Module 9
Learning objectives:
- Analyze the dangers and the detrimental effects
of environmental issues
- Identify the environmental issues in the
Philippines
- Propose policies to address environmental issues
and problems
Introduction
Environmental issues are harmful effects of
human activity on the biophysical environment.
Over the years, the environment has been
changing, and not for the better. This topic looks at
the gravity and the seriousness of the
environmental problems and issues brought about
by business activities and the challenge to protect
and preserve the environmental resources that
people depend on.
The current top environmental issues
according to Megan Ray Nichols
1) Public health
Pollution, water scarcity and overpopulation
present a clear danger to public health.
2) Land management and urban sprawl
Urban sprawl is the uncontrolled expansion of
urban areas. This is the modern problem that
threatens the environment.
3) Waste disposal
People’s trash ends up either in landfills or in
environmental habitats and the ocean. The
earth and humans are harmed by waste
disposal.
4) Overpopulation
It is a serious and even life-threatening
problem that humanity has to deal with because
the earth and its resources are limited.
5) Loss of biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of life in the world or
a particular ecosystem.
6) Water scarcity and water pollution
There are two ways water can be scarce
which is either there is lack of water or there is
lack of drinkable water. Water can become
polluted with things such as toxins and
hazardous chemicals.
7) Pollution
Air, soil and water all have the capability to be
polluted. Because of pollution, the earth is
rapidly becoming unsuitably for decent human
living.
8) Deforestation
It causes greenhouse gas emissions. There
are fewer trees to produce oxygen and absorb
carbon dioxide.
9) Ecosystems and endangered species
Lost habitats mean losing the species that are
living there.
10) Climate change
It is already happening with greenhouse
gases both natural and manmade as the main
cause. There has been a big impact of climate
change on habitats, agriculture, the ocean and
natural disasters.
Environmental issues in the Philippines
a) Pollution is the introduction of contaminants
into the environment causing adverse change. It is
present through noise, air and water.
Examples:
smoke belching vehicles, gases from
factories, inappropriate industrial waste disposal
b) Global warming due to emission of
greenhouse gases.
People emit greenhouse gas in almost
all of their activities such as using electric
stoves, driving cars and clothes dryer.
Climate change is a pressing environmental
issue here in the Philippines.
Some of the impacts of climate change:
- Frequency and severity of natural disasters
- Sea level rise
- Extreme rainfall
- Global warming
- Resource shortages
- Environmental degradation
These impacts have affected the
nation’s agriculture, water, infrastructure,
human health and coastal ecosystems.
c) Overpopulation
The result of overpopulation is
famine, poverty and more pollution. More
garbage have to be disposed because of
overpopulation.
d) Natural resources depletion
Mining and quarrying are to be accused
for destroying the splendor of the natural
environment.
Water, oil and forests are the top three on
the list of depleting resources.
e) Waste disposal
Disposing waste improperly is a big
problem in almost all areas of the country.
Waterways are often blocked by garbage
thrown into the rivers and canals.
Summary
Environmental issues and problems are harmful effects
of human activity on the environment.
Megan Ray Nichols enumerated the following current top
environmental issues that humanity is confronted with such as:
public health, land management and urban sprawl, waste
disposal, overpopulation, loss of biodiversity, water scarcity
and water pollution, pollution, deforestation, ecosystems and
endangered species and climate change.
The environmental issues in the Philippines are pollution,
global warming due to emission of greenhouse gases,
overpopulation, natural resources depletion and waste
disposal.