Centre for Development, Environment and Policy
P500
Environmental Science and Management
Prepared by Ben Daley with Rebecca Kent
Reviewed by Frauke Urban in 2013
© SOAS | 3736
P500
Environmental Science and Management
Introduction
MODULE INTRODUCTION
ABOUT THIS MODULE
To say that concerns about the state of the environment have increased in recent
decades would be a gross understatement. Scientific and public concerns about the
extent and pace of environmental degradation have grown to the point that it is now
difficult to think of a single contemporary issue – whether global, national, regional
or local – that does not have an important environmental dimension. Indeed, some
environmental issues have become so prominent in policy debates that they now
represent some of the key challenges facing individuals and organisations at all
levels; obvious examples include the global issues of biodiversity loss and climate
change. Yet, for all the attention that such issues receive, it is not clear how they are
to be solved. Indeed, some issues – such as that of climate change – are extremely
complex, highly controversial and fiercely contested. In many cases, the controversy
surrounding environmental issues focuses on the reliability and validity of the
underlying science. Whilst, in general, science is often presented as being objective,
impartial and disinterested, it is clear that science may actually be used in ways that
are partial, confusing and misleading. In turn, that observation raises difficult
questions about power and representation. Debates about environmental (and other)
issues raise questions about: who produces the scientific knowledge that informs
those debates; how that knowledge is produced; and whose interests it serves. Thus
it is important to understand not only the fundamentals of environmental science but
also the processes by which that science is produced – negotiated and contested –
and the ways in which it informs environmental policy and management.
This module provides an overview of the main contemporary issues in environmental
science and management, introducing the earth system and its main components
and processes. It covers the main features of the geosphere, atmosphere,
hydrosphere and biosphere, emphasising their connections and interactions. The
cryosphere is also considered separately (although it may be regarded as a subset of
the hydrosphere). This module focuses on the science underlying the most prominent
global environmental issues, including biodiversity loss and climate change. However,
it also highlights the links between global and local environmental issues. Important
approaches to, and principles of, environmental management are also examined in
this module. Also, in this module, some important questions are raised about the
social and cultural construction of scientific knowledge. In particular, a recurring
theme is the idea that scientific knowledge is produced by certain groups and reflects
particular interests. In turn, that knowledge is used to inform environmental
management practices and environmental policies – practices and policies that also
reflect broader economic structures, social patterns and power relations. This module
emphasises that it is important to adopt a critical approach to environmental science
and management, focusing on the key questions of whose interests are served – and
whose are overlooked – in creating and using environmental science. Only if such
questions are taken seriously can environmental science and management contribute
effectively to sustainable development and poverty reduction.
Priority topics are the key principles of environmental science, the earth system
and its components, environmental change and the key principles of environmental
management.
© SOAS
CeDEP
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P500
Environmental Science and Management
Introduction
STRUCTURE OF THE MODULE
The module consists of ten units which are best followed sequentially. Unit 1 provides
an introduction to the earth system and its components, showing that a systems
analysis approach now informs the theory and practice of environmental science and
management. In Units 2–6, the main components of the earth system – the
geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and biosphere – are examined in
turn. Some of the key environmental issues associated with each of those
components are considered in more detail in those units. In Units 7–8, the focus is
placed environmental change, environmental monitoring and environmental
modelling, since these are important concepts for understanding the state of the
earth system as well as its likely condition in the future. In Units 9–10, some of the
main principles of, and approaches to, environmental management are considered.
The account emphasises that the production and use of environmental science are
not ‘neutral’ activities but are political processes, ones that raise important, critical
questions about how we know, understand and talk about ‘the environment’.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Module Aims
This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the fundamentals of
environmental science, emphasising some of the most important environmental
issues at the global and local scales. It also aims to explain the main principles of
environmental management and to demonstrate some of the ways in which
environmental science is used to inform policy and management.
The specific aims of the module are:

To explain the most important features of the earth system and its main
components (the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and
biosphere).

To examine the important topic of environmental change and some of the ways
in which past environments may be reconstructed.

To explain the importance of environmental monitoring and modelling for
understanding the earth system.

To explain the main approaches to, and principles of, environmental
management, and to illustrate some of the ways in which environmental
science informs environmental management and policy.
© SOAS
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Environmental Science and Management
Introduction
Module Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module students should be able to:

explain the main concepts of environmental science, including the concept of
the earth system and its main components (the geosphere, atmosphere,
hydrosphere, cryosphere and biosphere) and critically appraise the relevant
importance of each of these to environmental management and public policy

critically explain the idea of environmental change and to state and interpret
some of the main environmental changes of earth’s recent history

explain and critically appraise the importance of environmental monitoring and
modelling in understanding the earth system

identify the main approaches to, and principles of, environmental management,
and to compare and contrast the importance and practical utility of these

gain and use the skills necessary to participate in professional multi-disciplinary
teams concerned with environmental assessment and management.
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Environmental Science and Management
Introduction
ASSESSMENT
This module is assessed by:
•
an examined assignment (EA) worth 20%
•
a written examination in October worth 80%
Since the EA is an element of the formal examination process, please note the
following:
(a) The EA questions and submission date will be available on the Virtual Learning
Environment.
(b) The EA is submitted by uploading it to the Virtual Learning Environment.
(c) The EA is marked by the module tutor and students will receive a percentage
mark and feedback.
(d) Answers submitted must be entirely the student’s own work and not a product of
collaboration. For this reason, the Virtual Learning Environment is not an
appropriate forum for queries about the EA.
(e) Plagiarism is a breach of regulations. To ensure compliance with the specific
University of London regulations, all students are advised to read the guidelines
on referencing the work of other people. For more detailed information, see the
User Resource Section of the Virtual Learning Environment.
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P500
Environmental Science and Management
Introduction
STUDY MATERIALS
Textbook
There is one textbook for this module.

Smithson P, Addison K, Atkinson K (2008) Fundamentals of the Physical
Environment, 4th edn. Routledge, London.
This book contains chapters on a wide range of topics related to environmental
science and management. It covers the main aspects of the earth system and its
components, and the main environmental processes, drawing out the most important
challenges now facing environmental managers.
Key Readings
For each of the ten units, Key Readings are provided. The introduction to each unit
contains an outline of the readings and explains how they complement the module.
These Key Readings are drawn from a wide range of sources including books,
journals, reports and other publications and the internet. They are authored by
individual researchers, analysts, and practitioners and also through the collective
efforts of diverse national and international organisations. You will find the Key
Readings crucial to your full understanding of the unit and they form an integral part
of the module. You are expected to study them as they contain material which may
be used in examination questions.
Further Readings
For each of the ten units, Further Readings and References are also listed. These
texts are not provided but many are available on the internet. Students are not
expected to follow up each and every Further Reading, but they can be studied to
enable you to follow up specific points of interest.
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Environmental Science and Management
Introduction
MULTIMEDIA
The e-study guide includes video material.
This audio file is also available on your e-study guide.
Mrs Mary Jane Porter is interviewed by Laurence Smith of
CeDEP, SOAS. Mary Jane is an alumnus of the MSc in
Environmental Management offered by CeDEP, SOAS. In
this interview she reflects on her experience as a distance
learning student and some of the challenges that her
study presented. Some of her tips on how to approach
and organise your studies may help you. Also tips on how
to prepare for and approach examinations. You can listen
to this interview at any time but may find it most helpful
when starting your study and planning how to prioritise
your time.
It’s worth listening to again when the
examinations approach.
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Environmental Science and Management
Introduction
INDICATIVE STUDY CALENDAR
Part/unit
Unit title
Study time
(hours)
Unit 1
Introduction: the earth system and its components
10
Unit 2
The geosphere
10
Unit 3
The atmosphere
12.5
Unit 4
The hydrosphere
12.5
Unit 5
The cryosphere
15
Unit 6
The biosphere
15
Unit 7
Environmental change
15
Unit 8
Environmental modelling and monitoring
15
Unit 9
Environmental management: approaches and principles
15
Unit 10
Environmental science and management: issues and
challenges
15
Examined Assignment
15
Check the virtual learning environment or introductory text of the EA
for the submission deadline
Examination entry
July
Revision and examination preparation
End-of-module examination
© SOAS
September
October
CeDEP
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Environmental Science and Management
Introduction
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
AQMA
air quality management area(s)
AQS
air quality strategy
BGS
British Geological Survey
CBD
Convention on Biological Diversity
CCS
carbon capture and storage
CFC(s)
chlorofluorocarbon(s)
CITES
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
DDT
dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane
ELA
equilibrium-line altitude
ENSO
El Niño–Southern Oscillation
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency
GE
genetically engineered
GIWA
Global International Waters Assessment
GM
genetically modified
GWP
global warming potential
HCFCs
hydrochlorofluorocarbons
HFCs
hydrofluorocarbons
HIV/AIDS
Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
ICZM
integrated coastal zone management
IGBP
International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme
IGS
International Glaciological Society
IPCC
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
ITCZ
inter-tropical convergence zone
IUCN
International Union for Conservation of Nature
ka
thousand years (ago)
Ma
million years (ago)
NAAQS
national ambient air-quality standards
NADW
North Atlantic Deep Water
NASA
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NERC
Natural Environment Research Council
NGO
non-governmental organisation
NSIDC
National Snow and Ice Data Center
PAHs
polyaromatic hydrocarbons
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Environmental Science and Management
PAR
photosynthetically active radiation
PCBs
polychlorinated biphenyls
PFCs
perfluorocarbons
SIP
state implementation plan
SPCZ
South Pacific convergence zone
SSS
sea surface salinity
SST
sea surface temperature
UN
United Nations
UNDP
United Nations Development Programme
UNEP
United Nations Environment Programme
UNFCCC
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
USGS
United States Geological Survey
W m-2
watts per square metre
WMO
World Meteorological Organization
WWF
World Wide Fund for Nature
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Introduction
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