Submitted by : Allen

Daniel A. Andicoy
Submitted to: Prof.
Junee Agron

ARSES :SCIENCE,
ENVIRONMENT AND
SOCIETY

Science, Environment and Society

A. ECOSYSTEM
1. Marine ecosystems - are a part of the largest aquatic system on the planet,
covering over 70% of the Earth's surface. The habitats that make up this vast
system range from the productive near shore regions to the barren ocean floor.
2. Coastal ecosystems - include salt marshes, mangroves, wetlands, estuaries and
bays. Each type of coastal ecosystem is home to many different plants and
animals. Coastal ecosystems are sensitive to changes in the environment.
Changes could result in destruction and complete loss.
3. Lowland ecosystems - The generally more turbid, warm, slow-flowing waters and
fine sediment beds of lowland rivers encourage fish species with broad
temperature tolerances and greater tolerances to low oxygen levels, and life
history and breeding strategies adapted to these and other traits of lowland
rivers.
4. Upland ecosystems - The generally clear, cool, fast-flowing waters and bedrock
and coarse sediment beds of upland rivers encourage fish species with limited
temperature tolerances, high oxygen needs, strong swimming ability and
specialized reproductive strategies to prevent eggs or larvae being swept away.
B. ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS
1. By catch
Fishing industry leaders increasingly realize the need to reduce this
phenomenon. Proven solutions do exist, such as modifying fishing gear so that
fewer non-target species are caught or can escape. In many cases, these
modifications are simple and inexpensive, and often come from fishers
themselves.
Despite new technologies and industry recognition of the issue, bycatch is still a
major problem. Not only does it cause avoidable deaths and injuries, but the
fishing methods can be harmful to the marine environments where they are
employed. WWF aims to reduce bycatch by working with fisheries and helping
develop and promote new technologies and gear for more efficient operations.
2. Effects of climate change
Sea levels are rising and oceans are becoming warmer. Longer, more intense
droughts threaten crops, wildlife and freshwater supplies. From polar bears in the
Arctic to marine turtles off the coast of Africa, our planets diversity of life is at
risk from the changing climate.
Climate change poses a fundamental threat to the places, species and peoples
livelihoods WWF works to protect. To adequately address this crisis we must
urgently reduce carbon pollution and prepare for the consequences of global
warming, which we are already experiencing. WWF works to:
advance policies to fight climate change
engage with businesses to reduce carbon emissions
help people and nature adapt to a changing climate
3. Deforestation
Deforestation is a particular concern in tropical rainforests because these
forests are home to much of the worlds biodiversity. For example, in the Amazon
around 17% of the forest has been lost in the last 50 years, mostly due to forest
conversion for cattle ranching. Deforestation in this region is particularly
rampant near more populated areas, roads and rivers, but even remote areas
have been encroached upon when valuable mahogany, gold and oil are
discovered.
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4. Illegal wildlife trade
Wildlife crime is a big business. Run by dangerous international networks,
wildlife and animal parts are trafficked much like illegal drugs and arms. By its
very nature, it is almost impossible to obtain reliable figures for the value of
illegal wildlife trade. Experts at TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network,
estimate that it runs into hundreds of millions of dollars. Have been encroached
upon when valuable mahogany, gold and oil are discovered.
5. Infrastructure
Environmental concerns are not always considered during the design, planning
and construction of infrastructure projects. WWF works with governments,
industry and other leaders to encourage the consideration of sustainability in
these efforts, including examining innovative ways reduce environmental impact
and protecting sensitive habitat that may be irrevocably damaged by these
projects.
6. Oil and Gas development
Most easily accessible oil has already been developed. Today, oil and gas
exploration is probing the Earths most remote and inhospitable places. It
employs new and often unproven technologies to extract hydrocarbons from
deep within the earth. Oil spills can occur from blowouts, pipeline leaks or
failures, or shipping accidents. These spills pose a serious threat to ecosystems
whether they happen in the Congo Basin, the Timor Sea, or in the Arctic.
Furthermore, in the Arctic, there is no proven, effective method to clean up oil in
ice.
7. Overfishing
More than 85 percent of the world's fisheries have been pushed to or beyond
their biological limits and are in need of strict management plans to restore
them. Several important commercial fish populations (such as Atlantic bluefin
tuna) have declined to the point where their survival as a species is threatened.
Target fishing of top predators, such as tuna and groupers, is changing marine
communities, which lead to an abundance of smaller marine species, such as
sardines and anchovies.
8. illegal-fishing
A new Task Force was then established to combat illegal, unreported, and
unregulated (IUU) fishing and seafood fraud. Co-chaired by the Secretaries of
Commerce and State, the Task Force is charged with providing recommendations
to the President within 180 days of the announcement. Based on these
recommendations the President will issue guidance to the relevant agencies that
will then begin drafting regulations for implementation.
9. Pollution
Pollution may muddy landscapes, poison soils and waterways, or kill plants and
animals. Humans are also regularly harmed by pollution. Long-term exposure to
air pollution, for example, can lead to chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer
and other diseases. Toxic chemicals that accumulate in top predators can make
some species unsafe to eat. More than one billion people lack access to clean
water and 2.4 billion dont have adequate sanitation, putting them at risk of
contracting deadly diseases.
10. Soil erosion and degradation

Science, Environment and Society

The effects of soil erosion go beyond the loss of fertile land. It has led to
increased pollution and sedimentation in streams and rivers, clogging these
waterways and causing declines in fish and other species. And degraded lands
are also often less able to hold onto water, which can worsen flooding.
Sustainable land use can help to reduce the impacts of agriculture and livestock,
preventing soil degradation and erosion and the loss of valuable land to
desertification.
C. SOURCE OF POLLUTION
A point source of pollution is a single identifiable source of air, Water
pollution, thermal, noise or light pollution. A point source has negligible extent,
distinguishing it from other pollution source geometries. The sources are
called point

sources because

in

mathematical

modeling,

they

can

be

approximated as a mathematical point to simplify analysis. Pollution point sources

are identical to other physics, engineering, optics, and chemistry point sources
and include:

Air pollution from an industrial source, rather than an airport or a road, considered
a line source or a forest fire which is considered an area source, or volume source.

Water pollution from an oil refinery wastewater discharge outlet[1]

Noise pollution from a jet engine

Disruptive seismic vibration from a localized seismic study

Light pollution from an intrusive street light

Thermal pollution from an industrial process outfall

Radio emissions from an interference-producing electrical device

D. TOXIC SUBSTANCE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Environmental

health

professionals

investigate

potential

exposures

from

environmental contaminants at inactive hazardous waste sites and from petroleum

and chemical spills, fires and other environmental incidents. Annually, the
Westchester County Department of Health responded to hundreds of chemical and
toxic spills.
The

Chemical

Emergency

Response

van

enables

the

Westchester

County

Department of Health to respond on a 24-hour basis to numerous chemical

emergencies and hazardous spills, making available a high level of technology.

Science, Environment and Society

The Office of Emergency Services is the lead agency for Westchester's Local
Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). The LEPC is responsible for developing
emergency response plans for chemical emergencies within Westchester County.
Committee members gather and maintain information from facilities that store, use
or manufacture specially designated chemicals. Based on the types and qualities of
chemicals being reported, the LEPC develops site-specific plans for each facility and
the surrounding area.
Members of Westchester's LEPC also respond to inquires from the public regarding
chemicals in the community and work with local emergency responders.
Resources:
Choosing Toxicology Tests and Treatments Wisely
Toxnet: Toxicology Data Network
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) (CDC)
For further information, check the following links:
Asbestos information
Arsenic in ground water (USGS)
Cadmium FAQ's (CDC)
Hazardous Materials Toxin Database (NLM)
Household Poisons (NIH)
Indoor Air Pollution: Organic Gases (EPA)
Lead Basics (EPA)
Childhood Lead Poisoning (CDC)
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention (WCDOH)
Mercury FAQ's (CDC)
Mercury and your health (WCDOH)
MTBE gasoline additive (methyl tertiary-butyl ether) (EPA)
MTBE FAQ's (EPA)
PERC dry-cleaning fluid (Perchloroethylene) Dry-cleaners assistance (EPA)
Radon (EPA)
EPA map of radon zones (EPA)
Solvents (OSHA)
Solvents Chemical Pollution in Mother's Milk (NRDC)
VOC's-Volatile Organic Compounds
E. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
The Division of Solid Waste Management provides safe and secure long term
disposal of solid waste for the citizens of Citrus County. The Central Landfill is a
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modern engineered double lined facility that accepts over 100,000 tons of
household, commercial, and industrial waste per year.
In addition to offering disposal services, the Division also recycles yard waste,
scrap metal, end-of-life electronics, waste oil/filters, antifreeze, cooking oil, tires,
car batteries, mercury, and concrete and clean white Styrofoam.
We also operate a single-stream recycling program at 16 neighborhood drop-off
locations. Volunteer organizations monitor and maintain the sites and earn
revenue from the sale of the materials.
F.

WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Section 5 of RA 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 tasked the
DENR in coordination with the National Water Resources Board to designate
certain areas as water quality management areas (WQMA) using appropriate
physiographic units such as watershed, river basins or water resources regions.
The objective of the WQMA is to protect, thru stakeholders collaboration, the water
body and its tributaries by keeping their water quality within the Water Quality
Guidelines or Criteria conforming to the water bodys classification (e.g., Class C or
Class SC) or even improve the quality to higher classification (e.g., from C to B or
SC to SB). A WQMA Action Plan will be prepared in order to address water quality
issues and problems in the area and later result to the improvement or better
water quality of the said water body.

G. AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Republic Act No. 8749, otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Air Act of
1999, provides the policy framework for the countrys air quality management
program. It seeks to uphold the right of every Filipino to breathe clean air by
addressing air pollution from mobile and stationary sources.
The law adheres to the Constitutional right of people to a balanced and healthful
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. It also believes in the
principle that polluters must pay, because a clean and healthy environment is
for the good of all and should, therefore be the concern of all.
RA 8749 focuses primarily on pollution prevention rather than control by
encouraging cooperation and self-regulation among citizens and industries. It also
enforces a system of accountability for adverse environmental impacts to heighten
compliance to government environmental regulations.
Some of the programs or activities implemented to achieve this objective are:
Linis/Ligtas Hangin Program with the Bantay Tambutso, Bantay Tsimnea and
Bantay Sunog; industrial enforcement program for stationary sources; designation
of attainment and non-attainment area sources; promotion of clean fuel; and
strong collaboration between government and stakeholders on measures to
address pollution.
H. ENVIRONMENTALLY CRITICAL AREAS FOR PROJECT
I.
The following are environmentally critical areas designated by this Chapter 25.09:
geologic hazard areas, steep slope areas, flood-prone areas, wetlands, fish and
wildlife habitat conservation areas, and abandoned landfills.
A.Geologic Hazard Areas and Steep Slope Areas.
1. Geologic hazard areas are liquefaction-prone areas, landslide-prone areas,
peat settlement-prone areas, seismic hazards areas and volcanic hazard areas
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described in subsections 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7. Landslide-prone areas include steep slope
areas. Steep slope areas that are regulated for additional erosion hazards are
described in subsection 4.
2. Liquefaction-prone Areas. Liquefaction-prone areas are areas typically
underlain by cohesionless soils of low density, usually in association with a shallow
groundwater table, that lose substantial strength during earthquakes.
3. Landslide-prone Areas. The following are landslide-prone areas:
a .Known landslide areas identified by documented history, or areas that have
shown significant movement during the last ten thousand (10,000) years or are
underlain by mass wastage debris deposited during this period; or
b. Potential landslide areas:
(1) Those areas that are described as potential slide areas in "Seattle
Landslide Study" (Shannon & Wilson, 2000 and 2003).
(2) Areas with indications of past landslide activity, such as landslide
headscarps and sidescarps, hummocky terrain, areas with geologic conditions
that can promote earth movement, and areas with signs of potential land
sliding, such as springs, groundwater seepage, and bowed or backtilted trees.
(3) Areas with topographic expression of run out zones, such as fans
and colluvial deposition at the toes of hillsides.
(4) Setbacks at the top of very steep slopes or bluffs, depending on soil
conditions.
(5) Slopes with an incline of forty (40) percent or more within a vertical
elevation change of at least ten feet (10').
J.

ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Environmental settings were defined, through an overlay process, as areas of
coincidence between categories of three mapped variables\Mland use, surficial
geology, and soil drainage characteristics. Expert judgment was used in selecting
factors thought to influence sediment and nutrient concentrations in the AlbemarlePamlico drainage area. This study's findings support the hypothesis that
environmental settings defined using these three variables can explain variations in
the concentration of certain sediment and nutrient constituents. This finding
underscores the importance of developing watershed management plans that
account for differences associated with the mosaic of natural and anthropogenic
factors that define a basin's environmental setting.
At least in the case of sediment and nutrients in the Albemarle-Pamlico
region, a watershed management plan that focuses only on anthropogenic factors,
such as point-source discharges, and does not account for natural characteristics of a
watershed and the influences of these characteristics on water quality, may lead to
water-quality goals that are over- or under protective of key environmental features
and to a misallocation of the resources available for environmental protection.

K. CHANGES IN THE ENVIRONMENT DURING CONSTRUCTION

Construction of buildings and infrastructure affects the environment in mainly
two ways by consuming resources and by creating pollutants and wastes. According
to a report by the Willmott Dixon Group, the construction industry accounts for
around 45-50 percent of global energy usage, nearly 50 percent of worldwide water
usage, and around 60 percent of the total usage of raw materials.
On the other hand, the industry contributes to 23 percent of air pollution, 50
percent of climate change gases, 40 percent of drinking water pollution, and another
50 percent of landfill wastes. It is important then that construction companies should
focus more on minimizing waste production, maximizing the use of recycling, and
creating sustainable buildings.

Science, Environment and Society

Factors Impacting the Environment
Here are two major facts to know about the impact of the construction
industry on the environment:
Global warming According to the IPCC Synthesis Report 2012, average
surface temperature of the world increased by 0.6 C during the last hundred years.
A majority of climate scientists believe that the increase in global surface
temperature has been mainly caused by an increase in the concentration of certain
trace greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide. The construction
industry can be held accountable for this to a large extent.
Pollution The construction industry produces pollutants in many forms and
during different phases of construction. Some wastes and pollutants the construction
industry produces include toxic elements, and carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide,
insulin, toxic elements, electric wiring, rubble, dredging materials, and asbestos.
According to the 2008 statistics from the US Department of Energy, Americas
domestic and commercial buildings contribute to around 38.9 percent of the
countrys total carbon dioxide emissions, including 18 percent from commercial
buildings and 20.8 percent from residential buildings.
One way to reduce these wastes is by establishing a proper system for
recycling and reuse. Turing to sustainable construction would be another effective
way to save energy and resources.
L. MITIGATING MEASURES DURING CONSTRUCTION
M. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESTMENT
"Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the process of assessing the likely
environmental impacts of a proposal and identifying options to minimize
environmental damage. The main purpose of EIA is to inform decision makers of the
likely impacts of a proposal before a decision is made. EIA provides an opportunity to
identify key issues and stakeholders early in the life of a proposal so that potentially
adverse impacts can be addressed before final approval decisions are made."
EIA is not a way of allowing an environmental 'veto' on development
proposals. Environmental considerations may be set aside in favor of other
considerations including economic and other benefits of going ahead. The
Commonwealth and each State and Territory has legislation relating to EIA.
Why is EIA necessary?
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is necessary today when it was not in
the past:

modern societies have a faster, more widespread and larger impact on

the natural environment.
the individualism of modern societies requires legal controls to replace
traditional community control
political priorities and environmental awareness has changed
The changes brought about by previous civilizations were sometimes large but
occurred very slowly so there was time to assess them. Also the environmental
impacts of their actions tended to be localized and limited in impact. Today it is
possible to pollute whole oceans and even the earth's atmosphere with materials that
will persist long into the future.
A second change is the change in how societies are organized. Ancient
civilizations exerted more social control over the community than modern societies.
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You may of course disagree with this. Thomas implies that EIA is a mechanism of
social control in that it controls development by individuals or groups of individuals.
Another change is the changing political priorities that have come with
affluence and the growing public awareness of and dissatisfaction with environmental
degradation. If you are particularly cynical you might argue that EIA is necessary
today because a vocal section of the community demand it.