INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND PROTECTION

“Human beings cannot exist without nature while nature can exist without human beings”

I. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES

Natural Environment- encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally,
meaning in this case, not artificial.

Ecosystem- is the basic functional unit of nature. It is the interaction of the community (living
components) and the non-living environment.

Forest Ecosystems- is a community of trees, shrubs, herbs, microorganisms, and animals,

the trees being the most obvious living structure.

Freshwater and Wetlands- areas of marsh, fen, peat land, or water, whether natural or
artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brakish, or salt,
including areas of marine water, the depth does not exceed six meters.

II. STATUS AND TRENDS OF BIODIVERSITY

 The Philippines is one of 18 mega-biodiverse countries of the world, containing 2/3 of the
earth’s biodiversity and between 70% and 80% of the world’s plant and animals spieces.
 The Philippines ranks 5th in the number of plant species and 4th in bird endemism.
 The Philippines is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots with at least 700 threatened
species.
 In 2004, threatened faunal (animals) species includes 42 species of land mammals, 127
species of birds, 24 species of reptiles and 14 species of amphibians.
 Threatened flora (plants) species includes 99 species, 187 were endangered, 176
vulnerable as well as 64 other threatened species.

III. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS AFFECTING ENVIRONMENT

 High Population Growth

 Unequal distribution of wealth
 Poor performance of the agriculture sector
 Corruption
 Poverty
 Unemployment

IV. 6 BASIC RIGHTS IN RELATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

1. Sovereignty Over Natural Resources and the Obligation Not to Cause Harm
-gives the State the right to the utilization and benefits over the resources within its
territory. It includes the right of every state to be free from external interference. However
we are all obliged not to cause harm to the environment in the exercise of such right to
utilize natural resources.

2. Principle of Prevention
-aims to stop environmental damage even before it occurs or when it is critical and
potential damage may already be irreversible.

3. Precautionary Principle
-this advocates that the potential harm should be addressed even with minimal
predictability at hand. There should be an advance solution to such harm or damage that
 will be done to the environment. This principle is designed to provide the basis for early
international legal action to address serious environmental threats in cases where there is
ongoing scientific uncertainty with regard to the cause of these threats.

4. Sustainable Development
-the process of developing land, cities, businesses, communities, and so forth that “meets
the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs.”

5. Intergenerational Equity
-supports the Principle of Sustainable Development with respect to holding the natural
resources in trust for future generations. It is defined as “each generation’s responsibility
to leave an inheritance of wealth no less than what they themselves have inherited.”

6. Rights-based Approach
-the right of persons to environmental protection has the same level as basic human rights.