THE NATURA AND SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM
"Environment includes water, air and land and the inter-relationship which exists among and
between water, air and land, and human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organism
and property"
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Components of the Environment
Atmosphere (Air): The layer of gases surrounding the Earth.
Hydrosphere (Water): All water bodies, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and
groundwater.
Lithosphere (Land): The solid Earth, including rocks, minerals, and soil.
Biosphere (Living Organisms): The realm where living organisms exist, including
plants, animals, and microorganisms.
Environmental Problems
Climate Change
Pollution
Biodiversity Loss
Deforestation
Resource Depletion
Climate Change
The global rise in temperatures caused by greenhouse gas emissions, leading to significant
impacts on weather patterns, ecosystems, and human livelihoods.
Republic Act No. 9729, also known as the Climate Change Act of 2009: This landmark
law is the Philippines' primary legal framework for addressing climate change. It mandates
the mainstreaming of climate change into government policies and programs, promotes
adaptation and mitigation measures, and establishes the Climate Change Commission (CCC)
as the lead agency for coordinating climate change actions.
Pollution
The contamination of air, water, and soil by substances that are harmful to human health and
the environment, such as industrial emissions, agricultural runoff, and plastic waste.
Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act No. 8749): This law aims to protect and preserve the
country's air quality by regulating air pollution from various sources, including motor
vehicles, industrial facilities, and other sources. It sets emission standards and penalties for
violators.
Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (Republic Act No. 9275): This law aims to protect the
country's water resources from pollution and degradation. It establishes water quality
standards, regulates the discharge of pollutants into water bodies, and promotes the
sustainable management of water resources.
Biodiversity Loss
The decline in the variety and abundance of species and ecosystems, mainly due to habitat
destruction, pollution, and climate change.
Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (Republic Act No. 9147): This law
aims to conserve and protect the country's wildlife resources and their habitats. It regulates
the collection and trade of wildlife and their by-products.
National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 (Republic Act No.
7586): This law establishes a comprehensive system of protected areas to conserve and
protect the country's biological diversity, watersheds, wildlife, and natural resources.
Deforestation
The clearing of forests for agriculture, and urbanization, resulting in habitat loss, carbon
dioxide emissions, and the reduction of biodiversity.
Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree No. 705): This law serves
as the primary legal framework for forest management and conservation in the Philippines. It
mandates the proper classification, management, and utilization of forestlands to maximize
their productivity and prevent deforestation.
The Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan Act of 1992 (Republic Act No. 7611):
This law establishes a comprehensive framework for the sustainable development of
Palawan, a biodiversity hotspot, by requiring all government projects to align with the
framework and establishing an "Environmentally Critical Areas Network" (ECAN) to protect
natural resources.
Resource Depletion
The unsustainable extraction and consumption of natural resources, including minerals, fossil
fuels, and freshwater, leading to depletion and long-term environmental impacts.
Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 (Republic Act No. 8550): This law provides for the
conservation, management, and sustainable development of the country's fisheries and
aquatic resources. It aims to prevent overfishing and promote responsible fishing practices.
Mining Act of 1995 (Republic Act No. 7942): This law regulates the exploration,
development, and utilization of mineral resources in the Philippines. It aims to promote
responsible mining practices and ensure that mining activities are conducted in a sustainable
manner.
C.1 Interaction Systems
Interaction systems describe the intricate web of relationships within an ecosystem. An
ecosystem, encompassing both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components, functions
as a dynamic network where energy and matter are exchanged continuously. These
interactions are not isolated events but rather interconnected processes that shape the overall
health and stability of the ecosystem.
Several key types of interactions exist within these systems:
Predation: The consumption of one organism (prey) by another (predator). This
interaction regulates population sizes and influences species distribution.
Competition: Organisms vying for limited resources such as food, water, shelter, or
mates. Competition can lead to niche differentiation and resource partitioning.
Symbiosis: Close and often long-term interactions between two different species.
This includes mutualism (both species benefit), commensalism (one benefits, the
other is unaffected), and parasitism (one benefits at the expense of the other).
Nutrient Cycling: The continuous flow of nutrients through the ecosystem, involving
decomposition, uptake by plants, and consumption by animals. This interaction is
essential for maintaining ecosystem productivity.
C.2 Environmental Disturbances
Environmental disturbances are events or processes that disrupt the structure and function of
an ecosystem. These disturbances can be either natural or anthropogenic (human-caused).
Natural Disturbances: These include events like:
Wildfires: While destructive, wildfires can also be essential for nutrient cycling and
regeneration in certain ecosystems.
Floods: Floods can reshape landscapes and redistribute nutrients, but can also cause
significant damage and mortality.
Droughts: Prolonged periods of water scarcity can lead to widespread plant and
animal mortality, altering community composition.
Volcanic eruptions: Can drastically alter landscapes, releasing gases and ash that
can impact air and water quality.
Anthropogenic Disturbances: Human activities are increasingly significant drivers of
environmental change, including:
Deforestation: Removal of forests leads to habitat loss, soil erosion, and altered
climate patterns.
Pollution: Introduction of harmful substances into the environment, affecting air,
water, and soil quality.
Climate change: Alterations in global temperature and precipitation patterns,
causing widespread ecological disruptions.
C.3 Public Awareness and Action
-refers to the process of informing the general public about a particular issue, concern, or
cause, with the goal of encouraging them to take active steps to address it, whether through
individual behaviour changes, community engagement, or advocating for policy changes.
- Public awareness plays a critical role in tackling environmental challenges.
- Governments, organizations, and communities must collaborate to promote education and
sustainable practices, empowering citizens to reduce their environmental impact.
C.4 The Challenging Role of Technology
-While technology can offer solutions to environmental problems—such as renewable
energy or pollution control—it also contributes to many of the issues.
- Balancing innovation with sustainability is a major challenge, as new technologies must be
designed to minimize harm to the environment while still addressing human needs.
REFFERENCES:
Sandy McCarthy, Research Databases on Environmental Sciences 105, Environmental
Sciences 101, Books.
Maureen Perault, Books on Fracking Ph.D., David,Controversial Issues, Environmental
Science.
Singh, V., and Chandel, C. P. S., Analytical Study of Heavy Metals of Industrial Effluents at
Jaipur, Rajasthan (India). Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering, 2006
Slooff, W., (Editor), Basisdocumentfluoriden. Bilthoven, Netherlands, National Institute of
Public Health and Environmental Protection (Report No. 758474005), 1988.
Soskolne, C. L., Westra, L., and Kotzé, L. J. (Ed.), Sustaining Life on Earth: Environmental
and Human Health through Global Governance. Lexington Books, Maryland, 2008, ISBN:
9780739117309.
