Jose Angelo V.

Ponce de Leon

1. Discuss what you understand about each of the case.

Welcome to Atlantis?
 The Philippines will be underwater in 30 years.
 
 According to Climate Central's research, if climate change is not addressed, about 150
million people might be displaced by 2050, and up to 300 million by the end of the century. The
study found out that the Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to flooding. The
most vulnerable areas stated were Manila, Malabon, Bulacan, Valenzuela, and Pasay City. These
areas will be most affected due to their topographic characteristics in which most of these
areas have a flat terrain and are near the coast. Furthermore, the rising temperature due to
climate change worsens the situation it is because high temperature causes more water to
evaporate thus resulting in heavy precipitation and flooding. Sea level could also rise if global
warming is at 1.5 degrees Celsius. These are the possible scenarios that could happen if climate
change would not be addressed. However, of all these anticipations, our government had
suspended a loan from Germany that could have been used as funds for climate change studies.

Water shortage in the Philippines threatens sustainable development and health

Water shortage in the Philippines is one of the worst problems that need to be addressed as
it threatens the health of the people. According to research, around 1 in 10 people in the
Philippines still do not have access to improved water sources. We all know that we need water
to live and 
 2. . What UN sustainability goal/s is/are being addressed by each?
 The Philippines will be underwater in 30 years: Inquirer - Sutainanble goal 13: Take
urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 

 Water shortage in the Philippines threatens sustainable development and health

- Sustainable Goal 6: Ensure Availability and Sustainable Management of water and
sanitation for all. 

3. Before arriving at a certain decision on the issue, was there any consideration about the
application of the scientific method? Explain.
In the case of flooding in the Philippines, it seems that preparation for the effects of climate
change was not our government's top priority because of its suspension of the loan from
Germany. I think the scientific method was applied correctly in conducting those studies since
we are already seeing the effects of climate change in our country. There are already cases of
severe flooding here in the Philippines and those anticipations of the expert are not impossible
to happen.

In the case of water shortage in the country, WHO Philippines plan to resolve this problem is to
develop improved rainwater collection systems and state-of-the-art desalination technologies.
This is a great resolution as it adapts to the current situation wherein climate change causes our
natural water sources to dry and we could only rely more on rainwater. This will allow us to
recycle more water which would sustain the needs of the country. Also, the enhanced
desalination technologies would ensure that the water will be safe for the health of the people.

4. How would you judge/evaluate each case? Are the decisions valid? Give your own
opinion.
 I think our government's decision on suspending the loan is not valid especially if its only
reason was because of President Duterte's issue on foreign scrutiny on his human rights record.
It is not right to not prioritize a certain issue just because of the allegations against the
government. The President should decide for the benefit of all the people and not just for
himself, especially it is a critical issue. 

In the water shortage case, the decisions and plans for me are valid since I think it is the
best way we could do in our current situation. However, we could also think about other
solutions such as giving awareness about climate change, for us to also provide help in resolving
climate change which is the main cause of this problem. 

5. Regarding proper education & Laudato Si

A. What is the most urgent need of our society in each issue, and what can you do to educate
others in this regard?
The first issue is about the high risk of our country Philippines with flooding. The most
urgent need of our society is a better ecosystem where we will make our environment one of
our top priorities to stop deforestation and start to plant trees. It is a way that we need to have
a campaign and a law that when you cut one tree, you should replace and plant ten trees in
return. Reduce, reuse and recycle is another way that can improve our ecosystem. To educate
them, We can do campaigns and ads about awareness and what they should do to slow down
or stop the possible effects of what they are doing that damage our environment.'

The second issue, water shortage threatens the health of the people. The most urgent
need of our society is to have a better and healthy water supply. We also need proper
knowledge on how to conserve water. As a student, I can help in educating others by
participating in programs about the conservation of water, ads about it, and also by simply
teaching other people what I know.
B. Laudato Si calls on everyone to recognize the effects of the environmental crisis on the poor,
and to remember that any true ecological approach is always also a social approach to the
issues. In relation to the ecological-related issue(s), how can we be part of the dialogue to
which he is calling everyone? 

Our role in society is to do no harm and act morally to help other people. It could be done in
many things such as taking care of the environment as it provides us the resources we need to
live in this world. Taking care of the environment is also the same as taking care of other living
beings. We can be part of the dialogue to which Laudato Si is calling by being a good part of the
society by means of being aware of our surroundings, helping the people, and especially taking
care of our natural environment.

6. Provide your reference/s.

Chakraborty, V. (2018, July 31). Rainwater Harvesting- How it is done and how

important is it for future? - Education Blogs. My India. Retrieved February 15, 2022,

from https://www.mapsofindia.com/my-india/education/rainwater-harvesting-how-it-is-

done-and-how-important-is-it-for-future#:%7E:text=Benefits%20of%20Rainwater

%20Harvesting,in%20the%20towns%20and%20cities.

The Climate Crisis and Flooding: What You Need to Know. (2020, January 14). Climate

Reality. Retrieved February 15, 2022, from

https://www.climaterealityproject.org/blog/climate-crisis-and-flooding-what-you-need-

know#:%7E:text=Simply%20put%2C%20climate%20change%20impacts,precipitation

%20events%20and%20intensifying%20storms.
Goal 6 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (n.d.). United Nations Department

of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development. Retrieved February 15, 2022,

from https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal6

Goal 13 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (n.d.). United Nations Department

of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development. Retrieved February 15, 2022,

from https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal13

Water shortage in the Philippines threatens sustainable development and health. (2019,

March 22). World Health Organization. Retrieved February 16, 2022, from

https://www.who.int/philippines/news/feature-stories/detail/water-shortage-in-the-

philippines-threatens-sustainable-development-and-health