ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY REVIEWER  The generation of comforts and luxuries

brings environment under great

pressure.
Sustainable  The Nation’s economic growth should
not stand upon the fragile foundation of
 It was developed and introduced by the earth’s resources.
World Commission on Environment and  Mahatma Gandhi, a great social
Development (The Brundlant scientist, rightly pointed out that, “The
Commission), in its seminal report of earth provides enough to satisfy
1987, Our Common Future. everyone’s need, but not everyone’s
 This is “that can be maintained” or greed.
“keep goal continuously”.
 In ecological sense it refers to
“conservation of ecological balance by
DO WE LIKE WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW?
avoiding depletion of natural
resources”.  Prospective changes of the kind
 It has got to do with longevity (long life) mentioned above raise important
of a resource, species, ecosystem, earth questions about the planet we will
and, etc. leave for future generations as well
as the nature and purposes of
progress.
Development  At a worldwide level, the following
are regarded as environmental
 This is “the act or instance of concerns:
growth/advancement”.  Global Climate Change
 Loss of Biodiversity
 Habitat Degradation
The growth can be of many types such as:

• Growth of education
SOCIAL ISSUES:
• Growth of industry
 Over the past two decades, a
• Growth of population tremendous quantity of research by
• Growth of forests ecologists, environmental scientists,
social scientists, geographers, and
demographers has created a very clear
 But we are addressing to one of the image of what our future will look like:
most sensitive issue growing concern THE FOLLOWING ARE INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP
about improving the well-being of JUSTIFICATIONS FOR PRESERVING NATURE
human beings. AND FOSTERING A SUSTAINABLE
 This could be achieved only through ENVIRONMENT:
compromising with some of our
comforts and luxuries. A. Urban Problems Related Energy
 Large cities and towns have always had
an impact on politics, religion, business,
 and communication, which in turn has lighting, air conditioners,
had a variety of effects on culture and microwaves, water pumps, warm
society. blowers, refrigerators, and other
 Initially, only a relatively small portion crucial house parts.
of the population resided in cities and  An energy shortage for electricity
towns, and the majority of people were has resulted from all of this.
employed mostly in:
 Hunting
 Fishing 2) FOSSIL FUELS (PETROLEUM, NATURAL
 Agriculture GAS AND COAL)
 Raising cattle  The coal reserves have seen severe
 However, the Industrial Revolution losses as a result of the energy
causes cities and towns to grow in both crisis.
size and influence. In developing  Man began producing energy from
nations, a sizable portion of the nuclear sources, hydroelectric
population from rural areas seeking power, and wind power as technical
occupational help, migrated to cities knowledge increased.
(occupational migration).
 The Manila Area in the Philippines,
which includes Taguig, Makati, and 3) FUEL WOOD
Muntinlupa, Marikina, Cebu City, and  The primary cause of the
other nation's urbanized cities. destruction of depleted forestland
 This eventually introduced the idea of is its usage in the kindling of fire.
industrializations and urbanizations  In some areas of the forest,
have greatly benefited civilization, gathering fuel wood is permitted to
particularly the wealthy but exposed to help with household tasks.
evils.  We still witness mothers and
 include rising energy resource children carrying loads of firewood
demands, whose consumption in in several areas of the nation.
turn result in:
1. Numerous issues related to population. B. Water Conservation
2. Resource scarcity  We can reduce the amount of water
3. Illnesses and we currently use for residential
4. Waste management purposes by up to half without
making significant sacrifices or
alterations to our way of life.
1) ELECTRICITY
THESE ARE THE SEVERAL WAYS TO
 A crucial prerequisite for growing
CONSERVE/SAVE WATER:
cities, towns, and villages.
 The usage of electricity is now a  Take shorter showers.
factor in every aspect of human life.  Repairing leaks
Contains electronic devices such a  Washing vehicles, dishes, and
mixer-grinder, TV, computer, and clothes as effectively as you can
music systems. Geysers, fans,
 help prevent the water shortages o The average annual rainfall of
that many officials expect. General Santos, Cotabato, is
around 978 millimeters.
 It is possible to discretely separate the
landscape watershed units into
hydrological units. The watersheds'
C. Rainwater Harvesting spatial arrangement from ridge to valley
 Water issues are brought on by best conserves land and water
rising population demands, resources and aids in ensuring water
urbanization, industrialization, and availability throughout the agricultural
irrigation for increased food season.
production.  For reuse during droughts or to
 In many locations, excessive cultivate an additional crop, the
groundwater pumping not only drainage water can be conveniently
lowers water quality but also stored in above-ground storage
depletes it, which has an impact on structures.
sustainability.
 Irrigation tanks' capacity is
decreasing as a result of the D. Water Shed Management
environment and encroachment  It was proposed that flood plains be
(advancement of Structures). set aside for water storage, aquifer
 Although there is a lot of water recharge, wildlife habitat, and
available, it is scarce everywhere, agriculture rather than allowing
even for drinking. This is because residential, commercial, or
the country's water management industrial development.
and policy are poorly defined and  Sound forestry and farming
poorly implemented. techniques help lower runoff. Crop
 In the Philippines, rainfall is the residue left on fields minimizes
most significant climatic factor. flooding and decreases it.
Depending on the placement of the  Watersheds are safeguarded by
mountain systems and the flow of clearing forest and plowing on steep
moisture-bearing winds, different slopes.
regions of the country have  On tributary streams, a number of
different distributions of rainfall. minor dams can retain backwater
 The Philippines receives 956 to before it turns into a major flood.
4,064 millimeters of rain on average  These dams create ponds that serve
every year. as beneficial animal habitat and
o The areas with the most rain stock watering areas.
include Baguio City, Eastern  Additionally, they capture soil that
Samar, and Eastern Surigao. might be transferred back to the
o The southernmost region of fields.
Cotabato has the least rainfall.  The use of a watersheds-based
framework for rain-fed agriculture
offers exceptional chances to
 achieve long-term food and  The displaced people ought to receive a
nutritional security. fair share of the benefits of
 It's time to think of the watershed development.
development agenda as a program  Establishing new communities in their
for the general public. own environments ought to help them
recover.
 The rehabilitation policy should also aim
to eradicate poverty, therefore there
should be enough land for everyone.
E. Resettlement and Rehabilitation of the  Oustees, even those who lack land,
People should be guaranteed a job.
 A land for land exchange is  When dealing with tribal people, we
preferable than a cash settlement. must let them develop in accordance
In most instances, even when this with their own unique genius and
policy is implemented, no land is refrain from placing any restrictions on
granted in the command area, them.
 Forestland is either removed on
unused fallow land or donated
without any thought to future  Oustee (Oustees) - A person who is
development or the availability of ousted, especially one who is removed
critical inputs. from his place of residence or land to
 If a community is dispersed and its make room for an infrastructure
residents are split up, typically, improvement or public works project.
villagers are left to purchase private
land;
 Get government loans, which F. Rehabilitation Problem
disadvantages low-income villagers  Human population shifts that are
because if not voluntary are usually stressful.
 the government undertakes Regardless of the factors behind
resettlement, land prices in nearby these migrations, the level of pain
villages skyrocket. these individuals go through cannot
 The villages are relocated to far-off be effectively expressed in words or
locations, often in a completely even measured in monetary terms.
foreign government and culture,
leading to unsolvable adjustment The following are regarded as criticisms or
issues. issues with rehabilitation:
 As a result, those who previously o Restitutional (compensatory land)
barely made it in their current o Rehabilitation needs to be done in
environment are uprooted.
groups.
o Financial compensation
o Mismanagement
THE FOLLOWING SHOULD BE THE GOALS OF o Ineffective public relations
REHABILITATION:
 G. Environment Ethics a) The Development Ethics believes that
 Among all the planets in our solar development in any sector is inevitable,
system, the Earth is distinct. It has but the development should not crop
an abundance of resources. Man is up at the cost of environmental failure.
compelled to manage and use This philosophy is strengthened by the
natural resources by his desire to idea that, “if it can be done, it should be
elevate his level of living. done.”
 Many rivers have been managed b) The Preservation Ethics views nature to
around the world to harm the be unique in and of itself. Some
environment while providing environmentalists approach nature with
humans with power, irrigation, and a nearly religious perspective. They
navigation. think that nature is a lovely place to live
 Capitalists desire to harvest lumber and that it ought to be preserved for
from the forests, and doing so food, breeding, recreation, and quiet.
would help them avoid economic  The long-term, practical utility of
suffering. rare and endangered species and
 The ethical concerns relating to the habitats, as well as those that are
environment are the same as other more widespread, must be
types of dilemmas. protected.
 The idea of an environmental ethics c) The Conservation Ethics recognizes the
could include several views and desirability of decent living standards,
values. but it works towards a balance of
 One area of philosophy called Ethics resource use and resource availability.
makes a fundamental effort to
define what is good and bad,
regardless of cultural differences. H. Industrial Environment Ethics
 Environmental Ethics are built on  Industries are generally regarded as
the premise that not only are a nuisance because they are bad for
humans a part of nature, but that the environment's health.
nature itself has many interrelated  Some waste is unavoidable while
parts. processing raw materials.
 The health of each individual and
species within a natural For Example: The paper sector contributes
environment is correlated with the significantly to waste and water contamination.
health of the entire community. In most cases, it is impossible to fully manage
 People ought to be bound by a how all industrial process byproducts are
fundamental ethical obligation to distributed.
respect nature and protect the  However, when a manufacturer
planet's life-support systems, sacrifices product or waste disposal
biodiversity, and beauty while also quality in order to increase profit,
taking into account the ethics are at stake.
requirements of other nations and  Installing a waste-water treatment
future generations. facility is more expensive than
THREE CATEGORIES OF ETHICS: simply throwing trash into a river.
  Environmental justice is really  The relationship between the
about fairness. It addresses the United States and Canada has long
objectivity that ought to govern the been strained by acid rain.
application of regulations intended
to safeguard human health and the
productivity of ecological systems, SUMMARY
which all human activity, including
economic activity, depends on.  Moreover, The United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP) and
other organizations can work to address
I. Environment Ethics at Individual Level common environmental issues. They
 As both the human population and held the opinion that the earth is a
the economy continue to expand. sophisticated creature with its own
We must understand that everyone requirements, metabolism, and immune
of us is personally accountable for system, and that humanity's connection
the environment we live in and that with the planet is becoming more
our individual choices have an parasitic.
impact on the ecosystem, for better  For today's and tomorrow's generations
or ill. to enjoy a safe and healthy
 Our environmental ethics must start environment, a strong and wealthy
to manifest itself in our daily lives, economy should strive to:
aswell as in subtle but significant o Make sure that the land and
changes to national laws. clean water that are necessary
to maintaining both the
J. Global Environment Ethics environment and human health
 This renewed sense of urgency and are available to citizens today
shared concern for the environment and tomorrow.
is inspiring cooperation in some o Promote the prudent and
sectors that has never been seen effective use of water while
before. preserving and improving the
 Ecological decline in any country quality of water resources.
eventually lowers the standard of o Ensure the wellbeing and
living for people in other countries. diversity of the planets' species.
 The relationship between the o Create a society that is
United States and Canada has long environmentally aware.
been strained by acid rain.
 This renewed sense of urgency and
shared concern for the environment
is inspiring cooperation in some
sectors that has never been seen
before.
 Ecological decline in any country
eventually lowers the standard of
living for people in other countries.
 and chemical and physical constitution
and abundance of organisms.
 The decline in environmental quality as
a consequence of pollution is evidenced
by:
o loss of vegetation,
o biological diversity,
o excessive amounts of harmful
chemicals in the ambient
atmosphere and in food grains,
and
Pollution o growing risks of environmental
 It may be defined as an undesirable accidents and threats to life
change in the physical, chemical, or support systems.
biological characteristics of air, water,
and land that may be harmful to human
life and other animals, living conditions, Pollutants
industrial processes and cultural assets.
 Pollutants are by-products of man’s
 Pollution can be natural or man-made.
action. The important pollutants are
The agents that pollute are called
summarized below:
pollutants.
 Deposited matter – Soot, smoke,
tar or dust and domestic wastes
 Gases – CO, nitrogen oxides,
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION Sulphur oxides, halogens (chlorine,
 Environmental pollution is one of the bromine and iodine)
most serious global challenges.  Metals – Lead, zinc, iron and
 Wild type organisms have a slower chromium.
degradation rate of hazardous
materials.
 Currently, advanced molecular biology  Industrial pollutants – Benzene,
tools along with conventional ether, acetic acid, and cyanide
approaches allow us to rapidly degrade compounds
or accumulate hazardous materials  Agriculture pollutants – Pesticides,
from environment. herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers
 Environmental pollution represents an
obstacle to the economical exploitation
of coal deposits.  Photochemical pollutants - Ozone,
 It is an unfavorable alteration of our oxides of nitrogen, aldehydes,
surroundings, wholly or largely as a ethylene, photochemical smog and
byproduct of man’s action, through proxy acetyl nitrate.
direct or indirect effects of the changes  Radiation pollutants - Radioactive
in the energy pattern, radiation levels, substances and radioactive fall-outs
of the nuclear tests.
 d) Halogen compounds: Hydrogen fluoride
(HF) and hydrochloric acid (HCl)
CLASSIFICATION OF POLLUTANTS
e) Particles of different size and
On the basis of natural disposal, there are two substances: These are found suspended
types of pollutants: in air, the fine particles below the
diameter of 100u are more abundant
1. Non-biodegradable Pollutants and include particles of:
 These are the pollutants, which degrade  Metals ● Fungi
at a very slow pace by the natural  Carbon ● Bacteria
Biological processes. These are  Tar ● Silicates
inorganic compounds such as:  Pollen ● Others
 Salts (chloride)
 Metallic oxides waste producing 2. Secondary Pollutants
material and
 These are produced by the combination
 Materials like aluminum cans,
of primary emitted pollutants in the
 Mercuric salts
atmosphere.
 Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)
 In bright sunlight, a photochemical
reaction occurs between nitrogen
oxides; oxygen and waste hydrocarbons
2. Biodegradable Pollutants from gasoline that forms:
 These include domestic sewage that 1) Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN)
easily decomposes under natural 2) Ozone (O3) both of them are toxic
 Processes and can be rapidly components of smog and cause
decomposed by natural/artificial smarting eyes and lung damage
methods. These cause serious problems
when accumulated in large amounts as
the pace of deposition exceeds the pace
3. SMOG
of decomposition of disposal
 The fog deposited with smoke and
chemical fumes forms a dark and
thick covering the sky.
There are two forms in which they persists  This is very common in almost all
after their release into the environment, the industrial areas as the smog is
Pollutants can be categorized under three trapped for many days by the
types stagnant air.
1. Primary Pollutants  It is both harmful for animals and
 These include those substances, plants
which are emitted directly from
some identifiable sources include:
a) Sulphur compounds: SO2, SO3, H2S SOCIAL ISSUES
produced by the oxidation of fuel
A. AIR POLLUTION
b) Carbon compounds: Oxides of carbon
 The presence of materials in the air in
(CO + CO3) and hydrocarbons
such concentration which are harmful
c) Nitrogen compounds: NO2 and NH3
to man and his environment. (WHO)
  A number of ingredients find their way  Food processing industries and
in the air, and these are mostly gases, tanneries emit offensive odors.
which rapidly spread over wide areas.  Release of poisonous gases from
accidents also poses serious threats.

SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION (SOCIAL ISSUES)

4) AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES
1) BURNING FOSSIL FUELS
 Spraying of insecticides and
 Burning of wood
weedicides also cause air pollution.
 Charcoal
These when inhaled create severe
 Other fossil fuels such as:
problems to both animals and man.
 Carbon dioxide (CO2)
 Carbon Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
 Petroleum consists mainly of
 Hydrocarbons
 Sulphur and 5) WARS
 Nitrogen  Various forms of explosives used in
war pollute the air by releasing
poisonous gases. This greatly
2) EMISSION FROM AUTOMOBILES disturbs the ecology of the area.
 Vehicles are mainly responsible for  Nuclear explosions pollute air by
more than 80% of total air pollution. radioactive rays.
 The major pollutants released from  Ex: The effects of nuclear explosions
 automobiles, on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
 locomotives,
 aircraft,
 include CO, 6) NATURAL CAUSES
 unburnt hydrocarbons and  Gas emissions from active volcano,
 nitrogen oxide. marsh gas, spores of fungi and pollens
are the natural causes of air pollution.

3) INDUSTRIES
 Paper and pulp factories,
 petroleum refineries,
COMMON AIR POLLUTANTS
 fertilizer plants, and
 steel Industries, 1. GASEOUS: Oxides of Carbon, Nitrogen,
 thermal power plants are the main and Sulphur
sources of air pollution. a. Carbon Dioxide
 They add various harmful gases like o CO2 content of air has
CO2, SO3, NO, Hydrocarbons etc. to the increased by 20% during the
atmosphere last century.
 Textile factories release cotton dust into o Causes nausea and headache
the air.
 o It’s increase in the air may o ➢Nitrogen oxides in the presence of
cause greenhouse effect, rise in sunlight react with unburnt
the atmospheric temperature hydrocarbons to form peroxyacyl nitrate
 This may melt the polar ice (PAN), Ozone, aldehydes and some
resulting in rise level of other complex organic compounds in
oceans and flooding of the air.
coastal regions. o PAN is the most abundant member of
b. Carbon Monoxide this family and responsible for serious
o It is a very poisonous gas and is plant injury in some polluted areas.
produced by incomplete
combustion of fuel. If inhaled, it
combines with hemoglobin and f. Hydrocarbons
reduces its oxygen-carrying o These are unburnt discharges from
capacity. incomplete combustion of fuel in
 This leads to laziness, automobiles.
reduced vision and death. o These form PAN with Nitrogen oxides,
which is highly toxic.

c. Oxides of Nitrogen
o These include NO and NO2 which are
released by automobiles and chemical
industries as waste gases and also by 2. PARTICULATE
burning of materials. o These pollutants may be solid or liquid
o These are harmful and lower the oxygen particles, larger particles settle down
carrying capacity of blood. quickly viz., sand and water droplets
whereas small dust particles remain
suspended in air for a long time. These
d. Oxides of Sulphur are added into the atmosphere by the
o SO2 and SO3 are produced by burning processes of blasting, drilling, crushing,
of coal and petroleum and are harmful grinding and mixing.
to buildings, clothing, plants and
animals. a. Particulate Matter
o High concentration of so2 causes o Industries and automobiles release fine
chlorosis (yellowing of leaves), solid and liquid particles into the air.
plasmolysis, damage to mucous o The following are particulate pollutants
membrane and metabolic inhibition that are injurious to respiratory tract:
o These may precipitate as rain or snow  Fly ash and soot from burning of
producing acid rain precipitation. coal,
 metal dust, containing lead,
chromium, nickel, cadmium, zinc
e. Photochemical Oxidants and
o Formed by the photochemical reactions
between primary pollutants, oxides of b. Aerosols
nitrogen and hydrocarbons.
 o These are chemicals released in the air  Smoke and dust cover the leaf
in vapor form. These include: surface and reduce photosynthetic
 Fluorocarbon (carbon capacity of plants.
compound having fluorine)
present in emissions from the 2. Effects on Man
Jet airplanes.  Ozone causes dryness of mucous
o Aerosols deplete the ozone layer. membranes, changes eye vision,
Thinning of ozone layer results in more causes headache, pulmonary
harmful ultraviolet rays reaching the congestion and edema.
earth.  Ozone has been reported to
 Harmful to the skin produce chromosomal aberrations
 Can lead to cancer  Smoking of tobacco causes
cancerous growth in lungs
c. Radioactive Substances  SO3, CO and NO2 diffuse into blood
 These are released by nuclear stream and reduce oxygen transport
explosions and explosives. o CO damages cardiovascular
 These are extremely harmful for system
health.

3. Change in Climate
 Increase in CO2 concentration may
increase the atmospheric
d. Fluorides
temperature, producing greenhouse
 These are released by nuclear
effect.
explosions and explosives.
 A rise of global temperature by
 These are extremely harmful for
more than 2 – 3 degrees may melt
health.
glaciers and polar ice.
 Rocks, soils and minerals
 Rainfall pattern may also change,
containing fluorides release an
affecting agricultural output in
extremely toxic gas called
various regions of the world
hydrogen fluoride on heating.
 This gas is highly injurious to
livestock and cattle.
4. Aesthetic Loss
 Dust and smoke spoils the beauty of
nature, especially the mountain
EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTANTS
environments, which serve as a
1. Effects on plants great attraction for tourists.
 SO2 causes chlorosis and also in the  Foul odors emitted by industries,
death of cells and tissues. automobiles, dirty drains and
 Hydrocarbons cause premature garbage heaps in cities are a great
yellowing, fall of leave and flower nuisance.
buds, discoloration and curlingof
sepals and petals.
B. WATER POLLUTION  Increased use of fertilizers has become
essential for high yielding crop plants.
 Water is extremely essential for life, this
 Excess of nitrates used as fertilizers seep
common fact is known to all.
into ground water is carried into lakes
 Required to meet our basic needs in
and pond.
day to life, cooking, drinking, bathing,
 On entering the drinking water supply
disposal of sewage, irrigation,
system these create several health
generating electricity in power plants,
problems.
cooling and manufacturing different
products in industries and the disposal
of industrial wastes.
4. PESTICIDES
 During all these processes the
 These include insecticides, fungicides,
undesirable substances are added to
nematicides, rodenticides, herbicides
the water resources to a great extent.
and soil fumigants.
This alters the basic chemistry of water
 These contain chlorinated
in rivers and streams.
hydrocarbons, organophosphates,
metallic salts, carbonates, acetic acid
derivatives and many pesticides are
non-degradable.
 They pass through the food chains and
accumulate in fatty tissues causing
several health hazards.
SOURCES OF WATER POLLUTION

1. DOMESTIC SEWAGE 5. THERMAL POLLUTION

 This includes household’s wastes like  Power plants and nuclear power
food wastes, synthetic detergents used stations are the main sources of
for washing clothes and cleaning thermal pollution of water where
bathrooms and latrines and water - water is used for cooling and
based paints. becomes hot.
 The hot water on entering the main
water body raises its temperature,
2. INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS which kills fishes and other aquatic
 These are discharged in the adjoining animals and increases the rate of
rivers and streams through flush lines of respiration in aquatic plants.
factories.
 The textiles, sugar and fertilizers
factories, oil refineries, drugs 6. PATHOGENIC ORGANISMS
manufacture, rubber, and rayon fibers,  Sewage and domestic waste from
the paper industries and the chemical houses introduces pathogenic
factories all produce chemical pollution. organisms such as protozoa, worms-
eggs and bacteria into water.
 This contaminated water if consumed
3. AGRICULTURAL SOURCE causes jaundice, typhoid, dysentery,
 cholera, tuberculosis and other 3. Cadmium damages kidneys and livers
diseases. 4. Inorganic nitrates and phosphates
promote growth of oxygen-consuming
algae, which result in the death of fishes
7. MINERAL OILS and other aquatic animals.
 Oil from oil spills and washings of 5. Presence of dyes and compounds in the
automobiles finds way into river water discharged water changes the colour of
through sewers. water.
 Oil spill in Mindoro 6. Soap, detergents and, alkalis (alkaline)
result in foam formation
7. Industrial effluents containing iron, free
8. UNDERGROUND WATER POLLUTION chlorine, phenol, manganese, oils,
 Underground water particularly in cities hydrocarbons, ammonia, algae and
and industrial areas is no more pure and microorganisms impair the taste and
safe. The sources of underground water odors of water.
pollution are : 8. The nitrates and phosphates dissolved
Sewage in water accelerate the growth of
Seepage microorganisms, which consumes much
Pits of the dissolved oxygen depriving fish
Septic Tanks and other aquatic life (eutrophication)
9. Biomagnifications is the increase of
toxic materials at each tropic level of a
9. MARINE WATER POLLUTION food chain.
 River and stream networks sources of
water ultimately end up ocean and
seas. Thus, these acts as the sink of all FOR EXAMPLE:
natural and man –made water - based
pollutants. DDT after reaching a water system is
 The main sources of oceanic pollution absorbed by the microorganisms on which
are discharges of oil, greases, petroleum smaller fishes feed. From them, DDT
products, detergents, sewage and reaches the carnivorous animals. Since
garbage including radioactive wastes. bigger fishes consume more food, large
amounts of DDT accumulates in their body.

1. Compounds of mercury, arsenic and

lead are poisonous and chemically
harmful as they even affect water SOIL POLLUTION
treatment plants. E.G. Organic sulphur
compounds interfere with nitrification.  Like water and air, soil is also
2. Mercury when dissolved in water is equally important for living
absorbed by aquatic plants and enters organisms. It supports plants on
the food chain. Lead impairs which all other living organisms
metabolism and brings about congenital depend. The process of soil
deformities, anemia and others. formation is so slow that the soil
 may be regarded as a non- TYPES OF SOIL POLLUTION
renewable source. Therefore, the
1. Positive soil pollution
study and control of soil pollution is
 Reduction in the productivity of soil
important. Any substance that
due to the addition of undesirable
reduces soil productivity is called
substances like:
soil pollutant.
Pesticides
Herbicides
Fertilizers
SOURCES OF SOIL POLLUTION
 These pollutants have cumulative
There are several materials, which adversely effect and kill the soil organisms.
affect physical, chemical and biological
properties of the soil and thus reduce its 2. Negative soil pollution
productivity. These are:  It is caused by the removal of useful
components by :
1. Chemical present in industrial Erosion
waste. deforestation and,
2. Pesticides and insecticides that are improper methods of
sprayed on crops. agriculture.
3. Fertilizers and manures that are
added to the soil to increase the
crop yield

EFFECTS OF SOIL POLLUTION

1. Chemicals and pesticides affect the

structure and fertility of soil by killing
the soil microorganisms.
2. Pesticides are absorbed by the plants
and then transferred to other
organisms, hence they affected food
chains and food webs.
3. Excretory products of livestock and
human beings used as manure pollute
the soil besides giving high yield.
4. The faulty sanitation and unhygienic
practices of the people add to the soil
pollution.
5. Pathogens present in the wastes and
excreta contaminate the soil and
vegetable crops causing diseases in man
and domesticated animals.
 EXAMPLES

 Floods
 Hurricanes
 Volcanic eruptions
 Earthquakes
 Tsunamis
 Storms and
 Other geologic processes.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

 Loss of life and property due to natural

disasters like tropical cyclones, floods,
drought, tornadoes, earthquakes,
volcanic eruptions, and others are very
large.
 Fortunately, warning facilities are
available today and by mitigation
measures, loss of lives and properties
can be minimized.
 National Meteorological Services of the
world to provide warnings to the public
for some of the weather- related natural
disasters.
 It is not possible to forecast a long period
ahead precisely when and where a
dangerous natural phenomena will take
place. While natural disasters cannot be
NATURAL DISASTERS IN THE PHILIPPINES prevented, taking proper long-term and
short-term disaster mitigation measures
1. Super Typhoons (Ondon-Ketsana) (Ulysses)- can minimize the loss of life and
1972-2009-2010 property.

WHAT IS NATURAL DISASTER? WHAT CAUSES

FLOODS, EARTHQUAKES, AND
CYCLONES/TYPHOONS? NATURAL DISASTERS

1. FLOODS
 Floods are defined as a relatively high
NATURAL DISASTER flow of water discharge from river and
 It is a major adverse event resulting from stream network, which sets the
natural processes of the Earth. riverbank margins to overflow and lead
 to the inundation of low land areas  Are commonly defined as the interface
surrounding the riverbed. or transition areas between land and
 It essentially a physical phenomenon, sea.
flood arise from abnormally heavy Large inland lakes
rains, dam failures, snow melts, river
blockages.
 Flood disasters rank second only to  Ocean tides, storm surges or tsunamis
droughts in the total number of people play a definite role.
affected worldwide.  Prolonged and indefinite rains in the
rainy season marked from June to
FLOOD GATES
September results in extreme flood in
- LA MESA DAM coastal river basins.

TYPES OF FLOOD 3. FLASH FLOODS

 THESE FLOODS OCCUR WITHIN SIX
1. RIVER FLOODS
HOURS OF THE BEGINNING OF
 Rivers get charged due to heavy
RAINFALL AND ; ARE CHARACTERIZED
rains over large catchments areas
WITH:
 or by melting of snow or sometimes
RISING CLOUDS;
with tributaries that may drain into
THUNDERSTORMS AND;
large geographic areas and
TROPICAL STORMS
encompass many independent river
 These result from runoff from a
basins.
torrential downpour, particularly if the
 Amount of flooding depends on
catchments slope is unable to absorb
moisture in the soil, vegetation
and hold a significant part of water.
cover, and depth of snow and size
 Dam failure, sudden break up glaciers.
of catchments basin.
 These offer potential threats in the
areas where the terrain is steep, surface
runoff is high, water flows through
canyons, and where severe rainstorms
2. COASTAL FLOODS are likely to occur.
 Coastal flooding is associated with
tropical cyclones/harsh winds arising at
the ocean surface. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FLOOD
 Often aggravated by wind induced
1. Man-made structures and forests
storm surges along the coastline.
vegetation exhibits different levels of
 Sea and ocean water floods the inland
tolerance towards effects of flood.
coasts affecting kilometers of tracts.
2. Intensity of damage is governed by the
time interval of standing flood waters.
3. High velocity of running water may
COASTAL AREAS uproot or weaken foundations of
buildings.
PUROK 4 RIVER AREA bear a great risk of suffering from water
borne diseases.
 One of the preventive measures of
4. The destruction of food and fodder
barangay Marinig for rainy season
crops result in acute food shortage.
5. Floods also make soil infertile, as the
topsoil is lost due to erosional activity.
4. Rate of rise and discharge of a river is 6. Floods are also known to preserve,
important as a basis for flood control. wetlands and recharge ground water.
5. Frequency of occurrence estimated
over a length of period would
determine the kind of activities the
FLOOD CONTROL
flood plain should be put to.
6. Generally, the rainy season is 1. Depth and width of the riverbed could
characterized by the floods during be increased as its capacity to carry
larger loads increases manifold and thus
reduce the area of the flood plain.
ONDOY 2. A network of canals can be established
from the river systems, which generally
 Tropical storm (Ketsana) hit the leads to floods. This would also benefit
Philippines on September 26, 2009. the agricultural economy/section. Care
 Causing widespread flooding storm in must be taken in the design and
Metro Manila and nearby provinces construction because of the possible
followed by typhoon Pepeng (Parma) environmental impact and necessary
 710 dies safety features.
3. RESERVOIRS
 Should be made for storing
EFFECTS OF FLOOD floodwater and releasing them
1. Rising water, erosion and the force at manageable rates.
damage the residential and  This would require careful
commercial building. They are engineering. Dams, and
dangerous for village lying in the coastal reservoirs would further lead to
areas as its sweeps away everything, generation of resources.
which comes into its path. In 4. FLOOD PROOF RESIDENTIAL
mountainous areas it is the chief cause  Newly constructed residential
of landslides. as well as commercial buildings
2. Fisherman, local people, cattle, should have foundations, which
animals, and vegetation suffer a great are strong enough to respond
loss of life and property. Most of the to flood conditions.
deaths are reported to be from 5. RIVERS AND STREAMBEDS SHOULD BE
drowning STABILIZED WITH STONE
3. Fresh water supplies by all sources are  This should strictly be followed
nearly destroyed and contaminated where rivers pass through cities,
hence the areas falling under its impact especially near bridges.
 their sense of patriotism by
disposing their garbage properly
POST DISASTER REQUIREMENTS
and strictly following the waste
segregation scheme of the Quezon
City Government.
THE INITIAL RESPONSE TO FLOODING
AUTHORITIES/COMMUNITY SHOULD INCLUDE:

Search and rescue operations THE FOLLOWING KINDS GARBAGE WERE

Water provision RETRIEVED BY THE GOVERNMENT:
Medical assistance
1. DISCARDED REFRIGERATORS
Food
2. SOFAS
Epidemiological surveillance
3. DINING TABLES
assessment
4. CHEST FREEZERS
Temporary shelter
5. KING-SIZED BEDS
6. OTHER APPLIANCES

THE SECONDARY RESPONSE TO FLOODING

AUTHORITIES/COMMUNITY SHOULD INCLUDE:

Reconstruction of houses,
o According to DPWH Quezon City first
Creation of employment,
assistant district Engineer Loida Busa
Assistance to farmers,
have turned to “glorified garbage”
Distribution of farm equipment and
collectors that there were days when
tools,
the district offices have retrieved 1,000
Supply of animals, and
fully-laden dump truck of garbage in a
Assist with recovery of small business
day.
and fisheries.

SOLUTIONS TO FLOOD PROBLEMS

FLOOD PROBLEMS IN THE PHILIPPINES
1. The local government of Quezon city
1. Rapid industrialization
with the effort of the mayor during his
2. Heavy Rain fall
time mayor Herbert Bautista, has
3. Dumping of garbage in water ways
ordered the city engineering to step up
Million of motorists and pedestrians
the inspection of retaining walls,
have complained of being stranded
declogging of water ways and
in many parts of metro manila as
improvement of drainage channels, to
low-lying and flood –prone areas
minimize flooding, especially during
were flooded with the onset of the
heavy downpour.
rainy season.
2. Flood control efforts as a result of the
These three reasons were traced by
completion of 17city-funded waterways
the Government engineers so
infrastructure projects designed to
DPWH Quezon City Second District
prevent flashfloods (according to Q.C
Engineer Marlyn Garma- Inguillo
Engr. Joselito Cabungcal).
appealed to the public to exercise
3. 179.6 million projects consisted of implement flood control projects.
newly constructed retaining and Additionally, community-based
revetment walls, grouted ripraps and initiatives and education programs aim
concrete canals built along water to raise awareness about flood risks and
channels in Quezon City, promote resilience among vulnerable
4. Constructing 36 additional drainage populations.
improvement projects that would
speed up the receding time of flood
water

o The Philippines is a country prone to

floods due to its geographical location
and topography. The country
experiences an average of 20 typhoons
each year, resulting in heavy rainfall
and widespread flooding in many areas.
o Floods in the Philippines have caused
significant damage to infrastructure,
agriculture, and human lives. Urban
areas, particularly those with
inadequate drainage systems, are highly
vulnerable to flooding. The capital city
of Manila, located in a low-lying area,
has often experienced severe flooding
during heavy rains and typhoons.
o The consequences of flooding in the
Philippines include displacement of
communities, loss of lives, damage to
homes and properties, disruption of
transportation and communication
systems, and the spread of waterborne
diseases. Floods also have a
detrimental impact on the country's
economy, particularly on the
agricultural sector, as crops are
destroyed, and livestock are lost.
o The Philippine government, along with
various local and international
organizations, has been working to
improve disaster preparedness and
response measures. Efforts have been
made to enhance early warning
systems, strengthen infrastructure, and