1.1 What is acid rain?.

Acid rain, or acid deposition, is a broad term that includes any form
of precipitation with acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid
that fall to the ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms. This
can include rain, snow, fog, hail or even dust that is acidic.
1.2 Discuss the cause, effects of acid rain
Causes
Acid rain results when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX)
are emitted into the atmosphere and transported by wind and air currents.
The SO2 and NOX react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form
sulfuric and nitric acids. These then mix with water and other materials
before falling to the ground.

While a small portion of the SO2 and NOX that cause acid rain is from
natural sources such as volcanoes, most of it comes from the burning of
fossil fuels. The major sources of SO2 and NOX in the atmosphere are:

Burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity. Two thirds of SO2 and

one fourth of NOX in the atmosphere come from electric power generators.
Vehicles and heavy equipment.
Manufacturing, oil refineries and other industries.
Winds can blow SO2 and NOX over long distances and across borders making
acid rain a problem for everyone and not just those who live close to
these sources.

Effects
Acid rain has many ecological effects, but none is greater than its
impact on lakes, streams, wetlands, and other aquatic environments. Acid
rain makes waters acidic, and causes them to absorb the aluminum that
makes its way from soil into lakes and streams. This combination makes
waters toxic to crayfish, clams, fish, and other aquatic animals.
Some species can tolerate acidic waters better than others. However, in
an interconnected ecosystem, what impacts some species eventually
impacts many more throughout the food chain—including non-aquatic
species such as birds.
Acid rain also damages forests, especially those at higher elevations.
It robs the soil of essential nutrients and releases aluminum in the
soil, which makes it hard for trees to take up water. Trees' leaves and
needles are also harmed by acids.

The effects of acid rain, combined with other environmental stressors,

leave trees and plants less able to withstand cold temperatures, insects,
and disease. The pollutants may also inhibit trees' ability to reproduce.
Some soils are better able to neutralize acids than others. In areas
where the soil's "buffering capacity" is low, the harmful effects of
acid rain are much greater.

1.3 How does it affect human health?

Acid rain looks, feels, and tastes just like clean rain. The harm to
people from acid rain is not direct. Walking in acid rain, or even
swimming in an acid lake, is no more dangerous than walking or swimming
in clean water. However, the pollutants that cause acid rain—sulfur
dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx)—do damage human health. These
gases interact in the atmosphere to form fine sulfate and nitrate
particles that can be transported long distances by winds and inhaled
deep into people's lungs. Fine particles can also penetrate indoors.
Many scientific studies have identified a relationship between elevated
levels of fine particles and increased illness and premature death from
heart and lung disorders, such as asthma and bronchitis.

Based on health concerns, SO2 and NOx have historically been regulated
under the Clean Air Act, including the Acid Rain Program. In the eastern
U.S., sulfate aerosols make up about 25 percent of fine particles. By
lowering SO2 and NOx emissions from power generation, the Acid Rain
Program will reduce the levels of fine sulfate and nitrate particles and
so reduce the incidence and the severity of these health problems. When
fully implemented by the year 2010, the public health benefits of the
Acid Rain Program are estimated to be valued at $50 billion annually,
due to decreased mortality, hospital admissions, and emergency room
visits.

1.4 What is red tide?

Red tide is a common name for a worldwide phenomenon known as an algae
bloom (large concentrations of aquatic microorganisms—protozoans or
unicellular algae) when it is caused by species of dinoflagellates and
other algae. The upwelling of nutrients from the sea floor from massive
storms is most likely the cause of these events.
Certain species of phytoplankton and dinoflagellates found in red tides
contain photosynthetic pigments that vary in color from brown to red.
When the algae are present in high concentrations, the water appears to
be discolored or murky, varying in color from a rust color to pink to
blood red. Specifically, red tide species can be found in oceans, bays,
and places where fresh water meets salt water, but they cannot thrive
in freshwater environments due to the lack of salinity. The growth of
the algal bloom depends on wind, temperature, nutrients, and salinity.
Some red tide algal blooms are associated with fish kills. The production
of natural toxins such as brevetoxins and ichthyotoxins are harmful to
marine life. Generally, red tides are described as harmful algal blooms.
The most conspicuous effects of these kinds of red tides are the
associated wildlife mortalities, as well as harmful human exposure.

1.5 How to reduce the risks of red tide?

 Avoid coming in contact with red tide or a blue-green algae bloom.

This includes swimming and jet-skiing.
 Wash immediately and thoroughly with clean water and soap if you
come in contact with contaminated water.
 Don’t swim in water if dead fish are on the shore.
 Over-the-counter antihistamines decrease symptoms associated with
red tide.
 People with chronic respiratory problems such as asthma should
avoid areas with active red tides or severe algae blooms.
 Can’t avoid an area with red tide? Wear a particle filter mask to
lessen the effects.
 Don’t eat shellfish such as clams and oysters that are harvested
from areas with active red tide.
 Residents of beach areas affected by blooms should close windows
and run their air conditioner.
 Anyone who feels sick from exposure to red tide or algae or has
persistent symptoms should call their primary care doctor. They
can also visit one of our Convenient Care walk-in clinics.
 Boiling water does not remove or destroy algal toxins.
 Children should not play along the shoreline where they might be
exposed to clumps of algae or red tide water.
 Attention pet owners! Red tide and algae blooms pose the same risks
to animals. Pets should not drink affected water and should avoid
beach areas with red tide.
2.1 What are the causes/reasons whys species are in a state of extinction
or are endangered?
Species become endangered for two main reasons: loss of habitat and loss
of genetic variation.

Loss of Habitat
A loss of habitat can happen naturally. Dinosaurs, for instance, lost
their habitat about 65 million years ago. The hot, dry climate of the
Cretaceous period changed very quickly, most likely because of an
asteroid striking the Earth. The impact of the asteroid forced debris
into the atmosphere, reducing the amount of heat and light that reached
Earth’s surface. The dinosaurs were unable to adapt to this new, cooler
habitat. Dinosaurs became endangered, then extinct.
Human activity can also contribute to a loss of habitat. Development for
housing, industry, and agriculture reduces the habitat of native
organisms. This can happen in a number of different ways.
Development can eliminate habitat and native species directly. In the
Amazon rain forest of South America, developers have cleared hundreds
of thousands of acres. To “clear” a piece of land is to remove all trees
and vegetation from it. The Amazon rain forest is cleared for cattle
ranches, logging, and urban use.
Development can also endanger species indirectly. Some species, such as
fig trees of the rain forest, may provide habitat for other species. As
trees are destroyed, species that depend on that tree habitat may also
become endangered. Tree crowns provide habitat in the canopy, or top
layer, of a rain forest. Plants such as vines, fungi such as mushrooms,
and insects such as butterflies live in the rain forest canopy. So do
hundreds of species of tropical birds and mammals such as monkeys. As
trees are cut down, this habitat is lost. Species have less room to live
and reproduce.
Loss of habitat may happen as development takes place in a species range.
Many animals have a range of hundreds of square kilometers. The mountain
lion of North America, for instance, has a range of up to 1,000 square
kilometers (386 square miles). To successfully live and reproduce, a
single mountain lion patrols this much territory. Urban areas, such as
Los Angeles, California, and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, grew
rapidly during the 20th century. As these areas expanded into the
wilderness, the mountain lion’s habitat became smaller. That means the
habitat can support fewer mountain lions. Because enormous parts of the
Sierra Nevada, Rocky, and Cascade mountain ranges remain undeveloped,
however, mountain lions are not endangered.
Loss of habitat can also lead to increased encounters between wild
species and people. As development brings people deeper into a species
range, they may have more exposure to wild species. Poisonous plants and
fungi may grow closer to homes and schools. Wild animals are also spotted
more frequently. These animals are simply patrolling their range, but
interaction with people can be deadly. Polar bears, mountain lions, and
alligators are all predators brought into close contact with people as
they lose their habitat to homes, farms, and businesses. As people kill
these wild animals, through pesticides, accidents such as collisions
with cars, or hunting, native species may become endangered.
Loss of Genetic Variation
Genetic variation is the diversity found within a species. It’s why human
beings may have blond, red, brown, or black hair. Genetic variation
allows species to adapt to changes in the environment. Usually, the
greater the population of a species, the greater its genetic variation.
Inbreeding is reproduction with close family members. Groups of species
that have a tendency to inbreed usually have little genetic variation,
because no new genetic information is introduced to the group. Disease
is much more common, and much more deadly, among inbred groups. Inbred
species do not have the genetic variation to develop resistance to the
disease. For this reason, fewer offspring of inbred groups survive to
maturity.
Loss of genetic variation can occur naturally. Cheetahs are a threatened
species native to Africa and Asia. These big cats have very little
genetic variation. Biologists say that during the last ice age, cheetahs
went through a long period of inbreeding. As a result, there are very
few genetic differences between cheetahs. They cannot adapt to changes
in the environment as quickly as other animals, and fewer cheetahs
survive to maturity. Cheetahs are also much more difficult to breed in
captivity than other big cats, such as lions.
Human activity can also lead to a loss of genetic variation. Overhunting
and overfishing have reduced the populations of many animals. Reduced
population means there are fewer breeding pairs. A breeding pair is made
up of two mature members of the species that are not closely related and
can produce healthy offspring. With fewer breeding pairs, genetic
variation shrinks.

Monoculture, the agricultural method of growing a single crop, can also

reduce genetic variation. Modern agribusiness relies on monocultures.
Almost all potatoes cultivated, sold, and consumed, for instance, are
from a single species, the Russet Burbank. Potatoes, native to the Andes
Mountains of South America, have dozens of natural varieties. The genetic
variation of wild potatoes allows them to adapt to climate change and
disease. For Russet Burbanks, however, farmers must use fertilizers and
pesticides to ensure healthy crops because the plant has almost no
genetic variation.
Plant breeders often go back to wild varieties to collect genes that
will help cultivated plants resist pests and drought, and adapt to
climate change. However, climate change is also threatening wild
varieties. That means domesticated plants may lose an important source
of traits that help them overcome new threats.

2.2 Enumerate top 10 endangered species of fauna in the Philippines?

1. Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi)
Also called the monkey-eating eagle, the Philippine eagle is native to
the southern Philippines. It is characterized by a brown and white
feather pattern and bushy crest, and is believed to be one of the largest
and most powerful birds on Earth. A full-grown adult can grow to as big
as four feet (ft) tall and can weigh as much as nine kilograms (kg). The
monkey-eating eagle is the Philippines national bird. Major threats to
the Philippine eagle's survival are deforestation, mining, and
pollution.
2.Philippine Freshwater Crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis)
Locally known as Mindoro crocodiles, they are endemic in the Philippines.
The Philippine freshwater crocodile is quite small compared to other
crocodiles, growing to about four and a half to five feet long and
weighing approximately 15 kg. The Mindoro crocodile is also listed as
critically endangered by the IUCN. It is reported that as of September
2011, there are only 250 of them left in the country. Experts attribute
illegal hunting and dynamite fishing to the decline of the Philippine
freshwater crocodile.
3. Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis)
Also known as the Mindoro dwarf buffalo, the Tamaraw is the only known
bovine that is indigenous to the Philippines. Until the 20th century,
the original habitat of this species was essentially intact and unharmed.
They were once found all over Mindoro Island, from the plains up to the
mountains. But now the population has been reduced to about 200, with
many being carefully bred in captivity. Another critically endangered
animal according to the IUCN, the main causes of the Tamaraw being on
the list of endangered animals in the Philippines are illegal hunting,
logging, and residential land clearing.
4. Walden's Hornbill (Aceros waldeni)
Locally called a Kalaw, it is also known as the Visayan Wrinkled
Hornbill. The Kalaw is endemic to the Philippine islands of Panay and
Negros, although it can also be found in other regions of the country
such as Zamboanga del Norte in Mindanao. Excessive hunting and illegal
logging caused the disappearance of this species in the areas of Negros
and Guimaras. Because of that, it has been included in the IUCN Red List
of critically endangered species in the country.
5. Visayan Warty Pig (Sus cebifrons)
This land mammal is also in the IUCN's list of critically endangered
species in the Philippines. Once ubiquitous in the central Philippines,
especially in the island of Cebu, the pig can now only be found on two
islands: Panay and Negros. Some experts believe that a small herd may
still be located in the island of Masbate although it is not confirmed.
The disappearance of this species on the island of Cebu was not only
brought about by illegal hunting and logging but also agricultural land
clearing. The animal's natural habitats were turned into rice fields to
accommodate the growing demand for crops in the region. Now, small
population concentrations of this species are bred in captivity. Some
still live in the wild, although they are very rare, which is why not
much is understood about the mammal's natural behavior.
6. Philippine Cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia)
Locally known as Kalangay, Katala or the red-vented cockatoo, the
Philippine cockatoo is indigenous to the Philippines. This species used
to be common in the whole country but today only 180 of them are known
to live in the wild within the forests of Palawan. These birds are listed
by the IUCN as critically endangered because of illegal trapping by
poachers hoping to make a profit selling them to private collectors and
pet enthusiasts. Another reason for the population decline is that the
birds are considered agricultural pests and are killed or trapped by
farmers attempting to protect their fields.
7. Negros Bleeding-Heart (Gallicolumba keayi)
This type of pigeon is endemic to the islands of Negros and Panay in the
Philippines and is one of the many critically endangered pigeon species
in the country listed by the IUCN. These birds always come in pairs or
in a flock and are ground feeders, meaning they hunt on the ground and
are easy pickings for poachers. Its population continues to decrease to
this day because of ongoing deforestation and excessive hunting for its
meat and the exotic pet blackmarket.

8. Philippine Naked-Backed Fruit Bat (Dobsomia chapmani)

Also called the Philippine bare-backed fruit bat, these are large bats
found in the caves of Negros Island in the Philippines. They are listed
as critically endangered by the IUCN, and a small population is reported
to have been sighted on the island of Cebu as well. Deforestation and
agricultural land clearing are the main causes of the reduction of their
population and habitat. In the 1980s, locals cut down lowland forests
in favor of sugar cane plantations and the bats gradually disappeared
afterwards. In 1996, the IUCN proclaimed that the species was extinct,
but revoked the classification in 2000 when a small group was sighted.
9. Philippine Forest Turtle (Siebenrockiella leytensis)
Also known as Palawan turtle or Leyte pond turtle, this freshwater turtle
is native to the Palawan islands of the Philippines. They are classified
as critically endangered by the IUCN and several conservation programs
have been conducted to increase its population. With its highly hostile
territorial behavior, the Philippine forest turtle does not thrive
naturally when in captivity. Because of habitat loss and too much
catching by collectors, they have dramatically decreased in numbers.
10. Dinagat Bushy-Tailed Cloud Rat (Crateromys australis)
This type of cloud rat is indigenous to Dinagat Island in the
Philippines. They are nocturnal by nature and are herbivores. They are
one of several cloud rat species listed by IUCN as critically endangered
in the country. They have almost been driven to extinction because of
the loss of their natural homes due to deforestation, chromite mining,
and excessive hunting. Cloud rat meat is considered a delicacy among the
locals.

3.1 What are ways of proper waste disposal?

Landfills
The idea of throwing daily waste directly in the landfills is the most
common method of waste disposal used today. This method concentrates on
burying the waste in the land. Landfills are very popular in developing
countries. A process is carried out to vanish the odors and dangers of
waste before it is placed into the ground. Although this is the most
popular form of waste disposal, it is certainly far from the only method.

However, this method is becoming less these days, because of the scarcity
of space available, as well as the strong presence of methane and other
landfill gases, both of which can give rise to a lot of contamination
issues. Landfills even give rise to air and water pollution that affects
our environment in a very big way and can even prove to be fatal to the
lives of humans and animals. A lot of countries are reconsidering the
option of landfills.

Combustion
In this method, municipal solid wastes are burned at a very high
temperatures in order to convert them into residue and gaseous products.
The biggest benefit of this method is that it can decrease the volume
of solid waste upto 20% to 30% of the original volume, reduce the space
they take up, as well as reduce the stress on landfills.

This method is also called the thermal treatment where solid waste
materials are converted into heat, gas, steam and ash with the help of
incinerators. Incinerators is very common in countries where there is
no space available for landfills, for example Japan.

Recovery and Recycling

Resource recovery is the process of taking useful ignored items for a
specific use. These ignored items are then processed to extract or
recover materials and resources or convert them to energy in the form
of useable heat, electricity or fuel.
Recycling is the process of converting waste products into new products
to prevent energy usage and consumption of fresh raw materials. It is
the third component of the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle waste hierarchy.
The whole idea behind this process is to decrease energy usage, decrease
the volume of landfills, decrease air & water pollution, decrease
greenhouse gas emissions and preserve natural resources for future use.

These were some of the common methods of waste disposal. It is your

choice as to how you decide to dispose waste. However, it is always in
your best interest to take a look at all of the options that are available
before you go with one.

3.2 How to reduce hazardous waste?

1. Avoid the Use of Commercial Household Cleaners
The cleaners and laundry detergents most of us rely on are major culprits
in the generation of hazardous waste. These materials contain a generous
amount of chemicals that are unsafe to human health when used in
excessive amounts. Use household ingredients such as vinegar, pure soap,
lemon juice, cornstarch, borax and baking soda to clean your home safely
and effectively. You can also use these ingredients to clean dishes, do
laundry and clean the bathroom.
2. Use Natural Compost as Fertilizer
Use vegetable and fruit peels, coffee and tea grounds, cut grass and
clippings from plants to make your own compost. In most cases, homemade
compost gives better fertilization results than commercial products. It
is also safe for the environment. Avoid the use of pesticides and
fertilizers, as they form hazardous waste if left in landfills. Compost
also contributes to the killing of weeds, making it an excellent
substitute for toxic weed killers.
3. Avoid the Use of Pesticides
By selecting disease-resistant varieties of plants, you can minimize the
requirement of pesticides in your backyard. Use natural alternatives
such as garlic, onion and soap to control pests. You can also make a
pest-repellent spray with these ingredients and apply it on your plants.
4. Use Water Based Paints
Avoid the use of oil-based paints, because they contain solvents and
require the use of thinners, both of which constitute hazardous waste.
5. Avoid Using Toxic Drain Cleaners
Drain cleaners that eat away at the clogs inside drains are usually
highly toxic. Use alternatives such as a sewer snake or a plunger to
unclog drains. You can also prevent clogging by using a strainer and by
pouring boiling water down the drain 3 to 4 times a month.
6. Use Natural Alternatives for Floor and Metal Polish
Furniture, metal and floor polishes and varnishes are also toxic
chemicals. Use lemon oil or olive oil in combination with vinegar or
lemon juice to polish furniture. You can polish metals with baking soda
or vinegar and salt.
7. Dispose of any Hazardous Waste Safely
Dispose of hazardous waste in accordance with the regulations in your
locality. Most places have special hazardous waste disposal units open,
where you can drop off items such as unused household cleaners,
fluorescent bulbs, batteries, pesticides, herbicides, sealants, polish,
paint thinner, solvents, varnish and oil-based paints.

8. Keep Insects under Control with Natural Means

Insect repellent sprays and lotions are unfavorable to the environment
and to human health. Use natural alternatives such as citronella oil
instead. When you are outdoors, avoid attracting insects with scented
lotions or perfumes.

4.1 What is meant by waste management?

Waste management or waste disposal are all the activities and actions
required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal.This
includes amongst other things collection, transport, treatment and
disposal of waste together with monitoring and regulation. It also
encompasses the legal and regulatory framework that relates to waste
management encompassing guidance on recycling.

Waste can take any form that is solid, liquid, or gas and each have
different methods of disposal and management. Waste management normally
deals with all types of waste whether it was created in forms that are
industrial, biological, household, and special cases where it may pose
a threat to human health. It is produced due to human activity such as
when factories extract and process raw materials. Waste management is
intended to reduce adverse effects of waste on health, the environment
or aesthetics.

Waste management practices are not uniform among countries (developed

and developing nations); regions (urban and rural areas), and sectors
(residential and industrial).

A large portion of waste management practices deal with municipal solid

waste (MSW) which is the bulk of the waste that is created by household,
industrial, and commercial activity.

4.2 As a teacher how can you help reduce hazardous waste?

As a teacher the best thing you can do is to share your knowledge about
hazardous waste to your students and to other people. Information
dissemination is the best way to reduce hazardous waste, because people
can make informed decisions.
5.1 What is meant by environmental education?
Environmental education refers to organized efforts to teach about how
the natural environment functions and how human beings can manage their
behaviors and ecosystems in order to live sustainably.
Environmental education encompasses:

 environmental concepts and principles

 environmental laws
 the state of international and local environment
 local environmental best practices
 the threats of environmental degradation and its impact on human
well-being
 the responsibility of the citizenry to the environment
 the value of conservation, protection and rehabilitation of natural
resources
 the environment in the context of sustainable development

5.2 What are the goals/aims of environmental education?

The goals of environmental education are:

 increase people’s knowledge and awareness about the environment

and associated challenges
 encourage active participation in the protection, preservation and
rehabilitation of the environment
 develop skills, knowledge and values that promote behavior in
support of a sustainable development
5.3 Discuss the roles of teachers in environmental education.

 To arouse the children’s interest in the environment and to raise

challenging problems
 To discuss the approach to problems or topics
 To arrange visits
 To provide materials needed for practical work
 To arrange for visiting speakers
 To initiate and develop discussion and debate; and
 To provide facilities for displays and exhibitions
of the work carried out.

6.1 Discuss the effect of climate change on agriculture and food

security?
Sunlight, temperature and rainfall are the main drivers of crop
production; hence, agriculture is directly affected by climate change.
But it should also be noted that agriculture also affects climate change
as it is responsible for about one-third of greenhouse gas emissions, a
major cause of global warming. About 25 percent of carbon dioxide
emissions are produced by human practices, mainly deforestation, use of
fossil-fuel-based fertilizers, and burning of plant materials. Likewise,
most of the methane in the atmosphere comes from livestock, forest fires,
irrigated rice cultivation, and waste products.
Combating climate change is one of the biggest challenges
facing humanity in the 21st century. The Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) foresees that throughout the century,
climate change impacts will slow down economic growth, make poverty
reduction more difficult, further erode food security, and prolong
existing poverty traps and create new ones.

For major crops like rice, corn and wheat, climate change without
adaptation is projected to reduce production when the temperature
increases by 2 degrees Centigrade. All aspects of food security are
potentially affected by climate change, including food access,
utilization, and price stability. Likewise, the IPCC reports that due
to the sea-level rise projected throughout the century and beyond,
coastal systems and low-lying areas will increasingly experience adverse
impacts such as submergence, coastal flooding, and coastal erosion.
The UN recently projected that up to a quarter of global food production
could be lost by 2050 due to the combined impact of climate change, land
degradation and water scarcity. At the same time, the global population
is projected to increase to about 9.5 billion. In the Philippines, the
major impacts of climate change are sea-level rise due to rising
temperatures; more frequent and intense floods; stronger and more
frequent typhoons causing landslides and flooding of coastal areas; and
longer and more intense droughts with more El Niño episodes.

In order to guarantee food security, agriculture must adapt to yield

reductions from floods, droughts and rising temperatures, and at the
same time address its contributions to climate change. Current
agricultural practices require large amounts of oil to produce the
chemical fertilizers necessary to grow crops, run the factories that
process grain into packaged foods, and fuel trucks and airplanes to
transport food across the world. This gives impetus to the generation
and application of innovations generally dubbed as “climate-smart
agriculture.”

The Food and Agriculture Organization defines climate-smart agriculture

as an approach that guides actions needed to transform and reorient
agricultural systems to effectively support development and ensure food
security in a changing climate. According to the World Bank, climate-
smart agriculture seeks to increase sustainable productivity, strengthen
farmers’ resilience, reduce agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions, and
increase carbon sequestration. It strengthens food security and delivers
environmental benefits.

Climate-smart agriculture includes proven practices such as conservation

agriculture, intercropping, crop rotation, integrated crop-livestock
management, agroforestry, water management, better weather forecasting,
more resilient food crops, and risk insurance.

In countries where the economy is heavily based on agriculture, such as

the Philippines, modernizing agriculture is the most efficient poverty-
reduction measure. Yet agricultural expansion for food production and
economic development come at the expense of soil, water and biodiversity
conflicting with other global and national goals.
Food insecurity is caused by a combination of factors resulting in
dramatic increases in food price and food scarcity. The causes of food
insecurity are multiple, but a major factor is climate change, most
notably the adverse weather events that have diminished grain stocks and
led to greater price uncertainty. These trends show no signs of abating,
and it seems very likely that in the future, climate change will
increasingly diminish food security and widen the gap between the rich
and the poor. Preventing a deepening food crisis and lessening the
potential for wider social and geopolitical unrest will require swift
action and strong political will to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It
will also require policies to protect the millions of people facing
poverty and hunger, and changes to agricultural practices worldwide.

Climate change is here, and the situation is urgent. Human activities

are loading our atmosphere with heat-trapping gases. The disruption of
our planet’s climate system is inflicting serious damage on human,
animal, aquatic and plant life. Heat waves, forest fires, and floods are
intensifying. The sea level is rising and will continue to do so in the
future. The Philippines and the world need concerted action to widen the
narrowing path toward climate change adaptation and mitigation for
sustained food security.
7.1 Enumerate and discuss approaches to solving environmental problems.
Replace disposable items with reusable

 Anything you use and throw away can potentially spend centuries in
a landfill. See below for simple adjustments you can make to
decrease the amount of disposable items in your daily life.
 Carry your own reusable cup or water bottle
 Use airtight, reusable food containers instead of sandwich bags
and plastic wrap
 Pack a waste-free lunch: carry your utensils, cloth napkin, and
containers in an reusable lunch bag
 Bring your own bags to the grocery store
 Consider buying bulk containers of your preferred beverages and
refilling a reusable bottle, instead of buying individually-
packaged drinks
 Use rechargeable batteries
Pass on paper

 We are living in the Digital Era, but think about all the paper
products you use in your daily life. These actions still align with
reusing and repurposing, though may take a little more time for
transition.
 Join a library instead of buying books or buy a Kindle
 Print as little as possible; and if you must, print on both sides
 Wrap gifts in fabric and tie with ribbon; both are reusable and
prettier than paper and sticky-tape
 Stop using paper towels and incorporate washable cloths
 Look at labels to make sure you only use FSC-certified wood and
paper products
 Cut out products made by palm oil companies that contribute to
deforestation in Indonesia and Malaysia
Conserve water & electricity

 The tips you see below will seem like no-brainers; however, it may
take to become more aware of your unconscious habits.
 Turn the sink water off when brushing your teeth
 Water the lawn in the morning or evening; cooler air causes less
evaporation
 Switch off anything that uses electricity when not in use (lights,
televisions, computers, printers, etc.)
 Unplug devices when possible; even when an appliance is turned off,
it may still use power
 Remove chemicals inside of the house; research companies that use
plant-derived ingredients for their household cleaning products
 Remove chemicals outside of the house; use eco-friendly pesticides
and herbicides that won’t contaminate groundwater
 Consider signing up for a renewable energy producer that uses 100%
renewable energy to power homes
Recycle (& then recycle properly)

 Implementing recycling habits into your daily life is one of the

most effective ways to help lessen landfill waste, conserve natural
resources, save habitats, reduce pollution, cut down on energy
consumption, and slow down global warming.
 Confirm you are using the proper separation containers for your
household per the local recycling services
 Remember to make sure your trash bags are recycled or
biodegradable, and always cut up the plastic rings from packs of
beer or soda to prevent wildlife from getting caught
 Educate yourself about what can and cannot be recycled, as not all
plastic and cardboard is acceptable (like pizza boxes for example,
due to the grease)
 Learn how to identify and dispose of hazardous waste properly
Taking the time to simply read this article for ways to solve
environmental problems is a step forward to becoming more aware of
the needs of your environment. You are now taking action, and every
change–big or small–will create an impact.
7.2 What is sustainable development? Discuss briefly.
"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the
present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs."
The concept of sustainable development can be interpreted in many
different ways, but at its core is an approach to development that looks
to balance different, and often competing, needs against an awareness
of the environmental, social and economic limitations we face as a
society.

All too often, development is driven by one particular need, without

fully considering the wider or future impacts. We are already seeing the
damage this kind of approach can cause, from large-scale financial crises
caused by irresponsible banking, to changes in global climate resulting
from our dependence on fossil fuel-based energy sources. The longer we
pursue unsustainable development, the more frequent and severe its
consequences are likely to become, which is why we need to take action
now.
We all have a part to play. Small actions, taken collectively, can add
up to real change. However, to achieve sustainability in the UK, we
believe the Government needs to take the lead. The SDC's job is to help
make this happen, and we do it through a mixture of scrutiny, advice and
building organisational capacity for sustainable development.

8.1 What is institutional greening? Discuss the vital role of institution

in promoting institutional greening.
Greening is the process of transforming living environments, and also
artifacts such as a space, a lifestyle or a brand image, into a more
environmentally friendly version (i.e. 'greening your home' or 'greening
your office'). The act of greening generally involves incorporating more
environmentally friendly systems into one's environment, such as the
home, work place, and general lifestyle.

Facade greening with various supporting climbing plants on climbing aids

Greening is also a general term for the appropriate selection and
planting of plants on, in, or next to buildings and in public parks. The
goal of greening is usually a combination of environmental benefits and
improving the visual design of surfaces, for example, a green wall or
green roof, as well as the creation of green spaces. This usually
requires technical measures such as earthworks or supporting climbing
plants. Furthermore, permanent care and irrigation is usually necessary
to maintain the greened environment. In some areas there are normative
requirements for the planning and execution of the greening, for example
roadsides greening. In Soil bioengineering, plants with technical
functions may be needed.
The Role of Public Institutions
Achieving green growth will require a long-term vision as well as strong
public-private partnership. Innovation for green growth can be
characterised as adaptive innovations and absorptive innovation. The
first term refers to the innovation itself: introducing something that
has not been introduced yet. The latter refers to the change needed in
the institutional environment in order to fully implement adaptive
innovations, such as strengthening the intellectual property regime,
building appropriate infrastructures in order to favour the diffusion
of knowledge.

The role of government in supporting green innovation has provoked much

debate. Should the government provide economic stimulus and guidance on
how to adapt and survive? An appropriate policy mix is essential for
directing technological change towards a green path and sustainable
economic development.

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

An important first step is the improvement of the regulatory framework,
with particular regard to funding regulation since investments in green
technology are a preliminary condition to achieve a sustainable
development. According to the World Economic Forum, the amount required
to ensure green growth should amount to $5 trillion.
The government should also encourage the opening of new markets for green
goods and technology, by boosting public investments in R&D (research
and development). The modern economy was created thanks to innovation,
therefore making R&D investment and providing tax incentives is a way
to create new value and green the growth path.

Moreover, it is crucial to change consumer behaviour by acting on

products’ life cycles and fostering the growth of entrepreneurial firms
by ensuring fair competition and making access to finance easier. This
probably represents one of the toughest challenges to be faced, since
the position of consumers is key in societies with market economies.

The Role of the Private Sector

Green innovation has been representing a great opportunity to experiment
with new business practices, open up new markets, build competitive
advantage and ultimately create customer value. Beyond compliance with
moral motivations, it’s important to underline that companies have
benefited from the reduction of pollution and energy consumption in terms
of cost reductions, the improvement of productivity and the protection
of company reputation.

Many managers, when deciding whether to invest in green technologies,

tend to ignore the long-term benefits, which most of them are intangible,
like motivating workers and forge relationships. They tend to forget
that greening is not a sprint, but a marathon.

9.1 What is deforestation? Discuss the causes, effects, and solutions

to deforestation.
Deforestation is the permanent destruction of forests in order to make
the land available for other uses. An estimated 18 million acres (7.3
million hectares) of forest, which is roughly the size of the country
of Panama, are lost each year, according to the United Nations' Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Some other statistics:

About half of the world's tropical forests have been cleared, according
to the FAO.
Forests currently cover about 30 percent of the world’s landmass,
according to National Geographic.
The Earth loses 18.7 million acres of forests per year, which is equal
to 27 soccer fields every minute, according to the World Wildlife Fund
(WWF).
It is estimated that 15 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions come
from deforestation, according to the WWF.
In 2016, global tree cover loss reached a record of 73.4 million acres
(29.7 million hectares), according to the University of Maryland.
Location
Deforestation occurs around the world, though tropical rainforests are
particularly targeted. If current deforestation levels proceed, the
world's rainforests may completely vanish in as little as 100 years,
according to National Geographic. Countries with significant
deforestation in 2016 included Brazil, Indonesia, Thailand, the
Democratic Republic of Congo and other parts of Africa, and parts of
Eastern Europe, according to GRID-Arendal, a United Nations Environment
Program collaborating center. The country with the most deforestation
is Indonesia. Since the last century, Indonesia has lost at least 39
million acres (15.79 million hectares) of forest land, according to a
study by the University of Maryland and the World Resource Institute.

Though deforestation has increased rapidly in the past 50 years, it has

been practiced throughout history. For example, 90 percent of continental
United States' indigenous forest has been removed since 1600, according
to the University of Michigan. The World Resources Institute estimates
that most of the world's remaining indigenous forest is located in
Canada, Alaska, Russia and the Northwestern Amazon basin.
Causes
There are many causes of deforestation. The WWF& reports that half of
the trees illegally removed from forests are used as fuel.

Some other common reasons are:

To make more land available for housing and urbanization

To harvest timber to create commercial items such as paper, furniture
and homes
To create ingredients that are highly prized consumer items, such as the
oil from palm trees
To create room for cattle ranching
Common methods of deforestation are burning trees and clear cutting.
These tactics leave the land completely barren and are controversial
practices.
Clear cutting is when large swaths of land are cut down all at once. A
forestry expert quoted by the Natural Resources Defense Council describes
clear cutting as "an ecological trauma that has no precedent in nature
except for a major volcanic eruption."
Burning can be done quickly, in vast swaths of land, or more slowly with
the slash-and-burn technique. Slash and burn agriculture entails cutting
down a patch of trees, burning them and growing crops on the land. The
ash from the burned trees provides some nourishment for the plants and
the land is weed-free from the burning. When the soil becomes less
nourishing and weeds begin to reappear over years of use, the farmers
move on to a new patch of land and begin the process again.

Deforestation and climate change

Deforestation is considered to be one of the contributing factors to
global climate change. According to Michael Daley, an associate professor
of environmental science at Lasell College in Newton, Massachusetts, the
No. 1 problem caused by deforestation is the impact on the global carbon
cycle. Gas molecules that absorb thermal infrared radiation are called
greenhouse gases. If greenhouse gases are in large enough quantity, they
can force climate change, according to Daley. While oxygen (O2) is the
second most abundant gas in our atmosphere, it does not absorb thermal
infrared radiation, as greenhouse gases do. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the
most prevalent greenhouse gas. CO2 accounts for about 82.2 percent of
all U.S. greenhouse gas, according to the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA). Trees can help, though. About 300 billion tons of carbon, 40 times
the annual greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, is stored in
trees, according to Greenpeace.

The deforestation of trees not only lessens the amount of carbon stored,
it also releases carbon dioxide into the air. This is because when trees
die, they release the stored carbon. According to the 2010 Global Forest
Resources Assessment, deforestation releases nearly a billion tons of
carbon into the atmosphere per year, though the numbers are not as high
as the ones recorded in the previous decade. Deforestation is the second
largest anthropogenic (human-caused) source of carbon dioxide to the
atmosphere (after fossil fuel combustion), ranging between 6 percent and
17 percent, according to a study published in 2009 in Nature.

Carbon isn't the only greenhouse gas that is affected by deforestation.

Water vapor is also considered a greenhouse gas. "The impact of
deforestation on the exchange of water vapor and carbon dioxide between
the atmosphere and the terrestrial land surface is the biggest concern
with regard to the climate system," said Daley. Changes in their
atmospheric concentration will have a direct effect on climate.

Deforestation has decreased global vapor flows from land by 4 percent,

according to an article published by the journal National Academy of
Sciences. Even this slight change in vapor flows can disrupt natural
weather patterns and change current climate models.

Other effects of deforestation

Forests are complex ecosystems that affect almost every species on the
planet. When they are degraded, it can set off a devastating chain of
events both locally and around the world.

Loss of species: Seventy percent of the world's plants and animals live
in forests and are losing their habitats to deforestation, according to
National Geographic. Loss of habitat can lead to species extinction. It
also has negative consequences for medicinal research and local
populations that rely on the animals and plants in the forests for
hunting and medicine.

Water cycle: Trees are important to the water cycle. They absorb rain
fall and produce water vapor that is released into the atmosphere. Trees
also lessen the pollution in water, according to the North Carolina State
University, by stopping polluted runoff. In the Amazon, more than half
the water in the ecosystem is held within the plants, according to the
National Geographic Society.

Soil erosion: Tree roots anchor the soil. Without trees, the soil is
free to wash or blow away, which can lead to vegetation growth problems.
The WWF states that scientists estimate that a third of the world's
arable land has been lost to deforestation since 1960. After a clear
cutting, cash crops like coffee, soy and palm oil are planted. Planting
these types of trees can cause further soil erosion because their roots
cannot hold onto the soil. "The situation in Haiti compared to the
Dominican Republic is a great example of the important role forests play
in the water cycle," Daley said. Both countries share the same island,
but Haiti has much less forest cover than the Dominican Republic. As a
result, Haiti has endured more extreme soil erosion, flooding and
landslide issues.

Life quality: Soil erosion can also lead to silt entering the lakes,
streams and other water sources. This can decrease local water quality
and contribute to poor health in populations in the area.

The disturbance of native people: Many native tribes live in the

rainforests of the world, and their destruction is the destruction of
these peoples' homes and way of life. For example, the film "Under the
Canopy" takes a look at the Amazon rainforest and the people who live
there, including an indigenous guide named Kamanja Panashekung.
"Kamanja's community is one of over 350 indigenous communities throughout
Amazonia that depend on the rainforest, as we all do, for the air we
breathe and the water we drink," M. Sanjayan, Conservation
International's executive vice president and senior scientist, said in
a statement. [Explore the Amazon Rainforest with New Virtual-Reality
Film]

Counteracting deforestation
Many believe that to counter deforestation, people simply need to plant
more trees. Though a massive replanting effort would help to alleviate
the problems deforestation caused, it would not solve them all.

Reforestation would facilitate:

Restoring the ecosystem services provided by forests including carbon

storage, water cycling and wildlife habitat
Reducing the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Rebuilding wildlife habitats
Reforestation won't completely fix the damage, though. For example, Daley
points out that forests cannot sequester all of the carbon dioxide humans
are emitting to the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels and
a reduction in fossil fuel emissions. It is still necessary to avoid
buildup in the atmosphere. Reforestation will not help with extinction
due to deforestation, either. "Unfortunately, we have already diminished
the population of many species to such an extreme that they might not
recover, even with a massive reforestation effort," Daley told Live
Science.

In addition to reforestation, some other tactics are being taken to

counteract or slow deforestation. Some of them include shifting the human
population to a plant-based diet. This would lower the need for land to
be cleared for raising livestock.

Global Forest Watch has also initiated a project to counteract

deforestation through awareness. The organization uses satellite
technology, open data and crowdsourcing to detect and alert others of
deforestation. Their online community is also encouraged to share their
personal experiences and the negative effects of deforestation.

10. Discuss the value of environmental awareness in protecting out mother

Earth.
To define environmental awareness we must first understand the
environmentalist movement. Environmentalism is an ideology that evokes
the necessity and responsibility of humans to respect, protect, and
preserve the natural world from its anthropogenic (caused by humans)
afflictions.

Environmental awareness is an integral part of the movement’s success.

By teaching our friends and family that the physical environment is
fragile and indispensable we can begin fixing the problems that threaten
it.
Once you have chosen your cause and figured out some beneficial
activities, share it with the world! Get your community, friends, and
family involved. Use your political voice in your local city council and
propose environmentally sustainable and beneficial projects. Start a
community garden, buy from local stores and farmers markets, make your
public transportation more efficient and/or start implementing clean
energy strategies in your community centers.

It is more than likely that your children are learning about

environmentalism in school, but it does not have to be limited to school
grounds. Children learn a great deal at home and by using green practices
you will be providing them with a strong foundation for environmental
stewardship. Promoting environmental awareness is a crucial part of being
an environmental steward. Start participating in the change and teach
your community what it means to be sustainable.