THE SCIENCE

SURROUNDING
THE PANDEMIC
A Reflective Narrative
 Submitted By:
PAULO
EMMANUEL S.
SANTOS (1A17)
CONTENTS AND TOPICS:
Biodiversity Loss and
Conservation
Environmental Hazards
and Human Health
Food Security and Safety
Water Resources
Management
Climate Change
TOPIC 1:

BIODIVERSITY
LOSS AND
CONSERVATION
 PART 1: 
INTRO
INTRODUCTION
(BIODIVERSITY AND
COVID-19)
SOURCE:
HTTPS://THECONVERSATION.COM/COVID-19-OR-
THE-PANDEMIC-OF-MISTREATED-BIODIVERSITY-
136447
 PART 1:
For a long time since it’s discovery, it has been a
INTRO
mystery for all of us with regards to the real cause
of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most experts say that the disease reservoir for
this virus is an animal of some sort, just like SARS
and MERS.
But whether what animal it is, we cannot deny that
humans have involvements regarding the rise of
this new strain of corona virus.
 PART 1:
Among all the known and emerging diseases, two-
INTRO
thirds are zoones (infectious diseases caused by a
pathogen that has jumped from an animal to a
human) and mostly are from wild animals.
Most of the wild animals in this time around are
endangered or threatened. This was mainly cause
by the destruction of their natural habitats mainly
caused by humans.
Aside from that, hunting and capturing wild animals
leaves enormous pressure to their population.
 PART 2:
STS
CONCEPTS EXPERIENCES,
OBSERVATIONS, AND
EXPLANATIONS
(BASED ON STS CONCEPTS)
SOURCE:
BIODIVERSITY LOSS AND CONSERVATION
(PDF FILE)
 PART 2:
STS
CONCEPTS
Extinction is mainly a natural process, but
with the help of human intervention, this
process could speed up unexpectedly.
At a rate of 1% of extinction, most of our
current animal and plant species (25 to 50%)
might be gone by the end of the 21st century.
 PART 2:
STS
CONCEPTS Scientists say that one of the greatest threats to
wild species is habitat loss, brought by human
activities. Also, illegally killing, capturing, and
selling of wild species threatens biodiversity.
But with this, we forget about the most important
things why different animal and plant species
exits. It is because of the natural balance.
Natural resources and natural processes are the
ones we benefit from the species. It is crucial for
our survival and for supporting human activities.
 PART 3:
VALUES AND SKILLS FAKE NEWS
LEARNED
(DISCRIMINATING FAKE
NEWS AND SUPPORTING
CREDIBLE INFORMATION)
SOURCE:
HTTPS://WWW.THEGUARDIAN.COM/WORLD/2020/APR/28/HOW-DID-THE-
CORONAVIRUS-START-WHERE-DID-IT-COME-FROM-HOW-DID-IT-SPREAD-
HUMANS-WAS-IT-REALLY-BATS-PANGOLINS-WUHAN-ANIMAL-MARKET
 PART 3:
In the public mind, the origin story of the COVID- FAKE VS.
19 virus seems well fixed. TRUE
In December 2019, someone from the Huanan
seafood market in Wuhan, China was diagnosed
with pneumonia, which they suspected that it was
from an animal.
Some scientists also suspected that the animal
that passed the virus to humans were the
pangolins. (an endangered anteater-looking
mammal that is found in Asia and Africa)
 PART 3:
FAKE VS.
Most of scientists say the it is highly likely that the TRUE
virus came from bats, but they agreed upon the
fact that it was passed through an intermediate
animal before it infected humans.
Although a possible candidate for the source of
the virus, some professors from universities in the
US say that pangolins are not the key
intermediary.
 PART 3:
FAKE VS.
But, with information that pangolins were not TRUE
listed in the inventory of the market, it can be said
that pangolins are illegally sold in these wet
markets of China.
They are being hunted, captured, and sold
because of their meat and scales.
Particularly in China, there is a great demand for
wild animals whether for their meats or for 
reselling to third parties. (recreation purposes)
 PART 4:
REAL EFFECT KNOWLEDGE GAINED
(WHAT IS THE REAL EFFECT OF
HUMAN ACTIVITIES IN THE
LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY?)
SOURCE:
HTTPS://THECONVERSATION.COM/COVID-19-OR-
THE-PANDEMIC-OF-MISTREATED-BIODIVERSITY-
136447
 PART 4:
REAL EFFECT Due to destructions of forests and
habitats, humans have been much closer to new
natural

and foreign pathogens which may carry severe

types of diseases.
Between 1980 and 2000, more than 100 million
hectares of tropical forests were destroyed since
the development of the industrial sector.
The disease carriers are wild animals that usually
live in environments where humans are almost
entirely absent, or the population being too small.
 PART 4:
REAL EFFECT The presence of a large reservoir of new and
more dangerous types of viruses together with
the culture of hunting and eating meat from wild
animals in China is like a time bomb.
And it look like, the time bomb has exploded
during November of last year, when the news
about a new strain of corona virus was
discovered.
 PART 4:
REAL EFFECT It increases the risk of humans being in close
contact with rare infectious agents.
Also, hunting and capturing for these wild animals
puts enormous pressure to their population.
Humanity is indeed endangering itself. We are the
ones creating these emerging diseases and
destroying our biodiversity responsible for
natural services we benefit from.
 PART 5:
IMPACT REFLECTION
ON SELF, FAMILY, LOCAL
AND GLOBAL SOCIETIES
(REALIZATIONS AND
REFLECTIONS)
SOURCE:
HTTPS://THECONVERSATION.COM/COVID-19-OR-THE-
PANDEMIC-OF-MISTREATED-BIODIVERSITY-136447
 PART 5:
The WHO’s “One Health” initiative manages to REFLECTION
integrate the betterment of human health to
the preservation of our rich biodiversity. It
has three main objectives: combating zoones,
ensuring food safety, and fighting antibiotic
resistance.
The causes of the biodiversity crisis are well
known, and so are the remedies.
 PART 5:
Stopping the destruction of forests and natural
habitats, stopping the trade of wild animals for REFLECTION
recreation and food, and the transport of exotic
animals for short-term gains.
If we continue to do this, we will leave our children
a world filled with deadly new pandemics.
Let us hope that the current crisis due to the
Covid-19 will help us realize the importance of
preserving our biodiversity and the natural
balance.
TOPIC 2:
ENVIRONMENTAL
HAZARDS AND
HUMAN HEALTH
SOURCE:
HTTPS://WWW.WEFORUM.ORG/AGENDA/2020/04/ON-
EARTH-DAY-HERES-WHAT-COVID-19-CAN-TEACH-US-
ABOUT-IMPROVING-OUR-PLANETARY-HEALTH/
 PART 1:
INTRO
INTRODUCTION
(HUMAN HEALTH AND
COVID-19)
SOURCE:
HTTPS://WWW.WEFORUM.ORG/AGENDA/2020/04/ON-
EARTH-DAY-HERES-WHAT-COVID-19-CAN-TEACH-US-
ABOUT-IMPROVING-OUR-PLANETARY-HEALTH/
 PART 1:
In our everyday lives, we are very much open to
so many hazards and risks. There could be
INTRO
environmental ones cause by natural calamities,
chemical factors, cultural factors, lifestyle
choices, and like what we are experiencing now,
biological factors.
COVID-19 is a new strain of corona virus that has
been discovered late in 2019. It is now considered
to be one of the greatest pandemics that ever hit
the world due to the effects it has brought.
 PART 1:
INTRO
But just like extinction by human intervention,
that brought us closer to more serious viruses
and infectious diseases; our disruption of the
ecological balance has greatly exposed us to
more serious hazards and risks.
 PART 2:
STS
CONCEPTS EXPERIENCES,
OBSERVATIONS, AND
EXPLANATIONS
(BASED ON STS CONCEPTS)
SOURCE:
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS AND HUMAN
HEALTH (PDF FILE)
 PART 2:
STS
CONCEPTS Zoomes are infectious diseases caused by a
pathogen that has jumped from an animal to a
human.
It is believed that the COVID-19 virus
originated from an original host, then
transmitted to an intermediary, then later on
infected humans.
 PART 2:
STS
CONCEPTS Infectious diseases remain a serious major threat,
especially to less developed countries. Opposite
to that, even countries that are fully developed
are being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is because of the mutation and genetic
developments of these new strains of viruses,
that they develop worse effects to their victims
or hosts.
 PART 2:
STS
CONCEPTS Viruses that emerge currently are one that evolve
quickly, are not easily affected by antibiotics, and can
kill large numbers of people.
The biggest killer is the influenza, or virus which is
transmitted by the body fluids or airborne emissions of
an infected person. This is the case for the COVID-19
virus.
This is the main reason why our scientists find it hard to
come up with vaccines and definite cures for such
infectious diseases caused by these viruses.
 PART 3:
VALUES AND SKILLS FAKE VS. TRUE
LEARNED
(DISCRIMINATING FAKE NEWS
AND SUPPORTING CREDIBLE
INFORMATION)
SOURCE:
HTTPS://WWW.PRI.ORG/STORIES/2020-04-07/TAIWAN-S-
SUCCESS-FIGHTING-COVID-19-OVERSHADOWED-GLOBAL-POLITICS
HTTPS://WWW.LEADERSLEAGUE.COM/EN/NEWS/HERE-S-HOW-
TAIWAN-SUCCEEDED-IN-CONTAINING-COVID-19
 PART 3:
FAKE VS. TRUE
Most of us think that the only way to fully
combat and fight the COVID-19 virus is
through a vaccine or a definite cure.
But considering how the proper measures and
precautions can greatly help a country battle
this pandemic, it is just sad how some
governments around the world neglect this.
 PART 3:
Taiwan leads all the countries in the world in being
the most prepared and best equipped to fight the
FAKE VS. TRUE
pandemic.
By mid-January, they have lessened the amount of
flights between them and China, they have
imposed quarantine guidelines for new arrivals and
penalties for non-compliers.
On January 24, the government took control of the
remaining supply of face masks and ramped up the
production to have enough masks for all their
citizens.
 PART 3:
Also, technology helped the government and the
leaders of the medical response to track the
FAKE VS. TRUE
movements of the people, see the chan of
contamination, and isolate clusters where the
cases where concentrated.
With these, Taiwan made it very clear to all of us
how a proper precautionary response to a
possible risk should be implemented. It is not that
their country is only composed of an island, since
their population is at 24 million.
 PART 4:
HOW CLOSE KNOWLEDGE GAINED
(HOW CLOSE ARE WE IN
FINDING A VACCINE OR A
TREATMENT FOR COVID-19?)
SOURCE:
HTTPS://WWW.MAGAZINE.BAYER.COM/EN/HOW-
CLOSE-ARE-WE-TO-FINDING-A-TREATMENT-FOR-
COVID-19.ASPX
 PART 4:
HOW CLOSE Scientists are currently seeking different ways in
order to battle the COVID-19 virus and treat all
the positive cases around the world.
There are three routes that they are looking to
take: repurposing drugs, replicating antibodies
that could fight the virus, and developing a
vaccine.
Based from these options, developing a vaccine
seems to be the most tedious to do, while
repurposing existing drugs is the fastest way.
 PART 4:
HOW CLOSE The major advantage of repurposing existing
drugs is that the benefit-risk profile is already
known. It means that if the drug was found to be
an effective way to fight the virus, it can quickly
be reproduced to help a large number of people.
The key is several trials to be done. A group of
scientists must be able to test its effectiveness
and efficiency in treating the positive cases
safely.
 PART 4:
HOW CLOSE When a virus attacks someone, the immune
system produces antibodies that neutralizes the
virus. This means that a person who recovered
from the virus has produced these antibodies.
This is the reason why small groups of scientists
are continuously testing these antibodies as a
treatment. It could be possible that a recovered
patient may donate antibodies produced by the
immune system as a treatment to other patients.
 PART 4:
HOW CLOSE Finally, the ultimate goal of any scientist when a
virus develops is a vaccine. The vaccine doesn’t
only help to treat patients with the virus, but also to
prevent the spreading of the virus in the future.
According to the Miken Institute tracker, there are
over 125 vaccines in development and around ten
are candidates currently in clinical trials.
They are hoping that if one of these is proven to be
effective, the vaccine will be available widely by
the second half of 2021.
 PART 5:
IMPACT REFLECTION
ON SELF, FAMILY,
LOCAL AND GLOBAL
SOCIETIES
(REALIZATIONS AND
REFLECTIONS)
 PART 5:
Finding a solution to a problem is already hard. REFLECTION
How about finding a solution to the problem of
the whole world? This just puts us on the
realization that getting sick is really not easy to
go through.
Personally, it is inspiring how hard working our
scientists and doctors in developing possible
cures and treatments from different ways and
routes.
 PART 5:
REFLECTION
Just like how parents are so careful for their
children to get sick, it is our health personnel
in continuously reminding us about the
guidelines in preventing the virus from
spreading further.
TOPIC 3:
FOOD SECURITY
AND SAFETY
SOURCE:
HTTP://WWW.FAO.ORG/2019-NCOV/Q-AND-A/FOOD-
SAFETY/EN/
 PART 1:
INTRO
INTRODUCTION
(FOOD SECURITY AND SAFETY,
AND COVID-19)
 PART 1:
COVID-19 has affected many aspects of our INTRO
lives, most especially our access to food.
Some of us have no access to markets,
groceries, and food stalls where we can get
our daily food supply.
This is because of the lockdown or home
quarantine implemented by our local and
national governments.
 PART 1:
Thanks to the efforts of our government and
some organizations, we are able to receive food
INTRO
donations including rice, canned goods, and
instant noodles.
But since the quarantine imposed hasn't been
lifted yet, many of our fellow Filipinos are worried
about the unsubstantial food supply they have.
Also, some people are worried about the nutrition
we are getting from these food products that are
only accessible to us due to the quarantine.
 PART 2:
STS CONCEPTS EXPERIENCES,
OBSERVATIONS, AND
EXPLANATIONS
(BASED ON STS CONCEPTS)
SOURCE:
FOOD SECURITY AND SAFETY (PDF FILE)
 PART 2:
STS CONCEPTS In the early times, we have been hunters and gatherers.
We hunt for the meats of animals and cook them using
fire in order to preserve our food.
During the Neolithic period, we have been introduced to
agriculture and fishing. We are now knowledgeable on
raising our own crops and getting food from our bodies
of water. We are also able to raise agricultural animals
like cows, pigs, and chicken.
Due to the developments on the Metal Ages, there has
been an accessibility of cookware like pots and pans.
 PART 2:
STS CONCEPTS After the time of Industrial Revolution, we have
been exposed to greater technological
possiblities that makes our food production
faster and more efficient.
Agriculture has always been the major food-
producing system. Crops like rice, corn, and
potatoes are being sourced because of this. In
this way, we have access to carbohydrates-rich
and nutrients-rich food.
 PART 2:
STS CONCEPTS Raising animals for their animals and food
products has also been a major contributor to the
world's food supply. Raising chickens for their
meat and eggs, pigs for their meat, and cows for
their milk are only some of the examples.
Both the meats from farm animals and fish from
the aquaculture give us protein, which is crucial
for muscle development.
 PART 2:
STS CONCEPTS
All of these oppportunities have their advantages
and disadvantages. It is about finding the
balance, when to use it or when to not.
Avoiding soil erosion, soil infertility, illegal fishing,
chemically-made pesticides and fertilizers, and
massive food wastes are only some ways we can
produce food more sustainably.
 PART 3:
VALUES AND SKILLS FAKE VS. TRUE
LEARNED
(DISCRIMINATING FAKE NEWS
AND SUPPORTING CREDIBLE
INFORMATION)
SOURCE:
HTTP://WWW.FAO.ORG/2019-NCOV/Q-AND-A/FOOD-
SAFETY/EN/
 PART 3:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of
the United Nations has released some facts
FAKE VS. TRUE
about food safety during this pandemic.
With regards to getting the virus from food, the
FAO firmly addresses that the virus is transmitted
primarily by people who are infected through
coughing and sneezing droplets picked up by
another person. There hasn't been any evidence
to suport the claim that we can get the virus from
food.
 PART 3:
Also, a virus need a living host in order to live and FAKE VS. TRUE
multiply. It is not known yet how long can the
virus stay on food and what amount of
contamination it can pass to a human.
The FAO also advices the public to observe
proper hygiene at all times. Wash your hands
before and after handling food and food
preparations should also observe the proper
cleanliness and sanitation.
 PART 3:
When buying food from markets, make sure to FAKE VS. TRUE
observe physical distancing and keep your
hands clean. It is unlikely that the food
packaging will carry the virus and make a
person sick.
For food businesses, strictly follow the
guidelines set by the government and always
follow personal hygience.
PART 4:
VEGGIES KNOWLEDGE GAINED
(GIVING OUT VEGETABLES AND
FRUITS INSTED OF CANNED
GOODS AND INSTANT
NOODLES)
SOURCE:
HTTPS://WWW.AGRICULTURE.COM.PH/2020/03/25/LG
US-HELP-RESIDENTS-STOCK-UP-ON-FRUITS-AND-
VEGETABLES-AMID-COVID-19-QUARANTINE/
PART 4:
VEGGIES We know that our government and some organizations
have been on the move in ensuring that every Filipino
receives sufficient food to last them the quarantine
period.
But giving out canned goods and instant noodles
doesn't ensure that we are getting enough nutrients to
have a healthy lifestyle despite these conditions.
That is why some Local Government Units (LGUs) have
been initiating to give out fresh vegetables and fruits
instead of canned goods to their citizens.
PART 4:
VEGGIES In Eastern
Barangay
Samar,
San Roque
for example,
distributed
officials
fruits
of
and
vegetables to the Persons Under Monitoring
(PUMs) who are under the 14-day home
quarantine in their area.
The barangay captain said that it is their way of
helping them and other citizens to boost their
immune system. For two weeks, the PUMs will
receive relief goods including fresh fruits from
Tacloban and vegetables from the local market.
 PART 5:
IMPACT REFLECTION
ON SELF, FAMILY,
LOCAL AND GLOBAL
SOCIETIES
(REALIZATIONS AND
REFLECTIONS)
 PART 5:
Personally, I feel the urge to stay as healthy as
possible. Whenever I see the situation we are in
REFLECTION
currently, I am more motivated to take care of
myselbecause I don't want to waste the efforts of
all the people in maintaining a healthy environment
for all of us.
Luckily, I have my mother who always prepares
food for the whole family. Also, we are lucky to
have access to a local market where we can buy
fresh produce and fresh meat everyday.
 PART 5:
REFLECTION
It is important to promote food security
amongst all of us. The governments of all
countries must be aware of this and must
make a move in ensuring food safety and
proper nutrition for all especially those who
are more prone to the virus.
TOPIC 4:
WATER
RESOURCES
MANAGEMENT
SOURCE:
HTTPS://WWW.CDC.GOV/CORONAVIRUS/2019-NCOV/FAQ.HTML?
CDC_AA_REFVAL=HTTPS%3A%2F%2FWWW.CDC.GOV%2FCORONAVIRU
S%2F2019-NCOV%2FPHP%2FWATER.HTML#COVID-19-AND-WATER
 PART 1:
INTRO
INTRODUCTION
(WATER RESOURCES
MANAGEMENT AND
COVID-19)
SOURCE:
HTTPS://WWW.CDC.GOV/CORONAVIRUS/2019-NCOV/FAQ.HTML?
CDC_AA_REFVAL=HTTPS%3A%2F%2FWWW.CDC.GOV%2FCORONAVIRU
S%2F2019-NCOV%2FPHP%2FWATER.HTML#COVID-19-AND-WATER
 PART 1:
Water is one of the most used solvents in the
world. It also composes more than 70% of our
INTRO
planet.
But only 2.5% of our planet's waters are fresh.
About 1% of this fresh water is easily
accessible to us, with majority being trapped
in glaciers and snowfields. In essence, only
0.007% of the planet's waters is available for
use to us humans.
 PART 1:
Sadly, this amount of water is not enough to
INTRO
fuel all 7 billion people in the world. Some
countries still have no access to clean water.
In this time of another pandemic where we
need clean water to drink and to use, it should
send an alarm to the government to make
efforts in addressing this need.
 PART 2:
STS
CONCEPTS EXPERIENCES,
OBSERVATIONS, AND
EXPLANATIONS
(BASED ON STS
CONCEPTS)
SOURCE:
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (PDF FILE)
 PART 2:
STS Most of our early civilizations survived because of

CONCEPTS this one thing, water. As observed by many, most

of these civilizations started beside a body of
water, particularly a river. An example of this is
the Sumerian Civilization.
It manifests how humans are so dependent on
water. Water is an irreplaceable chemical with
unique properties that keeps living organisms
alive. Humans can survive for several weeks with
no food, but only a few days with no water.
 PART 2:
STS
CONCEPTS With a small amount of available fresh water for
our use, we are only limited to a relatively small
amount of water.
Yet, we continue to waste and pollute these
waters. And according to some studies, if we
continue this actions, we will face water scarcity
sooner than we think of.
 PART 2:
STS
CONCEPTS
Recycling used water for cleaning purposes is also
a way we can save water in our homes.
Aside from misusing and wasting our waters, it
must also be noted that major water pollutants
have harmful effects to all living organisms and to
the environment.
 PART 2:
STS
CONCEPTS
According to the World Health Organization
(WHO), an estimated 4,400 people die each day
from preventable infectious diseases caused by
drinking contaminated waters.
It has also been proven that groundwater could a
be good source for clean water. But it can only be
utilized if not contaminated by any pollutants.
Pollution prevention is the only way we can save
and protect groundwater.
 PART 2:
STS
CONCEPTS Even though humans are not directly affected by
ocean water pollution, the marine biodiversity is
greatly destroyed.
Reinforcing existing laws is one of the ways we
can address these issues. The problem is that we
have law, but it is not efficient enough to solve the
issue on water pollution.
 PART 3:
VALUES AND SKILLS
FAKE VS.
TRUE
LEARNED
(DISCRIMINATING FAKE
NEWS AND SUPPORTING
CREDIBLE NEWS)
SOURCE:
HTTPS://WWW.CDC.GOV/CORONAVIRUS/2019-NCOV/FAQ.HTML?
CDC_AA_REFVAL=HTTPS%3A%2F%2FWWW.CDC.GOV%2FCORONAVIR
US%2F2019-NCOV%2FPHP%2FWATER.HTML#COVID-19-AND-WATER
 PART 3:
FAKE VS.
TRUE
Just like food products, there hasn't been any
evidence that proved the survival of the virus on
drinking water. Conventional water methods
should remove the virus causing COVID-19.
Even if there hasn't been studies proving the
survival of the virus on water, public places
involving water including pools, spas, and hot tubs
are still under the guidelines of physical distancing
and proper hygiene.
 PART 3:
But to make sure, some countries have banned the FAKE VS.
operation of these kinds of businesses to avoid
the rapid increase of cases.
TRUE
The risk of transmitting the virus through
untreated waste waters or sewerage systems is
relatively low.
But we must remember how important water is in
fighting and combating the COVID-19 virus. Proper
hand washing using soap and water should always
be practiced.
PART 4:
HBD! KNOWLEDGE
GAINED
(USING THE "HAPPY
BIRTHDAY SONG" IN
FIGHTING COVID-19)
SOURCE:
HTTPS://FAMILYDOCTOR.ORG/HANDWASHING-AND-COVID-19/
PART 4:
HBD! It has been no secret to all of us that health
experts are recommending people to sing the
"Happy Birthday Song" while washing our hands
properly.
This way of promoting proper hand washing has
been used before, especially during Leptospirosis
and Rainy seasons in our country.
PART 4:
HBD! Especially that handwashing is one of our main
weapons in fighting the spread of the virus, this
familiar song has been on repeat inside our heads.
Included in most of the steps released by health
authorities, science explains that washing your
hands for 20 seconds is the best and most
effective way to kill the germs.
PART 4:
HBD! And for those who don't have the patience for
this, experts recommend to sing the "Happy
Birthday Song" twice because it makes the
experience quicker and more pleasant.
It is also very appealing to children, especially
with experts saying that children, teenagers, and
senior citizens are the most prone to the virus.
 PART 5:
REFLECTION
IMPACTS ON SELF,
FAMILY, LOCAL AND
GLOBAL SOCIETIES
(REALIZATIONS AND
REFLECTIONS)
 PART 5:
REFLECTION
Following the health authorities in terms of the safety
precautions especially in proper hygiene should be
observed by all.
They are not lacking in reminding all of us, so it is time
for us to respond well.
Our supply of fresh and usable water for the whole
planet is not that much. So whatever we have to utilize,
we must learn to save and preserve.
The government must make efforts in ensuring that all
their citizens have access to water. Water is one of the
most basic needs of any family, and any person.
TOPIC 5:

CLIMATE
CHANGE
SOURCE:
CLIMATE CHANGE (PDF FILE)
 PART 1:
INTRO
INTRODUCTION
(CLIMATE CHANGE AND
COVID-19)
 PART 1:
INTRO
Climate change is not a new thing to us, especially our
planet. Over the past 3.5 billion years, the planet's
climate has been changing rapidly due to volcanic
eruptions, solar energy, shifting tectonic plates, meteor
showers, and other factors.
But with the existence of humans, it has worsened the
situation to a point where we are already experiencing
effects that are unexpectedly alarming.
 PART 1:
Human activities emits large quantities of greenhouse INTRO
gases, which is the main contributor of global warming,
leading to a warmer atmosphere.
However, due to the current pandemic, human activities
have been lessened as most of the countries have
implemented a strict community quarantine or lockdown
to their citizens.
With these, it is suspected that the planet is slowly
healing and the situation regarding climate change is
slowly getting better.
 PART 2:
STS CONCEPTS
EXPERIENCES,
OBSERVATIONS, AND
EXPLANATIONS
(BASED ON STS
CONCEPTS)
SOURCE:
CLIMATE CHANGE (PDF FILE)
 PART 2:
STS CONCEPTS Before, climate change was a very natural phenomenon.
But due to the intervention of humans, the greenhouse
effect has worsened its condition which led to more
serious circumstances.
But after this, the planet has experienced prolonged
periods of global cooling and global warming.
Since the Industrial Revolution began, human actions
led to the rise of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere
causing it to warm in an unexpected and unusual way
than how it is normally.
 PART 2:
STS CONCEPTS Although the sun plays an important role in the Earth's
temperature, studies have shown that its consistent solar
output within the last 40 years is not the reason for the
rise in global average temperatures.
The ocean, on the other hand, plays an important role in
keeping the planet cool as it absorbs CO2 from the
atmosphere. It removes 25-30% of the CO2 pumped into
the atmosphere.
But with the ocean's temperature rising, the ocean's
ability to absorb CO2 decreases. Thus, the CO2 absorbed
gets released back to the atmosphere by evaporation.
 PART 2:
STS CONCEPTS
With the continuous warming of the whole
planet, this could lead to possibly worse
effects just like droughts, heat waves,
wildfires, melting of ice, rising of sea levels
and extinction of species due to rising
temperatures and loss of habitat.
 PART 2:
STS CONCEPTS Also, the loss of biodiversity and the presence of
natural imbalance could push further. Many sectors
such as the agricultural sector and the aquaculture
sector will be greatly affected.
Aside from the dangers it could bring to animals
involved in these industries, it will also slow down the
production of resources that humans utilize.
Prevention is always better. Reducing the greenhouse
gas emissions we contribute due to our human
activities is one of the ways we can prevent worse
scenarios to happen.
 PART 3:
VALUES AND SKILLS FAKE VS. TRUE
LEARNED
(DISCRIMINATING FAKE
NEWS AND SUPPORTING
CREDIBLE INFORMATION)
SOURCE:
HTTPS://WWW.EURONEWS.COM/2020/04/24/LARGEST-EVER-HOLE-IN-
THE-OZONE-LAYER-ABOVE-ARCTIC-FINALLY-CLOSES
 PART 3:
The largest hole in the ozone layer over the Arctic has
FAKE VS. TRUE
closed, according to Copernicus' Atmospheric
Monitoring Service.
Scientists spotted this hole in late March. They thought
that it was a result of continuous low temperatures at
the North Pole or the Arctic regions.
But on April 23, Copernicus - the European Union's
Earth monitoring program - announced the hole has
now closed.
 PART 3:
Since a current pandemic has slowed down human
FAKE VS. TRUE
activities and decreased factors leading to global
warming, some would suggest that this is the primary
reason for the hole's closing. But this was not the case
for the Arctic hole.
Instead, there was a split in the polar vortex, or the
currents bringing cold air to the polar regions, that
resulted to a relative heatwave and increased
temperatures up to 20°C higher than normal.
 PART 4:
WE BREATHE KNOWLEDGE GAINED
(THE RESULT OF THE
QUARANTINE TO THE AIR
WE BREATHE)
SOURCE:
HTTPS://NEWSINFO.INQUIRER.NET/1249003/COMMUNITY-
QUARANTINE-REWARDS-METRO-WITH-BREATH-OF-FRESH-
CLEANER-AIR-2
 PART 4:
WE BREATHE A rare site welcomed some of our netizens as they
captured clear blue skies with lesser traces of smog.
According to the data gathered by AirToday.ph and
analyzed by UP Institute of Environmental Science and
Meteorology (UP-IESM), the level of pollutants in the
whole Quezon City has dropped by as much as 180%.
This is due to the suspension of public transport
systems and less human movements since the whole
Luzon was put into Enhanced Community Quarantine
(ECQ) by Pres. Duterte.
 PART 4:
WE BREATHE The Philippine Clean Air Act states that the levels of PM
10 present in our atmosphere should not exceed 150
ug/Ncm in a 24-hour period. And the levels of PM 2.5
should not exceed 50 ug/Ncm in the same
measurement period.
Even the World Health Organization considers air
pollution as one of the major killers and major
contributors of diseases, causing about 4.2 million
deaths in 2016 alone.
 PART 5:
REFLECTION
IMPACTS ON SELF,
FAMILY, LOCAL AND
GLOBAL SOCIETIES
(REALIZATIONS AND
REFLECTIONS)
 PART 5:
Clean air is one of the important signs that we are in a
healthy environment. I really realized even in this very
REFLECTION
negative space we are in, we are gifted by sparks of
goodness and positivity.
Even though we are still far from completely eliminating
such environmental hazards, this must be a lesson for
all of us, on how we should treat our planet.
The government should consider having moves on
decreasing air pollutants when the time that everything
comes back to normal. Because we cannot live like this
forever, or we will die due to our own doings.
 CONCLUSION:
Destruction of the natural habitat must not be
tolerated as it leads to the loss of biodiversity
and the continuous hunting for wild animals,
which would lead us closer to new pathogens.
Maintaining  food security and substantial
amount of water within our households are only
some of the ways we can protect ourselves
from health hazards.
Let us remember to always observe proper
hygiene, but with respect to our usage of water.
Lessen  all human activities leading to the
emission of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere.
 BALANCE IS THE KEY TO
EVERYTHING. WHAT WE DO,
THINK, SAY, EAT, FEEL, THEY
ALL REQUIRE AWARENESS.
AND THROUGH THIS
AWARENESS, WE CAN GROW.
- KOI FRESCO