MODULE 8
ENVIRONMENT
Overview
Greetings once more dear NSTP Students! Online classes
and distance learning have been challenging lately, right? Now that
we have adjusted somehow to the new normal and have set up a
routine for studying and complying with course requirements, it is
time to further our learning and relate it to our daily lives.
As the last module for this semester, your trainors would
assume that the learning activities from the previous module have
gradually encouraged and equipped you to become the role of the
youth in nation-building.
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“Environment”, this word has a great importance in our life. The simple definition of environment is
the “surrounding”. It is what surrounds a thing. We can also define it as “environment is the
combination of all of physical and organic factors that act on living being, residents, or ecological
society and power its endurance and growth.
In this module entitled Environment, we will be talking about key concepts in republic acts in
relation to sustainable management of the environment and natural resources. As illustrated, an
ecosystem if managed well can provide foundation for sustained inclusive growth, food security and
poverty reduction. As we have known, the world‟s ecosystems regulate the air, water and soil on which
we all depend, and form a unique and cost-effective buffer against extreme weather events and climate
change.
Are you excited? Now buckle up, hold on to your seats, prepare your pens and paper to take down notes,
and let us study our environment.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Identify the 7R‟s of Waste Management.
Evaluate the implementation of solid waste management (RA 9003) in their own barangay.
Identify environmental problems and concerns in the country.
Which describes the level of your
information, please encircle:
1. Climate
Change 2. RA
9003
3. Global Warming
4. Greenhouse effect
TOPIC 1: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Before we
start our
discussion, click the
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ipUKpELRcw
link
and
watch the
video presentation:
Sustainable development is the organizing principle for meeting human development goals while
simultaneously sustaining the ability of natural systems to provide the natural resources and ecosystem
services on which the economy and society depend. The desired result is a state of society where living
conditions and resources are used to continue to meet human needs without undermining the integrity
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and stability of the natural system. Sustainable development can be defined as development that meets
the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainability goals address the global challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change,
environmental degradation, peace and justice.
While the modern concept of sustainable development is yet derived mostly from the 1987 Brundtland
Report, it is also rooted in earlier ideas about sustainable forest management and twentieth-century
environmental concerns. As the concept of sustainable development developed, it has shifted its focus
more towards the economic development, social development and environmental protection for future
generations. It has been suggested that the term 'sustainability' should be viewed as humanity's target
goal of human-ecosystem equilibrium, while 'sustainable development' refers to the holistic approach and
temporal processes that lead us to the endpoint of sustainability". Modern economies are endeavoring to
reconcile ambitious economic development and obligations of preserving natural resources and
ecosystems, as the two are usually seen as of conflicting nature. Instead of holding climate change
commitments and other sustainability measures as a remedy to economic development, turning and
leveraging them into market opportunities will do greater good. The economic development brought by
such organized principles and practices in an economy is called Managed Sustainable Development
(MSD).
Coastal and island communities in the Philippines have very high exposure to climate and disaster risks.
Isolation, combined with limited access and communication systems, compounds the situation. Through
accessing Funds from Cordaid‟s private donor base in the Netherlands, Cordaid Philippines has been
able to invest in capacity building in vulnerable communities. They have empowered local actors and
community members, and in turn, influenced government stakeholders.
Dependence on fishing, both for food and income, is the norm in the islands of North Palawan. But
unpredictable weather patterns mean there are many days when they are unable to go to sea. In addition,
over- exploitation of the seas and forests further decreases food and water resources and this results in
more poverty and malnutrition.
Pandan Weaving
The Tagbanwa tribe is one of the oldest ethnic groups in the Philippines and pandan weaving is
the most important traditional Tagbanwa craft. Cordaid collaborated with local government stakeholders
(Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National
Commission for Indigenous Peoples and Coron Local Government Unit) to strengthen these indigenous
communities and develop their weaving as a sustainable ecosystem-based enterprise.
From traditional weaving, women in North Palawan
are now able to make many more products to be sold
in a nearby town. Photo: Juan Miguel Torres
Mylene Latube is a native Tagbanwa weaver
in Barangay Malawig, Coron Palawan. At a very
young age, she mastered the skill of mat weaving, as
she needed to help her mother make pandan mats to
support the needs of their family.
Improve Quality and Profitability
The weaving initiatives and the newly formed
weavers‟ association have helped Mylene and other
women in the villages. They can exchange their skills
of producing
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various handicrafts and improve quality and profitability. Mylene is now one of the most productive
members of Sékéd Pandan Weavers Association.
Sustainable Production Plan
Mylene and other women weavers have started to establish common planting areas aside from
their individual plantations. The weavers‟ group has also developed a resilient and sustainable production
plan, based on a climate risk assessment for all stages of the production chain.
Sékéd is their brand name. This is a Tagbanwa term for „tying or linking‟. It represents the role of
indigenous women weavers in demonstrating the importance of sustainable pandan handicraft
production to protect the ancestral land. Promotion, sales, and demand are so high for the products, new
women are encouraged to join the groups. Currently, 120 women are supporting Sékéd production in
Tara, Buenavista, and Malawig and in June 2018, the weavers participated in a Trade Promotion Fair in
one of the biggest malls in the country.
Environment Education: Philippine Context
Environmental Education is contextualizing the issues within the physical, biological, social,
economic, historical and cultural imperatives of the Philippines.
The objective of the Environmental Education can be attained in terms of the learners‟ awareness,
knowledge, attitudes, skills, and participation in the resolution of environmental problems, issues and
concerns.
Environmental Education must be: Action Oriented – it should involve finding solutions to real
environmental problems and issues; Experimental – it should use variety of approaches and
environments; Future Oriented - it must be concerned with the present and future; holistic – it must deal
with the natural and man-made aspects of the environment; Interdisciplinary – it must relate to all
disciplines; and Issue Oriented – it must deal with the local, regional, national and global perspectives.
Seven (7) R‟s of Waste Management
1. Rethink – rethink how you view natural resources. Understanding that natural resources are limited
can greatly influence the choices you make in your everyday life.
2. Refuse - Sustainability defines refuse as refusing to accept or support products or companies that
harm the environment. One way to do this is to refuse items that are over-packaged or packaged in
plastic. While it is difficult to refuse all plastic items, being more conscious can help change your habits.
3. Reduce - Reducing the number of resources used in your everyday life is the next step in the resource
management hierarchy. Start with small ways you can reduce your energy usage, water usage along
with reducing your garbage, food waste, plastic, and transportation. The room in your home that
usually creates the most waste is the kitchen, therefore you can focus on reducing waste here first to
make the biggest impact.
4. Reuse - When you purchase an item, say a can of tomato sauce, think about how you are paying for
the sauce
AND the jar or container it comes in. Look around your home to find the various ways the products you
purchase are packaged. Since you are paying for this packaging - why not make the most of it? There are
endless ideas online. If you cannot reuse an item, share it with someone else; this is called re-homing.
You can donate to a local thrift store or share with your neighbour next door.
Below are a few examples of ways to reuse the items right in your home.
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Glass jars make the perfe t vases.
c
Glass jars make the perfect vases.
Reusing glass jars for decorating is awesome.
Glass jars as pen holder and used wood from your backyard Reusing glass jars for decorating is awesome
5. Repurpose- Before disposing of an item, consider the ways in which it could be repurposed or repaired.
6. Repair - Repairing items is another way to reduce the consumption of materials and natural resources.
By placing value in the item, you have and repairing when needed, you are sustaining the products
you own and reducing waste.
7. Recycle - If we can recycle things, we don‟t have to use as many new resources or materials to make
new ones. We use recycled materials to help make new cars and we look for ways to recycle
components from our vehicles, such as parts from our hybrid powertrains. Recyclability is designed in
to all our vehicles.
TOPIC 2: ASPECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT
The ecological balance and ecosystem stability are duly maintained by the nature itself but the
emergence of
modern
industrial era has disturbed the ecological balance through heavy
industrialization, technological revolution, faster growth of means of transportation, rapacious
exploitation of resources, unplanned urbanization etc. In other words, the anthropogenic activities of
modern „economic and technological‟ man have disturbed the harmonious relationships between the
environment and human beings.
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Environmental
management is thus, the process to improve the relationship between the
human beings and environment which may be achieved through check on destructive activities of man,
conservation, protection, regulation and regeneration of nature. The process, environmental
management is related to the rational adjustment of man with nature involving judicious exploitation and
utilization of natural resources without disturbing the ecosystem balance and ecosystem equilibrium.
If the natural resources are overexploited, it will affect socio- economic development of a nation. Thus,
environmental management must take into consideration the ecological principles and socioeconomic
needs of the society i.e., it involves socio economic developments on one hand and maintenance of
environmental quality on other hand.
Two Major Aspects:
(i) Socio-economic development and
(ii) Stability of biosphere in general and stability of individual ecosystems in particular (C.C. Park
1981).
Objectives of Environmental Management includes:
(i) To identify the environmental problem and to find its solution.
(ii) To restrict and regulate the exploitation and utilization of natural resources. (iii) To
regenerate degraded environment and to renew natural resources (renewable) (iv)To
control environmental pollution and gradation.
(v) To reduce the impacts of extreme events and natural disaster.
(vi) To make optimum utilization of natural resources.
(vii) To assess the impacts of proposed projects and activities on environment.
(viii) To review and revise the existing technologies and make them eco-friendly.
(ix) To formulate laws for the implementation of environmental protection and conservation
programmes.
Fundamental Aspects of Environmental Management:
1. Environmental perception and public awareness:
(a) Sources of environmental perception and public awareness.
(b) Role of environmental perception in environmental planning and management.
2. Environmental education and training should be given at school, college and University levels by
professionals.
3. Resource management:
(i) Classification, survey and evaluation of ecological resources
(ii) Preservation of resources
(iii) Conservation of resources
4. Control of Environmental degradation and pollution:
(i) Control of environmental degradation and pollution.
(ii) Adopting suitable preventive mechanisms to reduce natural hazards and disaster.
(iii) Regeneration of degraded environment.
5. Environmental impact assessment:
(i) Appraisal of existing environmental conditions
(ii) Appraisal of existing and proposed production methods
(iii) Mythologies and procedures
(iv) Probable impacts of existing and proposed project.
(v) Review of technology and required improvement.
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The Philippines is one of the most exposed countries in the worlds to many “natural hazards”:
earthquakes, volcanic, eruptions lahar flows, typhoons, flooding, landslides, and sea level rise. The
Philippines may also suffer major human-caused environmental degradation aggravated by a high annual
population growth rate, including loss of agricultural lands, deforestation, soil erosion, air and water
pollution, improper disposal of solid and toxic wastes, loss of.
There is a long list of environmental issues but in reality, they are intertwined with each other and
needs serious attention from all of us.
1. Pollution
Pollution, in context, is the introduction of contaminants into the environment causing adverse
change. It is present through noise, air and water. As we produce more noise, it can interfere with the
behavior of certain animals in the ecosystem. Also, on some studies, the effect of sound waves turns into
heat causing a slight change in the temperature of the environment. Air pollution is what we can often
see in urban places. Smoke belching vehicles and gases from factories are the culprits in contributing to
air pollution. On water pollution, incessant throwing of garbage and inappropriate industrial waste
disposal affects our bodies of water, which in turn cause trouble in marine life.
2. Global warming due to emission of greenhouse gases
In almost any activity, we emit greenhouse gas such as using our electricity, cooking and driving
our cars. As we breathe out, we also produce carbon dioxide. The more people in a certain area, the
bigger carbon dioxide is emitted into the environment. As these gases are produce, it generates heat
causing a change in the climate.
3. Overpopulation
Overpopulation seeds into a lot of problems. With the need for new homes, the development of
new buildings, houses and establishments are in order. After which the demand for electricity, food and
other greenhouse gases also increases. Scarcity of food can be experienced due to the limited ability of
the animals to populate fast. Thus, dishonest people nowadays resort to using chemicals and medications
to boost and fake the growth of these animals. Overpopulation also means having more garbage to
dispose.
4. Natural resources depletion
Mining and quarrying have become rampant over the years and are to be blamed for destroying
the beauty of our environment. Among the natural resources that we have, water, oil and forests are the
top three on the list. Fresh water, in reality, is only 2.5% of the world‟s total water volume. If the problems
affecting our bodies of water continue, the demand for drinking water will increase causing water shortage
and worse, famine. Oil, on the other hand, is used every day for transportation of goods and electricity.
Lastly, according to statistics, deforestation contributes an estimate of 12% to 17% of greenhouse gas
emission per year. Trees emit oxygen and filter the air. But with lesser trees, flash floods are likely to
happen.
5. Waste disposal
Improper waste disposal creates a hazardous problem to everyone. It may infect people not only
physically but through the air and water. Garbage thrown in the rivers and canals may not only block our
waterways but it invites rodents to infect the water and soon be transferred to humans. Clogged
waterways have a tendency to spill causing flash floods, which is what is happening here in our country.
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Likewise, the lack of enough dumpsites and landfills is also a hindrance in helping to solve our garbage
management crisis.
Solutions to Environmental Issues
Following are some of the most common solutions to the environmental issue:
1. Replace disposal items with reusable items.
2. The use of paper should be avoided
3. Conserve water and electricity.
4. Support environmentally friendly practices.
5. Recycle the waste to conserve natural resources.
Environmental issues are a warning of the upcoming disaster. If these issues are not controlled, there
will soon be no life on earth.
Philippines has worked out to improve its management of solid waste through the enactment of
RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act that provides for a systematic, comprehensive
and ecological waste management program to guarantee the protection of public health and the
environment. It mandates the DENR to provide secretariat support to the National Solid Waste
Management Commission in the implementation of the solid waste management plans and prescribes
policies to achieve the objectives of the National Ecology Center that is in charge of information
dissemination, consultation, education and training of various local government units on ecological waste
management.
The ecological solid waste management program is presumed to assist Local Government Units
in implementing RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act particularly in the development
of their 10 yr. SWM Plan, closure and rehabilitation of dumpsites, establishment of Materials Recovery
Facilities, and an environmentally sound disposal system.
Analyses of Solid Waste Management Policies and Issues
According to Cantillo et.al (2013), waste generations by residents in the Philippines, especially in
the urban areas, have accelerated recently due to intensive industrialization, urbanization and population
growth. Since incineration of solid waste is not allowed under Republic Act 9003 for the safety of human
health and protection of environment, land filling and the integrated waste management method (Reduce,
Reuse and Recycle) are the main types of SWM in the country. The law also requires the mandatory
segregation at source of solid waste into containers labeled as: compostable, recyclable, non-recyclable,
or special use.
Waste collection in the country is done by the Department of Public Service, city administrator
and engineering office or private haulers. Informal waste sector are also involved in the waste collection
and storage in the country. They are the itinerant waste buyers, jumpers at collection trucks, garbage
crew, and small and illegal junkshops. About 35,580 tons of garbage is generated every day in the
Philippines. On the average, each person in the country produces about 0.5 kg and 0.3 kg of garbage
every day in the urban and rural areas, respectively.
For MetroManila, it is estimated that 8,636 tons of garbage is generated per day, i.e., 0.7 kg per
person per day due to its more modernized lifestyle. The household is the major source of waste in the
Philippines at 74%. Moreover, of the total solid waste generated from households, 95% can still be reused
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or recycled (43%), or turned into compost (52%). Only 5% is made up of residuals (4%) and
special/hazardous waste (1%) that are no longer usable or biodegradable (JICA Waste Characterization
Study, 1997).
Only 40-85% of the waste generated is collected nationwide, implying that 15-60% is improperly
disposed of or littered. The maximum collection rate of 85% is recorded in Metro Manila. The uncollected
garbage is, unfortunately, burned or dumped anywhere onto open areas, called open dumps, adding to
the now polluted air shed and water body, and global warming in the country.
While recycling through the establishment of Municipal Recovery Facilities (MRF), that includes
waste transfer station, and composting and recycling facilities, is mandated under RA 9003, most Local
Government Units (LGUs) do not comply with this mandate. Even though the law requires the
establishment of an MRF in every barangay or cluster of barangays, only about 21% or 8,843 barangays
are being serviced by MRFs in the country.
The low compliance of LGUs to establish sanitary landfills were being attributed to the high cost
needed to close dumpsites, and limited financial and technical assistance to implement the law. Hence,
some LGUs are still using common sanitary landfills. Of the 946 open and controlled dumps, 68 of these
are being rehabilitated for closure. Metro Manila LGUs are now using sanitary landfills. Sanitary landfills
being used by Metro Manila LGUs are: Navotas SLF, Rizal Provincial SLF and the Pilotage SLF.
This apparent use of unlined unsanitary landfills and open dumps places the Philippines in a
precarious condition, since such pitiful state implies a condition that permit the mixture of precipitation
with degradable organic matter from MSW to form leachate percolation into the soil that may eventually
contaminate surface and groundwater in the country.
TOPIC 5: PROMOTING CLEAN AIR
Republic Act No. 8749
PHILIPPINE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999
What is R.A. 8749?
• Republic Act No. 8749, otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Air Act, is a comprehensive air
quality management policy and program which aims to achieve and maintain healthy air for all
Filipinos.
The Clean Air Act provides that the state shall:
•Protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the
rhythm and harmony of nature;
•Recognize that: a) the responsibility of cleaning the habitat and environment is primarily area-based;
b) “polluters must pay”; c) a clean and healthy environment is for the good of all and should therefore
be the concern of all.
What can you do to help clean the air?
At home:
• Use low watt bulbs or energy saving lights
• Limit the use of air conditioning units and keep the temperature a few degrees higher • Don‟t burn
garbage
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• Avoid usingaerosols
• Properly dispose of refrigerant, refrigeration equipment and used coolant
FOR EVERYONE:
• Report smoke belchers to LTO, MMDA and/or appropriate local government units.
• Walk or ride your bike to places
• Work with residential association to stop burning of garbage
• Spread the word about the ban of smoking in public places.
• Plant trees
TOPIC 6: GREENING THE PHILIPPINES
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 579
ENCOURAGING THE FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GREEN PHILIPPINES
PROGRAMS THROUGH THE NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM (NSTP)
The NSTP shall endeavor to build a new quality of life that will keep the nation young and beautiful. In
order to ensure its realization, all students under NSTP shall be involved in Green Philippines Activities
which include among others:
a) Taking back our forests and replenishing fallen trees with new, protected forests;
b) Beautifying our barangay and cities;
c) Building more urban parks and recreation areas;
d) Purifying our water;
e) Cleaning up industrial sites;
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Local Government Units (LGUs) shall
assist the schools in identifying the areas where the Green Philippines Activities of the NSTP shall be
implemented.
Activity No. 2
Direction: Complete the table below. ( 2points each)
Identify 5 environmental issues that our country is currently dealing with. Provide possible solutions to
these problems.
Environmental Issue
Solution
1.
6.
2.
7.
10 | P a g
e
3.
8.
4.
9.
5,
10.
References
Book:
Websites:
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e
NSTP - CWTS 1, Ang, Mary Jean, et al Copyright 2013
actrav-courses.itcilo.org Country Report on Climate Change Policies, Green Jobs and ...
https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/environment/overview#1
https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1999/ra_8749_1999.html
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2006/11/30/executive-order-no-579-s-2006/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ipUKpELRcw
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2001/01/26/republic-act-no-9003-s2001/?fbclid=IwAR3tqt78EhFR2mF9NRBgYoPJ61e15NgVfgzhWyqaazdd3B0J41luCuULB5I
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_development
https://www.cordaid.org/en/news/weaving-as-a-sustainable-enterprise-for-philippinetribe/?gclid=CjwKCAiA_KzBRAJEiwAhJNY74pvs5Vp9lbrsQcpulgh9oj0JveU4OsRyMN3uzhk7bZax8w1jDPPhoCdqwQAvD_BwE
https://www.dunedingov.com/live-work-play/dunedin-green-scene/the-7-r-s-refuse-reducerepurpose- reuse-recycle-rot-rethink