Environmental Fundamentals

Environmental Fundamentals

David Murphy

The first thing that may come to one’s mind in discussing the definition of environmental science is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This agency handles many topics, however, one of the main functions is the proper handling of dumping hazardous materials, like used oil and antifreeze. Growing up in the mid-west 25 plus years ago, dumping used engine oil along the fence line or in the ditches to keep the weeds down was a common practice. That practice occurred what seems like a life time ago and fortunately people have gotten much smarter and currently know the hazards of dumping hazardous material into the soil and the water table. Environmental is everything that one relies on during one’s life, like air, water, soil, and rock. Environmental Science is defined as a branch of biology focused on the study of the relationship of the natural world, and the relationship between organisms and their environment (Your Dictionary, 2013).

Consequently how does the relationship between Science and technology effect environmental problems and solutions in today’s society? It would be hard pressed to imagine life without the commodity of oil. Oil keeps the world moving with gas and diesel products. Without oil the world would stop functioning. With that said, oil is one of the largest down falls facing the environment today. The miss use and disastrous things that have accord in producing, refining, and distributing of oil is at times mind boggling and destroying the environment. From drilling of oil in protected wildlife areas, to the drilling of oil on or near the coastline. How much damage has been done to the gulf coast alone? Drilling catastrophes, and tanker spills are all taking their toll on the environment. What new technology will replace oil, will it be solar, or could it be the wind. This is an area that Science and Technology need to work together in order to protect the planet and the way of life that...