Narrative Report

Environmental Science : Definition, Scope and Importance

Group Members:
● Saban, Ruel M.
● Orea, Renze Manuel
● Radam, Dave
● Paalan, Don

Introduction

Since the beginning of life here on Earth, the environment has since become significant
in maintaining life on the planet. Over the course of time, the environment has always become
connected to life which is still observable today. Because the environment is very crucial to not
only humans but every living organism, it is important that we also learn and study about it. The
academic field that studies only the environment and its scope is called “Environmental
Science”. The science of Environment studies is a multi-disciplinary science because it
comprises various branches of studies like chemistry, physics, medical science, life science,
agriculture, public health, sanitary engineering etc. It is the science of physical phenomena in the
environment. It studies of the sources, reactions, transport, effect and fate of physical a biological
species in the air, water and soil and the effect of from human activity upon these.

The word environment itself possesses different meanings from various sources and
authors such as the definition of Boring. He states that “A person’s environment consists of the
sum total of the stimulation which he receives from his conception until his death.” This means
that Environment comprises various types of forces such as physical, intellectual, economic,
political, cultural, social, moral and emotional. Environment is the sum total of all the external
forces, influences and conditions, which affect the life, nature, behaviour and the growth,
development and maturation of living organisms. Aside from that, according to Douglas and
Holland, the term environment is used to describe, in the aggregate, all the external forces,
influences and conditions, which affect life, nature, behaviour and the growth, development and
maturity of living organisms.

Despite having many different meanings, most of it pertains to a common definition which is the
surrounding external conditions influencing development or growth of people, animals or plants;
living or working conditions etc. This involves three questions : what is surrounded?(living
objects), By what surrounded?(physical attributes of surroundings), and where surrounded?
(location of the environment via air, land, or water).
 The term environment consist of four segments which are under, atmosphere (protective
blanket of gases surrounding the earth), hydrosphere (all types of water resources),
lithosphere(consists of minerals occurring in the earth’s crusts and the soil), and
biosphere(organisms and their interactions with environment).

Preparation

The group was first assigned to discuss a given topic by the instructor which is
Environmental Science : Definition, Scope and Importance. After that, being in the new setup,
the group members came up with an efficient way of communication which is through the use of
social media. The primary usage of it is to serve as a tool to share the member’s ideas and to
properly execute the pre-recorded presentation despite not having to meet directly with each
other. Each member is assigned with their respective topics and their own scripts which are taken
from the textbook that were given by the instructor. After the pre-recorded video of all members
were done. One of the members compiled the videos and edited them. While the other member is
editing the videos, the other members are working on the powerpoint presentation. Finally, one
of the members is tasked to edit the whole pre-recorded presentation.

Discussion

The topic allotted for the group is titled; Environmental Science : Definition, Scope and
Importance. The subtopics for this main topic are:
● Introduction
● Elements of Environment
● Environmental Studies and its Importance
● Need for Public Awareness
● Various Types Of Environment
● Structures of Environment

In summary, the introduction discusses the definitions of environment based from various
sources. This also includes the scope of the environment and its explanation. The discussion also
tackled the Elements of the Environment which is the interacting systems of physical, biological
and cultural elements inter-related in various ways, individually as well as collectively. It also
covered the Importance of Environmental Studies and why the public needs to be aware of this
knowledge about the environment. The whole discussion also explained the various types of
environment whether it may be a physical, social, or psychological environment. Lasty, the
discussion also included the structure of the environment.
Conclusion

As a conclusion, this activity became one of the first major challenges that the group
members have experienced. This is due to the fact that this report presentation requires
teamwork, and because of the pandemic, it becomes more difficult to have teamwork when the
members are not together. Despite that, the group members still successfully completed the
presentation. Due to the availability of technology these days, the presentation became
successful.