Science, Technology & Society

MODULAR LESSONS

Prepared by: Engr. Ruel V. Payumo

(Instructor)

Submitted to: San Pedro City Polytechnic College

(Brgy. Narra San Pedro City, Laguna)

Date submitted: May 31, 2020

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Lesson – 1
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INTRODUCTION OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY (STS)

Science, Technology and Society is a broad topic that encompasses the intersections among these fields
of discipline, Science is a systematic organized body of knowledge that explains or predicts nature and
the universe. Technology is the collection of methods, techniques and processes used in the production
of goods and service, or the accomplishment of objectives, such as scientific investigations or any other
consumer demands. Science may drive technological development by generating demands for new
instrument to address a scientific questions or issues, or by illustrating technical possibilities previously
unconsidered.

In turn, technology may drive scientific investigation, by creating demand for technological
improvements that can only be produced through scientific research and investigation, and by raising
questions about the underlying principles that anew technology relies on.

In other words, technology is the child (product) of science. And science is the parent (caused) of
technology. Technology uses scientific principles and scientific findings in achieving scientific
advancements and improvement. Without science, technological improvement is left to chance.

Science and technology affect society in general. These are follows:

● Improved S & T result to industrialization and thus converting a simple society to a complex
one
● People’s life and lifestyle changed as a result of improved S & T
● Urbanization results when S & T improve because people usually migrate to a place where their
basic needs are met
● People have stronger desire for material goods when S & T improved in the place
● More discoveries and inventions that benefit the people due to improved S & T

In the past years of Philippine government rule, it must be noted that 75% of the Filipinos are engaged
in agriculture. This is because the Philippines is primarily agricultural and nothing or less than
nothing has been done to spur rural industrialization which is very much needed by 85% of the
population who resides in the rural areas.

To this day, we have yet to see efficient development of infrastructure, energy generation,
transportation, information and communication technology (internet speed and WIFI elsewhere) and
basic services (water utilities and electricity every places, health care services, especially to the senior
citizens and PWD’s, and the establishments of basic services such as steel production around th country.

At present, there is little science and technological advancement that wee could boost out as our
invention and discoveries comparable with the global world, especially in the field of transportation
and communication.

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Lesson – 2
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SOCIAL MEDIA

The Impact of Social Media in the 21st Century

(By Choity Ahmed, March 11, 2004)
(Source:http:/wpmu.mah.se/nmict141group4/2014/03/11/the-impact-of-social-media-in-the-21st-ce
ntury/)

In this 21st century of digital age, the social media is the game changing phenomenon in
communication. This evidenced by the growing numbers of internet users from its moderate low
millions to more recently low billions (Shirky, 2011).

Today people and organizations remain connected and updated through various forms of social
media networks and we are surrounded by Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, blogs and
microblogs to mention individuals as well as groups to create movements and voice themselves, for
both the good and the bad, and it is partly our purpose as STS students to discover ways that social
media can be utilized for positive, sustainable and resourceful communication outcomes.

In more recent days we have and will continue to witness activism being developed through
social media sphere. Even where networks are monitored or restricted by government bodies, social
movements and civil uprisings have taken place by the help of the above-mentioned communication
means, seen in for example the Arab Spring and the Kony Campaign that went viral on social media in
2012. And to further support the great impact of Facebook in modern society, according to the Sydney
Morning Herald the social network has now got over 1.23 billion monthly active users, with 80% of
these users residing outside of North America (Sharma, 2014), however by also emphasizing that today,
ten years into its existence, one of Facebook’s main threats are the apps that have been born through
the era of smartphones and mobile internet (Sharma, 2014).

On the other to the convenient ease of social media exemption applied to regions yet faced with
technological and economic challenges and/or governmental censorship issues. Although the internet
has had a considerable effect on activism Cammaerts (2007) means that the main constraints of the
internet is still unfortunately accessibility and fragmentation among users. Some state that the answer
to activism is balanced proportions to the online and offline activities undertaken between
organizations, particularly to establish trust which Cammaerts (2007) supports by stating that it is in
the interaction between the dichotomies that empowers the organizing, mobilizing and debating
resistances. A very good point encouraging the reinforcement of conventional communication methods,
however the question stands how long lasting those offline methods will remain for the long haul with
the rapid development of technology worldwide, taking into consideration that regions currently
suffering by lack of technological advancements will eventually most likely catch up. Shirky (2011)

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points out that the networked community indeed has access to a greater range of information
subsequently leading them to voicing up and undertaking collective action – certainly being a wider
aim to work towards within STS.

The Impact of Social Media in our Daily Lives

If you are going to look back more than a decade ago and find some elements that affected
society as a whole, it was very difficult to find and connect people that you once knew in the elementary
or high school, even with the power of the web, when you moved away, most people lost touch
permanently. The social media sites, such as Facebook and Google+, are making it easier for people to
find one another and reconnect after decades of being apart. The sites are a great way to see what is
happening in the lives of friends and family, and to meet new people who have similar interest and
thoughts to yours.

Melissa Tyler, a tech writer shares her wisdom to us on the impact of social media to our daily
lives. These are as follows:

1. The Youth

The young people are often the most ready to adapt and to learn to use new technologies, and
they are certainly at the forefront of social media of all types. They have more technological
know-how than many older generations as well. Social media, therefore, is certainly having a rather
large impact on their daily lives for good or for bad.

Those who spend too much time on social sites, or who take the abuses of online bullies seriously
on the sites could have some issues. For parents, even those of teenagers who are 16 and 17, it is
important to watch them to make sure that social media sites do not take over the lives of these
children. When used appropriately, it can be a very good thing.

2. Marketing

Likewise, the social media sites are ripe for marketing endeavors as well, and over the past few
years, users have seen an uptick in the amount of advertising on the sites. Many companies are
actually choosing to become a part of the site rather than merely buying advertising. This allows for
a closer connection between the customers and the companies, which could lead to better service
and better-quality products. As long as companies are not too overt about ads and promotion, most
users do not mind it. In most cases, users would have to subscribe to the content in the first place.

3. Entertainment

This is another reason why people are spending as much time as they do on social media sites is
because they can be a great form of entertainment. Watch videos that people post to their timelines,
view pictures, read stories, and even play games. Whether using a smart phone, a tablet, or a
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 traditional computer, more and more people are utilizing social media in their daily lives. Few
things have quite as much impact and effect as social media over the past few years. The sites are
certainly a step toward world globalization.

It is possible to find a number of different social media outlets available today, and one should certainly
be able to find something that suits their needs and lifestyle. From Twitter to Facebook and Google+,
something is available for everyone who wants to connect.

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Lesson – 3
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GMO

Genetically Modified Organism (GMO): Science, Health, and Politics

Those on one side of the controversy argued that GM (Genetically Modified) foods could
represent one of the biggest advances ever achieved in farming, while those in opposition believed that
GM foods could trigger a wide variety of serious environmental and health problems. The scientific
evidence supporting either view was far from complete and might not become so without field trials
extending over several crop seasons. Public opinion remained deeply divided, sometimes bitterly so.

The main proponents of GM foods are Americans, and the main skeptics are European and
Asians. American farmers have long planted GM crops and are by far the world’s largest exporters of
GM foods. Only in recent years have they encountered widespread analyses of the crops’ benefits and
drawbacks. Europe, by contrast, grows only small amounts of GM crops but has become the site of
large-scale resistance.

The Americans insist that their country has the highest food-safety standards in the world and
that the new products have been thoroughly analyzed and approved by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Food and Drug Administration. They also point
out that for a number of years Americans have been eating large amounts of genetically modified foods
without suffering any apparent adverse effects. In addition, Americans protest against Europe’s
“artificial” trade barriers that limit imports of agricultural products, as evidenced by Europe’s 1998
refusal to allow entry of certain genetically modified corn varieties, costing American farmers some
$200 million in lost sales.

Finally, a major concern in 2000 centered on public trust in both the scientists and the
agribusiness leaders. Without greater public support, the GM industry in Europe is likely to remain
undeveloped. Opinion polls consistently show that more than 80% of the public there do not want GM
foods. As a result many European food producers and suppliers alike are working to reduce or
eradicate GM organisms in the food chain. They will almost certainly continue to do so until policy
decisions on the GM issue are seen to be taken in light of reliable, comprehensive, and objective
information – a resource that is in short supply thus far. Fortunately, product labeling, a critically
important measure, is becoming widespread in Europe and is becoming more common in the U.S.

In response to this challenge, GM advocates need to improve their communications if public

opinion is to be convinced that the advantages outweigh the risks. Efforts should be made to listen to,
as well as speak to, the public. The issue is one not only of the public’s understandings of science but
also of scientists’ understanding of the public.

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 Some say that labelling would indicate that there is something wrong with the food. By the way,
some 70 to 90 percent of processed food is genetically modified and has been that way for years.
However, respected food policy experts like Marion Nestle say just label them, already, so people can
choose. The battle has moved well beyond the realm of science, and its political impact on the health
and food-conscious.

Ethical Implications of GMO

A number of ethical concerns over GM foods have been noted. These have affected public
support of the products. These issues have triggered controversies and regulations pertaining to GM
foods.

It has the potential to trigger food allergies or diseases in humans.

Given that a gene could be extracted from an allergenic organism and placed in another one
that typically does not cause allergies, a person may unknowingly be exposed to an allergen. In turn,
this could lead to an allergic reaction. There is also the fear that new allergies could occur from mixing
a genes from two organisms.

Disease is a major health worry with regards to GM foods. Given that some of the crops modified
are done so with DNA from bacterium or virus, there is concern that a new disease may occur in
humans who consume the GM food. With some GM crops having antibiotic-resistant marker genes,
there is also the worry that these genes could be passed on to microbes that cause disease and health
problems in humans. With widespread antibiotic resistance currently already occurring, any new
resistance could prove disastrous.

The Potential Future of GMO

The recent announcement that a genetically modified salmon had reached Canadian consumers
was a rare reap forwards for GM foods. More than two decades after commercialization of GM plants,
this is the first time GM animal (fish) to reach the market.
The fast-growing salmon can reach market size in 18 months, roughly half the time genetically
modified counterpart and requires less feed. This could bring both business and environmental benefits
and the approval may pave the way for other GM animals.

Scientists are working on disease-resistant pigs, bird-flu resistant chickens, hornless dairy cows,
and highly productive lamb this Passover; the history of genetically modified organisms (GMO) has
shown that it takes many years, plenty of innovation never make it.

The very research program developing GM plants and animals have seldom make it to fruition
and the market is dominated by a few types of modification.

In the last few years, one has seen a rapid expansion in crops with 1 stacked traits that have
gene for resistance to both herbicide and insects, and not in the new future this is the direction that GM
agriculture will no doubt heading on.
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Lesson – 4
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THE NANO WORLD

The Nature of NanoWorld

The Latin word of Nano is “nenus” which means dwarf. Hence, nano means extremely small.
NanoWorld literally means “small world”.

Nano World is the global market leader for tips for Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) and
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The AFM is the defining instrument for the whole field of nanoscience
and nanotechnology. The NanoWorld enables its users in research and high-tech industry to investigate
materials at the atomic scale. AFM probes are the key consumable, the so-called “finger” that enables
the scientist to scan surface point-by-point at the atomic scale. Consistent high quality of the scanning
probes is vital for reproducible results.

Studying and Controlling Matter

The incredibly small NanoWorld enables scientists to prove years of scientific discovery and
create amazing nano devices. A nanometer (nm) is a unit of length equivalent to one billionth (10-9) of
a meter.

For comparison, a single sheet of paper is approximately 100,000 nm thick and a strand of DNA
is 2.5 nm across.

By studying and controlling matter at this nanoscale (1-100 nm), scientists can alter individual
atoms and molecules. These alterations can lead to change in the physical, chemical, biological, and
optical properties of matter. When compared to their larger counterparts, nanoparticles can exhibit
nano or less strength, flexibility, reactivity, reflectivity, or conductivity.

Role of Nanotechnology

The existence of nanotechnology and the creation of nanodevices have now occurred at a raid
rate after only 20 years of research and development. Nanotechnology is now aiding and
revolutionizing different aspects of science and technology. These are in the areas of environmental
science, information technology, medical science, energy, transportation, internal security, food safety,
and those related to human and environmental health.

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Nanotechnology Impacts Human Lives

Many of us today, professionals and non-professionals, students, and non-students, have not
heard the word NanoWorld and Nanotechnology or maybe do not know what these means. But
nanotechnology is a common word in this contemporary society.

A few might have heard id but don’t realize the amazing impact it has on our lives.
Nanotechnology properly belongs to the field of natural science, engineering and technology.

According to the US National Nanotechnology, a nanoscale is about 1 to 100 nanometers. One

nanometer is a billionth of a meter or a 10-9 of a meter. Since nanotechnology is a rapidly expanding
field today, scientists and engineers have great success in making materials at the nanoscale.

These people take advantage of enhanced properties of materials, such as higher strengths,
lighter weight, increased electrical conductivity and chemical reactivity compared to their larger scale
equivalents.

Here are ten (10) ways on how Nanotechnology impacts human lives:
By Mark Crawford, ASME.org, March 2016
(Source:https://www.asme.org/engineering-topics/articles/technology-and-society/10-ways-nanotec
hnology-impacts-lives)

1. Faster, smaller and more powerful computers that consume far less power, with longer-lasting
batteries. Circuits made from carbon nanotubes could vital in maintaining the growth of computer
power, allowing Moore’s Law to continue.

2. Faster, more functional, and more accurate medical diagnostic equipment. Lab-on-a-chip
technology enables point-of-care testing in real time, which speeds up delivery of medical care.
Nanomaterial surfaces on implants improve wear and resist infection.

3. Nanoparticles in pharmaceutical products improve their absorption within the body and make
them easier to deliver, often through combination medical devices. Nanoparticles can also be used
to deliver chemotherapy drug to specific cells, such as cancer cells.

4. Improved vehicle fuel efficiency and corrosion resistance by building vehicle parts from
nanocomposite material that are lighter, stronger, and more chemically resistant than metal.

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 Nanofilters remove all airborne particles from the air before it reaches the combustion chamber,
further improving gas mileage.

5. Nanoparticles or nanofibers in fabrics can enhance stain resistance, water resistance, and flame
resistance, without a significant increase in weight, thickness, or stiffness of the fabric. For example,
“nano-whiskers” on pants make them resistant to water and stains.

6. Water filters that are only 15-20 nanometers wide can remove nano-sized particles, including
virtually all viruses and bacteria. These cost-efficient, portable water treatment systems are ideal
for improving the quality of drinking water in emerging countries.

7. Carbon nanotubes have a variety of commercial uses, including making sports equipment stronger
and lighter weight. For example, a tennis racket made with carbon nanotubes bends less during
impact and increases the force and accuracy of the delivery. Nanoparticle-treated tennis balls can
keep bouncing twice as long as standard tennis balls.

8. Most sunscreens today are made from nanoparticles that effectively absorb light, including the
more dangerous ultraviolet range. They also spread more easily over the skin. These same
nanoparticles are also used in food packaging to reduce UV exposure and prolong shelf life.

9. Many drink bottles are made from plastics containing nanoclays, which increase resistance to
permeation by oxygen, carbon dioxide, and moisture. This helps retain carbonation and pressure
and increases shelf life by several months.

10. Thanks to nanotechnology, a huge variety of chemical sensors can be programmed to detect a
particular chemical at amazingly low levels, for example, a single molecule out of billions. This
capability is ideal for surveillance and security systems at labs, industrial sites, airports. On the
medical front, nanosensors can also be used to accurately identify particular cells of substances in
the body.

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Lesson – 5
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Other Possibilities of Nanotechnology

There are thousands of ways that nanotechnology impacts our lives. In fact, almost daily, there
are announcements of new achievements in nanotechnology. As of this writing, two (2) important
achievements came out.

● Chemistry professor Stuart Licht who lead a team of researchers at the George Washington
University have discovered a way to draw carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and
convert it into high-yield carbon nanofilter that can be used in Boeing Dreamliner, as well as in
high-end sports equipment, wind turbine blades, and a host of other products.

● Markus Antonietti; the director of Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces pointed out
that nanotechnology has greatest potential for improving the state of the world and this can be
done by “fixing the atmosphere” through the purification of air and water his process is already
being done.

● Antonietti further stated: “The best part is that all of this (referring to purification of the
atmosphere) could happen immediately if we simply spread the information in an
understandable way. People don’t read science journals, so they don’t even know that all of this
is possible”.

Major Impacts of Nanotechnology on Society

There is a much debate about what positive and negative effects that nanotechnology might
have. Nevertheless, nanotechnology has broader social challenges.

Nanotechnology will radically reshape our economies, our labor markets, international trades,
international relations, social structures, civil liberties, our relationship with the natural world and
even what we understand to be human.

It may be more accurate to describe the change driven by nanotechnology as a technological

tsunami – which will necessarily have a profound impact.

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 Nanotechnology is going to revolutionize manufacturing, healthcare, energy, supply,
communication, and probably defense. It will also transform labor and the workplace, the medical
system, transportation and power infrastructures and the military. All of these have social disruptions.

The negative impact of nanotechnology is that it will exacerbate problem stemming from
existing socio-economic inequity and unequal distribution of power between rich and poor causing
“nano-divide”. There will be a gap for those who control nanotechnologies (rich) and those whose
products, services or labor are displaced by them (making the people become poor).

Nanotechnology has the potential to destabilize international relations through nano arms,
race and the increased potential for bioweaponry which provides the tool for ubiquitous surveillance
that will significantly affect civil liberties.

The application of nanotechnology may pose significant global catastrophic risk. The risk from
nanotechnology comes from the potential to lead war, arms, race, and destructive global government.

There is a likelihood that well-developed countries as well as “aggressor” countries may lead to
unstable races based on the following premises:

● A big number of countries, especially the “aggressive” countries may be tempted to enter the
race since the threshold for doing so is low.

● Molecular manufacturing of weapons is cheap and easy to hide.

● Lack of insight of other countries may tempt the players (counties) to launch pre-emptive
strikes.

● Molecular manufacturing may reduce dependency on international trade – a potential peace

promoting factor.

● Since manufacturing of weapons is cheap and humans are no longer needed in battlefield, wars
of aggression may pose smaller economic threat to the aggressor.

Because of the possible risks of nanotechnology in society and human lives, self-regulations by state
are needed. But this is hard to achieve at this time since the international structure is difficult to call
upon. It is hard to coordinate efforts for arms contract. The United Nations must come in to stop
countries (some are in Asia) which are proud (or show off) of producing weapons of destruction.
Some countries now are having their nano products patented. In fact, over 800 nano-related
patents were already granted in 2013 and many more this year (2018). The carbon nanotubes is one
of the current patented nanoproduct which have a wide range of uses in electronics and computers and
these have replaced conventional raw materials.
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 _____________________________________________________________

Lesson – 6
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Cost and Benefits to Society of Nanotechnology

In developing countries, nanotechnology may provide new solutions for millions of people safe
access to safe water, reliable energy, health care and education. Other benefits include production using
little labor, load, or maintenance, high productivity, low cost, and modest requirements for materials
and energy.

Costa Rica, Chile, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Malaysia are investing considerable resources in
research and development in nano technologies. Brazil, China, and South Africa are also sending
millions of US dollars in their manufacturing research as demonstrated by their increasing numbers
per reviewed scientific publications.

Potential opportunities of nanotechnologies in the international development priorities include

improved water purification systems, energy systems, medicines, and pharmaceuticals, food production
and nutrition, information and communications technologies. Nanotechnologies are still in the
research phase, while others are concepts that are years or decades away from development.

Production of the environment, human health in developing countries often suffers from a
combination of factors that can include but are not limited to lack of robust environmental, human
health, and worker safety regulations; poorly or unenforced regulation which is linked to a lack of
physical (e.g., equipment) and human capacity (i.e., properly trained regulatory staff). Often, these
nations require assistance, particularly financial assistance, to develop the scientific and institutional
capacity to adequately assess and manage risks, including the necessary infrastructure such as
laboratories and technology for detection.

Very little is known about the risks and broader impacts of nanotechnology. At a time of great
uncertainty over the impacts of nanotechnology it will be challenging for governments, companies, civil
society organizations, and the general public in developing countries, as in developed countries, to
make decisions about the governance of nanotechnology.

Companies, and to a lesser extent governments and universities, are receiving patents on
nanotechnology. The rapid increase in patenting of nanotechnology is illustrated by the fact that in the
US, there were 500 nanotechnology patent applications in 1998 and 1,300 in 2000. Some patents are
very broadly defined, which has raised concern among some groups that the rush to patent could slow
innovation and drive up costs of products, thus reducing the potential for innovations that could benefit
low income populations in developing countries.
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 There is a clear link between commodities and poverty. Many least developed countries are
dependent on a few commodities for employment, government revenue, and export earnings. Many
applications of nanotechnology are being developed that could impact global demand for specific
commodities. For instance, certain nanoscale materials could enhance the strength and durability of
rubber, which might eventually lead to a decrease in demand for certain commodities, For example,
demand for titanium may increase as a result of new uses for nanoscale titanium oxides, such as
titanium dioxide nanotubes that can be used to produce and store hydrogen for use as fuel. Various
organizations have called for international dialogue on mechanisms that will allow developing
countries to anticipate and proactively adjust to these changes.

In 2003, Meridian Institute began the Global Dialogue on Nanotechnology and the Poor:
Opportunities and Risks (GDNP) to raise awareness of the opportunities and risks of nanotechnology
for developing countries, close the gaps within and between sectors of society to catalyze actions that
address specific opportunities and risks of nanotechnology for developing countries, and identify ways
that science and technology can play an appropriate role in the development process. The GDNP has
released several publicly accessible papers on nanotechnology and development, including
“Nanotechnology and the Poor: Opportunities and Risks – Closing the Gaps Within and Between Sectors
of Society”; “Nanotechnology, Water, and Development”; and “Overview and Comparison of
Conventional and Nano-Based Water Treatment Technologies”.

Its Effects on Social Justice, Civil Liberties and Labor

(Source: Science Communication, Vol. 27, No. 2. 2005 and the Internet, retrieved 2007)

Concerns are frequently raised that are claimed benefits of nanotechnology will not be evenly
distributed, and that any benefit (including technical and/or economic) associated with
nanotechnology will only reach affluent nations. The majority of nanotechnology research and
development – and patents for nanomaterials and products – is concentrated and developed in
countries (including United States, Japan, Germany, Canada, and France). In addition, most patents
related to nanotechnology are concentrated among few multinational corporations, including IBM,
Micron Technologies, Advanced Micro Devices and Intel. This has led to fears that it will be unlikely that
developing countries will have access to the infrastructure, funding and human resource required to
support nanotechnology research and development, and that this is likely to exacerbate such
inequalities.

Producers in developing countries could also be disadvantaged by the replacement of natural

products (including rubber, cotton, coffee and tea) by developments in nanotechnology. These natural
products are important export crops for developing countries, and many farmers’ livelihoods depend on
them. It has been argued that their substitution with industrial nanoproducts could negatively impact
the economies of developing countries, that have traditionally relied on these export crops.

It is proposed that nanotechnology can only be effective in alleviating poverty and aid
development “when adapted to social, cultural and local institutional contexts, and chosen designed
with the active participation by citizens right from the commencement point” (Invernizzi et al. 2008).

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 On labor effects, Ray Kurzendall speculates that workers who worked in unskilled labor job for
livelihood may become the first human workers to be developed by the constant use of nanotechnology
in the workplace.

It has been noted that every major economic era has stimulated a global revolution both in the
kinds of job that are available to people and the kind of training they need to achieve these jobs, and
there is concern that the world’s educational systems have lagged behind in preparing students for the
“Nanotech Age”.

It has also been speculated that nanotechnology may give rise to nanofactories which may have
superior capabilities to conventional factories due to their small carbon and physical footprint on the
global and regional environment. The miniaturization and transformation of the multi-acre
conventional factory into the nanofactory may not interfere with their ability to deliver a high-quality
product; the product may be of even greater quality due to the lack of human errors in the production
stages. Nanofactory systems may use precise atomic precisioning and contribute to making superior
quality products that the “bulk chemistry” method used in the 20th century and early 21st currently
cannot produce. These advances might shift the computerized workforce in an even more complex
direction, requiring skills in genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics.

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Lesson – 7
_________________________________________________________
List of Advantages and Disadvantages of Nanotechnology
(Source:http://nanogloss.com/nanotechnology/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-nanotechnology/#i
xzz5PODb3D4X)

A lot of people think that nanotechnology will bring a lot of benefits for all who will be using it
and is seen as “the way of the future”, nothing is even perfect and there will always be pros and cons to
everything.

Thus, the following are enumerations of the advantages and disadvantages of Nanotechnology,
in general.

Advantages of Nanotechnology

● Nanotechnology can actually revolutionize a lot of electronic products, procedures, and

applications. The areas that benefit from continued development of nanotechnology when it
comes to electronic products include nano transistors nano diodes, OLED, plasma displays,
quantum computers, and many more.

● Nanotechnology can also benefit the energy sector. The development of more effective
energy-producing, energy-absorbing, and energy storage products in smaller and more efficient
devices is possible with this technology. Such items like batteries, fuels cells, and solar cells can
be built smaller but can be made to be more effective.

● Another industry that can benefit from nanotechnology is the manufacturing sector that will
need materials like nano tubes, aerogels, nano particles, and other similar items to produce
their products with. These materials are often stronger, more durable, and lighter than those
that are not produced with the help of nanotechnology.

● In the medical world, nanotechnology is also seen as a boon since these can help with creating
what is called smart drugs. These helps cure people faster and without the side effects that other
traditional drugs have. You will also find that the research of nanotechnology in medicine is now

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 focusing on areas like tissue regeneration, bone repair, immunity and even cures for such
ailments like cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening diseases.

Disadvantages of Nanotechnology

When tackling the advantages of nanotechnology, you will also need to point out what can be
seen as the negative side of this technology:

● Included in the list of disadvantages of this science and its development is the possible loss of
jobs in the traditional farming and manufacturing industry.

● You will also find that the development of nanotechnology can also bring about the crash of
certain markets due to the lowering of the value of oil and diamonds due to the possibility of
developing alternative sources of energy that are more efficient and won’t require the fossil
fuels. This can also mean that since people can now develop products at the molecular level,
diamonds will also lose its value since it can now be mass produced.

● Atomic weapons can now be more accessible and made to be more powerful and more
destructive. These can also become more accessible with nanotechnology.

● Since these particles are very small, problems can actually arise from the inhalation of these
minute particles, much like problems a person gets from inhaling minute asbestos particles.

● Presently, nanotechnology is very expensive and developing it can cost you a lot of money, it is
also pretty difficult to manufacture, which is probably why products made with nanotechnology
are more expensive.

Environmental Impacts of Nanotechnology and Its Products

Nanotechnology increases the strength of many materials and devices, as well as enhances
efficiencies of monitoring devices, remediation of environmental pollution, and renewable energy
production. While these are considered to be positive effect of nanotechnology, there are certain
negative impacts of nanotechnology on environment due to technology the uncertain shape, size, and
chemical compositions of some of the nanotechnology products (or nanomaterials). It can be vital to
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understand the risks of using nanomaterials, and cost of the resulting damage. It is required to conduct
a risk assessment and full life-cycle analysis for nanotechnology products at all stages of products to
understand the hazards of nanoproducts and the resultant knowledge that can then be used to predict
the possible positive and negative impacts of the nanoscale products. Choosing right, less toxic
materials (e.g., graphene) will make huge impacts on the environment. This can be very useful for the
training and protection of students, as well as scientists, engineers, policymakers, and regulators
working in the field.

The Ethical and Social Implications of Nanotechnology

(Source: N. Zhang1, H. Misak1, P.S. Dhanasekaran1, D. Kalla2and R. Asmatulu1 1Department of
Mechanical Engineering Wichita State University1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260-0133
2Department of Engineering Technology Metropolitan States College of Denver, Denver, CO, 80014,
USA)

In this Contemporary Science, Technology and Society, advances in Nanotechnology have ethical
and social implications. It will eventually impact every area of our world. – The NanoWorld.

Nanoethics seeks to examine the potential risks and rewards of applications of nanotechnology.
This up-to-date anthology gives the reader an introduction to and basic foundation in nanotechnology
and nanoethics, and then delves into near-, mid-, and far-term issues. Comprehensive and authoritative,
it:

● Goes beyond the usual environmental, health, and safety (EHS) concerns to explore such topics
as privacy, nanomedicine, human enhancement, global regulation, military, humanitarianism,
education, artificial intelligence, space exploration, life extension, and more.

● Features contributions from forty pre-eminent experts from academia and industry worldwide,
reflecting diverse perspectives.

● Includes seminal works that influence nanoethics today.

● Encourages an informed, proactive approach to nanoethics and advocates addressing new and
emerging controversies before they impede progress or impact our welfare.

This resource is designed to promote further investigations and a broad and balanced dialogue in
nanoethics, dealing with critical issues that will affect the industry as well as society. While this will
be a definitive reference for students, scientists in academia and industry, policymaker, and
regulators, it’s also a valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand the challenges,
principles, and potential of nanotechnology.

Features:
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 ● Provides an introduction to nanotechnology and nanoscience.
● Clarifies social and ethical ramifications of nanotechnology.
● Analyze impact of nanotechnology in medicine, healthcare, manufacturing, and other areas.

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Lesson – 8

THE GENE THERAPY

Meaning and Nature of Gene Therapy

Gene therapy is an experimental technique that uses genes to treat or prevent disease. In the
future, this technique may allow doctors to treat a disorder by inserting a gene into a patient’s cells
instead of using drugs or surgery. Researchers are testing several approaches to gene therapy
including:

● Replacing a mutated gene that causes disease with a healthy copy of the gene.

● Inactivating, or “knocking out”, a mutated gene that is functioning improperly.

● Introducing a new gene into the body to help fight disease.

Although gene therapy is a promising treatment option for a number of diseases (including
inherited disorders, some types of cancer, and certain viral infections), the technique remains risky
and is still under study to make sure that it will be safe and effective. Gene therapy is currently
being tested only for diseases that have no other cures.

Gene Therapy Works in Many Ways

Gene therapy is designed to introduce genetic material into cells to compensate for abnormal
genes or to make a beneficial protein. If a mutated gene causes a necessary protein to be faulty or
missing, gene therapy may be able to introduce a normal copy of the gene to restore the function of
the protein.

A gene that is inserted directly into a cell usually does not function. Instead, a carrier called a
vector is genetically engineered to deliver gene. Certain viruses are often used as vectors because
they can deliver the new gene by infecting the cell. The viruses are modified so they can’t cause
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disease when used in people. Some types of virus, such as retroviruses, integrate their genetic
material (including the new gene) into a chromosome in the human cell. Other viruses, such as
adenoviruses, introduce their DNA into the nucleus of the cell, but the DNA is not integrated into a
chromosome.

The vector can be injected or given intravenously (by IV) directly into a specific tissue in the
body, where it is taken up by individual cells. Alternately, a sample of the patient’s cells can be
removed and exposed to the vector in a laboratory setting. The cells containing the vector are then
returned to the patient. If the treatment is successful, the new gene delivered by the vector will
make a functioning protein.

Researchers must overcome many technical challenges before gene therapy will be practical
approach to treating disease. For example, scientists must find better ways to deliver genes and
target them to particular cells. They must also ensure that new genes are precisely controlled by the
body.

Various Forms of Gene Therapy

As previously mentioned, gene therapy is used to treat diseases by connecting defective genes or
modifying how genes must be expressed. The technique used involved administering a specific DNA
or RNA sequence. Researchers hope that in the future, gene therapy will enable patients to be
treated by inserting genes into their genes rather than administering drugs or subjecting them to
surgery.

This therapy offers a promising new approach to treating a range of diseases including various
forms of cancer, inherited disease and certain viral infections. However, further studies are still
required to ensure the safety and effectiveness of these techniques. Currently, the therapy is only
used to treat diseases where other therapies are already known to be ineffective.

There are two basic types of gene therapy: germline therapy and somatic gene therapy. These
are described in more detail below.

1. Germline Gene Therapy

This therapy involves the modification of the genes inside germ cells (sperm or ova).
During reproduction, these gamete cells fuse to form a zygote, which could divide and pass on
the modified gene into all other cells of the body during the development of offspring. In this
way, the therapy alters the genome of future generations to come.

Although theoretically this could counteract hereditary disease, jurisdictions in various

countries such as Switzerland, Australia and Germany prohibit the use of germline therapy due

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 to fears over unknown risks and long-term effects in future generations. In addition the therapy
is very costly.

2. Somatic Gene Therapy

Unlike germline therapy, somatic gene therapy only involves the insertion of therapeutic
DNA into body cells and not the germ cells or gametes. This means any effects of the therapy are
confined to the individual being treated and are not inherited by future offspring.

The field of somatic gene therapy is surrounded by fewer ethical issues compared with
germline gene therapy, although the therapeutic approach is also still in the early stages of
design and prone to obstacles.

The first hurdle is successful incorporation into the genome; integrating the modified
gene into the wrong part of the DNA could induce rather than prevent disease. Secondly, the
desired gene needs to be expressed. Thirdly, the gene expression needs regulating to prevent
over expression triggering any disease.

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Lesson – 9
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How Gene are Inserted into Cancer Cells

One of the most challenging aspects of gene therapy is inserting genes into cancer cells and
experts are striving to find new and improved techniques for achieving this. One of the main ways this is
carried out is through the use of a vector, which carries a gene into a cancer cell. Usually, the vector is a
virus because viruses are built to target and enter cells so they can deliver their genetic materials once
inside them. Scientists have found ways to alter these viruses so that they only deliver genes to cancer
cells rather than healthy cells. Other vectors are also being tested such as inactivated bacteria.

Techniques in Cancer Treatment

There are some techniques that may be used to treat cancer. These are:

1. Harnessing the immune response.

Some forms of gene therapy are designed to strengthen the body’s existing ability to
target and kill cancer cells. The role of certain cells of the immune system is to recognize and kill
these cells. Adding certain gene to a patient’s immune cells can improve their ability to find or
kill certain forms of cancer. These techniques are currently being tested in a few trials across the
UK.

2. Gene therapy to enhance cancer treatment.

Some techniques insert gene into cancer cells that can make the cancer cells more
vulnerable to radiotherapy or chemotherapy, therefore improving the effectiveness of these
treatments.

3. Blocking the protection of cancer cells.

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 Certain processes cancer cells use to survive can be blocked using gene therapy. For
example, one process called apoptosis is DNA that is damaged and beyond repair. In cancer cells,
apoptosis is stopped and the cells divide to form new cells that also contain the damage DNA.
Some gene therapy techniques are designed to prevent this inhibition of apoptosis to ensure that
the cancer cells do in fact die rather than survive.

4. Pro-drug gene therapy

Certain gene therapy techniques insert genes into cancer cells that allow conversion of
an inactive drug called a pro-drug into the active form. The converting gene is given in the
form of a tablet or capsule and the pro-drug is then administered. The pro-drug does not harm
normal cells and only reaches cancer cells, where it is activated by the gene to become
destructive.

Potential Benefits and Detriments of Gene Therapy of Global Health

As previously stated, gene therapy is an experimental method used to treat genetic illness by
inserting healthy genes into cells, taking out the bad ones, or replacing a mutated gene. The idea of
gene therapy rests on changing the internal structure of the DNA to prevent or cure illness such as
Alzheimer’s and cancer instead of relying on drugs and outside treatment. Since its original conception
in 1972, there were proponents and opponents of this method as both the benefits and potential risks of
this process were brought to the table.

As with any new procedure of issue, there are both benefits and potential risks that could arise
with gene therapy. Gene therapy’s appeal comes when considering disease such as Parkinson’s and
cancer could potentially be fixed by inserting a healthy gene in place of the bad gene. It could be a good
option for disease that has no established cure. The benefits that gene therapy could bring to the sick or
dying are attractive, especially in the face of a life-threatening or incurable disease.

However, there are also many ethical concerns that come with gene therapy. As with any
experiment that alters the genes, there are people who are concerned by scientists taking the role of
God. Furthermore, since gene therapy is so expensive, it is only available to the elite. Do you know of
some well-to-do persons (senators, congressmen, business tycoons) who have undergone gene therapy?

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`

Lesson – 10
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CLIMATE CHANGE

Meaning and Nature of Climate Change

Climate change is a change in global or regional climate patterns, in particular a change

apparent from the mid to the late 20th century onwards and attributed largely to the increased levels of
atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by the use of fossil fuels.

In the summer months of 2016 up to 2018, warm temperatures across the regions of the
Philippines had risen above 36°C. heat index rose up to 53; some provinces in Cagayan Valley, Central
Luzon, and Ilocos Region even had 53-56 degrees heat index. Because of the rise of warm temperature,
a few senior citizens and those with weak bodies collapsed and died due to heat stroke. Why is there a
climate change in our Planet Earth? Planet Earth should be colder – just 10 to 20 years ago. Climate
scientists have been asking the same thing for a significally long period of time.

Causes of Climate Change

Talking about climate change, nothing is new. For hundreds of millions of years, Planet Earth’s
temperature has been influenced by continental shifts, which have triggered volcanic eruptions among
other things. Sometimes, these shifts, released large volume of CO2 which heated up the Earth. They also
caused young rocks to rise to the surface, which chemically bound CO2. As a result, CO2 was dispelled
from the atmosphere in the longer term.

Today, natural phenomena still make a deep impression on the climate. Take, for example, El
Niño, which occurs at intervals of three to seven years. When the trade winds ease, the warm water
from the Western Pacific (Indonesia, Philippines) moves east and causes a rise in sea temperature in an
area west of Peru. This occurrence creates worldwide deviations in cloud patterns, precipitation and
temperature.

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 So, the causes of climate change are many and varied while the effects or our climate system are
complex.

Humans Influence Climate Change

Humans have been influencing the climate since the start of the Industrial Revolution. Since
then, the average world temperature has risen approximately 0.8 degrees Celsius. In North-West
Europe (including the Netherlands) the average temperature has risen by around twenty centimeters
and most of the glaciers have shrunk dramatically.

Up to 1950, the influence of nature was more important than human influence. After that, the
pattern in the average world temperature can only be explained by factoring in the human influence.

Even so, a slight decline in temperature did appear form the mid-1940s to the mid-1970s. it was
linked to a dramatic increase in cooling aerosols form the post-war industrialization in the western
world. It was also caused by a mild decline in solar activity and some major volcanic eruptions in the
second half of this period.

According to the latest IPCC report, it is more than likely (more than 90 percent probability)
that most of the global warming in recent decades is attributable to the observed increase in
greenhouse gases.

Concentration of CO2 in the Atmosphere

The most well-known and most important greenhouse gas is CO2. The concentration CO2 in the
atmosphere is subject to variation even without human intervention. The carbon cycle causes an
exchange of CO2 between the biosphere and the ocean on the one hand and the atmosphere on the
other.

Vast amount of CO2 is also released by the burning of fossil fuels. There is inconvertible evidence
that the CO2 concentration in the air has been so high in the planet’s surface from being lost into space.

The human-induced build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is known as the “enhanced”
greenhouse effect or “anthropogenic climate change”.

Since the start of the Industrial Revolution in about 1750, human activities such as the burning
fossil fuels, including coal and oil, have dramatically increased the concentration of greenhouse gases
in our atmosphere. As a result, the rate heart-loss from the Earth has slowed, creating a warming
effect. More than 85 percent of the additional heart in our atmosphere is absorbed by the oceans.

The enhanced greenhouse effect is expected to change many of the basic weather patterns that
make up our climate, including wind and rainfall patterns and the incidence and intensify of storms.

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 Every aspect of our lives is in some way influenced by the climate. For example, we depend on
water supplies that exist only under certain climatic conditions, and our agriculture requires particular
of temperature and rainfall.
The two most abundant gases in the atmosphere are nitrogen (comprising 78 percent of the dry
atmosphere) and oxygen (21 percent), but they have almost no greenhouse effects.

Carbon Dioxide and the Carbon Cycle

All living organisms contain carbon, as do gases (such as carbon dioxide) and minerals (such as
diamond, peat and coal). The movement of carbon between large natural reservoirs in rocks, the ocean,
the atmosphere, plants, soil and fossil fuels is known as the carbon cycle.

The carbon cycle includes the movement of carbon dioxide:

● Into and out of our atmosphere.

● Between the atmosphere, plants and other living organisms through photosynthesis, respiration
and decay.
● Between the atmosphere and the top of the oceans.

On longer time scales, chemical weathering and limestone and fossil fuel formation decrease
atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, whereas volcanoes return carbon to the atmosphere. This is the
dominant mechanism of control of carbon dioxide on timescales of millions of years.

There is inconvertible evidence that the CO2 concentration in the air has never been so high in
800,000 years (probably even 60 million years) as it is now. The trend suggests that CO2 emissions will
continue to rise globally, although the economic crisis did prevent a rise in 2009. The Netherlands (per
head of population) is high on the list of CO2 emitters in the world.

Besides CO2, methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), fluorinated gases, ozone (O3) and water vapor are
important greenhouse gasses. Water vapor lays a unique role as it strengthens the heat-trapping effect
caused by other greenhouse gas emissions. This is because a warmer atmosphere retains more water.
The amount of water vapor cannot be artificially increased or decreased.

Aerosols and Greenhouse Gases

Aerosols are less well-known than greenhouse gases. Aerosols are dust particles which, in
addition to CO2 , are released into the atmosphere in large quantities when wood and fossil fuels are
burned. Some aerosols have a cooling effect on the climate, others have a warming effect, but no-one
can give a clear idea of magnitude, because we still do not understand how aerosols influence the
occurrence and characteristics of clouds.

Natural, phenomena, greenhouse gases and aerosols create and imbalance in the incoming and
outgoing radiation in the atmosphere. This process is known as radiative forcing. When the Earth heats
up, the short-wave radiation from the sun that enters the atmosphere is greater than the long
wave-radiation that exits the atmosphere. The temperature changes on Earth will not stop until the
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radiation balance restored. Given the immense capacity of oceans to absorbs heat, it will take a long
time to strike a new balance.

Uncertainty

The extent of global warming in the future is swathed in uncertainty; first, because we have no idea of
how much of an increase to expect in greenhouse gases (depending on economic growth), and secondly,
because we do not know exactly how our climate system will respond (climate sensitivity).

The Greenhouse Effect: Natural and Enhanced

The “natural” greenhouse effect makes life as we know it possible on Earth. Without this effect,
the average temperature would be about-18°Celsius (well below the freezing point of water), rather
than its current 14°C.

Earth’s surface temperature is determined by radiative balance, the net difference between the
energy gained form incoming sunlight and the amount lost into space as infrared radiation. The Earth’s
atmosphere acts like a transparent blanket, letting in light but trapping some of the heat it generates.
Without an atmosphere, all of this energy would be lost in space.

This natural effect relies on “greenhouse” gases in our atmosphere allowing sunlight to pass
through and trapping some of the resulting heat energy that radiates back up from the Erath’s surface.

The greenhouse effect describes how certain gases in our atmosphere increase the temperature
on Earth’s surface by preventing some of the energy radiating.

Increases in Greenhouse Gases Due to Human Activities

Carbon dioxide is being added to the atmosphere faster than it can be removed by other parts of
the carbon cycle.

Since the Industrial Revolution, there has been a large increase in human activities such as fossil
fuel burning, land clearing, and agriculture, which affect the release and uptake of carbon dioxide.

According to the most recent Emissions Overview, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases
are produced in NSW by the following activities or sources:

● Stationary energy sources, such as coal-fired power stations (47%)

● Transport (18%)
● Coal mines (12%)
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 ● Agriculture (11%)
● Land use (7%)
● Land change (3%)
● Waste (2%)

Carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels carries a different chemical
fingerprint from that released by natural sources such as respiration and volcanoes. This makes it
possible to identify the contribution of human activity to greenhouse gas production.

The concentration of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere in 2013 was approximately 395 parts per
million. The level of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere is now higher than at any time over the
past 800,000 – and possibly 20 million – years. (CSIRO)

Lesson – 11
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Climate Change Effects

The changing climate impacts society and ecosystems in a broad variety of ways. For example,
climate change can alter rainfall, influence crop yields, affect human health, cause changes to forests
and other ecosystems, and even impact our energy supply. Climate-related impacts are occurring
across the country and over many sectors of our economy.
Potential Effects of World Production and Consumption Patterns to Climate Change

Fisher Frohberge, Perry and Rosenzweigh (2016), presented in their studies, on the potential
effects of climate change due to the effects of production and consumption patterns.

Since the late 1950’s, global agriculture output has increased at rates and to levels that are
unprecedented in human history. Much of the productivity increase is attributed to the breeding of
high-yielding crop varieties, intensive use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides, expansion of irrigation
and capital-intensive farm management.

In the 1970s, the euphoria surrounding the “Green Revolution” was questioned in the wake of
the energy crisis and growing awareness if long-term environmental consequences. Concern over soil
erosion, groundwater contamination, soil compaction, and the decline of natural soil fertility, and
destruction of traditional social systems led to a reappraisal of what were then considered to be the
most advanced agricultural production techniques. Since then, agricultural research has expanded its
scope to include sustainable and resource-efficient cropping systems and farm management practices.

Since the beginning of the 1980s yet another threat to agriculture has attracted much attention.
Many climatologists predict significant global warming in the coming decades due to increasing
atmospheric carbon dioxide and other trace gasses. As a consequence, major changes in hydrological
regimes have also been forecast to occur. The magnitude and geographical distribution of such
climate-induced changes may affect our ability to expand food production as a required to feed a
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population of more than 10, 000 million people projected for the middle of the next century. Climate
change could have far-reaching effects on patterns of trade among nations, development and food
security.

A civic action work can help people, wildlife, and their habitats adapt to the effects of climate
change. It’s not just about coping with the immediate impacts; it’s about anticipating and planning for
future change.

Climate Change and Forests

Most people know how vital forests are-they soak up carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas
responsible for global warming, and help regulate the world’s climate. They are also home to countless
plant and animal species. Let us work with communities, local governments and business to ensure the
world’s forests are protected.

Climate Change and Water

Climate change is having serious and unpredictable impacts on the world’s water systems
through more flooding and droughts.

It’s impacting on rivers and lakes – which supply drinking water for people and animals – and
are a vital resource for farming and industry. And it threatens food chains in our ocean and seas, which
sustain a large portion of life on Earth.

Climate Change and Polar Regions

Recent data have shown that Artic summer sea ice is melting faster than predicted. The
intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned that: “That impacts of climate change in the
polar regains over the next 100 years will exceed impacts forecast for other regions, and will have
globally significant consequences”.
Climate Change and Wildlife

For endangered species such as orangutan in Borneo and Indonesia – which are already at risk
because of deforestation, forest conversion, and illegal hunting – one of the first effects of climate
change is likely to be food shortages caused by unusual rainfall patterns. They are just one of the many
species that will be affected.

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Lesson – 12
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Top Ten (10) Ways College Students Can Stop Climate Change
Published online by David Suzuki Foundation
(Source: https://davidsuziki.org/what-you-can-do/top-10-ways-can-stop-climate-change/)

Ever wonder how your tiny carbon footprint really impacts the big picture of climate change?
Though you feel like your lifestyle is insignificant compared to things like oil extraction or vehicle
emissions, the choices we make in our day-to-day life – how we get around, what we eat, how we live –
play a major role in slowing climate change.

Here is a list of 10 ways you can join in the fight to reduce our carbon footprint:

1. Get involved.

Take a few minutes to contact your political representatives and the media to tell them
you want immediate action on climate change. Remind them that reducing greenhouse gas
emissions will also build healthier communities, spur economic innovation and create new jobs.
And next time you are at the polls, vote for politicians who support effective climate policies.

2. Be energy efficient.

You already switch off lights – what’s next? Change light bulbs to compact fluorescents of
LED’s. Unplug computers, TVs and other electronic gadgets when not in use.

3. Choose renewable power.

It is expected that the electricity consumption in the Philippines will grow by 4.4% per
year until 2030 while cost of electricity in the Philippines is twice the cost as it is in other
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 countries. Consider switching to clean, renewable power like solar and wind when they become
commercially viable.

4. Eat wisely.

Buy organic locally grown foods. Avoid processed items. Grow some of your own food.
And eat low on the food chain – at least one meat-free meal a day – since 18 percent of
greenhouse gas emissions come from meat and dairy production.

5. Trim your waste.

Garbage buried in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Keep stuff out of
landfills by composing kitchen scraps and garden trimmings, and recycling paper, plastic, metal,
and glass. Let store managers and manufacturers know you want products with minimal or
recycling packaging. Use reusable tumblers and straws when buying your favourite drink. Bring
reusable bags when going to the grocery to eliminate the use of plastic bags.

6. Let polluters pay.

Carbon taxes make polluting activities more expensive and green solutions more
affordable, allowing energy-efficient businesses and households to save money. They are one of
the most effective ways to reduce Philippines climate impact. Request congressman or senator
to sponsor a bill on carbon taxes.

7. Fly less.

Air travel leaves behind a huge carbon footprint. Before you book your next airline ticket,
consider greener options such as buses or trains, or try vacationing closer to home. You can also
stay in touch with people videoconferencing, which saves time as well as travel and
accommodation costs.

8. Be informed.

Follow latest news about climate change. Join your community in this undertaking. Host
a presentation for your community or school by requesting a presenter. You may request for
your teacher to invite resource person to speak on Climate Change before the class.

9. Green you commute.

Choose sustainable transportation options like walking, cycling or public transit

whenever you can. You’ll save money and get into better shape. If you can’t go car-free, try
carpooling or car sharing, and use the smallest, most fuel-efficient vehicle possible.

10. Support and Donate.

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 Many organizations, including the Greenpeace Movement are working hard on solutions
to climate change and rely on financial support from citizens like you. Consider a donation
campaign for climate change in your school today. Request the student organization to sponsor
this donation campaign.

Steps to Address the Problems of Climate Change

David Buello (2007) also suggested eleven (11) possibilities to slave off catastrophic climate
change. The enormity of global warming can be daunting and dispiriting. What can one person, or even
one nation, do on its own to slow and reverse climate change? But just as ecologist Stephen Pacala and
physicist Robert Socolow, both at Princeton University, came up with 15 so-called “wedges” for nations
to utilize toward this goal – each of which is challenging but feasible and, in some combination, could
reduce greenhouse gas emissions to safer levels – there are personal lifestyle changes that you can
make too that, in some combination, can help reduce carbon impact. Not all are right for everybody.
Some you may already be doing or absolutely abhor. But implementing just a few of them could make a
difference.

1. Forego Fossil Fuels

The first challenge is eliminating the burning of coal, oil, and eventually, natural gas. This is
perhaps the most daunting challenge as denizens of richer nation literally eat, wear, work, play,
and even sleep on the products made from such fossilized sunshine. And citizens of developing
nations want and arguably deserve the same comforts, which are largely thanks to the energy
stored in such fuels.
● Oil is the lubricant of the global economy, hidden inside such ubiquitous items as plastic and
corn, and fundamental to the transportation of both consumer and goods. Coal is the
substrate, supplying roughly part of the electricity used in the Philippines and half that
much worldwide – a percentage that is likely to grow, according to the international Energy
Agency. In the Philippines, coal is also one of the sources of electricity. There are no perfect
solutions for reducing dependence on fossil fuels (for example, carbon neutral biofuel can
drive up the price of food and lead to forest destruction, and while nuclear power does not
emit greenhouse gases, it does produce radioactive waste), but every bit counts.
● So, try to employ alternatives when possible – plant derived plastics, biodiesel, wind power,
and solar energy – and to invest in the change, be it by divesting from oil stocks or investing
in companies practicing carbon capture and storage.

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Lesson – 13
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2. Infrastructure Upgrade

Buildings worldwide contribute around one third of greenhouse gas emissions, even
though investing in thicker insulation and other cost-infective, temperature-regulating steps
can save money in the long run. Electric grids are at capacity or overload, but power demand
continues to rise. And bad roads can lower the fuel economy of even the most efficient vehicle.
Investing in new infrastructure, or radically upgrading existing highways and transmission
lines, would help cut greenhouse gas emissions and drive economic growth in developing
countries.

● Of course, it takes a lot of cement, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, to construct
new buildings and roads,
● Mining copper and other elements needed for electrical wiring and transmission also causes
global-warming pollution.
● But energy-efficient buildings and improved cement-making process (such as using
alternative fuels to fire up the kiln) could reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the developed
world and prevent them in the developing world.

3. Move Closer to Work

Transportation is the second leading source of greenhouse gas emission (burning a

single gallon of gasoline produces 20 pounds of CO2). In the Philippines, factories and
transportation facilities contribute much to gas emissions. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
One way to dramatically curtail transportation fuel needs is to move closer to work, use mass
transit, or switch to walking, cycling or some other mode of transport that does not require

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 anything other than human energy. Several companies also have the option of working from
home and telecommuting several days a week.

4. Consume Less

The easiest way to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions is simply to buy less stuff. Whether
by forgoing an automobile or employing reusable grocery bag, cutting back on consumption
results in few fossil fuels being burned to extract, produce, and ship products around the globe.

● Think green when making purchases. For instance, if you are in the market for a new car,
buy one that will last the longest and have the least impact on the environment. Thus, a used
vehicle with a hybrid engine offers superior fuel efficiency over the long haul while saving
environmental impact of new car manufacture.
● Paradoxically, when purchasing essentials, such as groceries, buying in bulk can reduce the
amount of packaging – plastic wrapping, cardboard boxes, and other unnecessary materials.
Sometimes buying more means consuming less.

5. Be Efficient

A potentially simpler and even bigger impact can be made by doing more with less. Citizen
of many developed countries are profligate wasters of energy, whether by speeding in a
gas-guzzling sport-utility vehicle or leaving the lights on when not in a room.

● Good driving and god car maintenance, such as making sure tires are properly inflated – can
limit the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle and, perhaps more importantly,
lower the frequency of payment at the pump.
● Similarly, employing more efficient refrigerators, air conditioners, and other appliances, can
cut electric bills while something as simple as weatherproofing the windows of a home can
reduce heating and cooling bills. Such effort can also be usefully employed at work, whether
that means installing more efficient turbines at the power plant or turning the lights off
when leaving the office.

6. Eat Smart, Go Vegetarian?

Corn grown in the world requires barrels of oil for the fertilizer to grow it and the diesel
fuel to harvest and transport it. Some grocery stores stock organic produce that do not require
such fertilizers but it often shipped from halfway across the globe. Also, meat (whether beef,
chicken, or pork) requires pounds of feed to produce a pound of protein.

● Choosing food items that balance nutrition, taste, and ecological impact is no easy task.
Foodstuffs often bear some nutritional information, but there is little to reveal how far a
head lettuce, for example, has travelled.

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Lesson – 14
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7. Stop Cutting Down Trees

Every year, 33 million acres of forest trees are cut down. Timber harvesting in the tropics
alone contributes 1.5 billion metric tons of carbon to the atmosphere. That represents 20
percent of human-made greenhouse gas emissions and a source that could be avoided relatively
easily.

● Improved agricultural practices along with paper recycling and forest management –
balancing the amount of wood taken out with the number of new trees growing – could
quickly eliminate this significant chunk of emissions.
● When purchasing wood products, such as furniture or flooring, buy used goods or, failing
that, wood certified to have been sustainably harvested. Forests are not just the lungs of the
earth; they must also be humanity’s best short-term hope for limiting climate change.

8. Unplug

Believe it or not, Filipinos spend more money on electricity to power devices when off than
when on. Televisions, stereo equipment, computers battery chargers and a host of other gadgets
and appliances consume more energy when seemingly switched off, so unplug them instead.

● Purchasing energy-efficient gadgets can also save both energy and money – and thus
prevent more greenhouse gas emissions. Take one example, efficient battery chargers could
save more than one billion kilowatt-hours of electricity – P 5 billion at today’s electricity

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 prices – and thus prevent the release of more than one million metric tons of greenhouse
gases.
● Swapping of old incandescent light bulbs for more efficient fluorescents (warning: light
bulbs contain mercury and must be properly disposed of at the end of their long life), would
save billions of kilowatt-hours, in fact, according to the ERB, replacing just one incandescent
light bulb in every home would save enough energy to provide electricity to more than 3
million people.

9. One Child

There are at least 8 billion people living today (2018), a number that is predicted by the
United Nations to grow to at least 9.7 billion by 2050. The U.N. Environmental Program
estimates that it requires 54 acres to sustain an average human being today – food, clothing
and other resources extracted from the planet. Continuing such population growth seems
unsustainable.

● Falling birth rates in some developed and developing countries (a significant portion of
which are due to government-imposed limits on the number of children a couple can have)
have begun to reduce or reverse the population explosion. It remains unclear how many
people the planet can comfortable sustain per capita energy consumption must go down if
climate change is to be controlled.
● Ultimately, a one child per couple rule is not sustainable either and there is no perfect
number for human population. But it is clear that more humans mean more greenhouse gas
emissions.

10. Future Fuels

Replacing fossil fuels may prove to be a great challenge of the 21st century. Many
contenders exist, ranging from ethanol, derived from crops to hydrogen electrolyzed out of
water, but all of them have some drawbacks too, and none are immediately available at the
scale needed.

● Biofuels can have a host of negative impacts, from driving up food prices, to sucking up one
more energy than they produce. Hydrogen must be created, requiring either reforming
natural gas or electricity to crack water molecules. Biodiesel hybrid vehicles (that can plug
into the grid overnight) may offer the best transportation solution in the short term, given
the energy density of diesel and the carbon neutral ramifications of fuel from plants as well
as the emission of electric engines. A recent study found that the present amount of
electricity generation in the world could provide enough energy for the country’s entire fleet
of automobiles to switch to plug-in hybrids, reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the
process
● Plug-in hybrids would still rely on electricity, now predominantly generated by burning dirty
coal. Massive investment in a low emission energy generation, whether solar-thermal power
or nuclear fission, would be required to radically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And even

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 more speculative energy sources – hyper efficient photovoltaic cells, solar energy stations in
orbit or even fusion - may ultimately be required.
● The solutions above offer the outline of a plan to personally avoid contributing to global
warming. But should such individual and national efforts fail, there I another potentially
desperate solution.

Technological “Solutions” to Climate Change

While most of the world fixates on how to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other
greenhouse gases we emit in the atmosphere, scientists and engineers around the world are busy
working on various “geo-engineering” technologies – many of which are highly theoretical – to
mitigate global warming and its effects. Many scientists oppose using new technology to fix problems
created by old technology, but others view it as a quick and relatively inexpensive way to solve
humankind’s most vexing environmental problem.

One of the theories proposed for reducing global warming involves deflecting heat away from
the Earth’s surface with solar shields or satellites with movable reflectors. Computer models suggest
that blocking eight percent of the sun’s Earth-bound radiation would effectively counteract the
warming effect of CO2 pollution. The idea was inspired by the cooling effects of large volcanic eruptions
– such as Mt. Pinatubo in 1991 – that blasted sulphate particles into the stratosphere. These particles
reflect part of the sun’s radiation back into space, reducing the amount of heat that reaches the
atmosphere.

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Lesson – 15
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ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES

Energy Crisis

Energy crisis refers to any significant decrease in the supply of energy resources to an economy in a
certain time and place and has affected electric power supply and fuel machineries and vehicles.

Industrial development and population growth have led to a surge in the world (energy
demand/demand for energy) in recent years. In the 2000’s, this new demand - together with Middle
East tension, the falling of oil price speculation – triggered the 2000’s energy crisis, which saw the
price of oil reach an all-time high of $147.30 a barrel in 2008. For the year 2018, the oil price in the
world market has tripled already. Every year, oil price increases. The current price of diesel in the
Philippines is P41.10 per liter (as of June 2018). Aside from the oil price hike in the world market, the
adjusted excise tax due to TRAIN Law also affected the price of diesel and gasoline products. Due to
unstoppable increase of fuels and other forms of energy, there is a need to tap alternative energy
sources.

Alternative Energy Sources

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Alternative sources of energy are the answer to energy crisis. These are the ones which do not cause
undesirable consequences to people and environment because it is renewable and free.

Alternative energy sources can be implemented for houses, for cars, factories and any other facilities
you can imagine. Scientists around the world are researching on developing and discovering new
alternative energy sources so that the growing energy needs of human population can be met more
easily, safely and efficiently. Here is a list of Alternative Energy Sources which will help us maintain the
balance of nature without causing it much harm as compared to conventional energy sources.

Commonly Known Alternative Energy Resources

1. Hydroelectric Energy

The potential energy stored in the water held in dams by is made to drive a water turbine and
generatoe which in turn produces electric power. This form of energy generation is called hydroelectric
power. Out of all alternative energy sources, this one has been most commonly adopted in the current
time.

Advantage of Hydroelectric Power Generation

● The source of hydroelectric power generation i.e., water is free of cost.

● Dams can provide virtually continuous electricity generation.

● The water used for power generation can be put to use again.

● There is no chemical process involved in the power production process, therefore, the power
generated is clean and does not harm the environment.

3. Solar Energy

This is the energy which the earth receives fro the sun. This is one of the promising alternative energy
sources, which will be available to the mankind for the centuries to come. The only challenge remain is
to tap the solar energy in the most efficient way. The solar power generation is done by using series of
photovoltaic cells where the solar rays are converted into electricity. Apart from electricity production
solar energy is also being used for heating water, cooking foods, etc.

Advantage os Solar Energy

● The source of energy is absolutely free

● Solar power which is generated in the day time can be stored to be made available in the night time
as well.

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● Solar power generator can be used to generate power in the rural and remote areas where there is
no reach of the conventional form of energy

● The generation of solar power is quite and absolutely clean

● Solar energy is renewable form of energy will not deplete until thousand of years.

3. Wind Energy

The power of the wind is harnessed to propel the blades of wind turbine attached to an electric
generator to generate wind energy. Wind energy is an effective alternative source of energy in areas
where the velocity of win flow is high.

Advantages of Wind Energy

● Wind energy is a clean form of energy.

● The source of power generation i.e., wind is free

● Wind energy is a renewable source of energy.

Biomass Energy

This is the energy developed from the wastes of various human and animal activities like the
by-product and waste from timber industry, agricultural yields, municipal solid wastes etc. Out of the
many alternative energy sources, this is the one which takes into account the utilization of waste
materials to develop energy thereby disposing them off in a profitable and effective way.

Advantages of Biomass Energy

● It is an environmental friendly way of energy production in which biological mass is re-cycled and
re-used.

● The biomass will keep generating and decomposing as part of the natural biological cycle.
Therefore, biomass energy is considered as a renewable source of energy.

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Lesson – 16
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New Alternative Energy Sources

To answer the question of which Alternative Energy Sources have been brought to the present time, you
should understand that as you are reading this , there are development being carried on to find more
and more alternative energy sources. Apart from the commonly known alternative energy sources
previously mentioned, there have been recent advancements in terms of discovering new alternative
energy resources to add to the list of alternative energy sources for this new generation. These are:

1. Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is thermal energy generated and stored in the Earth. Thermal energy is the energy
that determines the temperature of matter. The geothermal energy of the Earth's crust originates from
the original formation of the planet and from radioactive decay of materials (in currently

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uncertain[1] but possibly roughly equal[2] proportions).The adjective geothermal originates from the
Greek roots γη (geo), meaning Earth, and θερμος (thermos), meaning hot.

Advantages of Geothermal Energy

● Similar to the other alternative energy sources, geothermal energy source is free of cost.

● With a proper power generation system in place, no harmful by-products are produced.

2.Tydal Energy

The surface of earth is 71.11% covered by water bodies especially oceans. The tides in water rise and
fall due to the gravity of sun and moon. Since we know about how the position of the moon changes we
can predict the rise and fall of tides. This rise and fall of tides can be utilized by setting up small dams
and passing water to the turbines to generate power.

Advantages of Tidal Energy

● The source of power generation is free and renewable.

● The power generation is clean and does not cause any pollution.

3. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)

OTEC is a process that can produce electricity by using the temperature difference between deep cold
ocean water and warm tropical surface water. OTEC plants pump large quantities of deep cold
seawater to run a power cycle and produce electricity. OTEC is firm power (24/7), a clean energy
source, environmentally sustainable and capable of providing massive levels of energy.

Recently, higher electricity cost, increase concern for global warming, and a political commitment to
energy security have made initial OTEC commercialization economically attractive in tropical island
communities where high percentage of electricity production is oil based.

According to OTEC news.org, the distinctive feature of OTEC is thee potential to provide based load
electricity, which means day and night (24/7) and year-round. This is a big advantage for instance
tropical islands that typically has a small electricity network, not capable of handling a lot of
intermittent power. The vast based load OTEC resource could help many tropical and subtropical
(remote) regions to become more energy self-sufficient.

4. Hydrogen Gas as Fuel Generated from Water

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Hydrogen gas is already a fuel. USA space shuttle uses hydrogen gas as its fuel. Although hydrogen
gas is a natural gas that can be obtained alongside with the oil underneath the earth, it can also be
obtained in the electrolysis of water.

The hydrogen in the component of water ,H2O, can be separated by passing electricity in the water
making water separate to hydrogen and oxygen. Then, the liberated hydrogen gas can be collected as
fuel.

Challenges with Using Alternative Energy Sources

As promising as the use of alternative sources of energy may sound, it is still under research as to how
to top energy from these resources in the most efficient and effective way. Although small power
generation systems can be put in place but power production from these resources on a large scale is
still a challenge with hydroelectric power generation being exception.

Many countries are not yet ready to move from using conventional energy sources to the alternative
energy sources as it involves a huge amount to decommission the old power generation infrastructure
and establish a new infrastructure. Therefore, the shift is ideal to be made in phases.

Why Use Alternative Energy Sources

Alternative energy sources are available free of cost and do not tax the environment for their uses.
Power generation through alternative energy sources is clean and “green”. If we shift to use power
generation from these sources, then carbon dioxide emission from the conventional energy sources will
be greatly reduced, and problem with global warming will be solved in a few years. Also the fast
depleting energy sources can be preserved. Along with air pollution, the use of traditional energy
sources also causes soil pollution and water pollution by releasing various toxins to the land and water.
This can be controlled reasonably.

The damaged that we have caused the earth after the industrial revolution is huge and we will have to
take action immediately if we want to keep the planet sustainable for our future generations. The
biggest leap that mankind can take to prevent further damage is to start using alternative energy
sources.

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