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Module 1: Everything Must Go Somewhere

Module written and developed for use in GEE (Environmental Science) by Mr. Franklin E. Cortez,
Asst. Prof. 1, Environmental Science Department, College of Science, University of Eastern
Philippines. Updated, Midyear Term 2022.
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Module 1: Everything Must Go Somewhere

When a piece of paper is thrown away,

it disappears from sight but it does not
cease to exist. It ends up elsewhere.

Paper, plastics and other wastes end up in creaks, rivers and eventually to the
oceans. Along with other effects on the water physical and chemical properties,
waste are even mistaken by marine organisms as food.

Gases released in smokestacks may disperse but it will end up a component of

the atmosphere or brought down by rains. Gases or smoke released from
automobiles, burning of waste and other sources, may disappear from the
immediate surroundings but ends up part of the greenhouse gases, or brought
down by precipitation as acid rain.

Module written and developed for use in GEE (Environmental Science) by Mr. Franklin E. Cortez,
Asst. Prof. 1, Environmental Science Department, College of Science, University of Eastern
Philippines. Updated, Midyear Term 2022.
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Module 1: Everything Must Go Somewhere

Biological Magnification
One concept which describes the
pathway of toxic substances in the
environment is the concept of
biological magnification. It is any
concentration of a toxin, such as
pesticides and metals, in the tissues of
tolerant organisms at successive
higher levels in a food chain or the
progressive buildup of persistent
substances by successive trophic
levels. Example when we dump toxic
substances into rivers like used
batteries, paints, ink, etc., which
contains substances like heavy metals,
it flows into the oceans. These
substances may be absorbed by
phytoplankton, which are food for
zooplankton, eaten by small fishes,
then larger fishes and eventually even
more larger fishes which are then
caught by fishermen and sold in the
market where we buy our food. Toxic

Module written and developed for use in GEE (Environmental Science) by Mr. Franklin E. Cortez,
Asst. Prof. 1, Environmental Science Department, College of Science, University of Eastern
Philippines. Updated, Midyear Term 2022.
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Module 1: Everything Must Go Somewhere

substances transfer and accumulates or increases in level from one organism to

the next and eventually are consumed by humans. Sometimes the reason why
we wander how someone gets sick when they are vegetarians and only
consumes fish as main source of protein.
Since waste are not lost to oblivion, and even goes back to one’s own backyard
in some other forms, it is important that one becomes aware of the different
types of waste – whether they are hazardous or not.

Perhaps the most serious global problem that we are facing today is climate
change. As mentioned earlier, some if not most of gases released into the
environment end up a component of the atmosphere. Aside from
chloroflorocarbons (CFCs) which affect and cause the thinning of the ozone
layer, most gases add up in the greenhouse intensifying its effect. Greenhouse
effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface. When the Sun’s
energy reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, some of it is reflected back to space and
the rest is absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases. The absorbed energy
warms the atmosphere and the surface of the Earth.

The greenhouse in the

atmosphere makes the earth
warm enough for organisms to
survive. It acts like a blanket
that even when the sun sets at
night the atmosphere is still warm for life. But with the addition to greenhouse
gases mainly Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide and other gases from
our activities, the greenhouse effect intensifies making the globe warmer.
Global warming is the gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth’s
atmosphere.
To name a few, global warming causes the melting of ice in the Polar Regions
thereby increasing sea level and may cause extinction of many organisms. It

Module written and developed for use in GEE (Environmental Science) by Mr. Franklin E. Cortez,
Asst. Prof. 1, Environmental Science Department, College of Science, University of Eastern
Philippines. Updated, Midyear Term 2022.
 54
Module 1: Everything Must Go Somewhere

stresses ecosystems through temperature rises, water shortages, increased fire

threats, drought, and weed and pest invasions.
Global warming in turn causes climate change. Climate change is the long-
term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place.
Climate changes cause drought in some regions of the globe while causing
flooding on the other. Due to warmer atmosphere, evaporation, especially from
water bodies, is increased causing heavier rains. Warmer atmosphere makes the
difference of cold and warm air
masses far causing stronger winds.
Tropical cyclones or commonly
known as “typhoons” are intensified
with heavy rainfall and stronger
winds. Frequency increases and
paths are changed.

“Climate change is the most severe problem that we are facing today.”

Module written and developed for use in GEE (Environmental Science) by Mr. Franklin E. Cortez,
Asst. Prof. 1, Environmental Science Department, College of Science, University of Eastern
Philippines. Updated, Midyear Term 2022.
 55
Module 1: Everything Must Go Somewhere

Student Assessment Activity 5-1:

What you see in the pictures below are products particularly food that we love. Before
continuing reading the discussions, try to research how our love for these products
contributes to greenhouse gases and global warming. Write what you found out and email
your output. Do cite your reference/s or source/s of information.

How do we contribute to greenhouse gases that causes global warming and

climate change?
Even from our simple activities like what we eat everyday may contribute to
greenhouse gases. Almost everyone loves extra rice. Did you know that rice
production contributes and increases the amount of methane in the atmosphere?
Rice are cultivated in flooded fields. As we prepare and plow the land grasses
are submerged in mud. Grasses as decomposed with low or even no oxygen
thereby releasing methane. Methane is 21 times more capable of absorbing heat
in the atmosphere.
Raising livestock also increases the amount of methane in the atmosphere. Our
love for dairy products, from milk, ice cream, cheese, etc., and our love for
burger, all contribute to greenhouse gases. The high demand for milk and dairy
products as well as patty for burger increases methane in the atmosphere. These
products come mainly from cattle. Imagine how many cattle are raised
worldwide to supply the high demand for these products. And each of these

Module written and developed for use in GEE (Environmental Science) by Mr. Franklin E. Cortez,
Asst. Prof. 1, Environmental Science Department, College of Science, University of Eastern
Philippines. Updated, Midyear Term 2022.
 56
Module 1: Everything Must Go Somewhere

cattle, just like other ruminants, releases an average of one-half kilogram every
day of methane when they burp. This is aside from the very wide areas,
including forests, that are converted into grazing areas, which are supposed to
be natural sink of carbon dioxide.
Raising poultry and piggery contributes to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Aside from methane from decomposing waste, wide areas (forest) in the world
are cleared to give way for grain plantations to feed poultry and piggery.
Forested areas are natural sinks of carbon dioxide. Without forests carbon
dioxide goes into the atmosphere and absorb heat.

“A meat diet requires more than 4 times of land area compared to a vegetarian
diet”

Individual Actions
1. C o nse rve
2. C o nsum e e ffic ie ntly
3. Use re ne w a b le s
4. Be invo lve d

Summary
Waste dumped into the environment may disappear from the immediate
surrounding but does not cease to exist. It ends up in bodies of water and even
become a component of the atmosphere. It causes pollution both in water, air,
and land.
Gases released from our activities increase greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
intensifying its effect causing global warming and climate change, our most
serious problem today.
The waste we dump to the environment goes back to our backyard in some
other forms.

Module written and developed for use in GEE (Environmental Science) by Mr. Franklin E. Cortez,
Asst. Prof. 1, Environmental Science Department, College of Science, University of Eastern
Philippines. Updated, Midyear Term 2022.
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Module 1: Everything Must Go Somewhere

Our daily activities, from the food we eat to the way we use energy, transport,
etc., contribute to the degradation of our environment.
We can contribute individually to the conservation of our environment by
efficient consumption of resources and by being involved.

References
Environmental Science: The Economy of Nature and the Ecology
of Man by Sergio J. Lee and Myrna L. Anes.
Fundamentals of Ecology by Eugene P. Odum
Environmental Science: Earth as a Living Planet by Daniel B. Botkin
and Edward A. Keller

Please take a short break. After your break please review what we have
discussed so far and answer the learning assessment and feedback on the
succeeding pages.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Learning Assessment (Email your answer.)

Instructions: Please answer the following items. This will be part of your
performance evaluation. Each item is 10 points.
1. Waste are not lost to oblivion, and even goes back to one’s own backyard
in some other forms. What does this statement tell us?
a. Waste may disappear from site but will end up somewhere.
b. Waste can be removed by water and wind.
c. Waste are by-products of environmental processes.
d. Waste can be avoided to reduce negative effects to the environment.
Justify your answer: _____________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Module written and developed for use in GEE (Environmental Science) by Mr. Franklin E. Cortez,
Asst. Prof. 1, Environmental Science Department, College of Science, University of Eastern
Philippines. Updated, Midyear Term 2022.
 58
Module 1: Everything Must Go Somewhere

2. Which order of events results to extreme weather conditions we are

experiencing today?
_____ flooding and droughts
_____ climate change
_____ global warming
_____ intense greenhouse effects
_____ emission of greenhouse gasses
Justify your answer: _____________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

3. Which of the following contributes to intense greenhouse effect?

a. Rice production c. raising livestock
b. Destruction of Carbon sinks d. all of the above
Justify your answer: _____________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
4. Which of the following do you think will cause a very big positive impact
in our goal of protecting our environment?
a. A vegetarian diet.
b. Planting trees and preservation of our coral reefs.
c. Efficient use of energy.
d. Recycling of waste products.
Justify your answer: _____________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Feedback
Please include your feedback below. Let me know how you are doing so far.
Include your difficulties (if there are any) so we can address it on the
succeeding modules.

Module written and developed for use in GEE (Environmental Science) by Mr. Franklin E. Cortez,
Asst. Prof. 1, Environmental Science Department, College of Science, University of Eastern
Philippines. Updated, Midyear Term 2022.
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Module 1: Everything Must Go Somewhere

Note: include in your answer sheet your feedback.

Module written and developed for use in GEE (Environmental Science) by Mr. Franklin E. Cortez,
Asst. Prof. 1, Environmental Science Department, College of Science, University of Eastern
Philippines. Updated, Midyear Term 2022.