Central Luzon State University

Science City of Muñoz 3120

Nueva Ecija, Philippines

Instructional Module for the Course

NSTP 1100

Module: Environmental Protection

Topic: Global Warming

Overview

This course will focus on what exactly Global Warming is. It will cover
the most salient issues in global warming, such as the implications of human
activities affecting the earth and climate change. It will also deal with the
recent speculations about the long-term future of climate change and of life
on earth and assess some of the ways in which we can help to reduce the
warming effects caused by some of our activities.

I. Objectives
1. At the end of the module the student should be able to define Global
warming;
2. Enumerate the causes of global warming and effects of climate change;
and
3. discuss mitigation measure to limit the magnitude or the rate of long term
effect of climate change.

II. Learning Activities

Introduction
Global Warming is the rising average temperature of Earth's climate system.
It is driving changes in rainfall patterns, extreme weather, arrival of seasons, and
more. Collectively, global warming and its effects are known as climate change.
Climate Change refers to changes in any aspects of the earth’s climate
including temperature, precipitation and storm intensity and patterns. A long-
term change in the Earth’s climate, or of a region on Earth.
Global Warming Drives Climate Change
 Heat is energy and when you add energy to any system changes occur.
 Because all systems in the global climate system are connected, adding heat
energy causes the global climate as a whole to change.
 Much of the world is covered with ocean which heats up. When the ocean
heats up, more water evaporates into clouds.
 Where storms like hurricanes and typhoons are forming, the result is more
energy intensive storms.
 A warmer atmosphere makes glaciers and mountain snow packs, the Polar ice
cap, and the great ice shield jutting off of Antarctica melt raising sea levels.
 Changes in temperature change the great patterns of wind that bring the
monsoons in Asia and rain and snow around the world, making drought and
unpredictable weather more common.

Causes of Global Warming

Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air
pollutants and greenhouse gases collect in the atmosphere and absorb sunlight
and solar radiation that have bounced off the earth’s surface. Normally, this
radiation would escape into space—but these pollutants, which can last for years
to centuries in the atmosphere, trap the heat and cause the planet to get hotter.
That's what's known as the greenhouse effect.

Causes of Temperature Increase in the Atmosphere

 Natural variation – the climate becomes warmer by internal chaotic
dynamics of the earth-atmosphere system.
 Solar activity – either direct increase of solar energy output or indirect
“trigger” mechanisms due to solar activity may cause the surface
temperature to go up.
 Greenhouse effect – increasing “greenhouse” gases such as CO2, CH4, NO,
CFC.

The Greenhouse Effect

In the atmosphere, gases such as H2O, CO2, CH4, CFC, etc., are capable of
absorbing the terrestrial radiation (peaking at infrared wavelength) and re-
radiate in all directions. Thus, part of the re-radiation is sent back to the surface.
This means that in the presence of these gases, the atmosphere will be warmer
than without them. These gases thus play the role of glass panels in a
greenhouse. Hence the name greenhouse gases. It is therefore reasonable to
expect that increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases will cause warming in
the atmosphere.
Currently, CO2 is the main suspect of causing global warming because
combustion of fossil fuel naturally injects CO2 into the atmosphere. Whereas
other natural processes also inject CO2, the industrial combustion process seems
to play a significant role in the concentration increase.

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Greenhouse Gasses
• Carbon dioxide
o combustion of solid waste, fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal), and
wood and wood products
• Methane
o production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil. Methane emissions
also result from the decomposition of organic wastes in municipal solid
waste landfills, and the raising of livestock.
• Nitrous oxide
o agricultural and industrial activities, as well as during combustion of solid
waste and fossil fuels.
• hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride
(SF6),
o industrial processes.

Some Effects of Global Warming

 Melting glaciers, early snowmelt, and severe droughts will cause more
dramatic water shortages and increase the risk of wildfires.
 Rising sea levels will lead to coastal flooding.
 Forests, farms, and cities will face troublesome new pests, heat waves,
heavy downpours, and increased flooding. All those factors will damage or
destroy agriculture and fisheries.
 Disruption of habitats such as coral reefs and Alpine meadows could drive
many plant and animal species to extinction.
 Allergies, asthma, and infectious disease outbreaks will become more
common due to increased growth of pollen-producing ragweed, higher
levels of air pollution, and the spread of conditions favorable to pathogens
and mosquitoes.

Human Activities that caused Climate Change

 Human activities, particularly the combustion of fossil fuels, are altering
the climate system.
 Human-driven changes in land use and land cover such as deforestation,
urbanization, and shifts in vegetation patterns also alter the climate,
resulting in changes to the reflectivity of the Earth surface (albedo),
emissions from burning forests, urban heat island effects and changes in
the natural water cycle.

Online Resources
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJAbATJCugs
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4H1N_yXBiA
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Me8YHObXmo
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNf2bvdTqV4

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References
 Cambridge University (2013). Climate Change: Action, Trends and Implications for Business.
 EPA, United States Environmental Protection Agency available at www.epa.gov/climatechangeApril2010
 Hatfield, J., K. Boote, P. Fay, L. Hahn, C. Izaurralde, B.A. Kimball, T. Mader, J. Morgan, D. Ort, W.
Polley, A. Thomson, and D. Wolfe, 2008. Agriculture. In: The effects of climate change on agriculture,
land resources, water resources, and biodiversity. A Report by the U.S. Climate Change Science
Program and the Subcommittee on Global Change Research. Washington, DC., USA, 362 pp.
(CCSP_Ag_Report.pdf from http://www.sap43.ucar.edu/documents/Agriculture.pdf
 Henson R. 2014.The Thinking Person’s Guide to Climate Change, 1st Edition American Meteorological
Society/University of Chicago Press.
 Keller, Emily Margaret, “Re-Constructing Climate Change: Discourses of the Emerging Movement for
Climate Change,” Queen’s Research & Learning Repository, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario,
Canada October, 2012.
 Mirandola, Alberto and Enrico Lorenzini, “Energy, Environment and Climate: From the Past to the
Future,” International Journal of Heat and Technology, Volume 34, Number 2, June 2016, pp. 159-164.
http://www.iieta.org/sites/default/files/Journals/HTECH/34.2_01.pdf
 Singer, S. Fred, “A Response to ‘The Climate Change Debates,’” Energy & Environment, Vol. 21, No. 7,
November 2010, pp. 847-851.

Topic: Pollution

Overview
This course focuses on environmental quality. It will provide students an
introduction to issues related to pollution, with emphasis on causes, risks,
mitigation and prevention. By the end of this course, students will have a
good understanding of the nature of human environment relationships.

III. Objectives

1. Introduce students to the most common environmental pollutants.

2. Engage students in at least one community based civic engagement project
that involves environmental pollution.
3. Challenge students to explore and understand the environmental threats they
face in their own neighborhoods

IV. Learning Activities

Introduction to Pollution

 Environmental Pollution can be defined as any undesirable change in physical,

chemical, or biological characteristics of any component of the environment
i.e. air, water, soil which can cause harmful effects on various forms of life or
property.

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 Pollution: The term pollution can be defined as influence of any substance
causing nuisance, harmful effects, and uneasiness to the organisms
 Pollutant: Any substance causing Nuisance or harmful effects or uneasiness
to the organisms, then that particular substance may be called as the
pollutant.

Types of Pollution

1. Water pollution
o Water Pollution can be defined as alteration in physical, chemical, or
biological characteristics of water through natural or human activities and
making it unsuitable for its designated use.
o Fresh Water present on the earth surface is put to many uses. It is used
for drinking, domestic and municipal uses, agricultural, irrigation,
industries, navigation, recreation. The used water becomes contaminated
and is called waste water.

The sources of water pollution can be classified as

 Industrial Waste
The major source of water pollution is the waste water discharged from
industries and commercial bodies, these industries are chemical, metallurgical,
food processing industries, textile, paper industries. They discharge several
organic and inorganic pollutants. That prove highly toxic to living beings.

 Inorganic Pollutants
They include fine particles of different metals, chlorides, sulphates, oxides of
iron, cadmium, acids and alkalies.

 Organic Pollutants
They Include oils, fats, phenols, organic acids grease and several other organic
compounds

 Agricultural Wastes
o Chemical fertilizers and pesticides have become essential for present day
high yielding crops.
o Consequently, they have become a potential source of water pollution.
These fertilizers contain major plants nutrients mainly nitrogen,
phosphorous, and potassium.
o Excess fertilizers may reach the ground water by leaching or may be
mixed with surface water of rivers, lakes and ponds by runoff and
drainage.

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 Marine Pollution
Ocean are the final sink of all natural and manmade pollutants. Rivers
discharge their pollutants into the sea. The sewage and garbage of coastal cities
are also dumped into the sea. The other sources include, discharge of oils,
grease, detergents, and radioactive wastes from ships.

 Thermal pollution
Thermal Pollution of water is caused by the rise in temperature of water. The
main source of thermal pollution are the thermal and nuclear power plants.

 Documentary on water pollution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h198sZXP7fU

2. Air pollution
o Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or
biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other
living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment or built
environment, into the atmosphere.
o A substance in the air that can cause harm to humans and the
environment is known as an air pollutant.

Causes of Air Pollution

o Carbon dioxide-this happens because of Deforestation and fossil fuel
burning.
o Sulfur dioxide –Due to the burning of sulfur containing compounds of
fossil fuels.
o Sulfur oxides- very dangerous to humans at a high concentration. Sulfur in
the atmosphere is responsible for acid rain.

Effects of Air Pollution

o Global warming
o Ozone depletion(Ozonehole)
o Acid Rain
o Various respiratory illnesses

 Air pollution video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6rglsLy1Ys

3. Land Pollution
o Land pollution is the demolition of Earth's land surfaces often caused by
human activities and their misuse of land resources. It occurs when waste
is not disposed properly.
o Urbanization and industrialization are major causes of land pollution.

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Causes of Land Pollution

Construction
o Buildings take up resources and land, the trees are chopped down and
used to make buildings.
o Takes away the places for animals and other organisms to live.

 Agriculture
o As there are more and more people inhabiting the earth, food is in higher
demand and so forests are chopped down and turned into farmland.
o In addition, herbicides, pesticides, artificial fertilizers, animal manure are
washed into the soil and pollute it.

 Domestic waste
o Tons of domestic waste is dumped every day. Some waste from homes,
offices and industries can be recycled or burnt in incinerators.
o There is still a lot of garbage, such as refrigerators and washing machines
that are dumped in landfills simply because they cannot be reused in
anyway, nor recycled.

 Industrial Waste
Plastics factories, chemical plants, oil refineries, nuclear waste disposal
activity, large animal farms, coal-fired power plants, metals production factories
and other heavy industry all contribute to land pollution.

 Land pollution video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTJExjbsEuc

4. Noise Pollution
o Noise pollution is excessive, displeasing human, animal, or machine-
created environmental noise that disrupts the activity or balance of human
or animal life.
o Sound becomes undesirable when it disturbs the normal activities such as
working, sleeping, and during conversations.
o World Health Organization stated that “Noise must be recognized as a
major threat to human wellbeing”

Sources of Noise Pollution

o Transportation systems are the main source of noise pollution in urban
areas.
o Construction of buildings, highways, and streets cause a lot of noise, due
to the usage of air compressors, bulldozers, loaders, dump trucks, and
pavement breakers.
o Industrial noise also adds to the already unfavorable state of noise
pollution.

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 o Loud speakers, plumbing, boilers, generators, air conditioners, fans, and
vacuum cleaners add to the existing noise pollution.

Effects of Noise Pollution

o According to the USEPA, there are direct links between noise and health.
Also, noise pollution adversely affects the lives of millions of people.
o Noise pollution can damage physiological and psychological health.
o High blood pressure, stress related illness, sleep disruption, hearing loss,
and productivity loss are the problems related to noise pollution.
o It can also cause memory loss, severe depression, and panic attacks.

 Video on Noise pollution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jfmzufa8qo

Ways to Stop Pollution

o Reduce, reuse and recycle.
o Use nontoxic cleaning materials.
o Avoid using pesticides and fertilizers that can run off into the water
systems.
o Don’t throw trash or chemicals into the sewer drains.
o Avoid products that come in aerosol spray cans.

 Documentary on Pollution Control

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUXGjsZ3nxQ

References
 Behar, A., Chasin, M. and Cheesman, M. 2000. Noise Control: A Primer. California: Singular Publishing
Group.
 Hill, Marquita K. (2010). Understanding Environmental Pollution (2nd Ed. resp. 3rd Edition). New York:
Cambridge University Press.
 Smith, B.J., Peters, R.J. and Owen, S. 2001. Acoustic and Noise Control. 2nd edition. Essex: Longman
Group.

Topic 1 National Environmental Awareness and

Education Act of 2008 (Republic Act No. 9512)

Republic Act No. 9512

National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008

Fourteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-eight day of July, two thousand eight.

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REPUBLIC ACT No. 9512 December 12, 2008

AN ACT TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL

EDUCATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "National Environmental Awareness and
Education Act of 2008".

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - 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 vital 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 growth and the importance of environmental conservation and
ecological balance towards sustained national development.

Section 3. Scope of Environmental Education. - The Department of Education (DepEd), the

Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination
with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Science
and Technology (DOST) and other relevant agencies, shall integrate environmental education in
its school curricula at all levels, whether public or private, including in barangay daycare,
preschool, non-formal, technical vocational, professional level, indigenous learning and out-of-
school youth courses or programs. Environmental education shall encompass environmental
concepts and principles, environmental laws, the state of international and local environment,
local environmental best practices, the threats of environmental degradation and its impact on
human well-being, the responsibility of the citizenry to the environment and the value of
conservation, protection and rehabilitation of natural resources and the environment in the
context of sustainable development. It shall cover both theoretical and practicum modules
comprising activities, projects, programs including, but not limited to, tree planting; waste
minimization, segregation, recycling and composting; freshwater and marine conservation; forest
management and conservation; relevant livelihood opportunities and economic benefits and other
such programs and undertakings to aid the implementation of the different environmental
protection law.

Section 4. Environmental Education and Activities as Part of National Service Training

Program. - The CHED and the TESDA shall include environmental education and awareness
programs and activities in the National Service Training Program under Republic Act No. 9163, as
part of the Civic Welfare Training Service component required for all baccalaureate degree
courses and vocational courses with a curriculum of at least two (2) years.

Section 5. Declaration of Environmental Awareness Month. - Pursuant to the policy set

forth in this Act, the month of November of every year shall be known as the "Environmental
Awareness Month" throughout the Philippines.

Section 6. Interagency and Multi-sectoral Effort. - The DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DENR, DOST
and other relevant agencies, in consultation with experts on the environment and the academe,
shall lead in the implementation of public education and awareness programs on environmental

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protection and conservation through collaborative interagency and multi-sectoral effort at all
levels.

The DENR shall have the primary responsibility of periodically informing all agencies concerned
on current environmental updates, including identifying priority environmental education issues
for national action and providing strategic advice on the environmental education activities. The
DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DENR, DOST, DSWD and barangay units shall ensure that the information
is disseminated to the subject students.

The DOST is mandated to create programs that will ensure that students receive science-based
quality information on environmental issues to encourage the development of environment-
friendly solutions, devices, equipment and facilities.

Section 7. Capacity-Building. - The DepEd, CHED and TESDA, in coordination with the DENR
and other relevant agencies, shall undertake capacity-building programs nationwide such as
trainings, seminars, workshops on environmental education, development and production of
environmental education materials, and teacher-education courses and related livelihood
programs.

Section 8. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act shall be held
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions shall not be affected thereby.

Section 9. Repealing Clause. - All other acts, laws, executive orders, presidential issuances,
rules and regulations or any part thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

Section 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved

(Sgd.) MANNY VILLAR (Sgd.) PROSPERO C. NOGRALES

President of the Senate Speaker of the House of
Representative

This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1699 and House Bill No. 4381 was finally
passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on October 8, 2008.

(Sgd.) EMMA LIRIO-REYES (Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP

Secretary of the Senate Secretary General
House of Representative

Approved: DEC 12, 2008

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

President of the Philippines

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References

Mabalay, Michael C. et. al. 2018. National Service Training Program 1. Center for
Educational Resources Development and Services. Central Luzon State University.
Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija. pp 49 -54.

https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2008/ra_9512_2008.html
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2008/12/12/republic-act-no-9512/

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