REYNALDO R.

PINEDA
Take Home Exam
Environmental Science
2rd TriSem 2018-19

1) Compare the advantages and disadvantages of different alternative energy sources. Which of this
alternative energy sources has greater future potential for energy production in the Philippines. Defend
your answer.

Wind, geothermal, solar, hydro, and other renewable technologies are a widely popular source of energy
throughout the world today. Countries, corporations, and individuals are adopting renewables for a number of
great benefits. In this article, we’ll dive into some of the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy.

Advantages of renewable energy

Using renewable energy over fossil fuels has a number of advantages. Here are some of the top benefits to
going green:

1. Renewable energy won’t run out

Renewable energy technologies use resources straight from the environment to generate power. These energy
sources include sunshine, wind, tides, and biomass, to name some of the more popular options. Renewable
resources won’t run out, which cannot be said for many types of fossil fuels – as we use fossil fuel resources,
they will be increasingly difficult to obtain, likely driving up both the cost and environmental impact of
extraction.

2. Maintenance requirements are lower

In most cases, renewable energy technologies require less overall maintenance than generators that use
traditional fuel sources. This is because generating technology like solar panels and wind turbines either have
few or no moving parts and don’t rely on flammable, combustible fuel sources to operate. Fewer maintenance
requirements translate to more time and money saved.

3. Renewables save money

Using renewable energy can help you save money long term. Not only will you save on maintenance costs, but
on operating costs as well. When you’re using a technology that generates power from the sun, wind, steam, or
natural processes, you don’t have to pay to refuel. The amount of money you will save using renewable energy
can vary depending on a number of factors, including the technology itself. In most cases, transitioning to
renewable energy means anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars in savings.

4. Renewable energy has numerous health and environmental benefits

Renewable energy generation sources emit little to no greenhouse gases or pollutants into the air. This means a
smaller carbon footprint and an overall positive impact on the natural environment. During the combustion
process, fossil fuels emit high amounts of greenhouse gases, which have been proven to exacerbate the rise of
global temperatures and frequency of extreme weather events.

The use of fossil fuels not only emits greenhouse gases but other harmful pollutants as well that lead to
respiratory and cardiac health issues. With renewable energy, you’re helping decrease the prevalence of these
pollutants and contributing to an overall healthier atmosphere.

5. Renewables lower reliance on foreign energy sources

With renewable energy technologies, you can produce energy locally. The more renewable energy you’re using
for your power needs, the less you’ll rely on imported energy, and the more you’ll contribute to U.S. energy
independence as a whole.

Disadvantages of renewable energy

Renewable energy has many benefits, but it’s not always sunny when it comes to renewable energy. Here are
some disadvantages to using renewables over traditional fuel sources.

1. Higher upfront cost

While you can save money by using renewable energy, the technologies are typically more expensive upfront
than traditional energy generators. To combat this, there are often financial incentives, such as tax credits and
rebates, available to help alleviate your initial costs of renewable technology.

2. Intermittency
Though renewable energy resources are available around the world, many of these resources aren’t available
24/7, year-round. Some days may be windier than others, the sun doesn’t shine at night, and droughts may occur
for periods of time. There can be unpredictable weather events that disrupt these technologies. Fossil fuels are
not intermittent and can be turned on or off at any given time.

3. Storage capabilities
Because of the intermittency of some renewable energy sources, there’s a high need for energy storage. While
there are storage technologies available today, they can be expensive, especially for large-scale renewable
energy plants. It’s worth noting that energy storage capacity is growing as the technology progresses, and
batteries are becoming more affordable as time goes on.

4. Geographic limitations
The United States has a diverse geography with varying climates, topographies, vegetation, and more. This
creates a beautiful melting pot of landscapes but also means that there are some geographies that are more
suitable for renewable technologies than others. For example, a large farm with open space may be a great place
for a residential wind turbine or a solar energy system, while a townhome in a city covered in shade from taller
buildings wouldn’t be able to reap the benefits of either technology on their property. If your property isn’t
suitable for a personal renewable energy technology, there are other options. If you’re interested in solar but
don’t have a sunny property, you can often still benefit from renewable energy by purchasing green power or
enrolling in a community solar option.

The Philippines has a wide array of available renewable energy sources. These are geothermal, solar, wind,
biomass, and hydropower. Geothermal energy is derived from the heat that is given off the Earth, or steam, to
spin turbines. Solar energy is harnessed from the energy of sunlight via photovoltaic or solar panels. Wind
energy is harnessed from conversion of kinetic energy from the wind to mechanical energy to turn wind
turbines. The alternative energy sources that has a greater future potential for energy production in the
Philippines is the HYDROPOWER ENERGY RESOURCES. The World Bank reported that the Philippines is
one of the “13 largest additions to hydroelectric capacity in developing countries.”
The Department of Energy claims that hydropower can be implemented in almost all regions in the country.
There are more or less 25 hydropower plants in the Philippines today. However, they are not enough to
accommodate the large amounts of water brought by typhoons. The high costs involved in building hydropower
plants must also be taken into account in comparison to the country’s main source of energy, fossil fuels, which
are abundant and cheaper.

2) Compare and contrast the different sources of pollution in estuaries and fresh water ecosystem.

Estuaries are areas of water and shoreline where rivers meet the ocean or another large body of water,
such as one of the Great Lakes. Organisms that live in estuaries must be adapted to these dynamic
environments, where there are variations in water chemistry including salinity, as well as physical changes like
the rise and fall of tides. Despite these challenges, estuaries are also very productive ecosystems. They receive
nutrients from both bodies of water and can support a variety of life. Many different types of plant and animal
communities call estuaries home because their waters are typically brackish — a mixture of fresh water draining
from the land and salty seawater. This unique combination of salty and fresh water creates a variety of habitats.
Some common estuarine habitats are oyster reefs, kelp forests, rocky and soft shorelines, submerged aquatic
vegetation, coastal marshes, mangroves, deepwater swamps, and riparian forests. With so many places to live
and so many niches to fill it is no wonder why estuaries are some of the most productive ecosystems in the
world.
Water pollution occurs when harmful substances—often chemicals or microorganisms—contaminate a
stream, river, lake, ocean, aquifer, or other body of water, degrading water quality and rendering it toxic to
humans or the environment
Point source
When contamination originates from a single source, it’s called point source pollution. Examples include
wastewater (also called effluent) discharged legally or illegally by a manufacturer, oil refinery, or wastewater
treatment facility, as well as contamination from leaking septic systems, chemical and oil spills, and illegal
dumping. The EPA regulates point source pollution by establishing limits on what can be discharged by a
facility directly into a body of water. While point source pollution originates from a specific place, it can affect
miles of waterways and ocean.
Nonpoint source
Nonpoint source pollution is contamination derived from diffuse sources. These may include agricultural or
stormwater runoff or debris blown into waterways from land. Nonpoint source pollution is the leading cause of
water pollution in U.S. waters, but it’s difficult to regulate, since there’s no single, identifiable culprit.
Agricultural
Not only is the agricultural sector the biggest consumer of global freshwater resources, with farming and
livestock production using about 70 percent of the earth’s surface water supplies, but it’s also a serious water
polluter. Around the world, agriculture is the leading cause of water degradation. In the United States,
agricultural pollution is the top source of contamination in rivers and streams, the second-biggest source in
wetlands, and the third main source in lakes. It’s also a major contributor of contamination to estuaries and
groundwater. Every time it rains, fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste from farms and livestock operations
wash nutrients and pathogens—such bacteria and viruses—into our waterways. Nutrient pollution, caused by
excess nitrogen and phosphorus in water or air, is the number-one threat to water quality worldwide and can
cause algal blooms, a toxic soup of blue-green algae that can be harmful to people and wildlife.
Sewage and wastewater
Used water is wastewater. It comes from our sinks, showers, and toilets (think sewage) and from commercial,
industrial, and agricultural activities (think metals, solvents, and toxic sludge). The term also includes
stormwater runoff, which occurs when rainfall carries road salts, oil, grease, chemicals, and debris from
impermeable surfaces into our waterways

More than 80 percent of the world’s wastewater flows back into the environment without being treated or
reused, according to the United Nations; in some least-developed countries, the figure tops 95 percent. In the
United States, wastewater treatment facilities process about 34 billion gallons of wastewater per day. These
facilities reduce the amount of pollutants such as pathogens, phosphorus, and nitrogen in sewage, as well as
heavy metals and toxic chemicals in industrial waste, before discharging the treated waters back into waterways.
That’s when all goes well. But according to EPA estimates, our nation’s aging and easily overwhelmed sewage
treatment systems also release more than 850 billion gallons of untreated wastewater each year.

3) What are the global environment problems and explain how human activities give rise to these
problems. Explain why population increase is an environmental problem.
We as humans have become dependent on luxuries such as cars, houses, and even our cell phones. But what
does our love for manufactured metallic and plastic goods do to the environment?

Human activities can be directly attributed to the cause of hundreds of extinctions in the last two centuries,
versus the millions of years that extinctions naturally occur. As we progress through the 21st century, humans
have changed the world in unprecedented ways.

Overpopulation
Survival used to mean repopulating. That, however, is quickly becoming true for the opposite as we reach the
maximum carrying capacity that our planet can sustain.
Overpopulation has grown into an epidemic since mortality rates have decreased, medicine has improved, and
methods of industrial farming were introduced, thus keeping humans alive for much longer and increasing the
total population.
The effects of overpopulation are quite severe, with one of the most severe being the degradation of the
environment. Another issue is our dependency on coal and fossil fuels for energy, the larger the population, the
more fossil fuels will be used. The use of fossil fuels (such as oil and coal) results in copious amounts of carbon
dioxide into the air- threatening the extinction of thousands of species which adds to the effect that forest
depletion already has.
Humanity continuously requires more space, which devastates ecosystems and increases CO₂ levels, further
devastating the delicate environment. Although processed materials are necessary to power the cities, the
previous assessment tells us that the planet can only sustain so much damage until it will begin to dama

Pollution
Pollution is everywhere. From the trash thrown out on the freeway, to the millions of metric tons of pollution
pumped into the atmosphere every year- it's obvious, pollution and waste are inescapable.
Pollution is so bad that to date, 2.4 billion people do not have access to clean water sources. Humanity is
continuously polluting indispensable resources like air, water, and soil which requires millions of years to
replenish.
Air is arguably the most polluted with the US producing 147 million metric tons of air pollution each year
alone.

In 1950, smog was so bad in LA that the ground level ozone (atmospheric gas that is great in the atmosphere,
not so much on the ground) surpassed 500 parts per billion volume (ppbv)- well above the National Ambient Air
Quality Standard of 75 ppbv (6.6 times more to be precise).
People thought they were under foreign attack as the smog burned their eyes and left an odor of bleach in the
air. That is when the devastating effect of aerosols was discovered.
While air quality in the US has slightly improved, the quality in developing countries continues to plummet as
smog continuously blocks out the sun in a dense shroud of pollution. This is just one of the issues we have to
tackle in near future.

Global Warming
Global warming is arguably the greatest cause of impact to the environment. The largest of causes emanating
through CO₂ levels from respiration to more detrimental causes like burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
At any rate, humans are consistently increasing CO₂ levels globally- every year. The highest level of CO ₂ in
recorded history before 1950 was about 300 parts per million. However, current measurements of CO ₂ levels
have exceeded above 400 PPM, abolishing every record dating back 400,000 years.
The increase of CO₂ emissions has contributed to the planet's average temperature increasing almost a whole
degree. As the Temperature increases, arctic land ice and glaciers melt which causes the ocean levels to rise at a
rate of 3.42mm per year, allowing more water to absorb more heat, which melts more ice, creating a positive
feedback loop which will cause the oceans to rise 1-4 feet by 2100.
Climate Change
Climate change is closely connected to historical developement of industry and technology. As global
temperatures increase, Earth's weather patterns will drastically change. While some areas will experience longer
growing seasons, others will become barren wastelands as water will deplete in vast areas, turning once floral
regions into deserts.
The increase will impact weather patterns, promising more intense hurricanes in both size and frequency, as
well as intensifying and prolonging droughts and heat waves. But air pollution does not just affect the
environment.
The evidence is mounting that poor air quality and rising temperatures are ruining delicate ecosystems, even
leading to increased asthma and cancer rates in humans.

Ocean Acidification
Ocean acidification is caused when CO₂ dissolves into the ocean bonding with sea water creating carbonic acid.
The acid reduces the pH levels in the water, essentially changing the Ocean acidity by 30% in the last 200 years
according to analysis - a level that the ocean has not been at in over 20 million years.
The acidity depletes the calcium concentrations, making it difficult for crustaceans to build their shell, leaving
them vulnerable without their armor. Between the global temperature rise of one degree and the ocean
acidification, scientists say a quarter of all coral reefs are considered damaged beyond repair, with two-thirds
under serious threat.
Coral reefs are home to 25% of aquatic life, many of which are responsible for the natural filtration of the ocean
and production of necessary nutrients that are vital for life under the sea. However, acidification is not the only
watery threat as there are other human activities causing severe changes.

Water Pollution
Every year over 8 millions tons of garbage dumped into the ocean. Not only is garbage introduced into the
oceans, but also the excessive amounts of fertilizer that finds its way into the ocean through rains, floods, winds,
or dumped in excess right into the largest producer of oxygen we have.
Fertilizer contains nitrogen, an element essential for the growth of plants- but that does not limit it to what it
was intended for.
Phytoplankton and algae thrive off of nitrogen, causing excessive growth in what is known as "red tides" or
"brown tides" in areas with high concentrations of nitrogen. The brown tide is caused by the rapid growth of
billions of algae, which deplete water bodies of oxygen and cause poison to accumulate in all life that consumes
it, including fish and birds. But water pollution does not end there.
Year after year, millions of tons of garbage is dumped into the ocean. Since the garbage mainly consists of
plastics, it is largely indissoluble. The garbage accumulates in large vortexes across the ocean.
Marine life, including the loggerhead sea turtles, are tricked into thinking they are eating food when really it is
only a floating plastic bag or other poisonous plastic that will cause starvation or suffocation to any unfortunate
animal that mistakenly ingests it.
Pollution is the number one threat to all aquatic life and is lead cause of reduced biodiversity. This is really sad
given that water and water life-forms are some of the most important natural resources at our disposal.

Deforestation
With an exponential expansion in human beings, more food, materials, and shelter are being manufactured at
stupendous rates, mostly stemming from forestry.
Forests are cleared to make way for new humans, which in turn, makes more humans, you can see the problem.
According to international data, an estimated 18 million acres of trees are clear-cut each year to make way for
new development and wood products- that is just under half of all the trees on the planet since the industrial
revolution began.
With trees being one of the largest producers of oxygen, clearly that is not a good thing for humans- and
especially not for the animals that call the forest home.
With millions of different species that live in forests, deforestation is a major threat to their survival and a big
conservation issue. It also increases the greenhouse gases within the atmosphere which leads to further global
warming. Such human activities need to stop if we wish to survive.

Ozone Depletion
The ozone layer is renowned for its ability to absorb harmful UV rays that would otherwise be detrimental to
the health of all walks of life. Without an ozone layer, walking outside would be unbearable.
Ozone is made up of three bonded oxygen's that float up to the stratosphere where they absorb a substantial
amount of UV radiation, protecting all life down below. However "ozone-depleting substances" (or ODS)
primarily made up of chlorine and bromine find their way up to the stratosphere where they strip the O3 of an
oxygen, destroying its capabilities of absorbing UV light.
The human impact is devastating for plants that are extremely sensitive to UV light including wheat and barley,
two indispensable crops to humans.
Although most chemicals that deplete the ozone layer have been banned, the chemicals that have already been
released can take upwards of 80 years to reach the upper atmosphere, so it will be some time before our
protective boundary will be fully functional again. Until then, slap on that sunscreen and be safe out there.

Genetic Modifications
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been a major contributor to the survival and prosperity of
humans. GMO's are selected bred crops or crops that have had DNA directly implanted into it in order to give
an advantage to the crop, whether that be to sustain colder temperatures, require less water, or yield more
product.

But GMO's are not always intentional. For years humans have used glyphosate, a herbicide designed to
eliminate weeds - the biggest threat to any plant. However, just as humans have a learning immune system,
certain weeds have developed a resistance to 22 of 25 known herbicides, with 249 species of weeds completely
immune according to the latest scientific report.

"Super weeds" threaten farming lands by chocking outcrops. One of the only solutions is to till the land, turning
over the soil to kill the weeds and give an early advantage to the planted crops.

The disadvantage of tilling, however, is that it causes the soil to dry faster and kills off good bacteria, making its
fertile lifespan significantly shorter. To replenish the depleted soil, fertilizer is used, which introduces a whole
new set of problems to the environment and can be disastrous for local agriculture in the long run.

Population increase is an environmental problem simply because more people require more resources, which
means that as the population increases, the Earth’s resources deplete more rapidly. The result of this depletion is
deforestation and loss of biodiversity as humans strip the Earth of resources to accommodate rising population
numbers. Population growth also results in increased greenhouse gases, mostly from CO2 emissions. For
visualization, during that same 20th century that saw fourfold population growth, CO2 emissions increased
twelvefold. As greenhouse gases increase, so do climate patterns, ultimately resulting in the long-term pattern
called climate change.

The use of resources and the impact of environmental issues are not equal around the globe. People in
developed countries require substantially more resources to maintain their lifestyles compared with people in
developing countries.
People in developing countries tend to feel the impacts of environmental problems more acutely, especially if
they live in coastal areas directly affected by sea level rise and the extreme weather events that accompany
climate change. The most vulnerable populations also experience decreased access to clean water, increased
exposure to air pollution and diseases – which may result from decreased biodiversity – and may feel the impact
more immediately as local resources including plants and animals deplete.
While the interconnected problems of population growth and environmental issues seem overwhelming, it is
important to remember that humans can make changes that positively impact the planet. One good starting point
is understanding and applying the concept of sustainability, which is the opposite of resource depletion.
Sustainability describes a model of resource usage in which the current generation uses only the resources the
Earth provides indefinitely (like solar or wind power instead of burning fossil fuels) to ensure that future
generations inherit resources.

4) For the waste composition in the table below, consider an annual generation rate of 111,500
tonnes/year. Develop an integrated waste management strategy for the full amount of the waste. Identify
the volumes going to recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion, incineration and landfill.

Component % by weight
Food 35
Paper, cardboard 35
Plastic 8
Glass 5
Metals 4
Yard waste 10
others 3

5) Discuss the causes of global warming. Explain the potential impacts of climate change in the
Philippines and how we can help mitigate global warming/climate change.

Most climate scientists agree the main cause of the current global warming trend is human expansion of the
"greenhouse effect"1 — warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward
space.

Certain gases in the atmosphere block heat from escaping. Long-lived gases that remain semi-permanently in
the atmosphere and do not respond physically or chemically to changes in temperature are described as
"forcing" climate change. Gases, such as water vapor, which respond physically or chemically to changes in
temperature are seen as "feedbacks."

Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect include:

Water vapor. The most abundant greenhouse gas, but importantly, it acts as a feedback to the climate. Water
vapor increases as the Earth's atmosphere warms, but so does the possibility of clouds and precipitation, making
these some of the most important feedback mechanisms to the greenhouse effect.
Carbon dioxide (CO2). A minor but very important component of the atmosphere, carbon dioxide is released
through natural processes such as respiration and volcano eruptions and through human activities such as
deforestation, land use changes, and burning fossil fuels. Humans have increased atmospheric CO2
concentration by more than a third since the Industrial Revolution began. This is the most important long-lived
"forcing" of climate change.
Methane. A hydrocarbon gas produced both through natural sources and human activities, including the
decomposition of wastes in landfills, agriculture, and especially rice cultivation, as well as ruminant digestion
and manure management associated with domestic livestock. On a molecule-for-molecule basis, methane is a
far more active greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, but also one which is much less abundant in the
atmosphere.
Nitrous oxide. A powerful greenhouse gas produced by soil cultivation practices, especially the use of
commercial and organic fertilizers, fossil fuel combustion, nitric acid production, and biomass burning.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Synthetic compounds entirely of industrial origin used in a number of
applications, but now largely regulated in production and release to the atmosphere by international agreement
for their ability to contribute to destruction of the ozone layer. They are also greenhouse gases.
Not enough greenhouse effect: The planet Mars has a very thin atmosphere, nearly all carbon dioxide. Because
of the low atmospheric pressure, and with little to no methane or water vapor to reinforce the weak greenhouse
effect, Mars has a largely frozen surface that shows no evidence of life.
Not enough greenhouse effect: The planet Mars has a very thin atmosphere, nearly all carbon dioxide. Because
of the low atmospheric pressure, and with little to no methane or water vapor to reinforce the weak greenhouse
effect, Mars has a largely frozen surface that shows no evidence of life.
Too much greenhouse effect: The atmosphere of Venus, like Mars, is nearly all carbon dioxide. But Venus has
about 154,000 times as much carbon dioxide in its atmosphere as Earth (and about 19,000 times as much as
Mars does), producing a runaway greenhouse effect and a surface temperature hot enough to melt lead.
Too much greenhouse effect: The atmosphere of Venus, like Mars, is nearly all carbon dioxide. But Venus has
about 154,000 times as much carbon dioxide in its atmosphere as Earth (and about 19,000 times as much as
Mars does), producing a runaway greenhouse effect and a surface temperature hot enough to melt lead.
On Earth, human activities are changing the natural greenhouse. Over the last century the burning of fossil fuels
like coal and oil has increased the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). This happens because
the coal or oil burning process combines carbon with oxygen in the air to make CO2. To a lesser extent, the
clearing of land for agriculture, industry, and other human activities has increased concentrations of greenhouse
gases.

The consequences of changing the natural atmospheric greenhouse are difficult to predict, but certain effects
seem likely:

On average, Earth will become warmer. Some regions may welcome warmer temperatures, but others may not.
Warmer conditions will probably lead to more evaporation and precipitation overall, but individual regions will
vary, some becoming wetter and others dryer.
A stronger greenhouse effect will warm the oceans and partially melt glaciers and other ice, increasing sea level.
Ocean water also will expand if it warms, contributing further to sea level rise.
Meanwhile, some crops and other plants may respond favorably to increased atmospheric CO2, growing more
vigorously and using water more efficiently. At the same time, higher temperatures and shifting climate patterns
may change the areas where crops grow best and affect the makeup of natural plant communities.
The role of human activity
In its Fifth Assessment Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group of 1,300 independent
scientific experts from countries all over the world under the auspices of the United Nations, concluded there's a
more than 95 percent probability that human activities over the past 50 years have warmed our planet.

The industrial activities that our modern civilization depends upon have raised atmospheric carbon dioxide
levels from 280 parts per million to 400 parts per million in the last 150 years. The panel also concluded there's
a better than 95 percent probability that human-produced greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and
nitrous oxide have caused much of the observed increase in Earth's temperatures over the past 50 years.
Solar irradiance
It's reasonable to assume that changes in the Sun's energy output would cause the climate to change, since the
Sun is the fundamental source of energy that drives our climate system.

Indeed, studies show that solar variability has played a role in past climate changes. For example, a decrease in
solar activity coupled with an increase in volcanic activity is thought to have helped trigger the Little Ice Age
between approximately 1650 and 1850, when Greenland cooled from 1410 to the 1720s and glaciers advanced
in the Alps.

But several lines of evidence show that current global warming cannot be explained by changes in energy from
the Sun:

Since 1750, the average amount of energy coming from the Sun either remained constant or increased slightly.
If the warming were caused by a more active Sun, then scientists would expect to see warmer temperatures in
all layers of the atmosphere. Instead, they have observed a cooling in the upper atmosphere, and a warming at
the surface and in the lower parts of the atmosphere. That's because greenhouse gases are trapping heat in the
lower atmosphere.
Climate models that include solar irradiance changes can’t reproduce the observed temperature trend over the
past century or more without including a rise in greenhouse gases.

The Global Climate Risk Index 2015 listed the Philippines as the number one most affected country by climate
change, using 2013’s data. This is thanks, in part, to its geography. The Philippines is located in the western
Pacific Ocean, surrounded by naturally warm waters that will likely get even warmer as average sea-surface
temperatures continue to rise.

To some extent, this is a normal pattern: the ocean surface warms as it absorbs sunlight. The ocean then releases
some of its heat into the atmosphere, creating wind and rain clouds. However, as the ocean’s surface
temperature increases over time from the effects of climate change, more and more heat is released into the
atmosphere. This additional heat in the ocean and air can lead to stronger and more frequent storms – which is
exactly what we’ve seen in the Philippines over the last decade.

Developmental factors have made it difficult for the Philippines to prepare and respond to disasters. Evacuation
plans, early-warning systems, and shelters are critical to dealing with extreme weather events. Warning and
relocating thousands or millions of citizens when a storm is approaching would be a massive hurdle for any
country – and in the case of a developing nation like the Philippines with nearly 100 million citizens spread out
across thousands of islands, the hurdle becomes bigger still.

Then there’s what these storms mean for the Philippines’ economy. According to a 2013 statement from
government officials, a destructive typhoon season costs the nation two percent of its gross domestic product
(GDP). It costs another two percent to rebuild the infrastructure lost, putting the Philippines at least four percent
in the hole each year from tropical storms. And when you’re a nation aspiring to grow and create better lives for
your citizens, this regular hit to the economy is the last thing you can afford.

This is not an easy problem to fix, but we need to try. The first step is educating citizens both in the Philippines
and around the world about what the nation is facing, and about the practical clean-energy solutions available
that can begin to address the harmful effects of climate change in the Philippines and beyond.

In the Philippines, the effects of climate change and global warming cannot be denied.
There used to be a clear delineation between the dry and wet weather, or summer and rainy months, as we call
them. January to June have always been known as the dry months while the rest were the wet months. Summer,
or dry, in the Philippines will mean hot, sunny days, perfect for going to the beach or walking in the park, or
flying a kite in the fields. Temperatures are quite high, with the highest temperature in the Philippines registered
at 39.3 degree Celsius, and in Metro Manila, it has been really hot at 37.3 degrees. Feverish, you might say, and
in fact, it is.But this is also the season for beautiful flowers to bloom.

Wet months, on the other hand, are characterized by typhoons, windy days, and suspended classes. During wet
months, sunny days are unusual, and in fact unexpected. Most rainy months are August to November, while
December towards February are cool months, with a few showers, a nice transition from the very wet to the
very dry weathers.

Nowadays, however, the wet and dry days occur anytime in the year. Some undeniable changes are seen during
the Lenten Season, which is traditionally the hottest days of the year. However, in recent years we have
experienced rainy days during the Holy Week, a sure sign that the climate is indeed changing.

Similar changes are much felt during Christmastime. In the Philippines where Christmastime begins at the onset
of the “ber” months (yes, Christmas Carols are played everywhere during September 1!), Christmas breeze is
looked forward and definitely savored by everyone. Recently, however, this breeze has become elusive, and
summer-like days are experienced even 3 or 2 days before Christmas. Moreover, it is not unusual to experience
a scorching hot morning, and a heavy downpour towards noon. This has no doubt presented some complications
to travelers, and to the fashion conscious.

What causes global warming, and what are the solutions to climate change, you might ask. Millions of articles,
both academic and otherwise, have been written about it. But the more important question is, what can we, as
individuals, do, to help fight climate change?

While you are waiting to trade your car to a Prius, or change the heating system of your house, here are 10 tips
on how to fight global warming and climate change.

Save on Electricity and Fuel

1. Save Power by Unplugging Appliances that are not in use

An unplugged electrical appliance or equipment still uses 25% of its usual power consumption. This act not
only helps save on electricity, it also gives you some financial savings.

2. Use Natural Lighting Whenever Possible, Close all the Lights that are not in use.

There are many establishments that pay a lot to install blinds, tints, shades, only to spend a lot again on lighting.
Why not use natural light by installing clear windows, instead? Saves on power, saves on costs, and allows you
to get a feel of the outside world even when you are ensconced in your office.

3. Whenever Possible, Walk.

Walking (or biking) gives multitude of benefits – it saves on fuel, it does not give you stress from traffic, does
not give you headache on finding the perfect parking slot (and remembering where it is!), and is good for your
health.
Be Disciplined
4. Save Paper by Printing Only When Necessary.

A ton of paper helps preserve approximately 17 full grown trees. How much paper have you used lately? See
the flash floods in the news? It might be because of all the paper you have printed on!

5. Separate Your Waste.

Studies show that a significant portion of solid waste are food waste which can be composted. Aside from this,
there are also environmental groups who collect batteries, used cellphones, and the like for proper disposal.

6. Use your own Personal Cups and Tumblers Instead of Plastic Cups.

Plastic cups take a loooong time to completely degrade (if they ever do), and while they are so convenient to
use, they are really not helpful in preserving the earth. Besides, a Starbucks mug or tumbler is much more
fashionable to use.

Conserve Water
7. Whenever Possible, use Surface Water Instead of Deepwells.

Deepwells are only used when there is no surface water available. There is a logic to this, and it is because
exhausted aquifers will replenish only less than one meter per year, that is, if there was space for it to absorb
runoffs. In a much urbanized city where every inch of earth has been covered by concrete, therefore blocking
any possibility of absorption, this regeneration rate is close to nil.

8. Always Turn off the Faucet When not in use.

Didn’t Mommy always tell you to turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth? Leaving the faucet running for
one minute alone amounts to about 9 liters of wasted water. That is not only an utter waste of precious resource,
it also jacks up your water bill.

9. Always Check Your Faucets for Leaks or Drips.

Think of a water leak as an ever-running faucet. A small water leak could waste as much as 90 liters of water a
week. If you can afford it and if your home’s design permits it, better expose all your water pipes for easy leak
detection in the future.

Follow the Chinese Saying and be Immortal

10. At Least Once in Your Life, Plant a Tree.

Many flash floods happen as a result of denudation. Just think about it – all the metropolis and central business
districts used to be filled with trees in the past, then urbanization happened. Trees improve water quality
because they slow and filter rainwater, they also protect aquifers and watersheds, and most of all, they provide
shade, making the immediate effects of global warming tolerable.

Global warming and climate change are both real. And just like everything else that is happening in the world,
we can all be parts of the solution. One tiny step lead is very significant towards the ultimate goal. You matter!