Difference Between Ecology & Environmental Science?

Ecology Environmental Science

Environmental Four C’s• Communication• Collaboration• Critical thinking• Creativity

What is Ecology?• Ecology is the study of organisms and the

environment. • The study of the relationships between living

organisms and their interactions with their natural or developed environment.

• Ecology is part of the natural science that studies and usually is more focused on how organisms interact with each other and with their immediate surroundings.

What is Environmental Science?• Environmental science is an interdisciplinary

academic field that integrates physical and biological sciences.

• Is the study of the physical properties of the earth in order to better understand and protect our environment.

What is the difference between Ecology and Environmental Science?

• The environmental science is more overarching field that incorporates many elements of Earth and life sciences to understand various natural processes.

• Ecology, on the other hand, is usually more focused on how organisms interact with each other and with their immediate surroundings.

•Ecology and Environmental Science are closely related disciplines, and familiarity with the principles of one is essential to fully understanding the other.

•Both sciences provide very important information about nature and what people can do to better protect the planet and conserve resources.

• Environmental scientists might be contracted to analyze pollution levels and other risk factors near an industrial plant.

• Ecologists are needed to determine the welfare of certain populations and suggest ways to better protect endangered species.

• By combining the information gathered by scientists in both disciplines, authorities can create effective policies and educational resources for people to follow.

• A strong educational background in the scientific method is necessary in both ecology and environmental science.

• Ecologists and environmental scientists conduct rigorous, ethical, highly controlled studies to ensure accurate results.

• Professionals in both disciplines record their findings in detailed reports and create statistical analyses when applicable, so that their results can be reviewed and built upon by other scientists.

What do Ecology and Environmental Science have in common?

What is a problem?• Any question or matter involving doubt ,

uncertainty, or difficulty. • A question proposed for solution or discussion• Question raised for inquiry, consideration, or

solution • A proposition in mathematics or physics

stating something to be done.

Problem?Use logic to arrive at a conclusion. To solve virtually any problem, you can use a process of elimination—dividing the issue down until all you have left is the problem. There are four basic steps to this process:

– 1. Define the problem – 2. Develop a plan – 3. Implement the plan – 4. Evaluate the results

Until there's an acceptable answer, you'll repeat steps through 4 until that answer has been reached. We'll use a common problem to illustrate this scenario.

How do you solve a problem?• Problem solving is one of the most essential

skills in life. Regardless of who you are or what you do, you will face obstacles.

• How you deal with such challenges will often be a determining factor in how successful you are at life.

• While problems come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes

What is an issue?• Subject of concern: something for discussion

or of general concern• Main subject: the central or most important

topic in a discussion or debate• Legal matter in dispute: a legal matter in a

dispute between two parties

• The field of environmental science is devoted to exploring environmental problems and looking for solutions. Encouraging students to get involved in this field can help to bring about creative ideas for solving environmental problems. Students should use the following:

• Observation• Policy• Technology• Processes

• There are many ways to solve problems, and it will depend on your situation, your experience, your knowledge, your attitude, and your problem to determine the best approach.

Observation

• Scientific observation, such as measurements of the Earth's temperature or tracking endangered animals, allows scientists to understand environmental problems that need to be addressed.

Policy• A policy is a plan or course of action, as of a government, political

party, or business, intended to influence and determine something.

• Is any course of action deliberately taken or not taken; to manage human activities with a view to prevent, reduce, or mitigate harmful impact to the environment.

• Scientific observations and records can help influence public policy in the creation of emission standards, the protection of wildlife habitats and the preservation of resources. Using accurate science is vital in influencing policy.

Technology• Technology is a method of applying technical knowledge: a

method or methodology that applies technical knowledge or tools.• In Environmental science is also known as Green technology

(abbreviated as greentech) or clean technology. • New technologies often are "green," or more environmentally

friendly.

• The creation of technologies devoted to finding alternative fuel sources, such as solar and wind energy, is one way to attempt to solve serious environmental problems.

Processes• Science influences the processes of creating and

recycling products in the most efficient ways.• Reducing waste through scientific knowledge is

one way in which pollution and environmental problems can be solved.

Any Questions

Working With Environmental Issues?

• When you read about an environment issue in a news, paper or magazine, how do you decide whether to accept the claim made in the article?

• Scientific evidence is based on observations, but media accounts often rely mainly on inferences rather than evidence.

• What is the difference between an inferences and evidence?

Distinguishing inferences from evidence is an important first step in evaluating articles critically.

• If a claim is based on scientific evidence presented logically from a reliable, unbiased source, it is appropriate to accept the claim

• Practice your critical thinking evaluation skills by reading the new current event article and provide answers using critical thinking to communicate your ideas and points of view.

Critical Thinking Questions• What is the major claim made in the article?• What evidence does the author presents to

support the claim?

• Is the evidence based on observations, and is the source of the evidence reputable and unbiased?

• Is the argument for the claim, whether or not base on evidence, logical?

• Would you accept or reject the claim?

• Even if the claim were well supported by evidence based on good authority, why would your acceptance be only tentative?

What is unbiased?• Free from all prejudice and favoritism • Eminently fair • Having an expected value to something.• Without bias or prejudice• Impartial

• Relating to something.• In accordance with something or of the nature of

something. • Based on earlier or otherwise known statements,

events, or conditions.• Reasonable

What is logic?

What is Pseudoscience?• Pseudoscience is a claim, belief, or practice

which is presented as scientific, but does not adhere to a valid scientific method.

• A pseudoscience is set of ideas based on theories put forth as scientific when they are not .