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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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IV. Environmentalism and Environmental Worldviews
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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.
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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
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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
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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.