LESSON 1

What’s More?

Activity 2: Research on at least three (3) specific environmental problems

happening in our country. Analyze them using any of the major philosophical
views.
Use the table below to guide you in your work.

Environmental Problem Analysis

“For every action, there’s always a

Improper Waste Disposal
(Solid and Toxic Wastes)
consequence that follows.” We are
aware that one of the most common
problems in every household in our
country is improper waste disposal.
Despite the local government’s and
educational institution’s efforts to
educate people and promote proper
waste management, not everyone
practices it. As a result, it causes land
and water pollution, which leads to
various diseases (meningitis, hepatitis,
skin infections, etc.), blockage of
 drainage systems, and dangerous
flooding. Notably, we ourselves are
affected by it. Unless every individual
takes the initiative to discard garbage
properly, this problem will not be fully
addressed.

One of the most heavily deforested

countries in the tropics is the
Philippines, and most deforestation has
occurred in the last 40 years. The loss
of our forests results to our country
paying a high price and a range of
major problems facing our nation can
be related to deforestation. At present,
our country faces food insecurity due to
soil erosion, which means depleted
nutrients and low crop yield. A large
percentage of topsoil has been lost in
many provinces, and many of our
Illegal Mining and Logging croplands have become prone to
erosion. Aside from that, the loss of
trees and plants also means a loss of
protection for us from floods during
typhoons and wet seasons since trees
play a major role in absorbing
rainwaters.
 Additionally, illegal mining is also
rampant and big corporations are often
the ones accountable of it. This
increases the dangers that are already
posed to our country from illegal
logging. Thus, before everything
becomes too late, we should demand
accountability and responsibility from
the people who are abusing our
resources and taking it for granted. In
the same way, we must urge the
government to become stricter on
regulating institutions that are
practicing illegal mining ang logging.

Air pollution is a familiar health

threat for the environment. When a
brown haze falls over a neighborhood,
exhaust billows across a busy highway,
or a plume rises from a smokestack, we
know what we're looking at. Some air
pollution may not be seen but its
pungent scent alerts us. The primary
sources of human-made air pollution
Air Pollution are vehicle emissions, fuel oil and
natural gas for heating homes, by-
products of manufacturing and power
generation,
 particularly coal-fired power plants, and
fumes from chemical processing.
Exposure to these poses great danger
not only to our environment but also
our respiratory health.
To further reduce the air pollution
levels, more still needs to be done.
Some simple ways to reduce air
pollution can be: reducing the number
of trips you take in a car, reducing
wood stove use, banning burning
leaves, trash, and other materials, and
many more. We need to remember that
as air pollution destroys the
environment, living things are
endangered as well. So we must take
action.

Research
Criteria Rating
The research made by the student is 5 4 3 2 1
relevant to the topic.

5 4 3 2 1
The student’s work conveys a deep
personal reflection about the topic
The analysis made are supported by 5 4 3 2 1
clear arguments.

The work is creatively done and neat. 5 4 3 2 1

 LESSON 2

What’s New?

Activity 1: Haiku Analysis. Study the stanza and answer the questions that
follow.

Embracing the sun,

Dashing with water and wind… Earth
is my only home!

1. Do you believe that the Earth is our only home? Why? Why not?

Yes, I believe that the Earth is our only home. We all know that among all
celestial bodies, it is the only planet that has the capability to sustain life. It
provides us the important things that we need in order to live such as food,
water, shelter, oxygen, and many more, through the different natural resources. It
even protects us from space through the atmosphere’s ozone layer that blocks
ultraviolet light from reaching the Earth’s surface.

2. Why do we need to care for the earth?

We need to care for the Earth because it is our home. In order for it to
flourish in the coming generations, it needs to be well-taken care of because if
not, we cannot guarantee that it will still be able to sustain life in the future; even
misusing our natural resources can lead to our home’s destruction. Thus, as
much as the Earth provides life and protection for us, we should do the same
 with it. We should not only think of ourselves but also our home and everything
that inhabits it.

What’s More?

Activity 2. Pledge for the Earth. Reflect on how you and your family use natural
resources at home. Then, write a pledge of commitment to personally promote a
sustainable use of these resources in your household. Fill the table below with
appropriate responses.

Activities that Activities that show My Pledge of Commitment

show sustainable misuse of resources
use of resources

Segregating trash into Buying new clothes when I, Shaynetel P. Ortego,

biodegradable and we still have good ones pledge to become a
nonbiodegradable. that can be used. responsible advocate of
conserving our country’s
natural resources. As an
Opening windows and Using shower instead of advocate, I promise to be
doors for ventilation bucket and dipper that is disciplined and committed
instead of using air essential for conserving to practicing proper
conditioner or electric water. handling of our resources
fans, as much as possible. like conserving water,
unplugging unused
appliances, and
Reusing plastic bottles Buying too many pro-
and boxes as containers. ducts that use plastics like
straws and utensils.
Unplugging all appliances Watching television and applying the 4Rs (Reduce,
when not in use. using other gadgets at the
Reuse, Recycle, and
same time.
Restore). I will become a
Planting easy-to-grow Allowing kids to play role model to the younger
edibles in our backyard. with water while taking a people so they may also
bath.
become caretakers of our
land, water, air, and
wildlife. I will make a
difference for our planet
and its inhabitants. This
difference begins with none
other than our selves.

So help me God.

Assessment

A. Answer each question correctly in its corresponding item. Write your

answers in your activity notebook.

1. This refers to a branch of philosophy that is concerned with the natural

environment and humanity’s place in it.

A. Environmental ethics C. Frugality
B. Environmental aesthetics D. Prudence
2. This view believes that man is the most important species on the planet.

A. Biocentrism C. Anthropocentrism
B. Ecocentrism D. Environmentalism

3. This view asserts that all organisms have intrinsic value and should be

protected.
A. Anthropocentrism C. Biocentrism
B. Environmentalism D. Ecocentrism

4. This view places great value on ecosystem and biological communities.

A. Ecocentrism C. Environmentalism
B. Biocentrism D. Anthropocentrism

5. Which of these statements about humankind and nature is not true?

A. Humankind can use the resources without regard for the consequences.
B. Humankind has a unique relationship with nature.
C. Humans are capable of changing the environment.
D. Humans are stewards of nature.

6. This view advocates action to address environmental problems.

A. Biocentrism C. Ecocentrism
B. Environmentalism D. Anthropocentrism

7. This refers to a moral approach in understanding the relationship between

humans and the environment.
 A. Environmental justice C. Environmental justice
B. Environmental aesthetics D. Environmental ethics
8. Which of the sentences below does not reflect environmental ethics? A.
Humans must act together to solve environmental problems.
B. Natural disasters are unrelated to human activities.
C. We should reflect on how our actions affect the environment.
D. We must uphold the welfare of the earth and everything in it.

9. This concept refers to the fair distribution of environmental benefits and the

burden of addressing climate change.

A. Environmental aesthetics C. Environmental ethics
B. Environmental justice D. Environmental philosophy

10. Which of these statements is not related to sustainable development? A.

Human activities must promote the integrity of the earth.
B. Natural resources are to be used wisely and efficiently.
C. Resources must be conserved for other people.
D. Humankind must use up all-natural resources.

B. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if it is wrong.

TRUE 11. Communities that do not practice proper waste disposal often have
dirty surroundings.
TRUE 12. Human actions will always bring negative effects on the environment.
TRUE 13. One’s misuse of a resource often means that other people do not benefit
from it.
TRUE 14. Prudence is the ability to regulate one’s actions and behavior.
TRUE 15. As human persons, it is our responsibility to treat with respect
everything in our world.
FALSE 16. There is no need to preserve the environment for the next generation.
FALSE 17. Anthropocentrism considers humans as the least significant species on
the planet.
TRUE 18. Environmental ethics can guide governments to commit to responsible
action for the environment.
TRUE 19. Humankind is part of the world.
TRUE 20. Environmental integrity involves maintaining the state of the
environment.