Republic of the Philippines

SORSOGON STATE COLLEGE

School of Graduate Studies
Sorsogon City

Midterm Examination
Advance Topic in Environmental Science
Second Semester, Ay 2018 -2019

Name: Cristine Mae E. Arevalo Score:

Direction: Answer the following question comprehensively.

1. Cite ate least five (5) current environmental issues which can be traced back to environmental
history of the world. Identify specifically the events in the history and explain the similarities and
differences. What recommendations can you propose to cease the history recurrence?
A. Excessive use of natural resources to make bigger buildings. During Mesopotamia
civilization they use logs, stones and mud to build palace and the resources is still bountiful.
The present situation of this environmental issue is direr than it is during 4000-3500 B.C. for
we are exhausting not only our agricultural lands, and forest but we are also abusing our
mineral resources. We are quarrying mountains to have cement, steels and sand for
construction purposes. I can propose that we should make the government when it comes to
giving permits to quarrying and permit should also be issued in cutting trees. Reforestation is
a key to compensate the loss in our forest.
B. Conversion of Forest or rich lands to agricultural lands and overplanting.
Salinity of the soil increased in southern Mesopotamia due to over farming, plowing
margined land and irrigating intensively. We are currently having cases of this kind of
farming in the Philippines. The difference is we are using artificial fertilizer to make crops
and harvest more productive and bountiful. It does not just make the salinity higher but ii
also raises the acidity of the land. Returning to organic farming is one of the best solutions
to address this issue. Acquisition and practicing alternative farming techniques is also
advisable, for there are safer and environmental friendly trends in farming nowadays.
C. Poor Solid Waste Disposal
There is lot of environmental issue when it comes to Ancient Egypt. Poor solid waste
disposal is one of those environmental issues. They often dispose their solid waste in the
forest that contributes to land and air pollution. Today we have sophisticated solid waste
disposal techniques just like Japanese have on their country thus not all country have these
treatment facilities to address this problem. In our country we have recycling and
segregation but we lack discipline to improve waste disposal. Teach children while they are
young and be concerned when it comes to environment.
D. Death of bodies of water
 This environmental issue is one of the result when a body of water is abused Egyptians are
great famers and Efficient builders with that lakes and river are abused as irrigation and as
construction materials. We are having the same issue in present time we are quarrying river for
construction materials such as sands and pebble. Rehabilitation of rivers should be done and
preservation of it should be push through.

E. Water Pollution
Water pollution in ancient Egypt is one of the main issues when it comes to environment.
Water source is scarce in the desert and Nile is the main source of it. They are used in
construction, irrigation and hygiene. Today we are experiencing worse than they have
experienced. We pollute our rivers and ocean with toxic materials that endanger marine life
even ourselves. We are having the problem of micro plastic in our food because of
irresponsible solid waste disposal. Rehabilitation of this water is one of the best solutions to
this issue. Manila bay is having improvement and discipline must be present to stop this
issue.

2. Discuss comprehensively how economic growth can be achieved without putting so much stress
on the environment. Support your discussion using empirical data

Economic growth is known to be the opposite of environmental growth that is the stigma left by the
current situation, yet country such as Singapore is one that proves them wrong. The growth of this
country In terms of economic growth is undeniably huge from 1970 up to the present, from – 3.68
percent to 15.24 percent in 2010 now. They reuse resources to extend the lifespan of what is available.
The purification of water and the plan to use it endlessly is almost achieved by this country. They have
an island which is a former heap of garbage. When it comes to renewable energy they have a the
world’s largest floating solar cell test bed. Regulating car number is also a huge help to reduce carbon
dioxide emission and using electric powered train as main transportation is one of the best way to
address and lift the stress level on environment. Economic growth and environmental growth can
increase hand and hand as long as people care for the environment.

3. Write a Reflection on the following quote:

“When all trees are cut down

When all the animals are dead
When all water are poisoned
When all air is unsafe
Only then will you discover, you cannot eat money”.

The quote tells us that destruction of the world is cause of human greed. The pursuit of
money is the hideous and bloody for it causes feud, crime and even death. Human is greedy by
nature the grab opportunity to make money out of opportunity for example the need of shelter
land developer will buy agricultural land for the sake of houses and income wherein it destroys
the balance of food production. To add the weight in food production farmers convert forest
land to agricultural land which makes forest of area smaller and makes shelter of wildlife
suffocating for them, and same as for human we are ruining the cycle of oxygen and carbon
dioxide cycle for we are cutting down the supplier of it and taker of carbon dioxide that we
exhale. Farmers also use synthetic fertilizer that may contaminate our bodies of water specially
our under water reservoir that gives the world potable water. Improper waste disposal is also
poisoning earth for manufacturers created comfort out of non-biodegradable materials such as
plastic that harm the environment.
The human race will soon be extinct because of its stupidity and irresponsibility. Everything
that we have done to the environment will have a chain reaction just like what happens to
dinosaur million years ago. We may have solve almost everything today with money, we may
have live with comfort and luxury today we will not escape the life of harsh and spiteful revenge
of nature later.