LESSON MANUSCRIPT

ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Ecology, environmental protection and conservation of natural resources for a green

future. Ecology is a sub discipline of biology that examines the interrelationships of organisms
and their environment. Ecology is a generic term for the overall relationship between living
beings and the environment.

Environmental protection and conservation of natural resources are elements of ecology.

Because environmental awareness has been on the rise since the middle of the 20th century,
the term ecology is frequently used in the same breath as environmental protection and
conservation of natural resources. There is a demarcation line however. Ecology describes the
relationship between living beings and the environment, while environmental protection and
nature conservation involve measures aimed at preserving the environment. Although ecology
research is a broad field, it can be broken down into three main sub disciplines:

 Population ecology
 Community ecology
 Ecological system analyses

At a high level, ecology involves the propagation and frequency of organisms. Where do
they come from? What type of organism did they originate from? How many are there? And
where do they appear? The goal of ecological analyses is providing answers to these questions.
Biotic and abiotic environmental factors that can influence the environment are also part any
ecological analysis. What makes ecological research so difficult is the complexity of the
biological systems. Individual observations serve less as focal points and more as general
conclusions produced from mathematics, statistics or experiments. A vital part of ecology is
reducing complex structures to simple conclusions based on natural science.

Environmental protection and its sub disciplines

While ecology takes a holistic approach, environmental protection mainly involves

measures aimed at preserving the basic existence of all living beings. This calls for maintaining
a healthy ecosystem. For this reason, nature conservation plays a leading role in ecology as well
as in environmental protection. A basic element of environmental protection involves rectifying
human-induced damage to the environment. As a result, this requires observing not only the
individual parts, but the overall relationships between the parts as well, The term environmental
protection first gained attention in the 1970s. One of the primary goals of environmental
protection is preserving the human ecosystem. Although preservation of the human ecosystem
is a major aspect of environmental protection, technical solutions are still frequently employed.
Environmental protection can be divided into several disciplines:

 climate protection as a sub discipline of environmental protection

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  forest, upland and terrestrial protection as a sub discipline of
environmental protection
 Marine / Brackishwater Fisheries and Freshwater Fisheries protection as a
sub discipline of environmental protection

From a global point of view, environmental protection is always related to one of these
sub disciplines, nature conservation as a demarcation line between environmental protection
and ecology.

Apart from ecology and environmental protection, an important area is conservation of

natural resources or preservation of our ecosystems. Although environmental protection and
conservation of natural resources or universally coined as nature conservation typically
complement one another, there are certain exceptions.

In the field of ecology, renewable raw materials such as wood are points of conflict
between nature conservation and environmental protection. While nature conservation
demands that trees be preserved as long as possible and eventually turned into deadwood for
the ecosystem of a variety of animals, environmental protection views wood as a sustainable
energy source and raw material. Environmental protection also seeks to avoid the radical
deforesting of lands and forests. Within nature conservation there are also initiatives that
oppose wind power and small hydropower systems. Under the context of nature conservation,
the idea is to impact nature as little as possible. Nature conservation is also a local issue.
Nature conservation frequently involves single locations. As it pertains to ecology, nature
conservation examines ways to preserve and reestablish a balanced ecosystem. Nature
conservation strives toward sustainable human use of our natural environment.

Waste Segregation and Recycling

Waste Segregation

Waste segregation is the process by which waste is separated into different elements.
Waste sorting can occur manually at the household and collected through curbside collection
schemes, or automatically separated in materials recovery facilities or mechanical biological
treatment systems. Hand sorting was the first method used in the history of waste sorting.
Waste can also be sorted in a civic amenity site.

It also means dividing waste into dry and wet. Dry waste includes wood and related
products, metals and glass. Wet waste, typically refers to organic waste usually generated by
eating establishments and are heavy in weight due to dampness. Waste can also be segregated
on basis of biodegradable or non-biodegradable waste.

Recycling

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 Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be
thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. Recycling can benefit your
community and the environment.

Benefits of Recycling

1. Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators.

2. Conserves natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals
3. Prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials
4. Saves energy
5. Reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change
6. Helps sustain the environment for future generations
7. Helps create new well-paying jobs in the recycling and manufacturing
industries in the United States

Steps to Recycling Materials

Recycling includes the three steps below, which create a continuous loop,
represented by the familiar recycling symbol.

Step 1: Collection and Processing

There are several methods for collecting recyclables, including curbside

collection, drop-off centers, and deposit or refund programs.

After collection, recyclables are sent to a recovery facility to be sorted,

cleaned and processed into materials that can be used in manufacturing.
Recyclables are bought and sold just like raw materials would be, and prices go
up and down depending on supply and demand in the United States and the
world.

Step 2: Manufacturing

More and more of today's products are being manufactured with recycled
content. Common household items that contain recycled materials include the
following:

Newspapers and paper towels

Aluminum, plastic, and glass soft drink containers

Steel cans

Plastic laundry detergent bottles

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 Recycled materials are also used in new ways such as recovered glass in
asphalt to pave roads or recovered plastic in carpeting and park benches.

Step 3: Purchasing New Products Made from Recycled Materials

You help close the recycling loop by buying new products made from
recycled materials. There are thousands of products that contain recycled
content. These are products that can be easily recycled and products that
contain recycled content.

Below are some of the terms used:

Recycled-content product - The product was manufactured with

recycled materials either collected from a recycling program or from waste
recovered during the normal manufacturing process. The label will sometimes
include how much of the content was from recycled materials.

Post-consumer content - Very similar to recycled content, but the

material comes only from recyclables collected from consumers or businesses
through a recycling program.

Recyclable product - Products that can be collected processed and

manufactured into new products after they have been used. These products do
not necessarily contain recycled materials. Remember not all kinds of recyclables
may be collected in your community so be sure to check with your local recycling
program before you buy.

Some of the common products you can find that can be made with
recycled content include the following:

 Aluminum cans
 Car bumpers
 Carpeting
 Cereal boxes
 Comic books
 Egg cartons
 Glass containers
 Laundry detergent bottles
 Motor oil
 Nails
 Newspapers
 Paper towels
 Steel products
 Trash bags

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 Writ of Kalikasan

The 1987 Constitution mandates the right to a healthy environment via Sec. 16, Art. II
of the Philippine Constitution which provides that: “The State shall protect and advance the
right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony
of nature.” Section 15 of the same Article provides that: “The State shall protect and promote
the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.”

Highlights of the Rules include provisions on: (1) citizen suits, (2) consent decree, (3)
environmental protection order, (4) writ of kalikasan, (5) writ of continuing mandamus, (6)
strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP) and (7) the precautionary principle.

The provision on citizen suits liberalizes standing for all cases filed enforcing
environmental laws. Citizen suits have proven critical in forcing government and its agencies to
act on its duty to protect and preserve the environment. The terminology of the text reflects the
doctrine first enunciated in Oposa v. Factoran (G.R. No. 101083, July 30, 1993). To further
encourage the protection of the environment, the Rules enable litigants enforcing
environmental rights to file their cases as citizen suits. As a procedural device, citizen suits
permit deferred of payment of filing fees until after the judgment.

The use of a consent decree is an innovative way to resolve environmental cases. It

allows for a compromise agreement between two parties in environmental litigation over issues
that would normally be litigated in court, and other matters that may not necessarily be of issue
in court.

Similar to the writs of habeas corpus, amparo and habeas data, the issuance of the writ
of kalikasan is immediate in nature. It contains a very specific set of remedies which may be
availed of individually or cumulatively, to wit – it is available to a natural or juridical person,
entity authorized by law, people’s organization, non-governmental organization, or any public
interest group accredited by or registered with any government agency, on behalf of persons
whose constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology is violated, or threatened with
violation by an unlawful act or omission of a public official or employee, or private individual or
entity, involving environmental damage of such magnitude as to prejudice the life, health or
property of inhabitants in two or more cities or provinces. The petition for the issuance of a writ
of kalikasan can be filed with the Supreme Court or with any of the stations of the Court of
Appeals. Likewise, the summary process leading to the issuance of the writ of kalikasan
dispenses with extensive litigation; this facilitates the prompt disposition of matters before the
court.

Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos (Global Legal Action on Climate Change) had said: “A
new era of nurturing for our threatened natural support system has ushered in with the
Supreme Court’s promulgation of the much awaited Rules on Environmental Cases. This
will transform the legal profession and the practice of law in our country and instill a
mindset of sustainability among stakeholders, especially the lawyers, government

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 agencies and the corporate sector. Lawyers will become stewards of both the law and
the environment. The wide gap existing between the law and reality will narrowed down
as the trail-blazing remedies such as the writ of kalikasan, writ of continuing mandamus,
citizen suit and anti-SLAPP, afforded to the people, ecological stewards and dedicated
civil servants will render the violation or non-compliance of environmental laws a very
expensive and tedious option. This legacy of Chief Justice Puno and the justices of the
Supreme Court will be enshrined as one of the greatest gifts not just to Filipinos and the
future generations of this biodiversity rich nation, but to our climate challenged planet
as well. Mabuhay ang SC! Mabuhay si Chief Justice Puno!”

Atty. Roan Libarios (Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Governor): “A.M. No. 09-
6-8 is a major breakthrough that will finally bridge the wide gap between Philippine
environmental protection laws and their enforcement. Mother Nature will rejoice from
the innovative legal weapons created and unleashed for its defense by the SC – the
citizens’ right, EPO, writs of kalikasan and continuing mandamus. Truly, no other set of
rules can match the potency of A.M. No. 09-6-8 in promoting ‘environmental
accountability.’ With its potency, it will energize, if not transform the field of legal
advocacy in environmental protection.”

FIVE (5) IMMEDIATE CONCERNS THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED FOR THE

PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT, CULTURAL PROPERTIES AND NATURAL
RESOURCES

1. Forest Protection

Statistics from the Bureau of Forest Development (BFD) maintains that 11.1
million hectares of forestland are still covered with timber although, satellite data and
surveys conducted by other quarters reveals a considerably smaller figures. According to
the Forestry Development Center of the University of the Philippines, the remaining
living forests may only cover an area of between 1.9 – 2.4 million hectares. Similarly,
the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO) predicted that the
country may lose all its forest within fifteen (15) years if the destruction is not averted.
Because deforestation’s manifold effects on the Philippines ecological balance is already
being strongly felt or have already manifested particularly in the rural areas and even in
the urban areas.. The DENR admits that available resources are not enough for
conservation and reforestation programs which requires tremendous funding to achieve
goals.

2. Protection of Fisheries, Marine life and Aquatic Resources

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) claims its inability to stop
illegal fishing and harvesting of corals due to lack of finance assistance. The lack of
public awareness and cooperation in matters dealing with conservation is another
stumbling block in efforts to save the country’s dwindling natural resources.

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 Blast fishing and muro-ami operations have turned seabeds into killing fields or
graveyards as shown here in the Philippines. In a several conventions and International
conferences on fisheries management and conservation, convenors appeals for the
protection of the reefs.

Coral reefs are considered one of the most productive ecosystems. Their direct
relationship with fish production has long been established as healthy reefs supports
more fish. And in country like the Philippines, where a great percentage of the
population depends on fishing as means of livelihood, the importance of coral reefs
cannot be under rated.

Fisherfolks have already expressed concern over the dwindling fish catch or
harvest. Yet, ironically, illegal methods of fishing used by fishermen themselves have
been responsible for the some of the damage. They have used dynamite, chemicals like
sodium cyanide, bamboo pools and boulders to either stun or scare the fishes toward
the nets. In the process, they have destroyed the corals around which the fish hover.

3. Ensuring Clean and Safe Land, Air and Water

The continuous alteration of the physical, chemical and biological properties of

any water, air and or land resources of the Philippines, or any discharge of any liquid,
gaseous or solid wastes at will has created and rendered harmful, detrimental or
injurious effects to public health or welfare, and further adversely affect their utilization
for domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational or other legitimate
purposes.

4. Preservation of Endangered Species and Other Wildlife

The profound impact of man’s activities on all components of the natural

environment particularly the effect of increasing population, resource exploitation,
industrial advancement and man’s ignorance have caused severe lose to our animals
and plant resources. Recent assessment on the quantity of the varieties of terrestrial,
wetlands and marine species of both flora and fauna revealed a very disturbing figure.
Nationwide, eighty nine percent (89%) of the 558 species of birds, 44% species of
mammals and 8% species of reptiles are considered as endangered species. Similarly,
plants in the vast forest areas in the country are continuously experiencing vast
destruction.

The depletion of wildlife resources is attributed to the following causes, both

direct and indirect. Habitat destruction; hunting, poaching, growing human population
and inappropriate practices, lack of knowledge on the value of wildlife, natural calamities
and introduction of exotic species.

To this end, recognizing the critical importance of protecting and maintaining the
natural biological and physical diversities of the environment notably on areas with

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 biological unique features to sustain human life and development should be invoked to
people.

PERTINENT PROVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL, CULTURAL AND NATURAL

RESOURCES PROTECTION LAWS

1. Forest Protection

PD No. 705
Pursuant to the provision of Presidential Decree No. 705, as amended, and other
pertinent policies, laws and regulation, the Secretary of the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources of his duly authorized representative have administrative
authority to order the confiscation of any forest products which are illegally cut,
gathered, removed, possessed or abandoned including all conveyances used by land,
water or air in the commission of offense and to dispose of the same in with pertinent
laws, regulations, or policies. In case the apprehension are made by the PNP, Philippine
Navy, Coast Guard and other government law enforcement agency, the apprehending
agency shall notify the nearest DENR officer and turn over the seized forest product to
the CENRO / PENRO / RED concerned for further investigation and disposition.

2. Protection of Fisheries, Marine Life and Aquatic Resources

Republic Act No. 8550 – The Fisheries Code of 1998

Section 86 of RA 8550 otherwise known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of the
Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998; prohibit any person from unauthorized fishing or
engaging in any unauthorized fishing activities. No person shall exploit, occupy, produce,
breed, culture, capture or gather fish, fingerlings of any fishery species or fishery
products, or engage in any fishery activities in Philippine water without a license, lease
or permit. Fishing for daily food sustenance or for leisure or for leisure, which is nor for
commercial occupation or livelihood purposes may be allowed. It shall be unlawful for
any commercial fishing vessel to fish in bays and in such other fishery management
areas, which may herein after be declared as over-exploited. It shall be unlawful for any
person not listed in the registry of municipal fisher folk to engage in any commercial
fishing in municipal water.

It shall be unlawful for any foreign person, corporation or entity to fish or

operate any fishing vessel within the Philippine. The entry of any foreign fishing vessel
in Philippine waters shall constitute prima pacie evidence that the Philippine is engaged
in fishing in Philippine waters. (Sec. 87, RA 8550).
 
Also, it is unlawful for any person to catch, take or gather or cause to be caught,
taking or gathering fisheries or any fishery species in Philippine water or within
Philippine fishery areas with the use of electricity, explosives, noxious or poisonous

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 substance such as sodium cyanide which will kill, stupefy, disable or render unconscious
any fish species., Research for educational and other scientific purposes maybe allowed.
Provided, that such activities are deemed necessary and are endorsed by concerned
LGUs, and subject to such safeguards and conditions as set forth by proper authorities.
The use of electricity, poisonous or noxious substance to catch, take or gather fish or
fishery species may also be allowed. Provided, further, that the use of poisonous or
noxious substance to eradicate predators in fishponds is in accordance with accepted
scientific practices and without causing adverse environmental impact in neighboring
waters and grounds and that the same shall not be construed as illegal fishing. It shall
be unlawful for any person, corporation or entity to posses, deal in, sell or dispose of in
any manner, any fish or fishery species, which have been illegally caught, taken or
gathered.

It shall be unlawful for any person or corporation to gather, posses, sell or

export ordinary precious and semi-precious corals, whether raw or in processed form,
except for scientific or research purposes. The confiscated corals shall either be returned
to the sea or can be donated to schools and museum for educational or scientific
purposes or disposed through any other means (Section91, RA 8550).

It shall be unlawful for any person, natural or judicial, to fish with gear method
that destroys coral reefs, sea grass beds, and other fishery marine life habitat as
determined by the Department. “Muro-ami” and any of its variation, such as the use of
similar gears and methods that are required in diving, and such other physical or
mechanical acts like pounding of corals reefs and other habitat or to entrap, gather or
catch fish and other fishery species are similarly prohibited (Sec. 92 RA 8550).

3. Ensuring Clean and Safe Land, Air and Water

Republic Act No. 7942 – The Philippine Mining Act of 1995

All mineral resources in public and private lands within the territory and exclusive
economic zone of the Republic of the Philippines are owned by the State. It shall be the
responsibility of the State to promote their rational exploitation, development, utilization
and conservation through the combined efforts of the government and the private
sector in order to enhance national growth in a way that effectively safeguards the
environment and protect the rights of affected communities. The Director, DENR may
deputize when necessary, any member or unit of the Philippine National Police,
barangay, duly registered non-government organization (NGO) or any qualified person
to police all mining activities.

Any person extracting minerals and disposing the same without a mining
agreement, lease, license, or steals mineral or ores or the products thereof from mines
or mills or processing plants shall be liable to law. Any person who willfully destroys or

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damaged structures in or on the mining area or on the mill sites shall, upon conviction,
pay compensation for the damages which may have been caused thereby.

Republic Act No. 7160 – The Local Government Code

Pursuant to Sec. 33 of RA 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government code,
all provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays, through appropriate ordinance, are
hereby mandated to consolidate, or coordinate their efforts, services, and resources for
purpose of jointly addressing common solid waste management problems and/or
establishing common solid waste disposal facilities.

Republic Act No. 9003 – Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000
The following acts are prohibited in accordance to Sec. 48, RA 9003 or Ecological
Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

 Littering, throwing, dumping of waste matters in public places, such as roads,

sidewalks, canal, esteros or parks, and establishment, or causing or permitting
the same;
 Undertaking activities or operating, collecting or transporting equipment in
violation of sanitation operation and other requirement and permit set forth in or
established pursuant to this Act;
 The open burning of solid waste;
 Causing or permitting the collection of non segregated or unsorted wastes;
 Squatting in open dump or landfills;
 Open dumping, burying of biodegradable or non-biodegradable materials in
flood-prone areas;
 Unauthorized removal of recyclable materials intended for collection by
authorized persons;
 Mixing of sourced-separated recyclable materials with other solid wastes in any
vehicle, box, container or receptacle used in solid waste collection or disposal;
 Establishment or operation of open dumps as enjoined in this Act, or closure of
said dumps in violation of Sec. 37.
 The manufacture, distribution or use of non-environmentally acceptable
packaging materials;
 Importation of consumer products packaged in non-environmentally acceptable
materials;
 Importation of toxic wastes misrepresented as “recyclable” or “with recyclable
content”;
 Transport and dumping in bulk of collected domestic, industrial, commercial and
institutional waste other than centers or facilities prescribed under this Act;
 Site preparation, construction, expansion or operation of waste management
facilities without an Environmental Compliance Certificate required pursuant to

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 Presidential Decree No. 1586 of this Act and not conforming with the land use
plan of the LGU;
 The construction of any establishment within two hundred (200) meters from
open dumps or controlled dumps or sanitary landfills; and
 The construction or operation of landfills or any waste disposal facility on any
aquifer, groundwater reservoir or watershed area and / orany portions thereof.
 This Act also shall cover the importation, manufacture, processing, handling,
storage, transportation, sale, distribution, use and disposal of all unregulated
chemical substances and mixtures in the Philippines, including the entry even in
transit, as well as the keeping or storage and disposal of hazardous and nuclear
waste into the country for whatever purposes (RA 6969, otherwise known as the
Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990).

Global Warming

Global Warming is an increase in the earth's atmospheric and oceanic temperatures

widely predicted to occur due to an increase in the greenhouse effect resulting especially from
pollution (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary).

Global Warming is the increase of Earth's average surface temperature due to effect of
greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels or from
deforestation, which trap heat that would otherwise escape from Earth. This is a type of
greenhouse effect (http://www.nmsea.org/Curriculum/Primer/Global_Warming).

Most climate scientists agree the main cause of the current global warming trend is
human expansion of the "greenhouse effect" — warming that result 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.

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 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 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.

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 have
increased concentrations of greenhouse gases.

The consequences of changing the natural atmospheric greenhouse are difficult

to predict, but certain effects seem likely:

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 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 Fourth 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 90 percent probability that
human activities over the past 250 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 90 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.

They said the rate of increase in global warming due to these gases is very likely to be
unprecedented within the past 10,000 years or more. The panel's full Summary for
Policymakers report is online at http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-
report/ar4/syr/ar4_syr_spm.pdf.

Help Minimize Global Warming

1. Reduce Emissions

In order to effectively address global warming, we must significantly

reduce the amount of heat-trapping emissions we are putting into the
atmosphere.

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 As individuals, we can help by taking action to reduce our personal
carbon emissions. But to fully address the threat of global warming, we must
demand action from our elected leaders to support and implement a
comprehensive set of climate solutions.

2. Stop Deforestation

Tropical deforestation accounts for about 10 percent of the world’s heat-

trapping emissions — equivalent to the annual tailpipe emissions of 600 million
average U.S. cars.

Reducing tropical deforestation can significantly lower global warming

emissions and — together with efforts to reduce emissions from fossil fuels —
plays an integral role in a comprehensive long-term solution to global warming.

3. Fight Misinformation

Why has it been so difficult to achieve meaningful solutions to global

warming? Media pundits, partisan think tanks, and special interest groups funded
by fossil fuel and related industries raise doubts about the truth of global
warming.

This barrage of misinformation misleads and confuses the public about

the growing impacts of global warming — and makes it more difficult to
implement solutions to effectively reduce the man-made emissions that cause
global warming.

4. Prepare for Impacts

Certain consequences of global warming are now inevitable, including sea

level rise, more frequent and severe heat waves, growing wildfire risks, and an
increase in extreme weather events.

These were once largely preventable, but foot-dragging by our leaders

and policy makers over the past two decades means that we must now confront
the dangerous new reality of rising temperatures and the serious impacts that
accompany them.

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