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Introduction to Environmental Science and Engineering
Evelyn R. LauritoUniversity of Santo Tomas
Environmental Management? Actions that should reduce the impact
of
mans activities on the environment in order that the capacity of
the environment to sustain mans development is not impaired
Recognizes the interdependence of man and his environment
Strikes a balance between socio-economic development and
environmental protection
EnvironmentalResources
Science &Technology
Products
ECONOMICDEVELOPMENT
(Better Quality of Life)
Utilization of Environmental Resources for a better Quality of
Life
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EnvironmentalResources
Science &Technology
EnvironmentalResources
ProductsProducts
ECONOMICDEVELOPMENT
(Better Quality of Life)
EnvironmentalDegradation
(Poor Quality of Life)
Dwindling of Environmental Resources can lead to Poor Quality of
Life
EnvironmentalResources
Science &Technology
ProductsProducts
ECONOMICDEVELOPMENT
(Better Quality of Life)
EnvironmentalDegradation
(Poor Quality of Life)
Sustainable Development
(Sustainable Quality of Life)
Proper Management of Environmental resources can lead to a
Sustainable Quality of Life
What is Sustainable Development?
In 1987 Our Common Future set out the concept of Sustainable
Development
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of the future generations to meet their own needs
In 1992, Earth Summit came out with Agenda 21
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Definition of Environment All external conditions and factors,
living and
non-living (chemicals and energy) that affect a person during
its lifetime
Aggregate of the physical, chemical, biological, social,
cultural, political, religious, national, global, universal factors
that affect human existence
Everything around us except ourselves
Environmental Management Principles
Our survival, life quality, and economies are totally dependent
on the sun and earth; the earth can get along without us, but we
can't get along without the earth ( principle of earth capital)
The best way to protect species and individual organisms is to
protect the ecosystems in which they live and to help restore those
we have degraded (principle of ecosystem protection and
restoration)
We can learn a lot about how nature works, but nature is so
incredibly complex and dynamic that such knowledge will always be
limited (principle of complexity)
Environmental Management Principles
When we alter nature to meet our needs and wants, we should
choose the method that does the least possible harm to us and other
living things (least-harm principle)
In nature, we can never do just one thing; everything we do
creates effects that are often unpredictable (first law of human
ecology)
Everything is connected to and intermingled with everything
else; we are all in this together; we need to understand these
connections and discover which connections are most important for
sustaining life on earth (principle of interdependence and
connectiveness)
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Environmental Management Principles
Most resources are limited and should not be wasted; there is
not always more (principle of resource conservation)
Non-renewable resources should not be used faster than renewable
substitutes can be developed (principle of sustainable living)
Pollution prevention and reduction are the best and cheapest
ways to work with the earth. The best way to reduce pollution is
not to produce too much (principle of PP and Waste Reduction)
Environmental Management Principles
We should change earth-degrading and earth-depleting
manufacturing processes, products and business into earth
sustaining ones by using economic incentives and penalties
(principle of economic-ecological sustainability)
The market price of any product should include estimated present
and future cost of any pollution (principle of full cost
pricing)
Increases in population, resource use or both can eventually
overwhelm attempts to control pollution and manage wastes
(environmental impact principle)
We should think globally and act locally (principle of
change)
The Need for Environmentally Educated Scientists and Engineers
The science of the environment is an
interdisciplinary field that requires an understanding of our
complex ecosystems
Research is needed on environmentally acceptable products for
basic human needs such as food, health, energy and
telecommunications
Technological innovations must emphasize on more efficient use
of materials and energy and Clean Production and Clean
Technology
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7 Environmental Principles
Nature Knows Best All Forms of Life are Important Everything is
Related to Everything Else Everything Changes Everything goes
Somewhere Ours is a Finite Earth Nature is Beautiful and we are
Stewards of Gods
Creation
