Central Luzon State University Science City of Muoz, Nueva Ecija College of Education Department of Secondary Education

EDUC 165 Special Topics

Environment
-Written ReportBSEd 4-6 Physical Sciences Andrew A. Calso Jaymark L. Sanchez Lawrence P. Garcia Rachel V. Santiago Sherine Marianne Ignacio Randolf N. Cruz

Dr. Leila M. Collantes Professor

AUGUST 2013

ENVIRONMENT

Introduction What comes into your mind when you hear the word environment and how about the word nature? Do you think these two terms are similar? No, they dont. They are not similar. Environment is defined as surrounding influences; these are all the external factors influencing the life and activities of people, plants, and animals. Another definition is that of the natural world, especially when it is regarded as being at risk from the harmful influences of human activities. However, the nature is defined as the physical world; the physical world including all natural phenomena and living things. Environment, all of the external factors affecting an organism. These factors may be other living organisms (biotic factors) or nonliving variables (abiotic factors), such as temperature, rainfall, day length, wind, and ocean currents. The interactions of organisms with biotic and abiotic factors form an ecosystem. Even minute changes in any one factor in an ecosystem can influence whether or not a particular plant or animal species will be successful in its environment.

ORGANISMS

INTERACTION

CHANGE

The illustration depicts that an organism will interact on the environment and can cause change. Some human-induced changes are positive at the same time negative, positive because there is a mutual benefit and an
(1)

environmental sustainability and

negative because of unlimited and unrestrained use of the environmental resources. In turn, these changes (e.g. climate change / global warming) will affect the interaction of organisms. Scientists study the long-term consequences of human actions on the environment, while environmentalistsprofessionals in various fields, as well as concerned citizensadvocate ways to lessen the impact of human activity on the natural world.
(1) environmental sustainability, the ability to meet humanitys current needs without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their needs

Factors Threatening the Environment Population Growth Human population growth is at the root of virtually all of the worlds environmental problems. As the number of people increases, crowding generates pollution, destroys more habitats, and uses up additional natural resources. The most important factors necessary to lower population growth rates are democracy and social justice. Studies show that population growth rates have fallen in developing areas where several social conditions exist. In these areas, literacy rates have increased and women receive economic status equal to that of men, enabling women to hold jobs and own property. Global Warming Like the glass panes in a greenhouse, certain gases in the Earths atmosphere permit the Suns radiation to heat Earth. At the same time, these gases retard the escape into space of the infrared energy radiated back out by Earth. This process is referred to as the greenhouse effect. These gases, primarily carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor, insulate Earths surface, helping to maintain warm temperatures. Without these gases, Earth would be a frozen planet with an average temperature of about 18C (about 0F) instead of a comfortable 15C (59F). If the concentration of these gases rises, they trap more heat within the atmosphere, causing worldwide temperatures to rise. The consequences of such a modest increase in temperature may be devastating. Problems that may develop include a rise in sea levels that will completely inundate a number of low-lying island nations and flood many coastal cities. Many plant and animal species will probably be driven into extinction; agriculture will be severely

disrupted in many regions, and the frequency of severe hurricanes and droughts will likely increase. Depletion of the Ozone Layer The ozone layer, a thin band in the stratosphere (layer of the upper atmosphere), serves to shield Earth from the Suns harmful ultraviolet rays. The consequences of continued depletion of the ozone layer would be dramatic. Increased ultraviolet radiation would lead to a growing number of skin cancers and cataracts and reduce the ability of immune systems to respond to infection. Another is that, the growth of plankton, the base of most marine food chains, would decline. Habitat Destruction and Species Extinction Plant and animal species are dying out at an unprecedented rate. The leading cause of extinction is habitat destruction, particularly of the worlds richest ecosystemstropical rain forests and coral reefs. If the worlds rain forests continue to be cut down at the current rate, they may completely disappear by the year 2030. In addition, if the worlds population continues to grow at its present rate and puts even more pressure on these habitats, they might well be destroyed sooner. Air Pollution A significant portion of industry and transportation burns fossil fuels, such as gasoline. When these fuels burn, chemicals and particulate matter are released into the atmosphere. Although a vast number of substances contribute to air pollution, the most common air pollutants contain carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen . (Product: Smog and Acid Rain) Water Pollution Water sources or pollution nonpoint may come from point

sources.

Point

sources

discharge pollutants from specific locations, such

as factories, sewage treatment plants, and oil tankers. Pollution from nonpoint sources occurs when rainfall or snowmelt moves over and through the ground. Pollution arising from nonpoint sources accounts for a majority of the contaminants in streams and lakes. However, raw sewage, garbage, and oil spills have begun to overwhelm the diluting capabilities of the oceans, and most coastal waters are now polluted, threatening marine wildlife. Groundwater Depletion and Contamination Water that collects beneath the ground is called groundwater. Scientists worry about groundwater contamination, which arises from leaking underground storage tanks, poorly designed industrial waste ponds, and seepage from the deep-well injection of hazardous wastes into underground geologic formations. Chemical Risks A number of toxic substances that humans encounter regularly may pose serious health risks. Many chemicals have been found to mimic estrogen, the hormone that controls the development of the female reproductive system in a large number of animal species. Preliminary results indicate that these chemicals, in trace amounts, may disrupt development and lead to a host of serious problems in both males and females, including infertility, increased mortality of offspring, and behavioral changes such as increased aggression. Environmental Racism Studies have shown that not all individuals are equally exposed to pollution. For example, worldwide toxic-waste sites are more prevalent in poorer communities. In line with this, every individual has environmental justice. It is the right of every citizen to adequate protection from environmental hazards. For example, the poor and disenfranchised versus rich and powerful. Energy Production

The limited supply of fossil fuels, coupled with their contributions to global warming, air pollution, and acid rain, makes it clear that alternative forms of energy will be needed to fuel industrial production and transportation. A handful of countries produce a portion of their electricity using nuclear energy. However, many people oppose nuclear energy because an accident can cause massive devastation. One reasonable solution combines conservation strategies with the increased use of solar energy. The price of solar energy relative to traditional fuels has steadily dropped, and if environmental concerns were factored into the cost, solar power would already be significantly cheaper. CLIMATE CHANGE It is the measurable increases in the average temperature of Earths atmosphere, oceans, and landmasses. Scientists believe Earth is currently facing a period of rapid warming brought on by rising levels of heat-trapping gases, known as greenhouse gases, in the atmosphere. Effects of Climate Change Weather Northern Hemisphere will heat up more than other areas of the planet, and glaciers and sea ice will shrink as a result. Light winter snows may receive no snow at all. In temperate mountains, snowlines will be higher and snowpack will melt earlier. Growing seasons will be longer in some areas Winter and nighttime temperatures will tend to rise more than summer and daytime temperatures. A warmer world will be generally more humid because of more water evaporating from the oceans. A more humid atmosphere can both contribute to and offset further warming.

Storms are expected to be more frequent and more intense in a warmer world. Water will also evaporate more rapidly from soil, causing it to dry out faster between rains. Some regions might actually become drier than before.

Weather patterns are expected to be less predictable and more extreme. Storm tracks are projected to move toward the poles, shifting wind, rainfall, and temperature patterns. Heat waves will continue to become more frequent and intense, a trend already observed. Hurricanes, violent storms that draw their force from warm ocean water, are likely to become more severe. Ice Sheets and Glaciers Warming temperatures are already causing significant changes to mountain glaciers around the world, ice sheets in Greenland and the Antarctic, and polar sea ice in the Arctic. The large-scale melting of ice may accelerate the pace of global warming in what is known as a feedback process. Because ice reflects sunlight back out to space, it has a cooling effect. Water and land, which are darker than ice, absorb and retain more heat. Sea Level As the atmosphere warms, the surface layer of the ocean warms as well, expanding in volume and thus raising sea level. The melting of glaciers and ice sheets, especially around Greenland, further swells the sea. Sea level rose 10 to 25 cm (4 to 10 in) during the 20th century. Rising sea level will complicate life in many island and coastal regions. Storm surges, in which winds locally pile up water and raise the sea, will become more frequent and damaging. Erosion of cliffs, beaches, and dunes will increase. As the sea invades the mouths of rivers, flooding from runoff will also increase upstream. Agriculture

Global warming of a few degrees may increase agricultural production, but not necessarily in the same places where crops are grown. More insects and plant diseases may also afflict crops and woodlands. Agricultural areas will need to adapt to changing conditions, such as by shifting the types of crops grown or investing in drought-tolerant or heat-tolerant varieties. Scientists estimate that warming of up to about 3-Celsius degrees (5.4-Fahrenheit degrees) could increase global agricultural potential, but that further warming is likely to decrease this potential. Plants and Animals Plants and animals will find it difficult to escape from or adjust to the effects of global warming. With further warming, animals will tend to migrate toward the poles and up mountainsides toward higher elevations. Plants will also attempt to shift their ranges, seeking new areas, as old habitats grow too warm. For example, polar bears and marine mammals in the Arctic are already threatened by dwindling sea ice but have nowhere farther north to go. Ocean ecosystems, especially fragile ones like coral

reefs, will also be affected by global warming. Warmer Ocean temperatures can cause coral to bleach, a state which if prolonged will lead to the death of the coral. In addition, increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere enters the ocean and increases the acidity of ocean waters. This acidification further stresses ocean ecosystems. Human Health In a warmer world, scientists predict that more people will get sick or die from heat stress, due not only to hotter days but also more importantly to warmer nights (giving the sufferers less relief). More frequent and intense heat waves will further contribute to this trend. At the same time, there will be some decreases in the number of cold-related deaths. Diseases such as malaria, now found in the tropics and transmitted by mosquitoes and other animal hosts, are projected to widen their range as these animal hosts move into regions formerly too cold for them. Other tropical diseases may spread similarly, including dengue fever, yellow fever, and encephalitis. Scientists also project rising incidence of allergies and respiratory diseases, as warmer air grows more charged with pollutants, mold spores, and pollens.

REFLECTION: Environment is very important to us since it provides all of our basic needs. However, our misuse and unrestrained activities may or will harm the environment that produces environmental phenomena, which is tremendous and unexpected. As time goes by, effects are moving far from the usual means what we observed and felt today will tend to change further than normal. For example, if we feel cool in the morning, as time goes by, we will feel hot on it because of the existing global warming or climate change. Environmental problems or changes are natural and human-induced. Natural because the environment itself makes it but it happens naturally as a part of the cycle. Human-induced because, we, humans put pressure on the environment just to provide and sustain our needs. As the population increase, the consumption also increase and will lead into scarcity of resources. Let us bear in mind that, we, individuals put pressure on the environment from our undisciplined acts, for example, burning of woods and plastics on our backyard, excessive use of plastics, smoke belching of vehicles in urban areas and others. These pressures will alter the environmental equilibrium and changes will occur. In a simple logic, we are living in a cycle called environment and one change in the system will definitely affect all the parts of the system including us. There is none that we can blame what is happening today, only ourselves. However, these environmental changes cannot be stopped but I can be prevented. Let us make the environment, the nature as a whole, rejuvenate/heal itself like paradise we are looking for.