RUBBER

GEOLOGICAL THREATS
Destruction is inevitable, a perfect example of it would be a landslide. Latex, where natural rubber
comes from is extracted from trees found in forests or mountains which are also the hotspots for
landslide occurrences. If this would occur, then there would be no chance at all to make use of
something destroyed, thus not being able to supply the high demand of natural rubber for the
industry. Landslides also happen because of typhoons. Being included in the Pacific Ring of Fire
makes us vulnerable to calamities such as typhoons and Davao region often acts as a basin
whenever this happens. An excessive amount of water and wind might weaken the roots of the tree,
thus causing it to detach and fall down. In fact, this threat has already been proven because of
Typhoon Pablo. According to the Compostela Valley Province, the 8,660 hectares planted with
rubber tree dwindled down to 2,676.53 hectares after the tragedy happened in 2013.
Earthquakes are very dangerous for it can never be foretold. Large intensities it causes shakes up
everything it surrounds, even trees with the strongest roots. Another common threat, El Nio,
commonly happens during summer which serves as a huge curse in the country for it destroys a lot
of agricultural crops including rubber. Lastly, although unusual, a volcanic eruption in Compostela
Valley will most likely happen. The Leonard Kniazeff volcano, which is a part of Compostela
Valley, pose great threats to the province. It may be dormant but no one could tell when it decides to
destroy everything in its way.

ANTHROPOLOGICAL THREATS

Although there are a lot of natural occurring threats, it still doesn't compare to the impact caused by
humans. An example of this would be deforestation. With the desire of humans to replace trees
with sky-high buildings, it affects the production of rubber, causing the industry to lean more
towards synthetic rubber for the demands are simply too great to meet. Climate change is said to be
a good thing since it traps heat to regulate the temperature in the atmosphere but lately, it has
become far from good since the heat that was supposed to be of help has destroyed a lot of crops,
trees and killed a lot, may it be animals or human. Furthermore, as the population arises,
overpopulation means more people will demand even more, further doubling the pace of the
depletion of limited sources such as trees.
Because of our need for change, we do not realize that we are already changing for the worst.
Globalization may be a good thing at some point, but because of our greed, we often blur the lines
between globalization and destruction, which brings us to our last threat which is pollution.
Pollution happens everywhere and anywhere we go as a result of the development the world has
gone through. Because of our irresponsibility with our wastes, it has affected our environment,
eroding our soil, contaminating our air and waters, which also goes back to us at the end of the day.
CACAO
GEOLOGICAL THREATS
No one escapes the wrath of an earthquake since it starts from the deepest parts of the earth and
trees pose no match since it couldnt even account for a percent of the crust. Since cacao comes
from trees, it is possible that an earthquake destroys the trees meant for cacao production, thus
decreasing our chocolate and coffee consumption. Earthquakes trigger a lot of events such as
tsunamis. Since Davao del Sur is placed near the shores of Davao Gulf, it is not impossible that the
waters would wash away all the farmers have worked hard for. Speaking of water, another source of
it are typhoons. The aftermath usually left by a typhoon are destroyed houses and trees that have
fallen down, usually caused by landslides or strong winds.
Meanwhile, summer in the Philippines will never be a summer if the sun doesnt burn a part of your
skin. The heat during this time causes droughts that are too unbearable not only for humans but
also for trees which produce ugly fruits and destroyed leaves. Lastly, volcanic eruption might
surprise you, but it could happen. Mount Apo, although beautiful, could also destroy you and
everything that surrounds you.

ANTHROPOLOGICAL THREATS
Pollution is everywhere, whether it be the air that you breathe, the water you swim in or the people
that surround you. All of those are dangerous and toxic. Because of soil erosion, it causes trees and
the plants affected by it to dry up and die eventually. Not only will the smoke from your car clog
your nose but it also causes climate change which greatly affects the production of agricultural
crops such as cacao since too much or too little of warmth greatly affects the outcome of the crops.
Overpopulation is a signifier not only of globalization but also pollution because of the need to
develop and expand to avoid overcrowding and to look for more consumable resources which leads
us to our last anthropological threat which is deforestation, an act that may be done illegally in
order to produce things that our growing population needs such as paper to write on and lumbers to
build our house and shelter a family.