Introduction to Environmental Science

1. What is environmental science?

 Environmental Science is a science that deals with the study of the natural environment
and human interaction with it. It focuses on humans and their impact on the natural
environment and come up with solutions how this can be reduced but still meeting our
needs.

2. The environment includes:

a. Climate
b. Air and water quality
c. Soil and landforms
d. Other living organisms

3. Environmental science is interdisciplinary because....

 Environmental Science analyses the status of air and water, soil and landforms, living
organisms, climate change and provide solutions for environmental issues therefore, this
science has to deal with different fields of study (i.e. Chemistry, Meteorology) hence, it is
highly interdisciplinary.

4. Define these two concepts illustrated by the collapse of civilization in Mesopotamia:

1. The Law of Unintended Consequences 􏰀

 An unforeseen or unexpected outcome and effects always comes in every human’s action.
It may be beneficial or harmful.

2. Unsustainability 􏰀

 Unsustainability is a situation wherein we could not ensure if its ability to contribute could
be prolonged or maintained.

Tragedy of the Commons

5. What is a commons?
 It is a land that is shared by everyone living in the certain area and is not owned by
anyone.
6. What is resource depletion?
 Resource depletion will likely if resources is consumed rapidly than they can reproduced or
restored.
7. Give two modern examples of the Tragedy of the Commons:
 Over-fishing or illegal fishing. Considering fishes as public or national resources therefore
it is free for everyone to take.
 Population growth. The more the population, the more the demand of natural resources
such as water, air, food and land.

Environmental History

8. Differentiate between each of these land designations made during the Progressive Era:
a. National Parks 􏰀
 These are parks administered by the government in the purpose of conservation or
protection of wildlife and its environment.
b. National Forests 􏰀
 These forests are also under the protection of the government. Activities like hunting and
commercial logging are sometimes allowed. 
c. National Wildlife Refuges 􏰀
 Wildlife sanctuaries are species centered which aims to protect group of species from
depletion. Commercial activities are prohibited.
9. Define environmental ethics 􏰀
a. Anthropocentrism 􏰀
 Anthropocentrism focuses on human beings as they’re the most important one. Human’s
interests or well-being are stressed while another living organism’s welfare is ignored.
b. Ecocentrism 􏰀
 Regardless if we could benefit from it or not, ecocentrism stresses the value of ecosystem
since it very essential.
10. What was the result of the Hetch Hetchy debate?

 Aside from the construction of the dam, Hetch Hetchy debate resulted into the discovery of
Anthropocentrism and Ecocentrism as the 2 environmental philosophies.

a. Describe the conservation ethic philosophy that this decision was based on.

 The conservation ethic philosophy was based on Gifford Pinochet’s justification for building
which states that “Where conflicting interests must be reconciled, the question shall always
be answered from the standpoint of the greatest good of the greatest number in the long
run.” Which simply means that they should assess whether they can benefit from it for a
long period of time and will it provide betterment for the people.

11. Describe each of these designations of natural resources made during the Progressive Era:
1. Inexhaustible resources 􏰀
 Are resources that cannot be eliminated by any activities, it will always be there like air and
water.
2. Renewable resources 􏰀
 Are resources that are always available and can be used over and over again since it can
be regenerated naturally but may take a long period of time.
3. Nonrenewable resources 􏰀
 They are abundant in source but if it runs out, it cannot be replaced since it will took
hundreds and thousands of years for them to form.
4. Recyclable resources 􏰀
 Are resources that can be used over and over again and can be converted into something
new.
12. Explain each of these issues that were raised during the modern environmentalism era:
1. Air pollution 􏰀
 Air pollution is the contamination of air by impurities such as the presence of undesirable
particles in it which can harm living organisms.
2. Carcinogenic 􏰀
 Anyone who is exposed to carcinogenic substances is most at risk of getting cancer.
3. Water pollution 􏰀

 Water pollution is the contamination of water due to harmful chemicals released on water
from certain human activities which can harm humans and other living organisms living
there.

13. What is the difference between persistent and biodegradable pollutants?

 Persistent pollutants are those who can withstand degradation that can be carried out by
air and water and transfers it from one place to another causing harm to the living
organisms. While biodegradable pollutants are those can be removed or decomposed
naturally or artificially.

14. What is extinction?

a. Extinction lowers the number of species in a habitat, called __Biodiversity_.

15. What is famine, and why was it such a concern during this time?

 Our population is continuously growing everyday. The more people, the more mouth to
feed so the more resources are needed. And since some of our sources of food are limited
so, shortage or scarcity of food is expected to be experienced.

16. What is the difference between normal waste and hazardous waste?

 Normal wastes are those trash or garbage which comes from houses while hazardous
wastes are those harmful waste from certain materials which has dangerous chemicals
which is capable in harming the environment and humans.

Developed vs Developing Countries

17. What is a developing country?

 Is a country that is not yet highly industrialized and is in the process of doing ways in
improving their ways so that they would become more advanced in terms of their
economic and social status.
18. What does fertility rate measure?

 Fertility rate measures the number of births who would be born per woman

a. Is it higher or lower in developing countries?

 Higher

19. What is consumption?

 Consumption is the utilization and use of the natural resources for satisfying the needs of
individuals.

a. Is it higher or lower in developing countries?

 Higher

20. What does ecological footprint measure?

a. Measures the amount of human’s demand of land or water available in order to support their
way of living.
b. What countries tend to have greater ecological footprints?
 Developed countries

21. What is the goal of a cost-benefit analysis in environmental science?

The goal of cost-benefit analysis in environmental science is to measure whether the

improvement or change made in the environment which somehow affects its natural phase
worth it and profitable or not.
a. What are hidden cost?
 Hidden cost are those which are not included on the purchase of resources, equipment,
materials, etc. Hidden cost are those additional or unexpected expenses such as
maintenance, unexpected problems, taxes, certifications, etc.

Environmental Worldviews

22. Explain the planetary management worldview.

 Planetary management worldview focuses on the idea that humans should be the one to
oversee and control the Earth’s resources in order for us to maximize its benefits.
a. Is this an anthropocentric or ecocentric worldview?
 Anthropocentric

23. Explain the stewardship worldview.

a. Stewardship worldview states that, since we are considered as the steward of Earth’s
resources, we should always make environmental growth but avoid growth that would harm
our environment. We will benefit from each of Earth’s systems and nature, so we should
manage it well.
b. What is sustainability?
 Sustainability is the state wherein we are able to use Earth’s resources reasonably and
responsibly to meet our needs and wants but we should not overuse it since we should
aim to develop and improve not just for the present but for the future generation as well.

24. Explain the environmental wisdom worldview.

 Environmental wisdom worldview addresses that as part of the Earth’s system, all of us,
humans and other species are dependent on nature and since natural resources are
limited, we should manage it well and stop doing things that would harm it.
a. Is this an anthropocentric or ecocentric worldview?
 Ecocentric worldview

25. The Earth is a closed system. What does this mean?

 A closed system is one where no mass can exit or enter the system. When we talk about
Earth, sunlight or heat energy can pass through the atmosphere which contributes energy
to the environment. Hence, Earth is an open system for the energy but, a closed system
for matter. And since, most of the things here on Earth are in the state of solid, liquid and
gas plus the presence of gravity so, they will not be able to leave the Earth. Hence, as a
whole, the Earth is a closed system.