SPECIAL ISSUES IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY

CLIMATE CHANGE
by
BET AET NS 3A:
STA. INES, REZZILIN
TORRES, JOEMARI
MONTENEGRO, CRIS EMIL LEONARDO
REYES, ARTH ANGEL GABRIEL
PILAR, ADRIAN JERALD
JUNIO, ZOREN DIOMER
FEB 06, 2022

INTRODUCTION

Climate change refers to long-term changes in the climate that last decades, centuries, or even
millennia. It is caused by rapidly rising greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere, mostly as a
result of the combustion of fossil fuels (e.g., coal, oil, and natural gas). Rising sea levels, changes
in storm patterns, changing ocean currents, changes in rainfall, melting snow and ice, more
extreme heat events, fires, and drought are all consequences of these heat-trapping gases. Human
health, infrastructure, forestry, agriculture, freshwater supplies, coastlines, and marine systems
are all expected to be impacted, and in some cases, intensified.

Climate change is, without a doubt, one of the most dangerous and critical concerns facing our
planet today. Climate change is being documented and reported on all across the world. Despite
the fact that some still deny it, despite the rage of this worldwide issue, 97 percent of world
scientists agree that climate change is unmistakably taking place. Countries like the Philippines
are, in reality, a source of concern. Climate scientists have often stated that the Philippines is one
of the most vulnerable countries to climate change's effects.
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Considering anthropogenic activities are linked to climate change, these activities must first be
identified in order to, for instance, reflect on one's behavior and develop novel solutions to this
critical issue. Even with its political and contentious nature, climate change is the most important
socio-scientific problem that instructors of all age groups may choose to address. This is
particularly crucial since those with the least understanding of climate change are more inclined
to believe untrustworthy sources of information and to fail to distinguish between relevant and
irrelevant factors when determining the reliability of sources.

FIVE GUIDING QUESTIONS

1. WILL CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECT OUR FOOD PRODUCTION ESPECIALLY

THE FARMERS AND THEIR HARVESTS?

2. IN YOUR OWN OPINION, DOES THE CAUSE AND EFFECT OF CLIMATE

CHANGE ARE BEING TAUGHT WELL IN SCHOOL?

3. HOW WILL MELTING ICE AFFECT THE WORLD AROUND US?

4. HOW HAS GLOBAL WARMING AFFECTED THE WORLD SO FAR?

5. WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DO NOTHING TO STOP CLIMATE CHANGE?

WILL CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECT OUR FOOD PRODUCTION

ESPECIALLY THE FARMERS AND THEIR HARVESTS?

Climate change, unfortunately, has an impact on food production and, as a result, on every part
of our lives. According to a study conducted by Arizona State University, greenhouse gas
emissions could reduce vegetable yields by 35 percent in 2010. The reason for this is that lower
yields were caused by factors such as water shortages, increased salinity, and less filtering of the
sun's rays. This means that farmers will have to change the way they produce food in order to
adapt to a changing climate, and there may even be concerns about growing enough food to meet
demand.
 SPECIAL ISSUES IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY

Climate change has a significant impact on agriculture and fisheries. Temperature and carbon
dioxide (CO2) increases can boost agricultural production in some areas. However, nutritional
levels, soil moisture, water availability, and other factors must all be satisfied in order to reap
these benefits. Drought and flood frequency and severity may change, posing challenges for
farmers and posing a risk to food safety. Meanwhile, increasing water temperatures are likely to
cause many fish and shellfish species' habitat ranges to move, potentially disrupting ecosystems.
Overall, climate change may make it more difficult to grow crops, raise livestock, and catch fish
in the same ways and places as in the past. Climate change impacts must be weighed against
other changing elements that affect agricultural production, such as changes in farming practices
and technology.

When it comes to the impact on crops, the effect of higher temperature on each given crop will
be determined by the crop's optimal temperature for growth and reproduction. Warming may
improve the types of crops that are traditionally cultivated in some locations, or farmers may be
able to switch to crops that are now grown in warmer areas. Conversely, if the higher
temperature exceeds the ideal temperature for a crop, yields will decrease. Crop yields may be
affected by increased CO2 levels. Plant development may be aided by increased CO2 levels,
according to some laboratory research. Other factors, like as shifting temperatures, ozone, and
water and fertilizer shortages, may, however, mitigate these potential yield gains. For example, if
a crop's ideal temperature is exceeded, or if enough water and nutrients are not available, yield
increases may be reduced or reversed. Reduced protein and nitrogen content in field crops and
soybean plants has been linked to increased CO2, resulting in a loss of quality. The ability of
grassland and farmland to support grazing livestock can be harmed by poor grain and forage
quality. Crops can be harmed by more extreme temperatures and precipitation. Floods and
droughts, in particular, can destroy crops and lower output. Drought management could be
difficult in locations like tropical countries where rising summer temperatures lead soils to dry
up. While additional irrigation may be possible in certain areas, water resources may be reduced
in others, leaving less water available for irrigation when more is needed. Warmer temperatures,
wetter climates, and higher CO2 levels favor the growth of many weeds, pests, and fungi. The
Philippine Department of Agriculture is petitioning the government for an additional 30 billion
pesos in financing for 2022 pesticide residue restrictions for fruits and vegetables, which are
intended to combat pests that compete with crops for light, water, and nutrients. Parasites and
pest ranges and distributions are anticipated to expand as a result of climate change. This could
provide new challenges for farmers' crops that were previously unaffected by these pests. While
increased CO2 encourages plant growth, it also lowers the nutritional value of most food crops.
Most plant species, including wheat, soybeans, and rice, have lower protein and critical mineral
concentrations when atmospheric carbon dioxide levels rise. This direct effect of rising CO2 on
crop nutritional value poses a possible health risk to humans. Growing pesticide use, as a result
of increased insect pressures and pesticide efficacy declines, poses a concern to human health.
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Climate change has a significant impact on animals as well. Heat waves, which are expected to
become more often as a result of climate change, may now pose a direct threat to livestock. Heat
stress has both direct and indirect effects on animals. Heat stress can increase illness
susceptibility, lower fertility, and reduce milk supply over time. Drought could put pasture and
feed supplies at risk. Drought limits the amount of good feed available to animals feeding.
Droughts could last longer and be more intense in some locations as a result of rising summer
temperatures and less precipitation. Drought-related reductions in crop production could pose a
concern for animals that rely on grains. Parasites and diseases that harm livestock may become
more common as a result of climate change. Some parasites and diseases may be able to thrive
more easily due to the earlier onset of early summer and mild temperatures. Moisture-dependent
infections may grow in locations where rainfall is higher. In response to climate-induced changes
in pests, parasites, and microorganisms, potential modifications in veterinary practices, such as
an increase in the use of parasiticides and other animal health treatments, are expected to be
implemented. This could raise the danger of pesticides entering the food chain or contribute to
the evolution of pesticide resistance, with ramifications for livestock and aquaculture product
safety, distribution, and consumption. Carbon dioxide (CO2) increases may boost grassland
output, but they may also reduce grass quality. CO2 levels in the atmosphere can boost the yield
of plants that animals eat. However, as CO2 levels rise, the quality of some pastureland feed
falls. As a result, animals would have to consume more food in order to achieve the same
nutritional benefits.

Many fisheries already confront various challenges, such as overfishing and water pollution.
Climate change may worsen these problems. Temperature fluctuations, in particular, could have
a substantial impact. Many aquatic animals can migrate north along the shore or in the ocean to
find colder areas of streams and lakes. However, as discussed on the Ecosystems Impacts page (
https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climate-impacts/climate-impacts-ecosystems_.html ),
expanding into new areas may put these species in conflict with other species for food and other
resources. Climate change has been connected to several outbreaks of marine diseases. Oyster
parasites have been able to spread further north along the Atlantic coast due to warmer water
temperatures and higher coastal salinities. Warmer temperatures in the Arctic are contributing to
salmon infections in the Ocean, resulting in a decline in Fish. Finally, disease outbreaks in coral,
eelgrass, and shellfish have resulted from the warmer temperatures. The timing of reproduction
and migration can be affected by changes in temperature and seasons. Temperature and the
shifting seasons influence several aspects of an aquatic animal's life cycle. Warmer water
temperatures in the North, for example, may disrupt the life cycle of fish and raise the risk of
disease. These consequences, when combined with other climatic impacts, are expected to result
in significant decreases in fish stocks.

In addition to warming, the world's oceans are getting increasingly acidic as carbon dioxide
levels rise in the atmosphere (CO2). Increased acidity may affect shellfish by weakening their
 SPECIAL ISSUES IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY

shells, which are formed by extracting calcium from the ocean. Acidification also jeopardizes the
delicate ecosystems that some fish and shellfish rely on.

IN YOUR OWN OPINION, DOES THE CAUSE AND EFFECT OF

CLIMATE CHANGE ARE BEING TAUGHT WELL IN SCHOOL?

For us students, the issues about climate change is not discussed or explained well in schools
here in the Philippines. Since schools are only concerned with the topics that must be taught to
students, they provide insufficient information to students regarding climate change. Climate
change is only taught in school as part of science class, and they just describe the cause and
effect, not the things that will make students realize that we need to make a decision and take
action to prevent it. That is why many organizations, advocates, and small groups are advocating
for it to be made a core subject so that we can be prepared with the information to comprehend
the massive changes we are facing, as well as the skills to work with new green technology that
may assist us in the coming years. We all know how prone the Philippines is to natural
catastrophes. The destruction or damage to infrastructure, the use of schools as evacuation
centers, the loss or inadequacy of basic needs, and the inability of parents to support their
children's education due to the loss of income caused by effects of climate change on ability to
earn a living are all impacts of climate change on the education sector.

In the Philippines, there are few educational programs, curriculum, or instructional

methodologies that encourage students to practice environmental protection and preservation.
Young people across the country are suffering the effects of climate change, and they remain one
of the most vulnerable people to the threat of climate change. Furthermore, extreme weather
events such as typhoons and droughts, as well as unfavorable environmental conditions, put
young people's physical, mental, social, and emotional development at danger. According to
UNICEF, "Climate change exacerbates several hazards to children's well-being, survival, and
access to services in the Philippines, including education, water and sanitation, nutrition, and
health,".

Now, there is a rising trend in the number of young people concerned about the implications of
climate change, as they are motivated by the belief that their generation will be the one to
experience the worst effects of climate change. The success of the school strikes for climate
action, which demand political and economic changes, demonstrates their growing concern. The
Youth Declaration for Climate Justice, which includes divestment from coal and fossil fuels, a
just transition to a sustainable society, protection of vulnerable groups such as indigenous
peoples, environmental and human rights defense, and young people, and increased
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implementation of environmental education, was recently released by a group of young people

who advocates for climate change.

REFERENCES/LINKS:

• https://reefresilience.org/management-strategies/community-based-climate-adaptation/climate-change-
introduction/#:~:text=Climate%20change%20refers%20to%20the,oil%2C%20and%20natural%20gas).

• https://www.ifpri.org/publication/economywide-impacts-climate-change-philippine-agriculture-
0#:~:text=Climate%20change%20has%20the%20potential,%2C%20consumption%2C%20and%20food%2
0security.&text=Sustaining%20agricultural%20production%20growth%20to,goal%20for%20the%20Philip
pine%20government.

• https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climate-impacts/climate-impacts-agriculture-and-food-
supply_.html#:~:text=Climate%20change%20can%20disrupt%20food,result%20in%20reduced%20agricul
tural%20productivity.

• https://www.da.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/CLIPPINGS-FOR-SEPTEMBER-09-2021.pdf

• https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1211289.pdf

• https://www.deped.gov.ph/climate-change-education/cce-in-the-philippines/

* This research was conducted with the participation of all members of this group. THANK YOU.