LESSON OVERVIEW

The most excellent option for nature and mankind top coexist in harmony is to
cultivate and embrace environmental ethics. There is a need to show concern by
supporting man’s needs while at the same time not ignoring environmental needs.
Humans can use the Earth’s resources but, as good stewards, they should be
responsible enough to care of reserves for future generation. Experts are becoming
progressively more alarmed that our over utilization of resources and disrespect and
ignorance for the penalties and consequences of greediness will result in extreme
madness in the future.

Unfortunately, solving such problems cannot be achieved by following a conventional,

conservative straight line.

• Environment represents all surrounding to an existing being.

• It refers to the external settings and circumstances in broad spectrum influencing
the natural life, cycle, and survival, of all living and living creatures.
• It includes the set of natural, social, and cultural morals and ethics presented in
a specific location at a precise period, which has impact in the existence of the
humankind and in the generations to take place.
• It is not only the place in which life progress, but it moreover incorporates living
creatures, objects, water, soil, air and the associations connecting all of them on
top of intangibles like culture.
Such are some of the philosophical questions raised around 600 B.C.E in the
Western Ionian seaport town of Miletus across the Aegean Sea from Athens. The book
of Genesis of the Holy Bible mentioned how God created the world. Nature’s depth and
the complexity were then seen in the eyes of spiritual saga. Greek philosophers later on
tried to understand the wonders of nature through scientific viewpoints coupled with
logic and evidences.

Pre-Socratic philosophers’ inferences signify a paradigm shift from the mythical

description of the geneses of the cosmos to a more logical account.

Humans, definitely, are related to environment. However, there are so many

environmental issues that must be addressed so that individual may cohabit the planet
with all other creations. There are sets of paradigms that could foster valuable insights
about worldview that could either shape or break the ways people and factions
approach such issues that have been magnified by global challenges.

All are now forced in achieving a dynamic equilibrium where will be allowed to
make adjustments and may be heal itself. But again, as human greed persists, this may
be far from being achieved.
Lastly, just thinking… Humans have disrupted the Sulphur cycle leading to acid
rain carbon cycle likewise, has been disrupted and now we have global warming. We
have not seen the end of it-but we may, in relation to what we can do, try to. Do you
agree?
 ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVES

Ecocentric Anthropocentric Technocentric

Nature centered People centered Technology centered

With minimum disturbances Humans are managers of Technology solves problem

to nature the planet

1. Ecocentrism

• Humans are not more important in comparison to the other creations or species
• All living creatures has essential value
• Human needs to protect its habitat and ecosystems
• Resources are limited and scarce
• People need the earth more than it needs us

Ecocentrism is the ecological or personal honor that mankind postulate that reflects
our morals and values towards nature. In the aspect, individuals are fervent to
conserving the entirety of Earth’s biodiversity and the active operation of its life
supporting system.
Three Theories on Ecocentric Model
Deep Ecology

• An ecological philosophy developed by Arne Naess in the early 1970s.

• He emphasizes that all living existence have an equally corresponding right to
exist
• Human needs and wants have no precedence over those of other entities
• He trusts that the living environment ought to be appreciated, valued, and
viewed as having rights to prosper, autonomous of its use, function, or benefit to
humans.

Social Ecology
• A critical social theory founded by American anarchist and libertarian socialist
author Murray Bookchin
• Intellectualized as a critique of current, social, political, and anti-ecological
trends, it espouses reconstructive, ecological, communitarian, and ethical
approach to society.
Ecofeminism

• Also known as ecological feminism

• It explores the links and correlations between women folk and nature
• Its name as coined by French feminist Francoise d’Eaubonne in the year 1974
• A philosophical inkling that relates both feminism and ecology concerns
accentuating that they mutually endure from their dealings in a male dominated
society.

• Emanates from the notion that women and nature have noteworthy relation, as
women most likely have a pronounced connotation with nature in many societies
due to the character of their traditional roles.
2. Anthropocentrism

• Humans are the most important of all creations

• A humanity centered environmental viewpoint
• Nature is used to benefit the human population

The unreasonable or excessive utilization of environment’s resources which give rise

to ecological crisis. As such, it ensures that human egotism towards nature is
defensible to gratify human interest. Now and then, people espouse exploitive
approach each time nature is merely pondered as channel for one’s profit or
advantage.
Some effects of Anthropocentrism
• All kinds of pollution
• Deforestation
• Soil erosion
• Depletion of natural resources
• Drought and water crisis
• Famine
• Stronger typhoons
• Climate change
• Global warming
3. Technocentrism

• The environmental perspective that relies on technology to solve ecological

problems caused by men.
• A value system that is focused on technology and its competence to manage
and protect the environment.
• Technocentrics have complete confidence in technology and modern industry
and strongly consider mankind is having control over nature.
 • Technocentrics further believe in classical science, technology, conventional
economic thinking, and in the human control over nature. They are confident in
the ability of experts to invent new techniques to extract and allocate resources.

Concept of Environment

In the broad-spectrum theory of systems, an environment is a composite outside feature

that operates on a system and establish their track and mode of survival and continuity.

Artificial
Natural Human Action (Man-
made)

ENVIRONMENT
Natural Resources

➢ Resources found in nature that man uses to meet their needs

Can people change natural resources?

YES! Anything that is crafted by humans that does not transpire naturally in the
environment is manmade, also known as Artificial Resources – materials from the natural
environment that people convert to produce other things with the aid of tools and
creativity.

Natural Man Made

Land – soil, mountains, fields Buildings

Water – river, lakes, sea Bottled water
Air - oxygen Balloon
Plants - tress, forests Paper products
Animals – provides meat, meat and wool Processed/ canned meat

The Management of Resources

The Wonders of Nature

Nature on its own is absolutely amazing and beautiful. When the earth was not yet
abused by humans and the word pollution was not yet probably manifested,
environmental harmony exists. The water used to be clean and clear. Fish and other sea
creatures are in abundance. The air was fresh and pure. The soil was rich and fertile.
However, due to the changing of times and other factors like over population and
urbanization, the environment experienced changes that led to severe drought and
famine.

But is it really over population and urbanization that triggered environmental problems?
Or is it the lack of discipline and the mismanagement of resources?

Economics would tell us that all resources are limited – including natural resources.
Large human population is rubbing enormous strain on our natural resources. With such
increase in statistics and vast development in technology the rubbish materials,
commonly known as wastes, have exponentially multiplied in volume, and this has
caused in the contamination in environment.

Over population dilemma is not basically a problem of the entire numerical figure of
individuals on Earth, but the connection amid the number of people and resource
availability. There will, obviously, be considerable upsurges in the demand for food,
water, and energy, to fame a new. Complications follow when a zone’s populace
surpasses the capacity of the ecosystem to provide sustenance at an acceptable
standard of living.

Lesson 4.1 Notice disorder in an environment

Where does disorder fit in an otherwise orderly universe?

Philosophy begins with a sense of wonder and awe. But how is it possible to have that
feeling of admiration when all we see in reality is disorder? Do you ever wonder what
your place used to look like a decade ago? Can you imagine how that same place
would look like ten (10) years from now?

Current condition of our environment

We cannot refuse the fact that our environment is continuously changing. The older
generation, our ancestors, can certainly attest to the changes they have seen and
compare the past and present condition of our environment.

Change is inevitable.

As much as we want progress, there are things that will surely sacrifice. Therefore,
there is a great need to address this concern as well if we truly want to experience and
enjoy true progress not only for us living in the present, but more so for our children and
the future generation.
There are certainly means and ways to prevent negative impact on our environment.
People must be educated and be disciplined in doing even the smallest things for the
environment. It is a collaborative effort and should not be left in the hands of the
government or the environmentalists alone. Individual proper disposal of trash is an
example. The little things that we do in every day would somehow have an impact on
our environment, whether good or bad.

The public needs to be conscious of the kinds of environmental setbacks and

challenges our world is dealing with.

Pollution

Waste Disposal Climate Change

Environmental
Problems
Natural Resource
Depletion Over population

What could you possibly do to contribute in improving our present environmental

condition? If not us, then who; If not now, then when? More over how could we unite
and adhere collectively as one nation to support our planet and create a better
dwelling for everyone to inhabit? We must know before it’s too late.

Instructions: Identify the missing letters to complete the words.

Er_s_o_

• It is a process that triggers the soil façade to deteriorate

• Geological erosion is caused naturally by water, wind or gravity
• Accelerated erosion is caused naturally by human’s over use of land. Activities
such as excessive construction, agriculture, surface mining and forestry.
• The most noticeable effect is the elimination and destruction of land.
• Whether caused by wind or water, erosion leads to the displacement of soil,
rocks, plants and seeds.
• These direct effects can time and again head to far reaching consequences,
such as:
a) Shrinking habitats for animals
b) Build-up of sediments
c) The reduction/elimination of nutrients
D_fo_ _st_t_o_

• The act or consequence of slashing down or burning all the trees in an area. It is
the permanent destruction of forests in order to make the land available for other
uses.
• According to the earth observatory, the single most direct cause of this is
conversion is conversion of forestry to cropland and pasture. Other causes
include urbanization and infrastructure expansion.
• To make more land available for housing and urbanization
• To harvest timber to create commercial items such as paper, furniture and homes
• To create ingredients that are highly prized consumer items, such as the oil from
palm trees
• To create room for cattle ranching

_li_ _ _e C_an_ _

• The shift in the planet’s weather patterns or average temperatures.

• Also called global warming, refers to the rise in average surface temperatures on
Earth.
Effects”
1. More heat melts ice, worsens weather and expands oceans.
2. Human life and prosperity suffer as the climate shifts.
3. It is a major threat to agriculture.
4. Warmer, polluted air affects our health.
5. Natural habitats become hostile to plants and animals
6. The ice arctic animals need is vanishing.
7. Coral and shellfish are suffering

D_pl_ti_ _ of Nat_ _al R_so_rc_s

• The consumption of a resource faster that it can be replenished.

• Happens when natural resources are consumed at a greater rate than they are
produced

Dro_ _h_ is a period of dry weather, especially a long one that is injurious to crops.

Water sc_r_it_/crisis is the lack of sufficient available water resources to meet

water needs within a region.
 Lesson 4.2 Notice things that are not in their proper place and
organize them in an aesthetic way
The philosophy of art and beauty in relation to artistic taste can include nature and
environment. The extent of environmental aesthetics has expanded to embrace not
only the natural environment but also man-made structures within the natural
environment.
Nature and philosophy according to…
Anaximander- The author of the first surviving lines of Western philosophy who
speculated and argued about “the Boundless” as the origin of all that is. He also worked
on the fields of what we now call geography and biology. He was one of the greatest
minds that ever lived. By speculation and arguing about the “Boundless”, he was the
first metaphysician. By drawing a map of the world, he was the first geographer. But
above all, by boldly speculating about the universe, he broke with the ancient image
of the celestial vault and became the discoverer of the Western world-picture.
Pythagoras- The universe is living embodiment of nature’s order, harmony, and beauty.
He sees our relationship with the universe involving: BIOPHILIA – love of other living things
and COSMOPHILIA – love of other living being.
Immanuel Kant- Beauty is ultimately a symbol of morality (goodness); He believes that
the orderliness of nature and the harmony of nature with our faculties guide us into a
deeper religious perspective.
Herbert Marcuse- Humanity had dominated nature. There can only be change if we will
change our attitude towards our perception of the environment.
Herbert Mead- A socio-environmental thinker. According to him, the relationship
between the human organism and its environment can be understood neither as a
determinism where all the causality lies o the side of the environment by organism. There
are affinities of Mead’s theory to the thinking of early conservationists. They clearly find
anticipated in Mead what is presently debated as a new view of the social- that is, a
view that includes non-humans. Mead’s theory could, therefore, provide the foundation
for contemporary claims about the obligation of human communities to multiple forms
of ecology. For Herbert Mead, humans don’t only have rights to nature, but duties as
well.
Humans are not just citizens of the community. We have rights as individuals but
we also have our share of duties and responsibilities as good stewards of Mother Earth.
It is time to react and make change to improve our current situation. We have an
obligation to fulfill.

Lesson 4.3 Show that care for the environment contributes to health,
well-being, and sustainable development
“Healthy people are those who live in healthy homes on a healthy diet; in an
environment equally fir for birth, growth, work, healing, and dying…Healthy people
 need no bureaucratic interference to mate, give birth, share the human condition,
and die” - Ivan Illich

Green Revolution by Norman Borlaug (Father of Green Revolution)

A movement to boost food production through:
a) The launching of high-yield crop varieties
b) The use and treatment of fertilizers and pesticides
c) The application of advanced agricultural techniques
The objective is to eliminate or at the very least, reduce hunger by further enriching
crop performance.
The Need for Green Revolution
• Continuous increase in population
• Food shortage
• High cost of production
• Environmental problems

“Too many people mean too much consumption, depletion and/or pollution this
threatens the carrying capacity of a naturally resource-limited collection global
ecologies.”

BIOTECHNOLOGY - The Next Green Revolution

o Support farmers produce higher yields on less land as compared to

conventional plant breeding
o More precise state of art farming technology o Farming
methods/practices becomes less time consuming

Green Revolution and Biotechnology in the 21st Century

➢ The need to obviously continue because

a. Food shortage is a global problem

b. Over population puts pressure and threatens food supply
c. Modern technologies can facilitate in enhancing food production.

Green Revolution: Promise of Hope

• Hunger Reduction/Elimination
• Intensity food production
• Foster technological knowledge
• Availability of materials to local farmers
• Strengthen and improve global carrying capacity
Lesson 4.4 Demonstrate the virtues of prudence and frugality towards
environment
If being frugal is being practical and/or economical, therefore, in a philosophical
sense, does frugality help the environment?

Society’s impact on the environment continues to be the cause of serious global

concern. It was triggered by the growing awareness that human activities have
become the biggest factor in the loss of biodiversity.

This has never been as pronounced as it is today. Here now is a dilemma. Can
we really be frugal and optimize what we have?. Reality is man always clamor for more.
It’s difficult to satisfy man’s need and wants. Taste and preferences are dictated by the
changing of times. Unfortunately, not all may be considered environmentfriendly. Is
being economical truly the answer to help save Mother? As good stewards of these
God-given resources, let us contemplate on the model of consequences of our actions.

With the continuous increase in the price of almost all commodities brought
about by accelerating cost of fuel. Not so mention the equivalent swelling of
environmental and health problems, alternatives to go natural has intensified. Moves
to save money (cost), people’s health, and Mother Earth, in general, has been given
much attention in recent times in an attempt to save the future.

So, what we can do in our own little way to help save the environmental? Let’s
begin with the basics.

- purchase only what is needed as oppose to what is

REDUCE desired - limit packaging materials

- buy reusable products

REUSE - consider looking for new ways to make use of
old stuff that are about to be thrown away

- Most items made of paper, glass, rubber, plastics, and

metal may have a good use in other ways. Be creative.
RECYCLE Use your imagination and save money.

REDUCE

➢ Reduction means to make something smaller. How? By using something less

often ensuing in a smaller quantity of waste.
 ➢ Source reduction is reducing waste prior to you actually purchasing it.
Decrease unnecessary, useless, and wasteful purchases. How?

By being practical. Buy things as needed; not as wanted. Avoid impulse buying.
You don’t have to purchase a commodity just because it is on “sale” unless you are
absolutely certain that you would have a use for it sometime soon.

Food items, however, are considered essential. Therefore, buying item it is on sale does
not count for what others call as “guilty pleasures;” unless, of course, it falls under the
category of “junk food.”

o Conservation is the crucial part of waste reduction. Utilizing natural resources

sensibly and using below or less than the usual to circumvent waste.
o We can reduce the amount of trash by selecting what rubbish to throw away o
Reduce junk by donating surplus and unwanted stuff to family, friends,
neighbours, or even to charity.

REUSE

➢ It means to use an item again more than once.

➢ Some items in our respective homes and places of work may be used several
times. These things have reusable qualities.

➢ It may be reused for the same purpose (conventional reuse) or to perform a

different function (creative reuse). All it needs is a good imagination and a pair
of creative hands to make use of throwing it in trash. It not only saves money
but it could also create some personal touch and making it one of a kind.

➢ Instead of using plastic bags, try using eco-friendly shopping bags. This is widely
used now in big malls and everyone is encouraged to do their share of
discipline in going green and help save Mother Earth.

RECYCLE

➢ Recycle is to transform of convert materials/waste into reusable items. It

subjects objects through a process or treatment that permits them to be used
again, usually for a different purpose.

➢ It should be distinguished from reuse. Recycling is the breaking down of

secondhand, old items to create raw materials for the construction of new
products.

➢ Recycling is a process.

 Collection and segregation

 Processing and manufacturing
 Purchase and use
 Benefits of recycling
• Monetary benefits
• Management of resources
• Energy reduction
• Community development
• Provision of work
• Ecological security
While many of us definitely wants new and finer things in life, it does not mean
that using recycled products diminishes our way living or how we look at our
possessions. Some of the recycled products are truly works of art. What others think as
trash can turn out to be something valuable to others.

Based on the discussion presented in this chapter, it is very obvious that there is a need
to reduce, reuse and recycle. It’s not asking too much to get involved and participate
in this campaign for a better environment. After all, we are part of it and we all want
to live in a safe and healthy environment.

Those “rubbish” won’t recycle on its own. We have to make that choice. We need to
make it happen. Let it be part of our system ‘til it becomes a habit in a way of life.

RECYCLING IS A CHOICE

Humans have impacted the environment in different ways - in most parts the
impacts are negative. Like all living things, humans are an integral part of the
environment. It is a case of co-existence. There are however, cases where the level of
change, brought about by human activities, exceeds the ability of the environment to
adapt to it.

We are all witnesses to these phenomena - from climate change, global

warming, land desertification, flash floods and host of other natural calamities. Humans
have evolved as the main cause behind environmental changes, disruption and
deterioration.
Even in the modern-day technology-based society where there is an
abundance of knowledge and information about the environment, society’s attitude
towards the environment is very much wanting in terms of concern. Humans failed to
or refused to realize that nature’s resources are not infinite. Minerals and commodities
upon which humans depend have to be managed and conscious efforts must be
relegated to protect to protect these resources from air, water and vegetation and
animals.

Some observed that the human race in the past has a much better relationship
with the environment compared to current times. But humans, being the dominant
species, continued to abuse the environment and now are suffering the consequences
of their acts.