Course Title: Environmental Science

Module Description:
This module introduces learners to the fundamental principles of Environmental Science,
focusing on Earth's systems, ecosystems, climate, environmental hazards, laws, and global
environmental challenges. It aims to develop environmental awareness, critical thinking, and
sustainable action.

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this module, learners should be able to:

1. Explain the scope and importance of Environmental Science.

2. Describe Earth's systems and natural resources.
3. Analyze ecosystem interactions and energy flow.
4. Differentiate weather and climate.
5. Explain biogeochemical cycles.
6. Identify major biomes and their characteristics.
7. Assess environmental hazards and their impacts.
8. Evaluate current environmental issues.
9. Explain key environmental laws in the Philippines.
10. Propose solutions to climate change.

LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION TO
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Learning Objectives
 Define Environmental Science.
 Explain its interdisciplinary nature.
 Discuss sustainability and environmental ethics.

Discussion
Environmental Science is the study of interactions between humans and the environment. It
integrates:

 Biology (living organisms)

 Chemistry (pollutants and reactions)
 Physics (energy and climate systems)
 Geology (earth materials)
 Social Sciences (policy and economics)
Key Principles

1. Everything is interconnected.
2. Earth has limited resources.
3. Humans impact the environment.
4. Sustainable development meets present needs without compromising future generations.

Branches

 Environmental Biology
 Environmental Chemistry
 Environmental Policy
 Conservation Science

Activity
Reflective writing: “How do my daily activities impact the environment?”

LESSON 2: PLANET EARTH

Learning Objectives
 Identify Earth's systems.
 Explain Earth’s internal structure.
 Classify natural resources.

The Four Spheres

1. Atmosphere – gases (78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen).
2. Hydrosphere – oceans (97%), freshwater (3%).
3. Lithosphere – crust, mantle.
4. Biosphere – life-supporting zone.

Earth’s Layers

 Crust
 Mantle
 Outer core
 Inner core

Natural Resources
Renewable: Solar, wind, water
Nonrenewable: Oil, coal, minerals

Philippine Context

The Philippines lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it prone to earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions.

Activity
Draw and label Earth’s four spheres.

LESSON 3: ECOSYSTEMS
Learning Objectives
 Describe ecosystem components.
 Explain food chains and food webs.
 Analyze energy flow.

Components
Biotic: Producers, consumers, decomposers
Abiotic: Light, water, temperature, soil

Energy Flow

Sun → Producers → Consumers → Decomposers

Energy decreases at each trophic level (10% rule).

Ecological Relationships

 Mutualism
 Commensalism
 Parasitism
 Predation
 Competition

Activity
Construct a food web using local species.

LESSON 4: WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Weather
Daily atmospheric conditions.

Climate
Average weather for 30 years.

Elements of Weather

 Temperature
 Humidity
 Wind
 Precipitation
 Air pressure

Climate Change Indicators

 Rising temperatures
 Melting glaciers
 Changing rainfall patterns

Philippine Climate

Tropical maritime climate with wet and dry seasons.

Activity
Record daily weather conditions for one week.
LESSON 5: BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
Water Cycle
Evaporation → Condensation → Precipitation → Runoff → Infiltration

Carbon Cycle
Photosynthesis and respiration regulate carbon balance.

Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen fixation (bacteria/lightning) → Nitrification → Assimilation → Denitrification

Phosphorus Cycle
Weathering of rocks → absorption by plants → decomposition.

Importance

Maintains ecological balance.

Activity
Illustrate one biogeochemical cycle with explanation.

LESSON 6: BIOMES
Terrestrial Biomes
 Tropical Rainforest (high biodiversity)
 Desert (low rainfall)
 Savanna (grassland)
 Tundra (cold, permafrost)
 Taiga (coniferous forest)

Aquatic Biomes
 Freshwater
  Marine
 Coral Reefs
 Estuaries

Philippine Biomes

 Tropical forests
 Mangroves
 Coral reefs

Activity
Compare two biomes using a Venn diagram.

LESSON 7: ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

Natural Hazards
 Earthquakes
 Volcanic eruptions
 Typhoons
 Floods
 Landslides

Manmade Hazards
 Industrial waste
 Oil spills
 Chemical leaks
 Deforestation
 Plastic pollution

Disaster Risk Reduction

 Early warning systems

 Evacuation planning
 Environmental impact assessment

Activity
Case study analysis of a recent Philippine disaster.
LESSON 8: CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES
Major Issues

 Air pollution
 Water pollution
 Deforestation
 Biodiversity loss
 Solid waste crisis
 Ocean acidification

Environmental Degradation Causes

 Overpopulation
 Urbanization
 Industrialization
 Unsustainable consumption

Sustainable Practices

 5Rs (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot)

 Renewable energy
 Sustainable farming

Activity
Create a community environmental action plan.

LESSON 9: ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

(PHILIPPINES)
Key Laws

RA 8749 – Clean Air Act

RA 9275 – Clean Water Act
RA 9003 – Solid Waste Management
RA 7586 – NIPAS Act
RA 6969 – Toxic Substances and Hazardous Waste Act

Environmental Agencies

 DENR
 EMB
 LGUs

Importance

Promotes accountability and sustainability.

Activity
Debate: “Are environmental laws strictly enforced in the Philippines?”

LESSON 10: CLIMATE CHANGE

Causes
 Greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O)
 Burning fossil fuels
 Deforestation

Effects
 Sea level rise
 Coral bleaching
 Food insecurity
 Stronger typhoons

Mitigation
 Renewable energy
 Energy conservation
 Reforestation

Adaptation
  Climate-resilient crops
 Flood control systems
 Disaster preparedness

Paris Agreement

International treaty to limit global warming.

Activity
Design a climate action poster.

MODULE SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Part I: Multiple Choice (20 items)
1. Which sphere includes all living organisms?
a. Atmosphere
b. Lithosphere
c. Biosphere
d. Hydrosphere
2. Energy decreases at each trophic level due to:
a. Respiration
b. 10% rule
c. Nitrogen fixation
d. Evaporation

(Continue until 20 items…)

Part II: Identification (15 items)

1. Process where plants convert sunlight to energy.
2. Large ecological region with distinct climate.
3. Law addressing air pollution in the Philippines.
(Continue…)

Part III: Essay (5 questions)

 1. Discuss the relationship among Earth’s four spheres.
2. Explain how biogeochemical cycles maintain life.
3. Assess environmental problems in your community.
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of environmental laws.
5. Propose climate action strategies for students.

PERFORMANCE TASKS
1. Create a community waste audit report.
2. Develop a disaster preparedness plan.
3. Conduct a biodiversity observation activity.
4. Present a climate change mitigation proposal.

GLOSSARY (Sample)
Abiotic – non-living components
Biodiversity – variety of life
Ecosystem – interaction of living and non-living components
Greenhouse Effect – trapping of heat
Sustainability – meeting present needs without harming future generations

REFERENCES
 DENR Philippines
 IPCC Reports
 UN Environment Programme
 Environmental Science textbooks

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50-ITEM TEST WITH RATIONALES

Here is your 50-Item Multiple Choice Test in Environmental Science with Answer Key and
Rationales.

🌍 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
50-Item Multiple Choice Test (With Rationales)

1. Environmental Science primarily studies:

A. Only plants and animals

B. Human behavior
C. Interactions between humans and the environment
D. Weather patterns only

Answer: C
Rationale: Environmental Science is interdisciplinary and focuses on human-environment
interactions.

2. Which sphere contains all living organisms?

A. Lithosphere
B. Biosphere
C. Atmosphere
D. Hydrosphere

Answer: B
Rationale: The biosphere includes all living things on Earth.

3. The largest percentage of Earth’s water is found in:

A. Rivers
B. Lakes
C. Oceans
D. Glaciers

Answer: C
Rationale: About 97% of Earth’s water is in the oceans.

4. Renewable resources are those that:

A. Cannot be replaced
B. Form over millions of years
C. Can be replenished naturally
D. Are synthetic

Answer: C
Rationale: Renewable resources regenerate naturally within a human lifespan.

5. Producers in an ecosystem are:

A. Carnivores
B. Herbivores
C. Plants
D. Decomposers

Answer: C
Rationale: Producers make their own food through photosynthesis.

6. Energy transfer between trophic levels follows the:

A. 50% rule
B. 100% rule
C. 10% rule
D. Law of inertia

Answer: C
Rationale: Only about 10% of energy is transferred to the next level.

7. Weather refers to:

A. Long-term patterns
B. Daily atmospheric conditions
C. Climate zones
D. Ocean currents

Answer: B
Rationale: Weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions.

8. Climate is determined by data collected for at least:

A. 1 year
B. 5 years
C. 10 years
D. 30 years

Answer: D
Rationale: Climate is based on long-term averages (30+ years).

9. Condensation is:

A. Water turning to vapor

B. Water vapor forming clouds
C. Rainfall
D. Surface runoff

Answer: B
Rationale: Condensation occurs when water vapor cools and forms droplets.

10. Nitrogen fixation converts nitrogen into:

A. Oxygen
B. Ammonia
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Methane

Answer: B
Rationale: Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert nitrogen gas into ammonia.
11. The biome with highest biodiversity is:

A. Desert
B. Tundra
C. Taiga
D. Tropical rainforest

Answer: D
Rationale: Warm and wet conditions support diverse life.

12. Coral reefs are part of the:

A. Desert biome
B. Freshwater biome
C. Marine biome
D. Tundra biome

Answer: C
Rationale: Coral reefs are marine ecosystems.

13. Earthquakes are classified as:

A. Manmade hazards
B. Natural hazards
C. Biological hazards
D. Industrial hazards

Answer: B
Rationale: Earthquakes occur due to natural tectonic activity.

14. Oil spills are:

A. Natural hazards
B. Climate events
C. Manmade hazards
D. Weather conditions

Answer: C
Rationale: Oil spills result from human industrial activity.
15. RA 9003 focuses on:

A. Clean air
B. Solid waste management
C. Mining
D. Forestry

Answer: B
Rationale: RA 9003 is the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

16. The greenhouse gas most responsible for global warming is:

A. Oxygen
B. Nitrogen
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Helium

Answer: C
Rationale: CO₂ is the primary contributor to human-induced warming.

17. Deforestation primarily contributes to:

A. Increased biodiversity
B. Reduced CO₂
C. Soil erosion
D. Ozone recovery

Answer: C
Rationale: Tree removal increases soil erosion and carbon release.

18. Photosynthesis is part of the:

A. Nitrogen cycle
B. Carbon cycle
C. Phosphorus cycle
D. Rock cycle
Answer: B
Rationale: Plants absorb CO₂ during photosynthesis.

19. The Philippines is prone to typhoons because it is:

A. Landlocked
B. In a polar region
C. In the Pacific
D. In Europe

Answer: C
Rationale: It lies along the Pacific typhoon belt.

20. Ocean acidification is mainly caused by:

A. Plastic waste
B. Increased CO₂ absorption
C. Oil spills
D. Mining

Answer: B
Rationale: Oceans absorb excess CO₂, forming carbonic acid.

(Continuing…)

21. The lithosphere refers to:

A. Water bodies
B. Living organisms
C. Solid Earth
D. Air layer

Answer: C
Rationale: Lithosphere is Earth’s crust and upper mantle.

22. Decomposers help by:

A. Producing oxygen
B. Breaking down dead organisms
C. Hunting prey
D. Fixing nitrogen

Answer: B

23. The primary source of energy for ecosystems is:

A. Soil
B. Wind
C. Sun
D. Water

Answer: C

24. A drought is best described as:

A. Excess rainfall
B. Long period without rain
C. Strong wind
D. Earthquake

Answer: B

25. Sustainable development aims to:

A. Increase pollution
B. Meet present needs without harming future generations
C. Exploit resources
D. Stop industrial growth

Answer: B

26. Overpopulation leads to:

A. Reduced resource demand

B. Resource depletion
C. Less waste
D. More forests

Answer: B

27. NIPAS Act protects:

A. Mines
B. Protected areas
C. Vehicles
D. Factories

Answer: B

28. Methane is produced largely from:

A. Vehicles
B. Livestock and landfills
C. Solar panels
D. Volcanoes only

Answer: B

29. Recycling primarily reduces:

A. Air pressure
B. Waste accumulation
C. Temperature
D. Sunlight

Answer: B

30. El Niño results in:

A. Heavy rainfall
B. Cooler oceans
C. Drier conditions in some regions
D. Snowstorms
Answer: C

31–50 (Concise Format with Rationales)

31. Mutualism benefits both organisms.

Answer: A – Both benefit.
32. Commensalism benefits one, others unaffected.
Answer: B
33. Parasitism harms host.
Answer: C
34. Primary consumers eat producers.
Answer: A
35. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable.
Answer: D
36. Flooding may result from deforestation.
Answer: B
37. Carbon sinks absorb CO₂ (forests).
Answer: C
38. Waste segregation supports RA 9003.
Answer: A
39. Renewable energy includes wind power.
Answer: D
40. Biodiversity increases ecosystem stability.
Answer: B
41. Ozone layer protects from UV rays.
Answer: C
42. Industrial smoke causes air pollution.
Answer: A
43. Composting reduces organic waste.
Answer: D
44. Climate mitigation reduces greenhouse gases.
Answer: B
45. Adaptation reduces climate impacts.
Answer: C
46. Coral bleaching is caused by heat stress.
Answer: A
47. Urbanization increases heat island effect.
Answer: D
48. Environmental Impact Assessment prevents harm.
Answer: B
49. Typhoons are intensified by warm oceans.
Answer: C
50. Individual climate action includes conserving energy.
Answer: A