Climate change can be caused gradually by natural processes or suddenly by

large events, such as a massive meteorite strike or volcanic activity.

Meaning of Greenhouse Effect:
The greenhouse effect is the natural process by which certain gases in the
Earth's atmosphere trap heat from the sun, keeping the planet warm enough to
support life. Without it, Earth would be too cold to live on. However, human
activities have increased these gases, making the Earth warmer than necessary
— leading to climate change.
List of Greenhouse Gases and Examples:
Greenhouse Gas Symbol Main Sources/Examples
Carbon Dioxide -CO₂. -Burning fossil fuels, deforestation
Methane. -CH₄ -Cows (livestock farming), landfills, rice paddies
Nitrous Oxide.-N₂O- Fertilizers, car emissions, industrial gases
Water Vapor.-H₂0- Naturally present; increases with warming
Ozone O₃ Found in the atmosphere; some pollution-related sources
Chlorofluorocarbons CFCs Refrigerants, air conditioners (now mostly
banned due to ozone damage)
Example of Greenhouse Effect in Action:
1. The sun sends energy to Earth.
2. Earth absorbs it and reflects some as heat.
3. Greenhouse gases trap part of this heat in the atmosphere
4. This keeps the planet warm — but too much gas traps too much heat,
causing global warming.

1. Burning of Fossil Fuels -Activities like driving cars, generating

electricity, and running factories burn coal, oil, and gas. This releases
carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere,
trapping heat.
2. Deforestation -Trees absorb CO₂. Cutting them down reduces the Earth’s
ability to remove CO₂ from the [Link] are often cleared for farming,
mining, or urban development.
3. Industrial Activities Factories release greenhouse gases like CO₂,
methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) through processes like cement
production, chemical manufacturing, and mining.

4. Agriculture-Livestock like cows release methane, a powerful greenhouse

gas. Some fertilizers release nitrous oxide, another heat-trapping gas.
5. Waste Management-Landfills produce methane as organic waste breaks
down. Poor waste disposal and burning also contribute to emissions.
6. Overuse of Natural Resources - Overusing land and water can disturb
ecosystems and increase emissions.
 Natural causes are non-human factors that influence the Earth’s climate
and environment. These causes can lead to climate variations over time
without human involvement.
Examples of Natural Causes:
1. Volcanic Eruptions
Release ash and gases like sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, which can cool
the Earth temporarily by blocking sunlight.
2. Solar Radiation Changes
The sun’s energy output varies slightly over time, affecting Earth’s
temperature.
3. Ocean Currents
Natural patterns like El Niño and La Niña shift heat around the planet,
influencing global weather and climate.
4. Earth’s Orbital Changes
Over thousands of years, changes in Earth’s orbit and tilt (Milankovitch
cycles) can lead to ice ages or warming periods.
5. Natural Forest Fires
Caused by lightning or dry conditions, they release carbon dioxide and affect
ecosystems.
The three Main Human Activities
1. Burning of Fossil Fuels- When humans burn coal, oil, and natural gas for
energy (to power homes, cars, factories, etc.), it releases large amounts of
carbon dioxide (CO₂) — a greenhouse gas — into the atmosphere.
Examples: Driving petrol or diesel cars
Generating electricity in coal-fired power plants
Airplane travel
2. Deforestation- destruction of forests
-releases carbon dioxide and reduces the number of trees able to capture
carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
3. Reduction of Biodiversity
-Creates an unstable Ecosystem. Nature loss leads to ecosystems that are
less able to capture carbon from the atmosphere and less resilient to rising
temperatures
Reduction of biodiversity means a decline in the variety and number of living
species (plants, animals, and microorganisms) in a specific area or on the planet.
It occurs when species go extinct or their populations shrink due to
environmental changes, human activities, or natural disasters.
Biodiversity is important for ecosystem balance, food, medicine, and clean air
and water. When it’s reduced, ecosystems become weaker and more vulnerable
to changes.
Examples of Reduction of Biodiversity:
1. Deforestation in the Amazon – Destroys habitats of many unique species
like jaguars and tree frogs.
2. Coral Bleaching – Warmer oceans kill coral reefs, reducing marine
biodiversity.
3. Poaching and Overhunting – Reduces animal populations (e.g., rhinos,
elephants).
4. Pollution – Chemicals in rivers or oceans kill fish and aquatic plants.
5. Invasive Species – Non-native species (like cane toads in Australia)
outcompete or kill native species
6. Climate Change – Alters habitats so some species can no longer survive
(e.g., polar bears losing ice habitat).
The Climate is Changing
-Temperatures are rising
-Sea levels are rising
-The ocean is acidifying
-Climate change is reflected in water cycle changes and in extreme weather
Water Cycle
The water cycle (also called the hydrological cycle) is the continuous
movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. It shows how
water circulates through different parts of the environment — atmosphere, land,
and oceans — by changing states: solid, liquid, and gas.
The water cycle distributes fresh water, supports plant and animal life, and plays
a key role in weather patterns and climate regulation.
Main Stages of the Water Cycle:
1. Evaporation
Heat from the sun turns water from oceans, lakes, and rivers into water vapor
(gas), which rises into the air.
Transpiration is the process where plants release water vapor from their leaves
into the air. This water comes from the soil, absorbed by plant roots, and exits
through tiny pores (stomata) in the leaves. Transpiration, combined with
evaporation from water bodies, forms a process called evapotranspiration, which
contributes to the water vapor in the atmosphere. This vapor later condenses
into clouds.
2. Condensation
As water vapor cools in the atmosphere, it condenses into tiny droplets, forming
clouds.
3. Precipitation
When clouds become heavy, water falls back to Earth as rain, snow, hail, or
sleet.
4. Collection (or Runoff)
Water collects in rivers, lakes, oceans, or soaks into the ground as groundwater,
ready to start the cycle again.
Types of Renewable and Alternative Forms of Energy
[Link] (or hydroelectric power)
A form of renewable energy that uses moving water—usually from rivers or dams
—to generate electricity. It works by using the force of flowing or falling water to
spin turbines, which activate generators that produce electricity.
Hydropower is clean and renewable, but building dams can impact ecosystems
and displace communities.
Example of Hydropower:
The Three Gorges Dam in China – One of the largest hydropower plants in the
world, generating enough electricity to power millions of homes.
Kainji Dam in Nigeria – A major source of hydropower in West Africa
[Link]
Biomass is a type of renewable energy made from organic materials, such as
plants, wood, agricultural waste, and animal manure. These materials are burned
or converted into fuel to produce heat or electricity.
Biomass releases energy when it is burned or processed, and since the materials
can be regrown or collected repeatedly, it is considered renewable.
Biomass helps reduce waste and carbon emissions but must be managed
carefully to avoid deforestation or pollution.
Example of Biomass:
Wood chips burned in a biomass power plant to generate electricity.
Sugarcane waste (bagasse) used to produce energy in sugar factories.
Biogas produced from animal waste used for cooking or lighting in rural homes.
[Link] Energy
Is a type of renewable energy that comes from the heat stored beneath the
Earth’s surface. This natural heat can be used to produce electricity or provide
direct heating for buildings, greenhouses, and industries. It works by tapping into
hot water or steam reservoirs underground to spin turbines or transfer heat.
Example of Geothermal Energy:
The Hellisheiai Power Station in Iceland – One of the largest geothermal power
plants in the world, providing electricity and hot water to the capital, Reykjavík.
Geothermal heating systems used in homes or buildings in countries like Kenya,
the U.S., and the Philippines.
[Link] Energy
Is renewable energy that comes from the sun’s light and heat. It is captured
using devices like solar panels, which convert sunlight into electricity or use it for
heating.
Solar energy is clean, sustainable, and reduces dependence on fossil fuels.
Example of Solar Energy:
Solar panels on rooftops used to power homes or charge solar lamps.
Large solar farms, like the Bhadla Solar Park in India, which generate electricity
for thousands of people.
Solar water heaters that use sunlight to heat water for daily use.
[Link] Energy
Wind energy is a renewable form of energy that uses the movement of air (wind)
to produce electricity. Large turbines with blades capture the wind’s kinetic
energy and spin a generator to create power.
Wind energy is clean and sustainable but depends on wind availability and open
spaces.
Example of Wind Energy:
Small wind turbines used in rural areas to power homes or water pumps.
Bangui Wind Farm – Ilocos Norte
Located in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, it is the first and largest wind farm in the
Philippines..It features a row of 20 wind turbines along the shoreline, each
standing 70 meters tall. The farm helps supply clean electricity to the local grid
and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
Burgos Wind Farm – Also in Ilocos Norte, it’s even larger and one of the biggest
wind farms in Southeast Asia.
Pililla Wind Farm – Located in Rizal province, popular for both power generation
and tourism.
[Link] Cells
A fuel cell is a device that produces electricity through a chemical reaction
between hydrogen and oxygen, without burning fuel. It’s a clean energy source
that only emits water and heat as [Link] cells are efficient and can
power anything from cars to buildings.
Example of Fuel Cells:
Hydrogen fuel cell cars like the Toyota Mirai that run on hydrogen instead of
gasoline.
Fuel cell backup systems used in hospitals or data centers during power outages.
NASA spacecraft’s have used fuel cells to generate power and drinking water for
astronauts.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY THROUGH THE RENEWABLE ENERGY LAW (RA
9513)
Republic Act No. 9513, also known as the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, is a
Philippine law that promotes the development, utilization, and use of renewable
energy (RE) sources to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, protect the
environment, and ensure sustainable energy for the future.
- promotes the development. Utilization and Commercialization of renewable
energy resources, provide incentives to Project proponents that utilize renewable
resources.
Goal of RA 9513:
To make the Philippines energy secure, eco-friendly, and sustainable by
harnessing its natural renewable energy potential.
Key Roles of the Department of Energy (DOE):
1. Lead Implementing Agency
The DOE is responsible for implementing RA 9513 and ensuring the country’s
shift to renewable energy sources.
2. Promotion and Development
Encourages investments in solar, wind, hydro, biomass, geothermal, and ocean
energy projects.
3. Policy and Regulation
Sets guidelines, approves renewable energy service contracts, and oversees
compliance.
4. Incentives for Investors and Developers
Under the law, the government provides incentives
5. Public Awareness and Education
Promotes energy conservation and educates people on the benefits of renewable
energy.