UNIVERSITY OF THE CORDILLERAS

GOV. PACK ROAD, BAGUIO CITY

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND CONCERNS

Environmental issues are harmful aspects of human activity on the biophysical
environment.

Top 10 Environmental Issues and Concerns

1. Climate change
The evidence is clear.
Our planet is getting warmer and warmer.
Weather patterns are shifting which is affecting ecosystems and living conditions
worldwide.

2. Energy production
We are a very oil-based, gasoline-dependent society.
What we need to do is research and utilize alternative methods of energy, many
of which are currently being implemented, such as solar systems, hybrid vehicles, tidal
wave energy conversions and wind energy.

3. Waste treatment and management

The world has become very wasteful.
Landfills are growing abundant, waste water treatment plants are being
implemented everywhere and littering is an ever-growing problem.
Taking only what is necessary and not only what is wanted will help to reduce
mass production of items and the increase of trash everywhere.

4. Agricultural production and water management

Water is becoming a very limited resource, and food consumption is getting
extremely hard to keep up with.
We cannot afford to pollute our water systems, as only about 0.3 percent of the
Earth’s water is drinkable.
Scientists predict the marine life supply will be almost, if not entirely depleted, as
marine life is unable to keep up reproduction to meet our consumption needs.

5. Pollution (Air, land and water)

There are uncontrolled releases of pollutants into the atmosphere, which are
mainly the effects of burning fossil fuel.
We need to strive for “clean air.”
Land pollution includes the growing of a single crop (monocropping) for
economic reasons rather than environmental, and the use of pesticides and fertilizers
that seep into the groundwater supply.
Crop rotation is the only answer to the problems created by monocropping, as it
replenishes nutrients and atmospheric nitrogen which nitrogen-dependent plants use to
grow in its natural life cycle.

6. Deforestation
Without tress, much of our lands would be barren or lack diversity, which is not
good for the land sustainability.
Every tree that is cut down releases its stored carbon dioxide that it accumulates
over its years of growth.
The older the tree is, the more carbon dioxide released, which is damaging to
the atmosphere.
Deforestation is responsible for approximately 20 percent of all greenhouse gas
emissions.

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7. Mass consumption
Our consumption controls production.
We have the power to decrease emissions and harvesting of raw materials if our
consumption decreases.

8. Threat of disease
Many diseases have arrived due to the destruction of many animal habitats by
human development and deforestation.
Diseases also result from human overcrowding, overconsumption, and invasive
species introducing new diseases in a “fresh meat” land environment.

9. Endangered flora and fauna

Because of people-related environmental issues, many animals and plants are
forced to either relocate or quickly adapt to the newly-changed environment.
New life forms slowly arise, but prior species are challenged with survival.
This unbalances the food chain, and the species on which many are dependent
will flourish abundantly, while the endangered will slowly disappear.

10. Public health

Heat waves may lead to heat strokes and dehydration or weather-related
fatality.
A weak ozone layer makes us more vulnerable to skin cancer and other
negative effects such as respiratory problems and infections that result from the sun’s
radiation.
Particulate matter absorbed in the atmosphere is breathed in, and inhaling these
particles can lead to a wide range of negative health issues, such as premature
mortality, cardiovascular problems, and respiratory diseases.

Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of a contaminant into the environment.
It is created mostly by human actions, but can also be a result of natural
disasters.
Pollution has a detrimental effect on any living organism in an environment,
making it virtually impossible to sustain life.

Pollutants
--- the components of pollution, can be either foreign substances/energies or naturally
occurring contaminants

Air Pollution
--- any contamination of the atmosphere that disturbs the natural composition and
chemistry of the air
This can be in the form of particulate matter such as dust or excessive gases like
carbon dioxide or other vapors that cannot be effectively removed through natural
cycles, such as the carbon cycle or the nitrogen cycle.
Depending on the concentration of air pollutants, several effects can be
noticed. Smog increases, higher rain acidity, crop depletion from inadequate oxygen,
and higher rates of asthma.
Many scientists believe that global warming is also related to increased air
pollution.

Air pollution comes from a wide variety of sources:

• Vehicle or manufacturing exhaust
• Forest fires, volcanic eruptions, dry soil erosion, and other natural sources
• Building construction or demolition

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Water Pollution
--- involves any contaminated water, whether from chemical, particulate, or bacterial
matter that degrades the water's quality and purity
Water pollution can occur in oceans, rivers, lakes, and underground reservoirs,
and as different water sources flow together the pollution can spread.
The effects of water pollution include decreasing the quantity of drinkable water
available, lowering water supplies for crop irrigation, and impacting fish and wildlife
populations that require water of certain purity for survival.

Causes of water pollution include:

• Increased sediment from soil erosion
• Improper waste disposal and littering
• Leaching of soil pollution into water supplies
• Organic material decay in water supplies

Soil or Land Pollution

--- contamination of the soil that prevents natural growth and balance in the land
whether it is used for cultivation, habitation, or a wildlife preserve
Some soil pollution, such as the creation of landfills, is deliberate, while much
more is accidental and can have widespread effects.
Soil contamination can lead to poor growth and reduced crop yields, loss of
wildlife habitat, water and visual pollution, soil erosion, and desertification.

Soil pollution sources include:

• Hazardous waste and sewage spills
• Non-sustainable farming practices, such as the heavy use of inorganic pesticides
• Strip mining, deforestation, and other destructive practices
• Household dumping and littering

Radioactive Pollution
--- is rare but extremely detrimental, and even deadly, when it occurs
Because of its intensity and the difficulty of reversing damage, there are strict
government regulations to control radioactive pollution.
Radiation pollution can cause birth defects, cancer, sterilization, and other
health problems for human and wildlife populations. It can also sterilize the soil and
contribute to water and air pollution.

Sources of radioactive contamination include:

• Nuclear power plant accidents or leakage
• Improper nuclear waste disposal
• Uranium mining operations

Noise Pollution
--- refers to undesirable levels of noises caused by human activity that disrupt the
standard of living in the affected area
Effects may include hearing loss, wildlife disturbances, and a general
degradation of lifestyle.

Noise pollution can come from:

• Traffic
• Airports
• Railroads
• Manufacturing plants
• Construction or demolition
• Concerts

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Fighting Pollution
All types of pollution are interconnected.
For example, those fossil fuels contribute to air pollution, which returns to the
earth as acid rain and increases water pollution.
The best way for you to get involved with pollution prevention is to practice
efforts on your own or join a project or program.

Climate Change
The term climate change is used to refer to changes in the Earth's climate. In the
most general sense, it can be taken to mean changes over all timescales and in all of
the components of climate, including precipitation and clouds as well as temperature.
Climate changes can be caused both by natural forces and by human activities.
However in recent usage, especially in the context of environmental policy, it
refers more specifically to changes being studied in the present, including an average
rise in surface temperature, or global warming.

Climate Change in the Philippines

The Philippines has experienced temperature spikes brought about by climate
change. It has been observed that warming is experienced most in the northern and
southern regions of the country. In addition, the regions that have warmed the most
(northern Luzon, Mindanao) have also dried the most. Largest precipitation trends are
about 10 percent during the 20th century.
Hot days and hot nights have become more frequent. Extreme weather events
have also occurred more frequently since 1980. These include deadly and damaging
typhoons, floods, landslides, severe El Niño and La Niña events, drought, and forest fires.
Adversely affected sectors include agriculture, fresh water, coastal and marine
resources and health.

Links between biodiversity and climate change

There is ample evidence that climate change affects biodiversity. According to
the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, climate change is likely to become one of the
most significant drivers of biodiversity loss by the end of the century. Climate change is
already forcing biodiversity to adapt either through shifting habitat, changing life
cycles, or the development of new physical traits.

1. Sea Level Rise

Sea level rise is a major threat to marine ecosystems.

2. Increase in Ocean Surface Temperature

The warming of sea water often associated with El Niño episodes have caused
coral bleaching on massive scales never seen before. In the Philippines, the case of the
El Nido reefs is instructive. Despite being one of the better managed reefs in the
country, what used to be a diverse reef with 60-70% coral cover is now down to 5-10%
after the devastating coral bleaching event during the 1997-1998 El Niño. It has not
recovered to date. Nationwide, the 1998 coral bleaching event decreased live coral
cover by as much as 49%.
The sea surface temperature (SST) in Bolinao during the same period ranged
between 34.1 °C to 34.9 °C, killing a large number of giant clams.
Thousands of milk fish float in a cage after a massive fish kill at Taal Lake in
Talisay, Batangas, south of Manila May 29, 2011.
High sea surface temperature also triggers algal blooms that cause red tides as
well as fish kills.
High sea surface temperature disturbs upwelling, depriving fish of vital nutrients
necessary for survival and growth.

3. Increased Temperature
Heat stress in plants and animals affecting life cycles and productivity.

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4. Changes in Precipitation
A decrease in soil moisture in drier areas may accelerate forest loss.

Bad news and Good news of increase CO2 level

Bad news: CO2 contributes to global warming.

Good news: The ocean is absorbing a good deal of this CO2, therefore slowing global
warming.
Bad news: As the excess CO2 dissolves in the ocean, the ocean becomes more acidic,
therefore threatening marine life that uses calcium carbonate to build its skeleton or
shell.

How CO2 breaks the exoskeleton of mollusk:

CO2 + H2O → H2CO3

H2CO3 →HCO3- + H+
CaCO3(s) + H+(aq) --> Ca2+(aq) + HCO3-(aq)

Ocean acidification in relation to climate change….

Ocean acidification is the result of increase carbon dioxide level in the

atmosphere. The ocean is one of the largest natural reservoir of carbon, it is actually
buffering the changes of carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere. Therefore the
changes in the ocean’s pH is an indication that there is an increased CO2. Increased
CO2 means warmer atmospheric condition.

Ocean Acidification
• Coral skeleton is largely made up of calcium carbonate (aragonite)
• [CO2]atm → 450ppm : Carbonate accretion → 0
- ↓ coral growth
- ↓ skeletal density (more prone to breakage)
- ↑ energy allocation to calcification

Climate Change
• Atmospheric CO2 levels: >380ppm
- 80 ppm more than the last 740k years
- ↑ oceanic average temperature 0.74oC
• ↑ sea level 17 cm
• ↓ carbonate concentrations ~30 µmol kg-1 SW
• ↑ ocean’s acidity 0.1 pH unit

Elevated Temperatures  Coral Bleaching

Coral Bleaching: what is it?
• expulsion of zooxanthellae from the coral host
- 60-90% loss of symbionts
• loss of pigments of zooxanthellae
- 50-80% loss of photosynthetic pigments
• Caused by a number of factors but large-scale bleaching has been attributed to
elevated water temperatures and intense light intensities

Sea Level Rise

• The sea expands as it heats up causing the sea level to rise.
 Effects on corals: reefs at risk of “drowning” (depth might be too much for light to
penetrate)
 Effects on humans: inundation, erosion, increased coastal flooding, salt water
intrusion

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What could we do?
 Address immediate threats to the reefs
 Improve health of the reefs for better chances of recovering from the adverse
effects of global change (reef resilience)

How do we improve reef resilience?

• Reducing fishing effort
• Eliminating destructive fishing practices
• Managing mariculture activities
• Protection (MPA)
• Restoration/Rehabilitation

The Case of the Guimaras Oil Spill

The Guimaras oil spill is a massive oil spill at the Guimaras Strait, the Philippines. It
is dubbed as the worst oil spill ever in the Philippines.

Date of accident : August 11, 2006

Name of the vessel : MT Solar ICompany owner of vessel : Sunshine Maritime
Development Corp.
Type of cargo : Industrial bunker oil
Amount of cargo : 528,000+ gallons in 10 tanks equivalent to 2 million liters

Effects:
The spill has damaged Taklong Island National Marine Reserve, a marine
sanctuary for feeding and breeding ground for fish and other species.
Dr. Jose Ingles, eco-region coordinator of the World Wide Fund for Nature in the
Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, said that the damage may be felt by at least two
generations. He warned that the disaster may have damaged the reefs and
mangroves, scarring the ecosystem and causing seafood yields to significantly
decrease. According to him, the worst hit would be the shorelines, the coasts and the
swamplands with mangroves. This will greatly impact the livelihood of the fishermen,
mostly living in poor conditions.
The oil slick also poses as a threat to the blue crab industry of Enrique B.
Magalona, Negros Occidental.
In the south-southeast of the spill site is located the Sulu Sea, a deep water area
frequented by commercially valued fishes. The towns of southern Negros Occidental
province prides themselves as the home of the Blue Marlin and the Yellow Fin Tuna. This
is an important source of income for the communities. When the slick is not effectively
contained, this will surely damage this thriving local industry.
As of August 22, the Philippine Coast Guard says that the spill has affected 20
communities in 4 municipalities in Guimaras as of August 22, 2006. It also threatens 27
communities in Iloilo province and 17 others in Negros Occidental.
A villager from Barangay Lapaz, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras became the first
casualty directly affected by the spill. He died after inhaling the fumes of the oil sludge
causing him to contract cardio-respiratory disease.

Policy and Legal Initiatives

AFMA (1997) – establishes that the DA together with other appropriate agencies should
into account climate change, weather disturbances, and annual productivity cycles, in
order to forecast and formulate appropriate agricultural and fisheries programs.

Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 – provides that the DENR and other concerned
agencies and LGUs prepare and implement national plans that are in accordance with

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UNFCC and other international agreements, conventions, and protocols on reducing
greenhouse emissions.

Republic Act (RA) 8749: Philippine Clean Air Act (PCAA) of 1999
Comprehensive air pollution control policy.
Specifically, this legislative intends to apply air quality management in all
sources in order to implement abatement and control of air pollution.
Aims to achieve and maintain healthy air for Filipinos.

Biofuels Act of 2007 – was designed to pursue energy sufficiency and security, in a way
helps reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.

Republic Act 9729: Climate Change Act of 2009 – an act mainstreaming climate
change into government policy formulations, establishing the framework strategy and
program on climate change, creating for this purpose, the climate change commission,
and for other purposes.

RA 9275 --- the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, providing for a comprehensive
water quality management and for other purposes.

RA 10068 --- Organic Agriculture Act of the Philippines of 2010, one of the main goals of
every organic farmer is to build long-term soil fertility and till by feeding the soil with a
variety of natural amendments.

RA 6969 --- Toxic Substances and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990, aims to regulate,
restrict or prohibit the importation, manufacture, processing, sale, distribution, use and
disposal of chemical substances and mixtures the present unreasonable risk to human
health. It likewise prohibits the entry of hazardous and nuclear wastes and their disposal
into the Philippine territorial limits for whatever purpose and to provide advancement
and facilitate research and studies on toxic chemicals.

RA 9147 --- the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of July 2001,
providing for the conservation and protection of wildlife resources and their habitats
and appropriating funds.

RA 8550 --- the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, providing for the development,
management and conservation of fisheries and aquatic resources.

RA 8485 --- Animal Welfare Act of 1998.

RA 9003 “ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2000”

DENR POINT AGENDA

 IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT OF SOLID WASTE
 Proper closure and rehabilitation of open dumpsites and controlled dumpsites
nationwide
 Develop sanitary landfill and other cleaner and safer forms of disposal system
 Provide guidance, technical assistance and waste management strategies and
options to LGUs
 Promote recycling
 Prioritize in our plans the disposal of toxic and hazardous wastes

Roles of the DENR

 provide technical and other capability building assistance and support to LGUs
and other private sectors
 recommend policies to eliminate barriers to waste reduction programs
 exercise visitorial and enforcement powers to ensure strict compliance
 issue rules and regulations

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 Solid Waste under RA 9003

> discarded household commercial waste

> non-hazardous institutional and industrial waste
> street sweepings
> construction debris
> agricultural waste
> other non-hazardous/non-toxic wastes

Creation of the following Solid Waste Management Boards at the Local Government
Level:

1. Barangay SWM Committee

 Formulate a SWM Plan
 Ensure that segregation is undertaken by different sources
 Facilitate the collection of compostable and recyclables

2. City/Municipal SWM Board

 Develop and implement its comprehensive SWM Plan
 Coordinate the efforts of its component barangays
 Facilitate the collection of residuals and ensure that special wastes are properly
stored/or treated
 Ensure the proper disposal of residuals

3. Provincial SWM Board and the MMDA

 Consolidate Plans and Programs of its cities/municipalities
 Establish activities complementing efforts at the local and barangay levels
 For Metro Manila, the MMDA shall act as the Provincial Solid Waste Management
Board

COMPLIANCE with RA 9003

Sec 21 – Segregation at Source
Sec 23 – Segregated Collection
Sec 33 - Recovery/Recycling Systems

Sec 37 – Closure of Open Dumps

Controlled Disposal Facilities
Final Disposal Systems

Sec 21 – Segregation at Source

 The most indispensable element of any effective ESWM Program
 Proven by the enactment of an Ordinance that mandates at Municipal Solid
Wastes (MSW) must be segregated at source and placed in at least 3 separate
containers, (a) Compostables, (b) Recyclables, and (c) Residuals
 Compliance is monitored through Barangay Level Monitoring Systems

Classification of Waste under RA 9003

1. Compostable / biodegradable waste
 Kitchen wastes – leftover/spoiled food, fruit/vegetable peelings, fish/fowl
cleanings, seeds, bones Garden wastes – leaves, weeds, roots, flowers,
branches/twigs
 Animal wastes – manure, carcass
 Human wastes – soiled tissue papers, excreta

2. Recyclable non-biodegradable wastes

 Metals
 Glass
 Rubber

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  Cloth/dry processed fiber
 Dry leather/feathers
 Hard shells
 Recyclable plastics/plastic containers

3. Non recyclable/residual wastes

 Sanitary napkins
 Disposable diapers
 Used/worn-out rugs
 PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
 bottles
 Ceramics
 Composite packaging (tetra-packs)
 Candy wrappers/sachets
 Containers made from multiple layers of plastic such as squeezable bottles

4. Special household wastes

 Paints (containers)
 Thinners (containers)
 Batteries
 Spray canisters
 Tires
 Worn-out/broken radios, stereos and TV sets
 Large worn-out or broken household appliances such as stoves, refrigerators,
dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers

Sec 23 – Segregated Collection

 This is the Backbone of any effective ESWM Program
 Ground-Level Enforcement Method through “No Segregation-No Collection”
 Proven through the same Ordinance for Sec 21 but capable of ground
verification
 Separate days and/or hours; Separate trucks or chambers
 Socio-civic Trust Fund for the maintenance of garbage collection trucks to
ensure efficiency of collection and prevention of backslide.

The 3 Rs in WASTE SEGREGATION

 Recycle
 Reuse of resources
 Reduce the volume of waste for collection and disposal

Sec 33 - Recovery/Recycling Systems

 Establishment of LGU Materials Recovery Facility
 Established in every barangay or cluster of barangays.
 Shall receive wastes for final sorting, segregation, composting and recycling.

DENR Administrative Order No. 9, Series of 2006

 General Guidelines in the Closure and Rehabilitation of Open Dumpsites and
Controlled Dump Facilities

Open Dumpsite
 little or no site preparation
 poorly sited and no disposal cell planning
 no leachate and gas management
 inadequate soil cover
 existence of scavengers, vermin/pests
 lowest capital and operating cost but highest environmental hazard or damage

Major Problems of Open Dumpsites:

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  Air pollution caused by open burning/spontaneous combustion
 Surface & groundwater pollution due to leachate
 Bad odor & Vermin
 Scavengers

IMPACTS
 Prevalence of Infectious Disease
 Destruction of Sound Environment
 Loss of Aesthetic Condition

Elements of Closure, Rehabilitation and Upgrading Plan

 Access Road Improvement
 Drainage control systems/Ditch Formation
 Stabilization of critical slopes
 Compaction of dumped wastes
 Final Cover
 Degassing Facility
 Leachate control
 Fire Control
 Prevention of illegal dumping
 Security

DENR Administrative Order No. 10, Series of 2006

 General Guidelines on the Categorized Final Disposal Facilities (Sanitary Landfill)

Just think… BIG

 Basura’y Ihiwalay, Gawin lagi
 Basura’y I-recycle, Gamitin ulit
 Basura’y Ibaon, Gawing compost

FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE SOLID WASTE PROBLEM

 SPIRALLING POPULATION GROWTH RATE
 RAPID URBANIZATION
 CHANGING LIFESTYLES
 INCREASING CONSUMPTION PATTERNS
 PUBLIC INDIFFERENCE
 INADEQUATE GOV’T POLICIES OR LAX IN THE IMPLEMENTATION

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

EIA LAWS IN THE PHILIPPINES

PD 1151 (1977) – Philippine Environmental Policy

Requires sponsors of projects affecting the quality of the environment to prepare
environmental impact statements

PD 1586 (1978) – Establishment of the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement

System (PEISS)
w/ the then National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC) as the lead agency

PD 2146 (1981) – Proclaims certain areas and types of projects as environmentally

critical & w/in the scope of the PEISS

Administrative Order 42 (2002) – Rationalizing the Implementation of the Philippine EIS

System giving authority, in addition to the DENR Secretary, to the EMB Central and
Regional Office Directors to grant or deny issuance of ECCs

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 Environmental impact statement for every proposed project and undertaking
which significantly affect the quality of the environment.

What is Environmental Impact Assessment?

The gathering of information carried out by the developer and other bodies to
understand the environmental effects of a development.

It includes designing appropriate preventive measures addressing these

consequences.

EIA helps improve the design of activities and their long-term sustainability or, "to
ensure that environmental factors and values are integrated into the decision-making
process."

Why does it exist?

Environmental assessment exists to improve decision-making by ensuring that
decisions improve the design and sustainability of proposed actions.

Purpose of Environmental Impact Assesment

Intended to Identify the impacts of a proposed public and private development
activities.
Enhance planning and guide decisision making
To reduce environmental impacts
To ensure the protection and conservation of the environment and natural
resources

Misconceptions about EIA

EIA is anti-development
EIA is too expensive or a waste of money
EIA is ineffective

Benefits
Facilities informed decision making
Pre-emption or early withdrawal of unsound proposal
Influences both project selection and design
Guides formal approval
Incorporates stakeholder analysis
Mitigation of negative environmental and social impacts

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