Lesson 1 - Environmental Protection and Management

Introduction

Environment is sum total of

water, air, animals , human man

n
organisms
lives. Air,
water, and
land
constitutes
our
surroundi
ng and is
directly
influencin
g us. Singh
categorize
d
environme
nt into
four
scopes:
atmospher
e,
hydrosphe
re and
lithospher
e and the
biosphere.
According
to the
National
Geographi
c, we live
at the
bottom of
an
invisible
ocean
called the
atmospher
e, a layer
of gases
surroundi
ng
our planet.
Nitrogen
and
oxygen
account
for 99
percent of
the gases
in dry air,
with
argon,
carbon
dioxide,
helium,
neon, and
other
gases
making up
minute
portions.
Water
vapor and
dust are
also part
of Earth’s
atmospher
e.
Hydrosph
ere
comprises
the total
amount of
water on a
planet. It
includes
the oceans,
seas, lakes,
rivers,
streams,
reservoirs,
polar ice
caps,
glaciers
and
ground
water. It is
interconne
cted with
the other
"spheres"
of the
Earth.
Water
reserves of
the world
are
consists of
97.6%
saline or
ocean
water and
only 2.4%
freshwater
. The
abundance
of
water on
Earth
clearly
distinguish
es our
uniquenes
s from
other
planets in
the solar
system.
Water is a
basic
element of
the planet.
Water is
an
important
element of
the life
support
system in
which all
biochemic
al
reactions
within a
living
organism
and the
other
forms of
terrestrial
life rely. It
is vital for
self-
reproduci
ng life. It
is a
universal
solvent
and
carrier of
substances
.
Lithosphe
re is the
outer
mantle of
the solid
earth. It’s
the earth’s
outermost
rigid rock
layer
composed
of plates
that float
on the
asthenosp
here. It
consists of
minerals
occurring
in the
earth’s
crust and
the soil.
Minerals
are
metallic
and non-
metallic
elements
or
compound
s of
elements
or
compound
s of
elements
that occur
naturally
on
the earth’s
crust.
Minerals
are used in
many
different
ways, in
domestic,
agricultur
al,
industrial
and
commerci
al sectors
and helps
every
nation’s
economy.
Soil is the
upper
layer of
the earth’s
crust and
supports
plants,
animals
and
microorga
nisms.
Biosphere
is the layer
of the
earth that
contains
all living
organisms.
It is the
global
ecological
system
integratin
g all living
beings and
their
relationshi
ps,
including
their
interaction
with other
elements( l
ithosphere
,
hydrosphe
re, and
atmospher
e
Environm
ental
awareness
is being
aware of
the state of
the
environme
nt. The
environme
nt refers
to all parts
of nature,
living and
non-living.
Being
aware of
the
environme
nt is
particularl
y
important,
given the
increasing
environme
ntal
challenges
we are
facing,
such as:
 climate
change
 global
warming
 water
scarcity
 droughts
 deforesta
tion
 floods
 pollution
Environment is sum total of water, air, animals , human man
beings and other living organisms lives. Air, water, and land
constitutes our surrounding and is directly influencing us. Singh
categorized environment into four scopes: atmosphere, hydrosphere
and lithosphere and the biosphere. According to the National
Geographic, we live at the bottom of an invisible ocean called the
atmosphere, a layer of gases surrounding our planet. Nitrogen and
oxygen account for 99 percent of the gases in dry air, with argon,
carbon dioxide, helium, neon, and other gases making up minute
portions. Water vapor and dust are also part of Earth’s atmosphere.
Hydrosphere comprises the total amount of water on a planet. It
includes the oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, polar ice
caps, glaciers and ground water. It is interconnected with the other
"spheres" of the Earth. Water reserves of the world are consists of
97.6% saline or ocean water and only 2.4% freshwater. The abundance
of water on Earth clearly distinguishes our uniqueness from other
planets in the solar system. Water is a basic element of the planet.
Water is an important element of the life support system in which all
biochemical reactions within a living organism and the other forms of
terrestrial life rely. It is vital for self-reproducing life. It is a universal
solvent and carrier of substances. Lithosphere is the outer mantle of
the solid earth. It’s the earth’s outermost rigid rock layer composed of
plates that float on the asthenosphere. It consists of minerals
occurring in the earth’s crust and the soil. Minerals are metallic and
non-metallic elements or compounds of elements or compounds of
elements that occur naturally on the earth’s crust. Minerals are used in
many different ways, in domestic, agricultural, industrial and
commercial sectors and helps every nation’s economy. Soil is the
upper layer of the earth’s crust and supports plants, animals and
microorganisms .Biosphere is the layer of the earth that contains all
living organisms. It is the global ecological system integrating all
living beings and their relationships, including their interaction with
other elements( lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere
Environmental awareness is being aware of the state of the
environment. The environment refers to all parts of nature, living and
non-living. Being aware of the environment is particularly important,
given the increasing environmental challenges we are facing, such as;

climate change
global warming
water scarcity
droughts
deforestation
 floods
pollution

Environmental Education
It refers to organized efforts to
teach about how natural
environment function and,
particularly, how human beings
can manage their behavior and
ecosystems in order to
live sustainably. The term is
often used to imply education
within the school system,
from primary to post-secondary.
However, it is sometimes used
more broadly to
include all efforts to educate the
public and other audiences,
including print
materials, websites, media
campaigns, etc. Related
disciplines include outdoor
education and experiential
education.
Environmental education is a
learning process that increases
people's knowledge and
awareness about the
environment and associated
challenges, develops the
necessary
skills and expertise to address
the challenges, and fosters
attitudes, motivations, and
commitments to make informed
decisions and take responsible
action (UNESCO,
Tbilisi Declaration 1978).
Environmental Education is a
process which is very useful to
human beings in order
to manage well their
environment and instill the right
behavior that serves as key to
sustainable development.
Environmental
Management
Environmental Management is
defined as an attempt to control
human impact on and
interaction with environment to
preserve natural resources. It
focuses on the
improvement of human welfare
for present and future
generations. Contrary to what
the terms suggests,
environmental management is
not the management of the
environment but rather is the
management of the interaction
of modern human
societies with, and their impact
on the environment
3 main issues that affect
environmental managers
1. Politics
2. Programs
3. Resources
Environmental
Protection
The aim of Environmental
Protection is to reduced risks to
the environment from
contaminants such as hazardous
materials and wastes, fuels, and
oils. It 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.
Environmental Education It refers to organized efforts to teach about
how natural environment function and, particularly, how human beings
can manage their behavior and ecosystems in order to live
sustainably. The term is often used to imply education within the
school system, from primary to post-secondary. However, it is
sometimes used more broadly to include all efforts to educate the
public and other audiences, including print materials, websites, media
campaigns, etc. Related disciplines include outdoor education and
experiential education. Environmental education is a learning process
that increases people's knowledge and awareness about the
environment and associated challenges, develops the necessary skills
and expertise to address the challenges, and fosters attitudes,
motivations, and commitments to make informed decisions and take
responsible action (UNESCO, Tbilisi Declaration 1978).Environmental
Education is a process which is very useful to human beings in order
to manage well their environment and instill the right behavior that
serves as key to sustainable development. Environmental Management
Environmental Management is defined as an attempt to control human
impact on and interaction with environment to preserve natural
resources. It focuses on the improvement of human welfare for present
and future generations. Contrary to what the terms suggests,
environmental management is not the management of the environment
but rather is the management of the interaction of modern human
societies with, and their impact on the environment3 main issues that
affect environmental managers1. Politics2. Programs3. Resources
Environmental Protection The aim of Environmental Protection is to
reduced risks to the environment from contaminants such as
hazardous materials and wastes, fuels, and oils. It 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 as pill or release.

Following are the factors that affects the environment:

Impacts of Technology on the Environment Technology’ refers to the

application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes and the
machinery and devices developed as a result. It has provided humans
with countless benefits and has made human lives a lot easier. In the
environment, technology has both positive and negative impacts. As
the technology is improving, the air and water pollution is drastically
increasing. One of the negative impacts includes the amount of energy
that is consumed globally. Advance technology also require more
energy for equipment and machines. Industrialized countries are
considered as the greatest contributor of greenhouse gases that
causes global warming. Despite of the negative effects, it also brought
a lot of positive impacts. Promoting awareness on the impacts of
technology advance in the environment, many countries are now
engaged in "green technology "Human Impacts on the Environment
According to Berg, et al, human species is the most significant agent
of environmental change on earth, however, our intellectual capacity
has made it possible to explore our environment to made changes on
our environment. These changes made by humans triggered climate
change, soil erosion, poor air quality, and undrinkable water. have
greatly taken toll on our environment. Some of the impacts made by
humans are overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and
deforestation. Impacts of Population and Consumption on the
Environment The continuous growth of population lead to
environmental degradation as greater population means more
consumption of food, water, energy and raw materials. Huge
populations also produces enormous amounts of wastes and
population. Consumption, the human use of material and energy can
also have the same impact as overpopulation. High population means
higher demand for resources such as food, water and shelter. Impacts
of Agriculture on the Environment The traditional agricultural practice,
slash and burn and shifting agriculture has led to deforestation and
decline in land quality. Modern agriculture practices resulted to
greater environmental degradation. Soil quality degradation such as
salinity, nitrate pollution, water logging and nutrient imbalance
resulted from too much use of pesticides has led to the evolution of
more virulent and resistant pests .Impacts of Mining on Environment
on the Environment Mining is done to extract minerals or fossil fuels
from deep deposits in the soil by subsurface mining. The latter is more
destructive dangerous and expensive including risks of occupational
hazards and accidents.

3 types of surface mining:

Open-pit Mining

Dredging

Strip Mining

Impacts of Transportation on the Environment

Transportation
is the movement of materials and human beings from one place to
another. It could be carried out by several ways, it could be by land or
by water. Fossil fuels are usually used to run the automobiles. The
widespread use of automobiles brought about significant
environmental problems. Road and highway construction caused land
conversion, loss of fertile topsoil, soil erosion and clearing of forest in
the mountain areas. The Global Warming Global warming is defined the
warming of the earth's lower atmosphere because of increases in the
concentrations of one or more greenhouse gases primarily as a result
of one or more changes in any aspects of the earth's including
temperature, precipitation and storm activity. Climate change is
usually seen as a result of global warming. Greenhouses gases that
absorb and trap the sun's infrared radiation causing the warming of the
atmosphere is transferred back to the earth's surface warming the
land and ocean. The effects of global climate change include the
melting of land and ocean, sea level rise, change in the precipitation
patterns and impacts on agriculture, health and other organisms.
Greenhouses gases can remain in the atmosphere for hundred of
years.

2 Identified ways in managing global climate change

Mitigation- moderation or postponement of global climate change

through measures that reduce greenhouse gases emission

Adaptation- planned response to changes caused by global climate

change. Importance of Environment Education:

1. All major natural resources in the country are in grave danger of

irreparable damage.

2. A society cannot survive if its natural resources are rendered unfit

for use by its people.

3. The only hope of salvaging this grave situation is by making the

young aware that they need to proactively begin to protect the
environment they will inherit.
4. Science and Technology can help in a limited way but cannot deliver
it.

5. It is a moral and ethical education for changing people's attitude.

6. To protect children living in polluted regions, environmental

education represents a relevant means of prevention.

7. It is a need of the time to propose environmental education

delivered with moral concept.

8. It is concieved to sustain participation of the citizens especially the

youth particularly in combating ill effects of climate change.

Susan Toth, a Professor of Environmental Education at University of

Wisconsin –Stevens Point, asked each of her classes to share their
reasons they teach EE, what it means to them, and how it can benefit
learners of all ages. Here are our top ten benefits of EE.

Top 10 Benefits of Environmental Education

1. Imagination and enthusiasm are heightened EE is hands-on,

interactive learning that sparks the imagination and unlocks creativity.
When EE is integrated into the curriculum, students are more
enthusiastic and engaged in learning, which raises student
achievement in core academic areas.

2. Learning transcends the classroom Not only does EE offer

opportunities for experiential learning outside of the classroom, it
enables students to make connections and apply their learning in the
real world. EE helps learners see the interconnectedness of social,
ecological, economic, cultural, and political issues.

3. Critical and creative thinking skills are enhanced EE encourages

students to research, investigate how and why things happen, and
make their own decisions about complex environmental issues. By
developing and enhancing critical and creative thinking skills, EE
helps foster a new generation of informed consumers, workers, as well
as policy or decision makers.

4. Tolerance and understanding are supported EE encourages students

to investigate varying sides of issues to understand the full picture. It
promotes tolerance of different points of view and different cultures.

5. State and national learning standards are met for multiple subjects
6. Biophobia and nature deficit disorder decline By exposing students
to nature and allowing them to learn and play outside, EE fosters
sensitivity, appreciation, and respect for the environment. It combats
“nature deficit disorder” … and it’s FUN!

7. Healthy lifestyles are encouraged EE gets students outside and

active, and helps address some of the health issues we are seeing in
children today, such as obesity, attention deficit disorders, and
depression. Good nutrition is often emphasized through EE and stress
is reduced due to increased time spent in nature.

8. Communities are strengthened EE promotes a sense of place and

connection through community involvement. When students decide to
learn more or take action to improve their environment, they reach out
to community experts, donors, volunteers, and local facilities to help
bring the community together to understand and address
environmental issues impacting theirneighborhood.

9. Responsible action is taken to better the environment EE helps

students understand how their decisions and actions affect the
environment, builds knowledge and skills necessary to address
complex environmental issues, as well as ways we can take action to
keep our environment healthy and sustainable for the future. Service-
learning programs offered by PLT and other EE organizations provide
students and teachers with support through grants and other
resources for action projects.
10. Students and teachers are empowered EE promotes active
learning, citizenship, and student leadership. It empowers youth to
share their voice and make a difference at their school and in their
communities. EE helps teachers build their own environmental
knowledge and teaching skills. I hope these “top ten” benefits will give
you the confidence and commitment to incorporate EE into your
curriculum.

Learn more about the related Laws in Promoting Environment

Education
An act to promote environmental awareness through environmental
education and for other purposes. This Act is Known as the "National
Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008". In , Sec. 2.
Declaration of Policy states that: Consistent with the policy of the
State to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and
healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature,
and in recognition of the viral role of the youth in nation building and
the role of education to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate
social progress, and promote total human liberation and development,
the state shall promote national awareness on the role of natural
resources in economic growths and the importance of environmental
conservation and ecological balance towards sustained national
development. Republic Act 9003: January 26, 2001 - This is an act
providing for an ecological solid waste management program, creating
the necessary institutional mechanism and incentives, declaring
certain acts prohibited and providing penalties appropriating funds
thereof, and for other purposes. Republic Act No. 9275: March 22, 2004
- An Act providing for a comprehensive water quality management and
for other purposes. SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - The State shall
pursue a policy of economic growth in a manner consistent with the
protection, preservation and revival of the quality of our fresh,
brackish and marine waters .Republic Act 8749: June 23, 1999 -
"Philippines Clean Air Act of 1999" an act providing for a
comprehensive air pollution control policy and for other purposes.
Republic Act No. 9147 - An act providing for the conservation and
protection of wildlife resources and their habitats, appropriating funds
therefor and for other purposes. Republic Act No.9175 - An act
regulating the ownership, possession, sale, importation and use of
chainsaws, penalizing violations thereof and for other purposes.

3 types of surface mining:

 Open-pit Mining
 Dredging
 Strip M