Nirvana Dominique F.

Bulacan LLB-II Seminar III

Planet Earth’s Issues

The warming of the earth is considered to be a global issue. Primarily reason to that is the

human’s contribution that has been done resulted to worsening of the earth’s temperature.

Climate change is one major issue that affects all forms in earth.

Climate Change

The top contributors to this increasing temperature are the GHG’s or Greenhouse Gases.

It was projected that between 2°-5°C global mean temperatures will increase and probably will

occur years between 2030 and 2060. It is quite alarming that too much GHGs in the atmosphere

will triggered a more drastic climate condition.

Climate change brought various impacts that may lead to natural disaster like flood and drought.

With regards to this phenomenon, it will not only bring physical changes in the environment but

also changes that affect human welfare. Upon the alteration brought by climate change equity is

also another factor that humans may be at stake. Well-being of humans is the most important

aspect to be taken into consideration with regards to revenge of nature that unfortunately caused

by humans also.

Destructive and severe environmental problems will distress the world as the temperature

continue to grow. Melting glaciers, declining crop yields, malnutrition and heat stress are some

major effects in the environment and humans. Change in climate patterns is directly influence the

ecosystems given that they are most transparent that likely to be reach abruptly. In reality it is

difficult to completely eradicate climate change. What is needed to have is the knowledge and

skill for adaptive measurements in the short run in order for an individual to survive the

consequences of climate change. Inevitable situation may be offered by climate change thus it is
Nirvana Dominique F. Bulacan LLB-II Seminar III

important that people are well-informed and has sense of precautions on how to lessen the

possible harmful effects of extreme climatic condition.

It is expected that through continuous global action done by everyone in the world sooner or later

carbon will be reduced. In that way the world will be very hopeful for less worsening of the

climate.

The Philippines has a vast and rich biodiversity; from the forest ecosystem, to the marine

waters and to the caves. Truly the Philippines was hailed as "megabiodiversity" country.

However, the country is also considered to be the "biodiversity hotspots" where alarming loss of

species and habitat degradation is present. Despite this abundant natural resource that we have,

we are still threaten by the fact that climate change is little by little causing a great alterations in

the ecosystem. Moreover, what makes it even worse are the ways of people that cause harm to

the environment; from deforestation, illegal fishing and quarrying. This documentary served as

an eye-opener to us on what we should do of the given resources that our country possessed.

This is also an unending battle for the environment. Though climate change is inevitable people's

ways are still part of it. The increasing carbon emission which absolutely done by people.

Cutting those tress which help to absorb carbon dioxide and using of fossils by industries which

making more heat get trapped in the atmosphere. Yet, we may not avoid to contribute to the

green gas emission but we still also have the choice to lessen or reduce the carbon dioxide that

we give-off in the environment.

The lack of social responsibility hinder us to do the right thing for our planet. Awareness about

the condition of our environment is also an important move because we may be able to know

what is happening thus we may able to take an action on regarding on it. We may neglect the
Nirvana Dominique F. Bulacan LLB-II Seminar III

effect for now of harming our environment but the aftermaths of our wrong ways and the

environment's return to us is unpredictable and unimaginable.

Indeed it is always easy to put it into words, to take care of the environment, to show concern for

the planet etc. but it is not easy to put it into action. Perhaps because we think we may not be

able to do something about it. We are living in the same planet thus we are interconnected; what

you do to our environment has an effect to all organisms. We should not also neglect our ability

to save our environment.

Improper waste disposal

Improper waste disposal has been a big dilemma in the country ever since. Although

there were laws on proper waste disposal, people tend to disregard its importance thus they did

not follow the proper way to dispose their garbage. For instance, some are still practicing the

burning of garbage because they believed that it is the only way to dispose it. Others "feel lazy"

to segregate garbage. Though they are aware of the policy regarding segregation they still ignore

it and according to them some people even throw their wastes in the river.

Selected LGUs only comply in the conditions stated in RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste

Management Act. In the national level, funding and enforcement may be the main problem.

However, in the local level the lack of discipline among people on disposing their garbage is

much a bigger problem. Simply segregating garbage to biodegradable and non-biodegradable

could not be done in spite of various ordinances and laws about garbage disposal.

If there are people who tend to neglect the importance of proper waste disposal, there are still

people who believes that recycling, reusing and segregating of both biodegradable and non-

biodegradable garbage is not that hard to do.

Nevertheless, there are still people who disobeyed the proper disposal of garbage despite the

campaigns. Especially, the old ones they did not follow the proper way instead stick to what they

believe would be a better way such as burning the garbage. Hence, campaigns include the

discussion of consequences of improper waste disposal. Leaders of each community or an

organization also play an important role. Improper waste disposal is only one of the

environmental problems faced by the country.

This environmental issue is like running in circles. We know the consequences of our acts but

still we did the same thing. We cannot solely say that the government has no fault because

according to the article there are some problems about financing and enforcing of RA 9003 but

in the local level it is the people's attitude towards garbage disposal is the problem. This shows

that people in their respective communities should be responsible to take charge with their own

garbage. They should not rely only from what the government or the LGU provides for instance

a dump truck used to collect garbage every day. Each should take initiative on what to do with

their own garbage. Simply, providing two trash cans for bio and non-biodegradable would be a

good way to start for disposing garbage properly.

We cannot deny the fact that we become irresponsible on disposing our garbage but with self-

discipline we may realize that is not that hard to do. This challenge on proper waste disposal

should be a 'joint venture' by the government and the people. No matter how effort the

government exert about campaigning and informing the people about proper waste disposal if the

people lack initiative and willingness to participate, still the problem regarding garbage is

unresolved. The proper way to dispose garbage favors the environment and also the people

benefitting from it which includes us. Thus, what we do with the environment; we also do to

ourselves and what we did to the environment either good or bad will surely come back to us.
Nirvana Dominique F. Bulacan LLB-II Seminar III

Ocean Acidification

Ocean acidification is one of the various effects of Global Warming. It becomes alarming

because it’s possible danger to marine life and also to the peoples’ well-being. Increasing carbon

dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere makes the ocean to absorb it hence it makes the ph level of

seawater thrust towards acidity. It means that the ocean is becoming more acidic. Scientists

called ocean acidification as “evil twin of climate change”. Marine ecosystem is primarily at

stake here and also those dependent on it.

Though the ultimate impacts of ocean acidification is still unclear it is better to prevent than to

cure. Everyone is involved here. The happening if such conveys a message and information in

order for the public to understand and be knowledgeable about ocean acidification as well as to

accept the particular role played by each sector in the society. The government, private sector

and civil society are highly encouraged to take actions regarding this situation. Nature will surely

take its revenge to such harmful human activities. Hence, environmental organizations and

research institutes and other concerned groups around the world provide talks, films, symposium

and seminars regarding possible results of Global Warming. As a public, people should be

informed and get engaged for them not to regret in the end. Through this kind of media people

become more aware and concern about the environment. This promotes knowledge and

participation for each. Indeed as people will be persuade to take action about environmental

problems perhaps sooner everyone will take responsibility in nurturing the environment.
Nirvana Dominique F. Bulacan LLB-II Seminar III

Wildlife Trafficking

In Southeast Asia, Laos has this kind of resort city where it offered recreational services

which attracts a large bunch of tourists. It is called the "Golden Triangle Special Economic

Zone". The Golden Triangle is the region composed of Laos, Burma, and Thailand hence, mostly

Chinese are the ones who run the businesses in the place which includes casino, spa, gardens and

restaurants. However, behind this grandeur is the rampant trade of endangered species' parts and

consumption of the endangered species is common.

The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone is a “lawless playground" because of unrestrained

wildlife trafficking. In one restaurant for instance there was a live caged bear cub and python

which are “available to eat on request,” and also there are menus for bear paw, monitor lizards,

pangolins, geckos, and a variety of snakes and turtles. Tiger bone wine is also available which

makes the whole experience in the restaurant complete. On the other restaurant, “sauté tiger

meat” is offered and they advertise tiger wine through an aquarium with tiger skeleton. The

tigers who have been slaughtered to mix with rice wine are being farmed inside the zone. Tiger

products were also sold such as tiger skins. Rhino horn shavings, beads and carvings from the

helmeted hornbill, and a single leopard skin are also for sale.

The Wildlife and Aquatic Law which regulated regarding the use of animals tigers, elephants,

rhinos, and bears for trade is prohibited however the confusion comes out when the government

permits these animals to be used for trade and consumption especially in the Golden Triangle

Special Economic Zone. It is also with accordance to the law that government employees should

not enter and run a wildlife business but such an irony that the government also shares profit
Nirvana Dominique F. Bulacan LLB-II Seminar III

from this area. (Hance, Jeremy (2015). High-end Laos resort serves up illegal wildlife for

Chinese tourists. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com)

There is a weak law enforcement obviously. This kind of industry or business should not be put

up in the first place. What these businessmen created was an insatiable demand for the people

who once gained from illegal wildlife trade will not stopped to acquire some money and benefit

from it even at stake of endangered species. Educating the people, the very simple words but not

easy to do. That is a utopian idea, though it is the only way to change people's perception about

wildlife, about nature.

What imposed by the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone is acquiring benefit at risks of the

wildlife animals. It always come to pass that the nature become our provider, shield and

protector but the people who are entitled guardians, destroyed, slaughtered, and ruined it.

Indeed our actions has corresponding consequences that may cause harm or good effects

to the environment. This notion has always been said, written, and broadcast in all kinds of

medium. This nature's beauty that the country possessed should not be taken for granted but to be

nurtured and well taken care of. Each of us is aware on what to do, what we need is willingness

and sense of responsibility. We are entrusted of this natural resources thus we should not lead the

destruction and wastage of our natural environment.