VIRGEN MILAGROSA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

San Carlos City, Pangasinan, 2420

GRADUATE SCHOOL

FINAL EXAMINATION
in
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Submitted by:
Noreen G. Patayan
MST Mathematics

Submitted to:
Nora F. Benavides, Ed. D
1. In a tabular form, what are the greatest strengths and weaknesses of the system of our government with
respect to: Protecting the environment?

Strengths Weaknesses
 There are laws that are set by the government  Poor implementation of policies and guidelines
to almost every aspect in protecting the  Lack of information, education and
environment communication of the citizens of the laws and
ways in protecting the environment
 Uncertain and complex government regulations
 Lack of cooperation among community
members
 Weak community organizing, lack of
manpower
 Interaction between LGU, DENR and NGO,  The long time taken to get project approvals
and POs  Tolerance of corrupt practices in the system
 LGUs have low awareness about the CBFM
program
 Personal interest by the members of public
officers
 Poor support from governments officials
 Poor leadership and fragmentation of the
organization
 Lack of monitoring and response to problems
 Lack of coordination
 Still dominated by a top-down approach

2. Garbage is a big problem in many cities and towns, garbage is taken away to landfills which are often
called dumps. Some landfills are very big and many over acres. But even these big landfills are getting
full and many have to be closed.

Here are some ideas for solving the garbage. Write what you think is a good point about each idea and
what do you think is a bad point about each idea.

Ideas for
Good Points
Solving
 Recycling  Recycling is a form of waste
management that involves converting
waste and other used materials into
reusable products.
 Recycling minimizes pollution.
 Recycling protects the environment.
 Recycling minimizes global warming.
 Conserves natural resources.
 Recycling cut down amount of waste in
landfill sites.
 Recycling ensures sustainable use of
resources.
 Recycling contributes to creation of
jobs.
 Reduces energy consumption.
Bad Points
 Recycling is not always cost-effective.
Building up a new waste recycling unit
takes up a lot of capital.
 The quality of products manufactured
from recycled waste may not be on par
regarding quality.
 The process has not been widely
embraced and developed. Recycling
still is just a small part of long-term
success.

 Burning  Burning garbage is an easier method of  It pollutes the air and the ground as well
garbage rubbish disposal. as being hazardous for human health.
 People living in rural areas don't have a  The smoke can spread around the
dumpsite or waste collection service atmosphere, and once it gathers up in
like in the city. the air, it will precipitate in the form of
acid rain, polluting water systems and
damaging trees.
 Chemicals damage the environment
and can cause a lot of different
respiratory diseases.
  Dumping  No landfill fees to pay.  Oil spills are dangerous for marine life
garbage in  There are some items of trash that and can affect coral reefs that thrive in
the ocean actually improve the marine the ocean. In fact they can greatly affect
environment. Artificial reefs provide a the life cycle. The gills of fish can be
habitat for thousands of marine clogged by spilled oil which can block
invertebrates and fish. Large items of off respiration. If sunlight is blocked,
trash, including old tires, marine plants will die because it affects
decommissioned ships and car bodies, photosynthesis and its process.
have all been strategically placed to  These toxins not only affect the marine
create artificial reefs. In the right life, but they affect humans as well. For
location, trash can enhance rather than example, let’s say the fish are
damage marine ecosystems. contaminated, if someone were to catch
a fish and eat it, they could get food
poisoning.
 Bottles and other plastics including
bags can suffocate or choke sea
creatures. Thinking they are food, they
may eat them. Plastic items are one of
the major causes of death among
turtles. They think plastic bags look
like jellyfish and try to eat them.

 Sending  The trash is not piling up around us and  Rotting food waste allows methane and
garbage to creating worse health problem. carbon dioxide to seep out of the
landfill in ground and up into the air. Both these
another gases contribute greatly to global
city/town warming. Chemicals can also leach out
of confinement into ground water and
streams.

 Shipping  Garbage is away from humans.  It will be very costly.

garbage to
outer space

3. The best way to survive climate change is to prevent it. Your help is needed to avoid global warming
disaster. You have to take small ways around your house, around your work place, in your
neighborhood––because little things multiplied by the million add up, just as surely as individual CO2
molecules add up.

Describe at least ten easy ways to help fight global warming.

1) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Reduce your need to buy new products or use less, resulting in a
smaller amount of waste. Even if you need to buy, consider buying eco-friendly products. It is
most effective of the three R’s. It simply says cut back from where are you now.
2) Drive Less or Carpool: By driving less you are not only saving fuel but also helping in reducing
global warming. Also, look out for other possibilities, for example: carpooling. If you have
colleagues who live in the same area then you can combine trips. If you need to go to a local
market then either walk or go by cycle. Both of them are great form of exercise. The biggest
pollution emitting fumes are caused by oil and gasoline. Cutting down consumption, is a huge
step to reducing energy wastes.
3) Go Solar: Many people have caught the energy efficient band wagon of solar energy. Having
solar panels installed is something readily possible and available. Incentives and discounts given
by government agencies and energy companies make solar energy something to look into.
4) Buy Energy-Efficient Appliances: Always buy products that are energy efficient as they can
help you save good amount of money on your energy bill. Energy-efficient products can help
you to save energy, save money and reduce your carbon footprint.
5) Reduce Waste: Landfills are the major contributor of methane and other greenhouse gases.
When the waste is burnt, it release toxic gases in the atmosphere which result in global warming.
Reusing and recycling old items can significantly reduce your carbon footprint as it takes far
less energy to recycle old items than to produce items from scratch.
6) Use Less Hot Water: Buy energy saving geysers and dishwasher for your home. Avoid washing
clothes in hot water. Just wash them in cold or warm water. Avoid taking frequent showers and
use less hot water. It will help in saving energy require to produce that energy.
7) Turn Off the Lights: If you’re not using a room, there’s no need for the light to be on.
8) Turn off Electronic Devices: Turn off electronic devices when you are moving out for a couple
of days or more. Unnecessary usage of electronic appliances will not only save fuel i.e. coal by
which we get electricity but also increase the lifetime of your gadgets.
9) Plant a Tree: Planting trees can help much in reducing global warming than any other method.
They not only give oxygen but also take in carbon dioxide, during the process of photosynthesis,
which is the main source of global warming.
10) Use Clean Fuel: Electric, smart cars, cars run on vegetable oil---are great examples for using
renewable energy. Supporting companies that provide these products will help the rest of the
mainstream manufacturing companies convert over.
11) Look for Renewable Fuel Options: If you can’t afford an electric car, buy the cleanest gasoline
as possible. When car shopping, look at the benefits of options that provide renewable fuel.
Although it may be a pretty penny now, you’re on the ground level of forward thinking.
12) Save Energy: When you consume less, the less carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.
Setting your thermostat using your smart phone or changing the type of light bulb you use is a
great start.
13) Replace Filters on Air Conditioner and Furnace: If you haven’t, not only are you wasting energy,
but breathing in dirty air. Cleaning a dirty air filter can save several pounds of carbon dioxide a
year.
14) Tune Your Car Regularly: Regular maintenance will help your car function properly and emit
less carbon dioxide.
15) Conserve Water: This is a tired tip, but ever so important. Remember, it takes energy to draw
and filter water from underground. Taking a quick 5 minute shower will greatly conserve
energy. The type of shower head used, will also aid in combating global warming. Take showers
instead of baths. Showers use less water than baths by 25%. Over the course of a year that’s
hundreds of gallons saved.
16) Stop Idling Your Car: It might be freezing outside, but unless your car is buried in snow, start
your car as usual. It may take longer to warm up, but the world isn’t just about you.
17) Ride Your Bike: Not only is bike riding, healthy it reduces the amount of CO2 released into the
air. Walking is another easy way to reduce global warming.
18) Check Your Tires: When you drive make sure your tires are inflated properly. If not, then your
vehicle might consume more fuel which in turn release more CO2 in the atmosphere. Keep your
engine properly tuned and drive less aggressively. Aggressive driving and frequent applying of
brakes hampers the engine and can even lower the mileage of your car.
19) Spread the Awareness: Always try your best to educate people about global warming and its
causes and after affects. Tell them how they can contribute their part by saving energy that will
be good for the environment. Gather opportunities and establish programs that will help you to
share information with friends, relatives and neighbors.
4. The Philippines has second number of deaths due to household pollution in Asia Pacific. It has the third
highest rate in the region after China and Mongolia due to outdoor pollution.
Based on the statements above, what are the causes and effects of air pollution as to indoor pollution
and outdoor pollution?
Causes
 Burning of Fossil Fuels: Sulfur dioxide
emitted from the combustion of fossil fuels
like coal, petroleum and other factory
combustibles is one the major cause of air
pollution. Pollution emitting from vehicles
including trucks, jeeps, cars, trains, airplanes
cause immense amount of pollution. Carbon
Monoxide caused by improper or incomplete
combustion and generally emitted from
vehicles is another major pollutant along with
Nitrogen Oxides that is produced from both
natural and man-made processes.
 Agricultural activities: Ammonia is a very
common by product from agriculture related
activities and is one of the most hazardous
gases in the atmosphere. Use of insecticides,
pesticides and fertilizers in agricultural
activities has grown quite a lot. They emit
harmful chemicals into the air and can also
cause water pollution.
 Exhaust from factories and industries:
Manufacturing industries release large
amount of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons,
organic compounds, and chemicals into the
air thereby depleting the quality of air.
Manufacturing industries can be found at
every corner of the earth and there is no area
that has not been affected by it. Petroleum
refineries also release hydrocarbons and
various other chemicals that pollute the air
and also cause land pollution.
 Mining operations: Mining is a process
wherein minerals below the earth are
extracted using large equipment. During the
process dust and chemicals are released in the
air causing massive air pollution.
 Indoor air pollution: Household cleaning
products, painting supplies emit toxic
chemicals in the air and cause air pollution.
Effects
 Respiratory and heart problems: Several
millions are known to have died due to direct
or indirect effects of Air pollution. Children
in areas exposed to air pollutants are said to
commonly suffer from pneumonia and
asthma.
 Global warming: With increased
temperatures worldwide, increase in sea
levels and melting of ice from colder regions
and icebergs, displacement and loss of habitat
have already signaled an impending disaster
if actions for preservation and normalization
aren’t undertaken soon.
 Acid Rain: Harmful gases like nitrogen
oxides and sulfur oxides are released into the
atmosphere during the burning of fossil fuels.
When it rains, the water droplets combines
with these air pollutants, becomes acidic and
then falls on the ground in the form of acid
rain. Acid rain can cause great damage to
human, animals and crops.
 Eutrophication: Eutrophication is a condition
where high amount of nitrogen present in
some pollutants gets developed on sea’s
surface and turns itself into algae and
adversely affect fish, plants and animal
species. The green colored algae that is
present on lakes and ponds is due to presence
of this chemical only.
 Effect on Wildlife: Just like humans, animals
also face some devastating effects of air
pollution. Toxic chemicals present in the air
can force wildlife species to move to new
place and change their habitat. The toxic
pollutants deposit over the surface of the
water and can also affect sea animals.
 Depletion of Ozone layer: Ozone exists in
earth’s stratosphere and is responsible for
protecting humans from harmful ultraviolet
(UV) rays. Earth’s ozone layer is depleting
due to the presence of chlorofluorocarbons,
hydro chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere.
As ozone layer will go thin, it will emit
harmful rays back on earth and can cause skin
and eye related problems. UV rays also have
the capability to affect crops.