DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION

Mabini Street, Tagum City

Davao del Norte
Telefax: (084)655-959
TORAYNO, KAYLA H.

BIG PICTURE C

Week 6-7: Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO): At the end of the unit, you are
expected to:
a. Explain how the Energy runs the planet;
b. Evaluate how human actions and consumptions affect the energy resources;
and
c. Determine what human intervention should be done to sustain energy for the
future generation.

Big Picture in Focus: ULO. Discuss the basic concept of energy

consumption with concepts of sustainability

Let’s Check!

1. Global Warming

2. Greenhouse Gases

3. Smog

4. Fossil Fuels

5.Ozone Depletion

6.
 DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION
Mabini Street, Tagum City
Davao del Norte
Telefax: (084)655-959
AIR POLLUTION

Air pollution caused by:

• Air pollution is caused by the presence in the atmosphere of toxic

substances, mainly produced by human activities, even though sometimes it
can result from natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions, dust storms
and wildfires, also depleting the air quality.
• Alteration of air quality that can be characterized by measurements of
chemical, biological or physical pollutants in the air.

Air pollutants come from:

• Emissions from industries and factories, releasing large amount of carbon

monoxide, hydrocarbon, chemicals and organic compounds into the air.
• Agricultural activities, due to the use of pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers
that emit harmful chemicals
 Waste production, mostly because of methane generation in landfills

Air pollution leads to:

• Our continual exposure to air pollutants is responsible for the deterioration of

human health. Air pollution is indeed a significant risk factor for human health
conditions, causing allergies, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases as well
as lung damage.
• Air pollution can directly contaminate the surface of bodies of water and soil.
This can kill crops or reduce their yield. It can kill young trees and other
plants.
• Air pollution can also cause long-term damage to people's nerves, brain,
kidneys, liver, and other organs. Some scientists suspect air pollutants cause
birth defects.
 DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION
Mabini Street, Tagum City
Davao del Norte
Telefax: (084)655-959
Let’s Analyze

Reducing fossil fuel dependence - Burning coal to produce energy creates carbon
dioxide emissions and contributes to irreversible climate change. Businesses that
make a conscious effort to switch to sustainable energy sources, such as wind or
solar power, can help to reduce their daily CO2 emissions.

Rewarding green commuters - Encouraging employees to switch to public

transportation, carpooling, biking, telecommuting, and other environmentally-friendly
commutes can add up and have tremendous effects. Employers can offer commuter
benefits that address limited or expensive parking, reduce traffic congestion, improve
employee recruiting and retention, and minimize the environmental impacts
associated with drive-alone commuting.
 DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND SCIENCES EDUCATION
Mabini Street, Tagum City
Davao del Norte
Telefax: (084)655-959
Voluntary offsets - If a company can't afford to undertake new energy-efficient
building initiatives or put solar panels on buildings, there are alternatives. Balancing
your carbon footprints through alternative projects, such as solar or wind energy or
reforestation, is known as carbon offsetting. Carbon offsets can be purchased from
many third-party suppliers who then engage in these activities on behalf of the
business.

Measuring carbon footprint - By assessing how much pollution an organization's

actions generate, you can begin to see how minor policy changes can significantly
reduce a company's overall carbon footprint.

A carbon footprint can be measured by undertaking a greenhouse gas emissions

assessment.4 Once the size of your carbon footprint is known, you can devise a
strategy to reduce it through technological developments, better process and product
management, changed Green Public or Private Procurement (GPP), carbon capture,
consumption strategies, and others.

Carbon capping - Emissions trading, sometimes known as cap-and-trade policies,

puts a limit on carbon dioxide emissions. A government entity sets a "cap" on the
emissions that can be produced in its jurisdiction, and companies are given carbon
allowances. These allowances can either be used or traded to other companies.5

Reducing energy use - The building industry now has multiple energy efficiency
certifications. The standards help set measurable and achievable goals, reducing the
amount of energy used from 12 percent all the way to 100 percent of typical building
energy use. Some of the most common certifications include LEED Green Building
certification, Energy Star, Net Zero Energy Building Certification, and High-
Performance Building Program by ICLEI. The industry sector can ensure new
buildings are energy efficient by earning any of these ratings.