CHAPTER 1.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, ECOLOGY

AND THE SYSTEMS APPROACH

Chapter Objectives:

At the end of the chapter, the students should be able to:

1. Define environmental science and ecology;

2. Explain the relationship of environmental science with ecology and other fields of
discipline;
3. Discuss the concept of systems approach in solving environmental problems;
4. Define environmentalism and enumerate the various environmental worldviews;
and
5. Explain the role of critical thinking skills in the analysis of environmental issues and
problems.

I. Definition of Environmental Science

• Environmental science is a discipline that attempts to understand and explain

environmental issues and tries to find solutions to problems caused by the interaction
of human society with the natural world (Florece et al., n.d.). It is a composite science
that draws knowledge from the natural sciences and the social sciences such as
economics, political science and sociology.

II. Relationship of Environmental Science with Ecology

• Ecology is the science studying the relationships of organisms with their environment
and with one another (Odum, 1971). The term oekologie was coined in 1866 by the
German biologist Ernst Haeckel; the word is derived from the Greek oikos
("household") and logos ("study"); therefore "ecology" means the "study of the
household [of nature]". In ecology, the focus of study is living organisms but it also
draws knowledge from other natural sciences like chemistry, physics, geology, soil
science, and meteorology.

• Environment here refers to all the physical factors (temperature, solar radiation,
moisture, soil, nutrients and others) and biological conditions that affect the growth and
development of an organism. The environment is the life-support system of all
organisms including man. All materials and energy required to sustain life are taken
from it. Relationship includes interactions with the physical world and with members
of other species and the same species.

• Ecology forms the central core of environmental science with man treated not only
as a biological organism, but also as a social entity. Environmental science involves
the application of ecological principles in studying the effects of human activities on
the environment.

• The application of ecological thought to societal problems is one of the important

directions in ecology today. It makes people aware of the problems of pollution,
overpopulation and environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, global warming,
ozone depletion and etc. How will changing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere,
for example affect species composition of vegetation directly or by global warming,
 how will animal populations be affected by vegetation, and what ramifying effects will
these changes have on ecosystems and human lives?

• Simply put, anyone cannot appreciate or arrive at an informed opinion or even decision
on such highly politicized environmental issues such as deforestation, biodiversity loss,
clean air and water, climate change, and other myriad other issues without a solid
grounding on ecological concepts and principles.

• One key concept in environmental science is interdisciplinarity. It means the

integration of contributions from various sciences. A team will be formed where
members come from various disciplines. All members of the team will look at the
problem from the perspective of their areas of specialization. However, the contribution
of each member must relate and interact with the ideas of other members of the team.
The different disciplines collaborate on the same problem formulation and in the
development of a particular plan. If each member just contributes ideas or acts
according to his discipline without a clear interaction with the work of other members
of the team, this is just a multidisciplinary research, rather than an interdisciplinary one.

III. The Systems Approach of Solving Environmental Problems

• A system consists of interdependent parts that make up a whole. Each part has a
specific function, yet the expression of the role of the whole system is dependent upon
the proper functioning of all other parts. A whole system will fail to function unless it
receives an input from the outside on which the system can act to produce a specific
output. The components plus their interactions and with the necessary input deliver
the specific output which each part cannot do on its own. The whole is greater than the
sum of each part.

• A computer is an example of a system. A computer consists of a CPU (central

processing unit), monitor, keyboard, mouse, various terminals and wires. Each
component has a specific function and yet the computer cannot produce the desired
output without the right connection and proper functioning of the other components.
When the mouse malfunctions, can you use efficiently use the computer? Of course
not! You should replace or repair the mouse.

• In ecology and environmental science, the systems or holistic approach is used in

addressing environmental problems. That is, we look at the different natural systems,
what their component parts are and how they interact with one another in order to
produce the outputs. This approach complements to the interdisciplinary characteristic
of environmental science.

• Environmental Ethics is a branch of applied philosophy that studies the conceptual

foundations of environmental values as well as more concrete issues surrounding
societal attitudes, actions, and policies to protect and sustain biodiversity and
ecological systems.

a. Morals are a set of rules or mode of conduct on which society is based. Certain
moral elements are universal, such as the laws forbidding homicide and the basic
duties of doing good and furthering the well-being of others. Morals have a greater
social element and tend to have a very broad acceptance. We judge others more
strongly on morals than values. A person can be described as immoral, yet there
is no word for them not following values.
b. Values are defined as the acts, customs, and institutions that a group of people
regard in a favorable way. Statements of value typically contain words of approval,
 disapproval, and obligation. Some of these words might be good, bad doe’s and
don'ts.

IV. Environmentalism and Environmental Worldviews

• Environmentalism is a social movement dedicated to protecting the earth’s life

support systems for us and other species (Miller, 2005). Members of the environmental
community include ecologists, environmental scientists, conservation biologists,
conservationists, preservationists, restorationists, and environmentalists.

• Environmental/ecological perspective is a significant psychological approach

emphasizing the complex interplay between individuals and their environments.

a. Anthropocentrism - a human-centered perspective on environment, i.e. non-

human components of the environment instruments or means to satisfy the needs
and wants of the humanity
b. Biocentrism - life-centered view of the environment that puts equal importance on
biological components, i.e. are interdependent with other components of the
environment
c. Ecocentrism - environment-centered or nature-centered view, i.e. all these
components are interconnected.

• Environmental worldview is how you think the world works, what you think your role
in the world should be, and what you believe is right and wrong environmental behavior
(environmental ethics). It is categorized into the following:

A. Planetary management worldview

✓ As the planet’s most important species, we are in charge of nature.
✓ We will not run out of resources because of our ability to develop and find new
ones.
✓ The potential for global economic growth is essentially unlimited.
✓ Our success depends on how well we manage the earth’s life-support systems,
mostly for our own benefit.

B. Stewardship worldview
✓ We are the planet’s most important species but we have an ethical responsibility
to take care for the rest of nature.
✓ We will probably not run out of resources but they should not be wasted.
✓ We should encourage environmentally beneficial forms of economic growth and
discourage environmentally harmful forms of economic growth.
✓ Our success depends on how well we can manage the earth’s life-support systems
for our benefit and for the rest of nature.

C. Environmental wisdom worldview

✓ Nature exists for all species, not just for us and we are not in charge of the earth.
✓ The earth’s resources are limited, should not be wasted, and are not all for us.
✓ We should encourage earth-sustaining forms of economic growth and discourage
earth-degrading forms.
✓ Our success depends on learning how the earth sustains itself and integrating such
lessons from nature (environmental wisdom) into the ways we think and act.

V. The Role of Critical Thinking Skills in Resolving Environmental Issues

 • Instead of linear thinking, critical thinking skills should be enhanced to rationally
analyze environmental issues and problems to be able to arrive at an informed
decision. Critical thinking involves the capacity of a person to distinguish between
beliefs (what we think is true) and knowledge (facts supported by accurate observation
and valid experimentation). The steps essential for critical thinking are as follows
(Chiras, 1994 as cited in Guzman & Guzman, 2000):

A. Gather all information.

Dig deeper.
Learn all you can before you decide.
Don’t mistake ignorance for perspective.
B. Understand all terms.
Define all terms you use.
Be sure you understand terms and concepts others use.
C. Question how information/facts were derived.
Were they derived from scientific studies?
Were the studies well-conceived and carried out?
Were there an adequate number of subjects?
Was there a control and an experimental group?
Has the study been repeated successfully?
Beware of anecdotal information.
D. Question the source.
Does the source have an instrument in the outcome of the issue?
Is the source biased?
Do underlying assumptions affect the viewpoint of the source?
E. Question the conclusions.
Do the facts support the conclusion?
Correlation does not necessarily mean causation.
F. Tolerate uncertainty.
Hard and fast answers are not always possible.
Learn to be comfortable with not knowing.
G. Examine the big picture.
Study the whole system.
Look for hidden causes and effects.
Avoid simplistic thinking.
Avoid dualistic thinking.

Mr. Joylinber Tandingan

Instructor 1
Department of Environmental Science
College of Forestry & Environmental Science
Central Mindanao University
Musuan, Maramag Bukidnon
Email: [email protected]
Contact: +63995 283 6136