Module 4

CWTS 1
 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
College Department

Lesson 4 : Definitions of environment protection, climate change, and solid waste

management.

Chapter 5 : Environmental Protection

Week no: 10

Introduction :

Environmental protection is the practice of protecting the natural environment by

individuals, organizations and governments. Its objectives are to conserve natural resources
and the existing natural environment and, where possible, to repair damage and reverse trends.
Every one knows that there is only one life to live. Life is perceived to be immediate or close to
our humanity the reason why its significance is easily recognized and understood. But only a
few realize that life is lived in no other place but the word. A simple logic dictates that if life is
lived only in the world hence, the latter has the same significance as to what, why and how life
is supposed to live by the human beings. It must be of the same understanding and concern on
how we should make this world livable. Saving the world and its physical structure is more than
a social responsibility because human connection of nature and life transcends mere obligations
of human to nature.

Objectives :

After successful completion of this cycle, you should be able to:

 Understand the significance of protecting the environment;

 Develop awareness on the debilitating effects of catastrophic event that may
happen due to an indifferent attitude to environmental conservation and
protection.

Course Materials :

What is meant by environmental protection? Environmental protection has always

been practiced by humans in one form or another. However, as anthropogenic pressures on the
environment have escalated over the past century, the need for systematic environmental
protection has increased. This has led to considerable experimentation with the domestic and
international measures that are used to achieve environmental protection objectives. Some of
these have been successful, but the overall picture is one of failure. Due to the failings of the
past and greater awareness of the complexity of environmental problems, there is a growing
acceptance that environmental protection is best achieved through the use of a multipronged
approach. This requires the use of a combination of regulatory, economic, voluntary, and
information instruments, where the policy mix is determined on the basis of the available
evidence regarding cost-effectiveness.
Environmental Protection includes programs that are aimed at reducing risks to the
environment from contaminants such as hazardous materials and wastes, fuels, and oils. 
These programs address pollution prevention measures and regulatory compliance by providing
procedures for safely working with these materials, inspecting the storage vessels and
locations, and designating preventative maintenance procedures.  Also included are
environmental emergency plans, which provide the appropriate actions to be taken in the event
of a spill or release.

The international challenge lies in the development of effective and equitable

approaches to global environmental problems that are supported by a well-resourced
bureaucracy and appropriate financial mechanisms. The threat posed by climate change has
added greater urgency to the push for effective international environmental
governance arrangements.

What is climate change? Climate Change is the defining issue of our time and we are
at a defining moment. From shifting weather patterns that threaten food production, to rising sea
levels that increase the risk of catastrophic flooding, the impacts of climate change are global in
scope and unprecedented in scale. Without drastic action today, adapting to these impacts in
the future will be more difficult and costly.

Greenhouse gases occur naturally and are essential to the survival of humans and
millions of other living things, by keeping some of the sun’s warmth from reflecting back into
space and making Earth livable. But after more than a century and a half of industrialization,
deforestation, and large scale agriculture, quantities of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
have risen to record levels not seen in three million years. As populations, economies and
standards of living grow, so does the cumulative level of greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions.
 There are some basic well-established scientific links:

 The concentration of GHGs in the earth’s atmosphere is directly linked to the average global
temperature on Earth;

 The concentration has been rising steadily, and mean global temperatures along with it, since
the time of the Industrial Revolution;

 The most abundant GHG, accounting for about two-thirds of GHGs, carbon dioxide (CO 2), is
largely the product of burning fossil fuels.

The entire world is affected by its and its effects are undauntedly far reaching in nature
causing damages in propertied and lives not only of humans but all other living species in this
world, The presidential task force on climate change proposed the following solutions:

 Consumers may do their share through climate-friendly energy supply mix, energy
generation and energy efficiency adaptation
 Policy incentives for renewal schemes, climate-friendly technologies
 Subsidies for lowering costs for power generation using solar, wind and other natural-
based related technologies

What is solid waste management? Solid-waste management is collecting, treating, and

disposing of solid material that is discarded because it has served its purpose or is no longer
useful. Improper disposal of municipal solid waste can create unsanitary conditions, and these
conditions in turn can lead to pollution of the environment and to outbreaks of vector-borne
disease—that is, diseases spread by rodents and insects. The tasks of solid-waste
management present complex technical challenges. They also pose a wide variety of
administrative, economic, and social problems that must be managed and solved.

Read:
Chapter 4- Disaster Management
National Service Training Program with Common and Specific Modules
By: Rogelio I. Espiritu, Maria Rosario E. Monce, Madeleine M. Co, Jayme C. Ignacio and
Katherine C. Guevarra
Activities / Assessment :

1. How can you help in the conservation of our natural resources?

2. What preparations do you have in mind for the following disasters?
a. Typhoons
b. Volcanic eruptions
c. Earthquakes
d. Flash floods / landslides
 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
College Department

Lesson 5 : Causes and Impact of Climate Change

Chapter 5: Environmental Protection

Week no: 11

Introduction :

Climate Change leads to changes in geophysical, biological and socio-economic system

of our environment. It includes changes in wind-pattern, precipitation, temperature, ocean pH,
and changes in weather extremes, sea ice and sea-level which will then impact natural
ecosystem and human societies. Some examples of geo-physical changes are warming over
land, increase in frequency extremes of heat and precipitation and increase in tropical cyclone
intensity.

Objectives :

After successful completion of this cycle, you should be able to:

 Develop awareness on the causes and impact of Climate Change;

 Enhance your sensitivity and deep concern to protect the environment.

Course Materials :
 Read:
Chapter 4- Disaster Management
National Service Training Program with Common and Specific Modules
By: Rogelio I. Espiritu, Maria Rosario E. Monce, Madeleine M. Co, Jayme C. Ignacio and
Katherine C. Guevarra

Activities / Assessment :

1. List down ways on how you can help in your community when the calamities occurs.
2. How prepare is your community during the time of disasters?
 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
College Department

Lesson 6: Different medium of Solid Waste Management

Chapter 5: Environmental Protection

Week no: 12

Introduction :

Solid waste is the unwanted or useless solid materials generated from combined
residential, industrial, and commercial activities in a given area. A waste in solid forms like
papers, glass, plastic, scrap iron and other trash. It also includes garbage, rubbish, demolition
products, sewage treatment residue, dead animals, and manure and other discarded materials.

What is solid waste management? Solid waste management means managing the
solid waste for the betterment of environment and all living being.

Objectives :

After successful completion of this cycle, you should be able to:

 Actively involve yourselves to any projects and activities geared towards solid waste
management;
 Develop awareness on the bad effect of waste in all living being.
 Understand the significance of solid waste management.

Course Materials :

What are the medium of solid waste management?

The following are some of the recognized mediums:

a. Sanitary Landfill. A modern sanitary landfill is not a dump; it is an engineered facility

used for disposing of solid wastes on land without creating nuisances or hazards to
public health or safety, such as the breeding of insects and the contamination of ground
water. Municipal solid waste can be used to generate energy. This is the most popular
solid waste disposal method used today.
b. Incineration. Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of
organic substances contained in waste materials. Incineration and other high-
temperature waste treatment systems are described as "thermal treatment". Incineration
of waste materials converts the waste into ash, flue gas and heatThis method involves
the burning of solid wastes at high temperatures until the wastes are turned into ashes.
c. Recovery and Recycling. Reuse is the process, which involves reusing items by
repairing them, donating them to charity and community groups, or selling them.
Reusing products is an alternative to recycling because the item does not need to be
reprocessed for its use again. Using durable glassware, steel using cloth napkins or
towels, reusing bottles, reusing boxes, purchasing refillable pens and pencils are
suggested.The process of recycling, including composting, has diverted several million
 tons of material away from disposal. Recycled materials include batteries, recycled at a
rate of 93%, paper and paperboard at 48%, and yard trimmings at 56%. These materials
and others may be recycled through drop off centers, buy-back programs, and deposit
systems.
d. Composting. Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants
grow. Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up more than 28 percent
of what we throw away, and should be composted instead. Making compost keeps
these materials out of landfills where they take up space and release methane, a
potent greenhouse gas.
e. Pyrolysis.It is the thermal decomposition of materials at elevated temperatures in an
inert atmosphere. It involves a change of chemical composition. The word is coined from
the Greek-derived elements pyro "fire" and lysis "separating". Pyrolysis is most
commonly used in the treatment of organic material.

Read:
National Service Training Program with Common and Specific Modules
By: Rogelio I. Espiritu, Maria Rosario E. Monce, Madeleine M. Co, Jayme C. Ignacio and
Katherine C. Guevarra

Activities / Assessment :

1. Why do we need to manage the solid waste?

2. How will you involve yourselves to any projects and activities geared towards solid waste
management?