Science, Technology, and Society

ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES
Dolino, Casumpang, Lim, Valdez, Sanico

Group 3 | Presentation
THIS IS THE ONLY HOME WE
HAVE. STOP DESTROYING.
START PROTECTING.
 INTRODUCTION
Environmental issues are concerns related to
the natural world and the impact of human
activities on the environment. These issues
can have negative effects on the planet,
including climate change, deforestation,
pollution, habitat destruction, biodiversity
loss, and depletion of natural resources.
 DEFORESTATION
Deforestation: The Philippines has one of the
highest deforestation rates in the world, with
an estimated 1.2 million hectares of forest
lost each year. Deforestation contributes to
soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and climate
change.

BEST PRACTICES TO REDUCE

DEFORESTATION:
Reduce paper usage
Use eco-friendly products
Join environmental clubs or organizations
Reforestation
Forest Conservation
Alternative Energy Sources
 CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM:
Agricultural expansion
Illegal logging
Mining:
Population growth
Climate change
Overall, the deforestation problems in the Philippines are
complex and multifaceted, and addressing them will require a
combination of policies and actions aimed at reducing demand
for timber and agricultural land, strengthening law enforcement
and governance,
ARTICLES AND REPORTS THAT DISCUSS
WATER POLLUTION IN THE PHILIPPINES:
"Philippines loses 400 hectares of forest cover daily" by Ron Lopez, published
on CNN Philippines on February 25, 2022. This article reports on the alarming
rate of deforestation in the Philippines and its impacts on the environment and
communities.

"Philippines' forest loss a key driver of biodiversity crisis - study" by Jairo

Bolledo, published on Reuters on November 4, 2021. This article highlights a
recent study that links the loss of forests in the Philippines to the country's
biodiversity crisis.

"Deforestation in the Philippines leaves indigenous people with uncertain

future" by Cate Cadell, published on Reuters on August 6, 2021. This article
focuses on the impact of deforestation on indigenous communities in the
Philippines and their struggle to protect their land and way of life.
CORPORATIONS, COMPANIES, INSTITUTIONS OR
INDIVIDUALS WITH BEST ECOLOGICAL
PRACTICES:
Ayala Corporation
Nestle Philippines
Unilever Philippines
Coca-Cola Philippines
SM Investments Corporation
These are just some examples of corporations and companies that are supporting
efforts to lessen deforestation in the Philippines.
 WATER POLLUTION
Many bodies of water in the Philippines,
including rivers, lakes, and coastal areas, are
polluted with untreated sewage, industrial
waste, and agricultural runoff. This pollution
can harm aquatic life and threaten human
health.
BEST PRACTICES TO REDUCE
WATER POLLUTION:
Implementing proper wastewater treatment
Promoting sustainable agricultural practices
Improving waste disposal practices
Promoting conservation practices
Educating the public
THINGS THAT STILL NEED
IMPROVEMENT:
Implementation and enforcement of regulations
Reducing non-point source pollution
Addressing emerging contaminants
Increasing investment in water infrastructure
 CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM:
Anthropogenic or human-caused factors are often the main drivers of water pollution. Some of
the major causes of water pollution include:

Industrial Activities
Agricultural Activities
Sewage and Wastewater Discharge
Land Use Activities

Exploitation for economic purposes can worsen water pollution by encouraging industries and
other activities that contribute to contamination. For example, mining and other extractive
industries often involve the use of chemicals and heavy machinery, which can cause
significant water pollution if not managed properly.
Similarly, agricultural practices that prioritize high yields and profit over sustainable practices
can result in excessive fertilizer and pesticide use, leading to water pollution.
 ARTICLES AND REPORTS THAT DISCUSS
WATER POLLUTION IN THE PHILIPPINES:
"Pollution from plastic waste, sewage threaten Philippines' Manila Bay"
"The price we pay for cheap fish: Filipino fishermen pay a high price as oceans empty"
"Water pollution is making the Philippines' river of life deadly"
"Philippines: Reducing Pollution in Manila Bay" - World Bank, December 2019
"Toxic tide"

These articles and reports highlight the urgent need to address water pollution in the
Philippines and the impact on public health, marine life, and the economy. It is important
to take action to reduce pollution and protect our water resources for future generations.
CORPORATIONS, COMPANIES, INSTITUTIONS OR
INDIVIDUALS WITH BEST ECOLOGICAL
PRACTICES:
Maynilad Water Services, Inc.
ABS-CBN Foundation
Coca-Cola Philippines
Manila Water Company, Inc
Haribon Foundation

These corporations, companies, institutions, and individuals are among the best in
the Philippines when it comes to ecological practices that help alleviate water
pollution. Their efforts serve as a model for others to follow in order to protect our
water resources and ensure their sustainability for future generations.
AIR POLLUTION
 AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution is a major problem in the
Philippines, particularly in urban areas.
Sources of pollution include vehicle
emissions, industrial activities, and open
burning. Air pollution can contribute to
respiratory problems and other health
issues.

 CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM

Burning fossil fuels for energy and transportation
Industrial activities like manufacturing and mining
Agricultural practices like livestock farming and crop
burning
Vehicle exhaust from cars, trucks, and airplanes
 BEST PRACTICES TO REDUCE AIR
POLLUTION
Use public transportation or carpool.
Reduce energy consumption by turning off
electronics and lights when not in use.
Properly maintain vehicles to reduce emissions.
Use environmentally friendly products and reduce
waste.
Plant more trees to absorb pollutants.

 PRACTICES TO IMPROVE TO REDUCE AIR

POLLUTION
Reduce plastic use to prevent toxic chemicals from being released
into the air.
Reduce meat consumption to decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
Switch to renewable energy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Use eco-friendly transportation options like electric cars.
Support policies that prioritize reducing air pollution, such as
emissions regulations.
 WASTE MANAGEMENT
The Philippines generates a significant
amount of waste, but much of it is not
properly managed. Landfills are often
overflowing, and garbage is often burned or
dumped in bodies of water. This can harm
human health and the environment.

CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM

Increasing urbanization
Consumerism
Lack of infrastructure
Inefficient garbage collection systems
Insufficient funding
Lack of public awareness and engagement
Ineffective waste management policies
and regulations
BEST PRACTICES FOR WASTE
MANAGEMENT

Minimize waste generation

Segregate waste
Encourage recycling
Composting
Handle hazardous waste
 ARTICLES AND REPORTS THAT DISCUSS
WASTE MANAGMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES:

"Solid Waste Management in the Philippines: Problems and Solutions" by Meliza A.

Reyes, Aileen V. Lapitan, and Ramil M. Quidilla.
"The State of Solid Waste Management in the Philippines" by Ella Mae Babao, Ian O.
Esteban, and Jesus C. Fernandez.
"Waste-to-Energy in the Philippines: Opportunities and Challenges" by Cheryll C.
Launio and Krista Danielle S. Yu.
"E-waste Management in the Philippines: Policies, Programs, and Challenges" by Maria
Leonora D. Cometa and Eunice Dianne V. Santos.

These articles and reports highlight about waste management in the Philippines
that talks about the problems, solutions and other ways to properly handle waste.
CLIMATE CHANGE
 CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in
temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts
may be natural, such as through variations in the
solar cycle, but since the 1800s, human
activities have been the main driver of climate
change, primarily due to the burning of fossil
fuels (like coal, oil and gas), which produces
heat-trapping gases.
 CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM:
Climate change is driven by factors such as changes in the atmospheric concentration of
greenhouse gases and aerosols, land cover and radiation.

The Philippines total GHG emissions in 2012 were 157.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide
equivalent (MtCO2e). In the Philippines, 54 percent of GHG emissions came from the energy
sector, followed by the agriculture, industrial processes, waste, and land-use change and
forestry sectors which contributed 33 percent, 8 percent, 7 percent and -1 percent
respectively to GHG emissions. GHG emissions in the Philippines increased 53 percent
between 1990 and 2012.

As for land coverage, deforestation has been a major contributor to climate change in the
Philippines. In 2010, Philippines had 13.2Mha of natural forest, extending over 62% of its land
area. In 2021, it lost 37.7kha of natural forest, equivalent to 22.5Mt of CO₂ emissions.
HOW TO SLOW DOWN
CLIMATE CHANGE
There is no one definite way to end climate change as it is not
something we can end, it is a naturally occurring cycle that
happens on earth. What we need to do is to slow down the cycle
because we're reaching a pace that is unsustainable for our planet.
There are a lot of ways to slow down the effects of climate change
such as cutting down on our carbon footprint by taking public
transport where tens of people can ride in at the same time as
opposed to private vehicles where, more often than not, there's
only a single person driving it but occupying the same amount of
space as public vehicles and producing the same amount of carbon
as them.

There are other methods presented in this powerpoint and all of

them help us fight to slowing down the adverse effects of climate
change.
ARTICLES AND REPORTS THAT DISCUSS
CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE PHILIPPINES:
Philippines: Country Climate and Development Report 2022 -
Philippines | ReliefWeb
Philippines Deforestation Rates & Statistics | GFW
(globalforestwatch.org)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Factsheet: Philippines | Global Climate
Change (climatelinks.org)
Atmosphere | Free Full-Text | Aerosol Particle and Black Carbon
Emission Factors of Vehicular Fleet in Manila, Philippines
(mdpi.com)
Impacts of regional wind circulations on aerosol pollution and
planetary boundary layer structure in Metro Manila, Philippines -
ScienceDirect
NICCDIES | Climate Change Impacts
Philippines | Global Climate Change (climatelinks.org)
 CONCLUSION
Environmental protection is a critical factor for nation-building in the
Philippines. The country is rich in natural resources, including vast
forests, fertile lands, and diverse marine life. These resources provide
livelihoods for millions of Filipinos and contribute to the country's
economic growth and development.
However, environmental degradation and climate change pose
significant threats to the Philippines' sustainable development.
Climate change has already led to increased frequency and intensity
of natural disasters, such as typhoons, floods, and landslides.
Environmental degradation, such as deforestation, also leads to soil
erosion and landslides, which further exacerbate the impacts of
natural disasters.
 CONCLUSION
Environmental protection is therefore crucial for building a resilient and
sustainable nation. Protecting natural resources and promoting sustainable
practices can help reduce the impacts of natural disasters and ensure the
long-term viability of industries that depend on natural resources.
Furthermore, environmental protection can also help to address poverty and
social inequality. Many vulnerable communities, such as indigenous peoples
and coastal communities, rely heavily on natural resources for their livelihoods.
Protecting these resources can help to reduce poverty and promote social
equity.
In conclusion, environmental protection is a key factor for nation-building in
the Philippines. It is essential to protect natural resources and promote
sustainable practices to ensure the country's sustainable development and
build a resilient and equitable society for future generations.
THANK YOU