Global environmental problems

1. Enabling Approaches
to Sustainability
SESSION 3
Ruth Sarra Guzman
Professor, Rizal Technological University
and Board Chair, PATLEPAM
Manila, Philippines

2. Outline
 Introduction
 The Ecosystem Perspective -
 Basic Ecological Principles
 Environmental Principles
 Ensuring Environmental Sustainability
 Sustainable Development Paradigm
 Social, Economic and Ecological Perspectives

3. SD and Climate Change
Sustainable
development
policies
Climate
change
Sustainable
development
Climate
change
policies
 Alternative development pathways
 Sectoral environment/ economic policies
 Institutional/managerial changes
 Innovation/ technological change
 Avoided climate change damage
 Ancillary benefits/costs
 Spillovers/trade effects
 Innovation/technological change
Two-way linkages between climate change and sustainable development. Source: Swart et.al (2003)

5. The State of Environment
• One of 17 mega-diverse countries in the
world
Containing two-thirds of the earth’s biodiversity
70-80% of the world’s endangered species

6. The State of Environment
• 4th in the World in bird endemism
• 5th in the World in mammal endemism
• 5th in the World in number of plant species
• 8th in the World in reptile endemism

7. The State of Environment
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River
National Park
Mayon Volcano
Candidates for
the
NEW 7
WONDERS OF
THE WORLD
Chocolate Hills Tubbataha Reef

8. The State of Environment
Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor
Center of the center of marine shorefish diversity
in the world
(Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion)

9. The State of Environment
Philippine Water Resources
Water Supply = 146.0 Bcu.m
Water Consumption = 40.9 Bcu.m
Consumption Ratio = 28.0%

10. The State of Environment
• One of the hottest ‘hot
spots’ in habitat destruction

11. The State of Environment
• Massive loss of forest cover which is now
down to only about 18% of our total land area
• Only about 800,000 hectares of virgin forest
left

12. The State of Environment
• Threatened and endangered species (increasing in about
9.7% annually)
• Only 5% of our coral reefs remain in excellent condition
• 30-50% of our seagrass beds were lost in the last 50 years
• Only 112,400 hectares of mangroves left (decline from
450,000 ha in 1918)

13. The State of Environment
• The degradation of coastal and marine
ecosystem has affected fish production
• Catch per municipal fisherman significantly went
down from about 1500 kg per year in 1987 to
about 1100 kg per year in 1996 and declining

14. The State of Environment
• Groundwater levels going down by 5-10 meters for the last
several decades that led to saline intrusion and ground
subsidence
• Sixteen major rivers, five in Metro Manila, are biologically-dead
during summer months due to pollution
• 48% of water pollution is caused by household waste,
compounded by the lack of an adequate sewerage system

15. The State of Environment
• TSP levels above the standards by as
much as 200% causing adverse health
impacts

16. The State of Environment
• In 2000, 76M Filipinos generated over 10 million tons of
municipal solid wastes.
• In 2007, waste generated was 12.45 million tons.
• On 2012, waste projection is pegged at 14 million tons

17. The State of Environment
VAST MINERAL RESOURCES
Mineral Land Distribution
(As % of Total Philippine Land Area)
30% or 9 Million
Hectares
High-Potential
Low-Medium Potential
70%
Only 1.4% being
exploited
Land Area: 30 million Hectares

18. Global catastrophes are happening
And will continue to happen…
…

19. THE NEED FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
•PRESENTLY
– Alarming rate of environmental
degradation
– Adverse environmental issues and
problems
– Bring havoc and poses a very
serious problem

20. Climate change Ozone depletion
Deforestation and desertification Water scarcity (freshwater)
Losses of soil Reduction of biodiversity
Land, atmosphere and ocean
pollution
Scarcity of natural resources and
energy
Food security Depletion of biological resources
Overpopulation Residue production
Accelerating trends of urbanization Development of megacities
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS –
DO WE KNOW THEM ALL?

21. PHILOSOPHY
“For humankind to SURVIVE and IMPROVE its
QUALITY OF LIFE, it is ABSOLUTELY
NECESSARY for Everyone to become Aware of
and Understand Humanity’s Relation to the
Environment.
Develop Values and Attitudes of
Conservation and Social Justice, and
Act, Alone or in Groups, in such Ways as
to Correct or Prevent Environmental
Problems” .
TO SAVE MANKIND, EVERYONE SHOULD
BE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

22. • Finiteness of Resources
–Ours is a Finite Earth
–Ang Kalikasan ay may
Hangganan

23. The natural resources needed
to maintain the lifestyle of
one person in the United
States are equal to what is
required by 200 to 300 Asians.
Imagine what would happen if
the same North American
lifestyle were to be extended
to people everywhere.

24. • Materials Cycle/Pollution
–Everything Must Go Somewhere
–Ang Lahat ay may Patutunguhan

25. THE LINEAR SOCIETY
Resources
Production
Consumption
WASTE
Waste Disposal Industry
Waste Regulation Industry
Where shall we put it?
Is it safe?
GARBAGE DISPOSAL MENTALITY

26. • Balance of Nature
Nature Knows Best
Ang Kalikasan ang Mas
Nakakaalam

27. • Diversity and Stability
All Forms of Life are Important
Ang Lahat ng Uri ng may
Buhay ay Mahalaga

28. • Change
–Everything Changes
–Ang Lahat ay Nagbabago

29. CHANGES
Cyclic
Seasons
Night and Day
Tides
Biogeochemical: C-O, N, P, S, Cycles
Hydrologic Cycle

30. Linear
Erosion
Corrosion of metals
Extinction of Species

31. Random/Catastrophic
• Volcanic eruptions
• Earthquakes
• Meteor showers
• Landslides, Mudslides
Floods

32. • Interdependence
Everything is Connected to
Everything Else
Ang Lahat ay Magkaugnay

33. CONCEPT OF
INTERDEPENDENCE
• COMPLEX INTERACTIONS EXIST
BETWEEN THE LIVING AND NON-
LIVING COMPONENTS OF THE
ECOSYSTEM.

34. CONCEPT OF
INTERDEPENDENCE
• The structure and function of ecological
systems are interrelated with socio-economic
systems.
SOCIOECONOMIC SYSTEM
ECOLOGICAL
SYSTEM

35. Thank you