Altaya, Alyssa Paula C.

GE 15 (12197)

Environmental Science

Week 1-3 E-module Activities

LET’S CHECK

(Activity 1)

1. Environmental Science
2. Environmental Science
3. Ecosystem
4. Science
5. System
6. Open System
7. Sustainability
8. Environmental Ethics
9. Disturbance
10. Atom

(Activity 2)

1. d. I,II,III,IV

2. a. crude death rate

3. c. fertility

4. c. morbidity

5. a. birth rate expectancy

6. a. doubling time

7. a. demographic transition

8. b. life expectancy

9. d. commensalism

10. b. parasitism

LET’S ANALYZE

(Activity 1)

1. Define environmental science and identify some important concerns we face today.
Should the environmental science include dimensions? Explain.
Environmental science is the systematic study on how humans interact with biotic and
abiotic things in the ecosystem. Information from natural sciences which includes
biology, chemistry and geology, social sciences such as geography, economics, political
science and demography and humanities which includes philosophy and ethics are also
emphasized. Today, our world faces a lot of environmental challenges. In an article from
Conserve Energy Future entitled “Environmental Problems” (n.d.), toxic waste, global
warming, population growth, exhaustion of the world’s natural resources, waste disposal,
destruction of biodiversity, deforestation, thinning of ozone layer, acid rains, water
pollution, urbanization, pandemics and food system modification are the world’s leading
environmental problems. Environmental science should include dimensions such as
human dimension because it plays fundamental component in the profound understanding
on the function of every individual, its interaction, attitude, values and culture with
respect to living and nonliving community. This will also help studying proper resource
allocation, solving human-environmental conflicts, governance and such.
2. What is science? Identify and discuss some of its basic principles.
Science is a systematic and logical branch of knowledge that studies all things in the
universe. By applying its basic principles, it can establish facts and testable scientific
evidences to prove whether hypothesis is reasonable or not. These are some of the basic
principles of science:
a. Empiricism
- Through cautious observation we can understand and gain knowledge about
the things around us.
b. Uncertainty
- Information derived from evidences is naturally changing when new evidence
is formed. With this, current evidences must be tested for an additional
evidence to support established theories.
c. Repeatability
- Experiments and observations should be repeated to have verifiable
conclusion.

3. Draw a diagram showing steps of specific methods and explain why each is
important.

Doing observation Formulating hypothesis Test and predict the result

Gathering information from the test Interpretation and conclusion

1) Doing observation. Observation is essential since this serves as knowledge

before experimentation starts.
2) Making hypothesis. Once the observation is done, formulating hypothesis is the
next step. Hypothesis is very important component of scientific process because
this will predict the outcome of the experiment.
3) Test and predict the result. This step involves actual observation and
experiment to test the hypothesis. This significant step will indicate whether the
theory is correct.
4) Gathering information from the test. Gathering information from the actual
experiment will lead you in making the conclusion.
 5) Interpretation and conclusion. Interpreting the results is essential before making
conclusion to assess if the hypothesis is accurate.
4. Why is ethics being studied in environmental science? Cite examples.
Environmental science involves the study of how humans interact with the
environment; this will also tackle about environmental problems and its possible
solutions. There are practices that most of the people believe to be right but
environmentally harmful. For instance, burning plastics helps in decreasing plastic
wastes. However, this will produce poisonous gases in the earth’s atmosphere causing
global warming. Many believed that using fertilizers and pesticides in agricultural sector
and planting modified crops does not cause problems to the environment. Nevertheless,
this will add up to pollution because of methane released by farmlands. Overpopulation is
also harmful because as the world population increases, many people moved to urban
areas, destroying farmlands, increase traffic and threaten food security.
Thus, ethics is a fundamental component in the study of environmental science
because this determines the moral standards on how to combat against environmental
concerns and preserve what we have today.

(Activity 2)

IN A NUTSHELL

(Activity 1)

1. The environment is a complex system where people and nature are intertwined, and the
unprecedented growth rate of the human population is the underlying global
environmental problem.
2. Ethics and faith base perspective often inspire to engage in natural resource conservation
and management, which eventually influences decision making about environmental
issues, which involves society, politics, culture, economics, values, and scientific
information.
 3. Studying environmental science is crucial to all inhabitants especially to political leaders
and ordinary citizens because they will become the policymakers. Following the
scientific methods are essential in making sound resolution in environmental issues.
4. Overpopulation is a great contributor of global environmental disasters we currently
experience. This causes exhaustion our natural resources, pollution and global warming.
5. Our ecosystem consists of living and nonliving factors that interacts together to survive.
Photosynthesis helps almost all organisms in the ecosystem to grow. These organisms are
primary and secondary consumers and can be identified as herbivores, carnivores,
omnivores and decomposers in which they form food web in the ecosystem.
6. Ecosystem is a dynamic system which is subject to changes due to disturbances but then
return to normal. Even though our ecosystem requires change, changes due to human
intervention is highly acknowledge in the study of environmental science.
7. Everything around us are matter. Matter is composed of atom which is the smallest
particle of each element. Atom composed of protons, the positively charge; electrons,
negatively charged and neutral neutrons.
8. Before something can be named as “scientifically proven” it must have a clear evidence
that proves the theory and repeated studies, or tests must be done. With the help of
scientific method and the basic principles of science, scientists and researchers
systematically provide sound conclusion and decisions in every question and problems.
9. The alarming status of our environment is being recognized by many countries. Due to
the international cooperation, Kyoto protocol is signed by countries to combat the effect
of global warming specifically reducing greenhouse gases. However, the United States
being the biggest contributor of pollution in the world did not join in the effort.
10. Thermodynamics deals with the conversion of energy which can help produce renewable
energy sources to reduce greenhouses gas emissions. For example, creating hydroelectric
power plant by converting moving water into mechanical energy and finally converting it
to electrical energy.

(Activity 2)