE OTHERS…

TOXINS INVASIVE SPECIES

CLIMATE CHANGE

Environmental Science is a multi-disciplinary science; it embraces countless studies: life

sciences, biology, chemistry, agriculture, public health, sanitary engineering, etc. It is the
science of physical phenomena in the environment. This field of study comprises both
applied and theoretical facets of human influence in the world. It converses the reactions,
sources, transport, effect and possibilities of biological activity that could affect.

With the interrelationships with humans, environmental problems have the role of cultural
and social context. Understanding the role of cultural, social and economic need-factors is
vital to the development of solutions that makes sustainable practices through the essential
combination of conservation, development and management resources.

Environmental studies enlighten us of the importance of protection and conservation in the

indiscriminate release of pollution into the environment.
Great number of environmental issues have grown up in size and complexity; threatening the
survival of mankind.
Global warming, and ozone depletion, acid rain, marine pollution and biodiversity are global
issues are internationally looked up with possible efforts and cooperation.

COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Being nature interdisciplinary, it involves several components such as the study of biology,
physics, earth sciences, chemistry and social sciences.

1. Atmospheric Sciences – is a broad field that deals with the study of the atmosphere, its
processes, the effects other systems have on the atmosphere, and the effects of the
atmosphere on these other systems. It is covers the other fields; meteorology, climatology,
and aeronomy.
2. Ecology is the scientific study of the relationships between organism and their environment. It
involves the diversity, distribution, amount (biomass), number (population) of organisms, as
well as competition between them within and among ecosystems. It came from a Greek
words oikos (“the family of households”), and logy the study of); which was first coined by a
German Zoologist Ernst Haeckel in 1866.
3. Environmental Chemistry is a scientific discipline focus on the chemical changes in the
environment. The principal areas covered in the study are soil contamination and water
 MODULE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ECONOMICS
TACURONG CAMPUS

pollution. The topics of analysis include chemical degradation in the environment, multi-
phase transport of, and chemical effects in the environment.
4. Geosciences is a scientific study on the earth’s crust that includes environmental geology,
environmental soil science and volcanic phenomena and in some classifications cover
hydrology like oceanography.

ASSESSMENT

Name: _____________________________________ Program/ Year/ Section: ______________

Discuss or answer the following statements/questions. Answers must be less than 150 words.
Write your answers in the space provided. Avoid using AIs. Students caught using AIs will be
automatically dropped from the course.

1. Discuss the interrelationship between economics and environmental science. How do

economic policies influence environmental sustainability, and what role does
environmental science play in shaping these policies to address issues such as climate
change and resource depletion?

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2. The Philippines is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its geographic location.
Discuss the major impacts of climate change in the Philippines and the country’s efforts
to mitigate these challenges. How can local communities be more involved in climate
action?

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 MODULE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ECONOMICS
TACURONG CAMPUS

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3. As a future economist, how would you help the government make sure that both
economic growth and protecting the environment are balanced, especially in areas
dependent on mining and farming?

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4. Urban areas in the Philippines are growing fast, leading to more pollution, especially in
cities like Metro Manila. What strategies would you recommend to reduce air pollution
while keeping businesses strong?

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 MODULE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ECONOMICS
TACURONG CAMPUS

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