Lecture IScience and Environment

Dr. ALBERT B. JUBILO

Definition of Environmental Science & Engineering

Environmental Science deals with the study of our environment, either globally or locally, and its living and non-living components.

It is a composite entity incorporating the different fields of science such as:

1. Natural Sciences – biology, chemistry, earth science, physics and medicine.

2. Social Sciences – economics, political science, sociology, history, philosophy and ethics.

3. Other Sciences - mathematics, statistics, technology, business and management, law, religion, morality and aesthetics.

Definition of Environmental Science & Engineering

Environmental Engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to improve the natural environment (air, water, and/or land resources), to provide healthy water, air, and land for human habitation (house or home) and for other organisms, and to remediate polluted sites.

It involves waste-water management and air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal, radiation protection, industrial hygiene, environmental sustainability, and public health issues as well as a knowledge of environmental engineering law. It also includes studies on the environmental impact of proposed construction projects.

Scope of Environmental Engineering

1. Environmental impact assessment and mitigation2. Water supply and treatment3. Wastewater conveyance and treatment4. Air quality management5. Other applications

– Environmental policy and regulation development– Contaminated land management and site remediation– Environment, Health and Safety– Hazardous waste management– Natural resource management– Noise pollution– Risk assessment– Solid waste management

Goals of Environmental Science

1. To develop a sustainable world.

2. To study environmental problems and issues.

The future of our planet depends on how we deal with human population, and the use of resources.

We have our roles to play in choosing whether to do nothing or to act affirmatively toward a sustainable future for ourselves and other species.

Resource Management & Resource Technology

The world’s human population has tripled in the twentieth century, but supplies of food and other resources do not grow. Hence, more people suffer from shortage or scarcity of resources needed for life.

Both renewable and non-renewable resources can be created or replaced.

Replacement costs more than what can be created. Conservation and recycling, therefore, are the most economical ways to prevent the depletion of our resources.

Resource management and resource technology are significant features of environmental science and engineering.

Classification of Natural Resources

Non-renewable – resources that can be retrieved from the environment once, but are not generated.

Renewable – resources that can be renewed, adjusted and manipulated, such as some of our biological resources.

Environmental Education & Its Broad Definition

Environmental education is the process by which people develop awareness, knowledge and concern of the environment and its diverse values and processes, and learn to use this understanding to preserve, conserve and utilize the environment in a sustainable manner for the benefit of present and future generations.

It involves acquisition of skills, motivations and commitments to work individually and collectively towards solving current environmental problems and preventing new problems from cropping up.

Goals of Environmental Education

1. Society prepares its citizens to carry out their responsibilities through its system of education.

2. It must consider all aspects of the environment.3. It must emphasize an enduring continuity, linking actions of

today to the consequences for tomorrow and need to think globally.

4. It must aid young citizens in developing sense of responsibility and commitment to the future and prepare them to carry out the role of safeguarding and improving the environment upon which all life depends.

5. It teaches students critical thinking and informs them of environmental science as it really is: an ongoing search for truth.

6. It is a valuable part of science instruction. It molds students into smug crusaders whose initial foundation of knowledge is shaky at best.

The National Environmental Education Action Plan

for Sustainable Development (2005-2014)

The years 2005 to 2014 have been declared as the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD).

Key Themes in Education for Sustainable Development (under the UNESCO Framework):

1. Overcoming Poverty2. Gender Equality3. Health Promotion4. Environmental Conservation and Protection5. Rural Transformation6. Human Rights7. Intercultural Understanding and Peace8. Sustainable Production and Consumption9. Cultural Diversity10. Information and Communication Technologies

The National Environmental Education Action Plan

for Sustainable Development (2005-2014)

The Philippine Response

Preparations for the declaration have been underway in the Philippines since 2003 as national agencies, the civil society and the business sector gathered to draft a workable action plan to usher in the UNDESD.

Key Elements of Sustainable Development

(under Enhanced Philippine Agenda 21 – for 2005-2014)

1. Poverty Reduction

2. Social Equity

3. Empowerment and Good Governance

4. Peace and Solidarity

5. Ecological Integrity

Education for Sustainability

The aim is to pursue education to foster the transition to a sustainable society.

As a process, education for sustainable development is used to:

1. Create awareness of sustainable development issues

2. Enhance knowledge and understanding skills3. Influence values and attitudes4. Encourage more responsible behavior5. Promote learning that leads to action

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

Goal 1. Eradicate poverty and hunger

Goal 2. Achieve universal primary education

Goal 3. Promote gender equality and empower women

Goal 4. Reduce child mortality

Goal 5. Improve maternal health

Goal 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases

Goal 7. Ensure environmental sustainability

Goal 8. Develop a global partnership for development

MDGs Indicators

The United Nations Secretariat, specialized agencies of the UN system, and representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as well as international experts identified and selected the 60 MDG indicators.

MDGs Indicators

Goal 1. Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger1. Proportion of population below $1 (PPP) per day2. Poverty gap ratio3. Share of poorest quintile in national consumption4. Growth rate of GDP per person employed5. Employment-to-population ratio6. Proportion of employed people living below $1 (PPP) per day7. Proportion of own-account and contributing family workers in

total employment8. Prevalence of underweight children under 5 years of age9. Proportion of population below minimum level of dietary

energy consumption

MDGs Indicators

Goal 2. Achieve Universal Primary Education

1. Net enrolment ratio in primary education

2. Proportion of pupils starting grade 1 who reach grade 5

3. Literacy rate of 15-24 year-olds

MDGs Indicators

Goal 3. Promote Gender Equality And Empower Women

1. Ratios of girls to boys in primary, secondary and tertiary education

2. Share of women in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector

3. Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament

MDGs Indicators

Goal 4. Reduce Child Mortality

1. Under-five mortality rate

2. Infant mortality rate

3. Proportion of 1 year-old children immunized against measles

MDGs Indicators

Goal 5. Improve Maternal Health1. Maternal mortality ratio2. Proportion of births attended by skilled

health personnel3. Contraceptive prevalence rate4. Adolescent birth rate5. Antenatal care coverage (at least one visit

and at least four visits)6. Unmet need for family planning

MDGs Indicators

Goal 6. Combat HIV/Aids, Malaria and Other Diseases1. HIV prevalence among 15-24 year old pregnant women2. Condom use at last high-risk sex3. Proportion of population aged 15-24 years with comprehensive correct

knowledge of HIV/AIDS4. Ratio of school attendance of orphans to school attendance of non-orphans

aged 10-14 years5. Proportion of population with advanced HIV infection with access to

antiretroviral drugs6. Incidence and death rates associated with malaria7. Proportion of children under 5 sleeping under insecticide-treated bednets8. Proportion of children under 5 with fever who are treated 

with appropriate anti-malarial drugs9. Incidence, prevalence and death rates associated with tuberculosis10. Proportion of tuberculosis cases detected and cured under directly observed 

treatment short course

MDGs Indicators

Goal 7. Ensure Environmental Sustainability1. Proportion of land area covered by forest2. CO2 emissions, total, per capita and per $1 GDP (PPP)3. Consumption of ozone-depleting substances4. Proportion of fish stocks within safe biological limits5. Proportion of total water resources used 6. Proportion of terrestrial and marine areas protected7. Proportion of species threatened with extinction8. Proportion of population using an improved drinking water

source9. Proportion of population using an improved sanitation facility10. Proportion of urban population living in slums

MDGs Indicators

Goal 8. Develop A Global Partnership For Development1. Net ODA, total and to the least developed countries, as percentage of

OECD/DAC donors’ gross national income2. Proportion of total bilateral, sector-allocable ODA of OECD/DAC donors to

basic social services (basic education, primary health care, nutrition, safe water and sanitation)

3. Proportion of bilateral official development assistance of OECD/DAC donors that is untied

4. ODA received in landlocked developing countries as a proportion of their gross national incomes

5. ODA received in small island developing States as a proportion of their gross national incomes

6. Proportion of total developed country imports (by value and excluding arms) from developing countries and least developed countries, admitted free of duty

7. Average tariffs imposed by developed countries on agricultural products and textiles and clothing from developing countries

8. Agricultural support estimate for OECD countries as a percentage of their gross domestic product

MDGs Indicators

Goal 8. Develop A Global Partnership For Development9. Proportion of ODA provided to help build trade capacity10. Total number of countries that have reached their HIPC

decision points and number that have reached their HIPC completion points (cumulative)

11. Debt relief committed under HIPC and MDRI Initiatives12. Debt service as a percentage of exports of goods and services13. Proportion of population with access to affordable essential

drugs on a sustainable basis14. Telephone lines per 100 population15. Cellular subscribers per 100 population16. Internet users per 100 population

Assessment of the indicators in terms of their applicability in

the Philippines, availability, frequency of release, data source

http://www.nscb.gov.ph/stats/mdg/assessment.asp

Plate No. 1

1. Define the following terms:a. Environmental scienceb. Environmental engineeringc. Environmentd. Environmental educatione. Sciencef. Resources

2. Name one of the key differences between environmental science and natural science.

3. Describe the foundation of a sustainable society and explain the role of environmental science in attaining the objective of the society.

4. Explain why resources management and resources technology are considered significant features in environmental studies.

5. What are the goals of environmental education?6. Explain the 6 key elements of sustainable development under Philippine

Agenda 21.

Thank you!