Activity 1.1 - Environmental Science vs Environmental Studies.

Introduction 

Although they sound very similar, environmental studies and environmental science focus their attention on different aspects of the environmental field. Despite this fact, both fields are extremely important and often rely on one another. Without environmental studies, environmental science would have little purpose and without environmental science, environmental studies would have no scientific data to work with.  

Environmental Studies 

Environmental studies are where environmental problems are looked through a law, political, and social lens (UW, n.d.). If there is an environmental issue, environmental studies majors will observe the policies that were broken, who will be affected, and how to prevent the problem from happening again. They also aim to educate the public about what can be done individually to better the environment. Environmental studies majors will use what they know about history, politics, and law to make sure the environment and humans are safe (UW, n.d). Environmental studies is less science based, and more policy based. 

Environmental Science 

Environmental science calculates and studies environmental problems and human impact using “ecology, geology, meteorology, biology, chemistry, engineering, and physics" (Kte'pi, 2018). This field is more STEM based and aims to look at environmental problems through a scientific perspective. Environmental scientists research and analyze data in order to understand how the environment and its inhabitants are affected. They also use their scientific research to come up with ways to prevent environmental problems from occurring.  

Case Study 

An apartment complex sits on top of a recharge zone for a city's freshwater aquifer. The apartment complex allows dogs and does not enforce their policy that states that owners must dispose of the dog's waste. The dog waste, chemicals, and trash wash into the aquifer after a heavy rain. Many counties in the town rely on the aquifer for their drinking water, which is continually being polluted from establishments like the apartment complex. An environmental scientist would run various tests and apply scientific methods to examine variables such as how many pollutants were dumped into the aquifer. They would also research how the pollutants will affect physical and chemical environmental factors, and what the long-term effects will be. Lastly, an environmental scientist would use their research to figure out how to prevent this problem from happening again.  

Someone involved in Environmental studies would find out what policies were in place that where broken and come up with other policies need be. They might also hold the apartment complex owner accountable and order them to pay a fine. Environmental studies would also aim to understand the economic and social impacts and how the community can be more educated on the topic (UW, n.d). Lastly, they would want to find ways to prevent the problem from happening again throughout other counties.  

 

 

 

 

 

References 

Environmental Science. (n.d). What is environmental science? https://www.environmentalscience.org/ 

Kte'pi, B. (2018, December 27). Environmental science. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/environmental-science 

University of Wisconsin (UW). (n.d). Environmental science vs. Environmental      studies. https://envirosci.wisc.edu/environmental-sciences-vs-studies/