ENVS 101 WW & WX & WY - Objective Six

Unit 1: Introduction To Environmental Science

Objective Six: To differentiate between environmental science, policy, technology and education.

6.1 What, then, is Environmental Science?

Environmental science is the discipline that is concerned with identifying and diagnosing environmental impacts. Environmental scientists first try to understand the patterns or impact or change in the natural environment caused by various human activities. Once, they understand what is occurring, environmental scientists then search for the specific cause or causes. Often, they can also get involved in seeking solutions as well.

6.1 Solutions to Environmental Problems

While environmental science is critical to understanding the impact of human activities on the natural environmental, societies often turn to environmental policy, environmental education, and environmental technology for implementing solutions. Both environmental policy and education are concerned with changing human behavior. Environmental policy does so in a more direct, or controlling, manner. The Clean Air Act, for example, specifies the allowable levels of certain kinds of gases which can be released by industrial facilities. Environmental education, on the other hand, seeks to change human behavior in more subtle ways. Educating the average consumer about the effects of air pollution from automobiles, for example, may lead some individuals to change their behavior and using less polluting forms of transportation such as walking, bicycle, or public transportation.

Lastly, environmental technology refers to solving environmental problems by using or substituting tools, techniques, or processes that have less environmental impact. For example, probably the most well known type of environmental technology is the catalytic converter, which is attached to the exhaust system and neutralizes the gases that are emitted by the engine when gasoline is burned or combusted. To solve a specific environmental problem, societies often turn to environmental policy, education or technology, or a combination of any or all of the three.