LIVE-BY-OR-DIE FORESEE THEE

STATUS, LOSS, THREATS, CHANGES, SOLUTIONS AND INSIGHTS

A L F O N S O • G U Z O N • I N S O N • J U A N I L L O • S A Y S O N
C O N T E N T S

1 2
STATUS QUO
CURRENT STATUS OF PHILIPPINE
BIODIVERSITY/ECOSYSTEMS

KEAN ZYRUS SAYSON

THE PREDICAMENT
MAJOR CAUSES OF BIODIVERSITY

3 4
LOSS

LIZA MARIE INSON

ULTIMATUM
ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES THAT
THREATENS THE ECOSYSTEM

CHARLES BENEDICT GUZON

SILVER LINING

5
ROLE OF THE YOUTH IN
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

CLAYNE ALLIZA ALFONSO

PROGRESSIVE STEP
POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE
YOUTH SECTOR IN ADDRESSING
THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

MA ELISHA QUINN JUANILLO

INSIGHTS
 C U R R E N T S T A T U S O F
P H I L I P P I N E
B I O D I V E R S I T Y / E C O S Y S T E M S
KEAN ZYRUS SAYSON
The Philippines is one of the world's 18 mega-
biodiverse nations, accounting for two-thirds of
the planet's biodiversity and 70 percent to 80
percent of all plant and animal species.
Fifth in highest number of plant species and
accounts for 5% of the world's flora. 4th in bird
endemism, with at least 25 genera of plants and
49 percent of terrestrial wildlife covered by
species endemism. With at least 700 threatened
species, the Philippines is also one of the world's
biodiversity hotspots, making it one of the top
global conservation areas. The national list of
endangered faunal species was created in 2004
and comprises 42 land mammal species, 127 bird
species, 24 reptile species, and 14 amphibian
species. The Philippines has at least 3,214 fish
species, with about 121 being endangered and 76
being threatened. Forest habitats cover 7.2
million hectares in the Philippines, accounting for
around a quarter of the country's total land area.
The Philippines, is home to Southeast Asia's rice,
coconut, mung bean, taro, and yam variety
centers, as well as the roots and diversity of
bananas. However, agricultural biodiversity is on
the decline, as is the amount of land dedicated to
these activities. The Philippines, has a diverse
coastal, aquatic, and island ecosystem. It is, in
reality, located within the Coral Triangle, which is
home to the world's greatest marine biodiversity.
The environment, however, is in grave danger.
Although mangrove cover increased in the 2005
assessment of the condition of the marine and
coastal ecosystem,
reef cover, seagrass cover, and fishery
productivity have all decreased significantly
since then.
In the year 2004 to 2005, the Philippines ranked
2nd in fastest rate of deforestation in Southeast
Asia and ranked 7th in the world. The total
amount of the lost forest cover is about 2.1%.
According to US-based scientists, more than half
of the Philippine archipelago should be
protected in order to conserve rare and
endangered species as well as high-biodiversity
areas.
According to the study "A 'Global Safety Net'
(GSN) to reverse biodiversity loss and balance the
Earth's environment," 54 percent of the
1
Philippines, or 15.8 million hectares, should be
designated as protected land or areas.
Currently, only 15% of the nation is designated as
a protected area. This ensures that an additional
36% should be set aside to protect rare and
endangered animals, and another 36% should be
set aside for other purposes.
“If we fail to protect lands for ecosystem services
and carbon sequestration, we will not be able to
achieve the Paris Climate Agreement. The two
conventions are intertwined,” Karl Burkart, One
Earth managing director, said.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/09/22/half-of-phl-needs-
biodiversity-protection/ (By Cai Ordinario -September 22,
2020)•https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/?
country=ph#:~:text=Species%20endemism%20is%20very%20high
,the%20top%20global%20conservation%20areas
 Despite the
t he deadly Covid-19 pandemic and the strict quarantines placed to prevent its
spread, and the devastating typhoons that hit the Philippines in 2020, the year was viewed
as promising in terms of biodiversity security and conservation. The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced in its year-end report that the
National Integrated Protected Areas System (Nipas) has increased the number of
protected areas covered by legislation and that the Expanded-Nipas has increased the
amount of land, coastal, and marine areas set aside for conservation. According to the
BMB, Republic Act (RA) 11038, or the Expanded-Nipas Act of 2018, a total of 244 protected
areas covering more than 7. 1 million hectares of land and water is either legislated or
declared in 2020. There are 244 protected areas under the Nipas, 107 of which are
legislated (4. 38 million hectares), 13 of which are declared (1. 11 million hectares), and 124 of
which are still in the planning stages (2. 27 million has). To date, the 244 protected areas
cover 15. 40 percent (4. 62 million hectares) of Philippine land and 1. 42 percent (3. 14 million
hectares) of territorial waters, helping the country meet Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 by
increasing the percentage of protected areas. The Philippines is regarded as an ASEAN
champion for coming close to meeting the Aichi Biodiversity Target 11.
https: //businessmirror. com. ph/2021/01/10/2020-a-bright-year-for-phl-biodiversity/

AQUATIC
BIODIVERSITY

LAND
BIODIVERSITY
 MAJOR CAUSES
OF BIODIVERSITY
LOSS
LIZA MARIE INSON

THE NUMBER OR ABNDANCE OF DIFFERENT SPECIES LIVING

WITHIN A GIVEN AREA IS OFTEN REFERRED TO AS
BIODIVERSITY. IT SYMBOLIZES THE ABUNDANCE OF
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES AT OUR DISPOSAL. IT'S ALL ABOUT
PRESERVING THE NATURAL AREA, WHICH IS MADE UP OF AN
ECOSYSTEM OF PLANTS, ANIMALS, AND OTHER LIVING THINGS
THAT IS STEADILY DIMINISHING AS WE PREPARE FOR HUMAN
ACTIVITIES THAT ARE DIMINISHING DUE TO HABITAT
DESTRUCTION.

NOITCURTSED
Habitat Destruction
The loss of biodiversity is exacerbated by habitat
degradation. Deforestation, overpopulation,
TATIBAH

emissions, and global warming all contribute to

habitat loss. Habitat loss has a greater impact on
species that are physically large and lives in
forests or oceans.

Invasive Species
When a single component of an ecosystem fails,
the equilibrium of the entire system is
jeopardized. Freshwater species are the most
endangered in today's world. Invasive organisms
are those that would otherwise be kept out of an
EVISAVNI

ecosystem due to natural barriers. As a result of

SEICEPS

the removal of these barriers, invasive species

have invaded the landscape, killing native
species. Human activities have been a significant
contributor to the spread of invasive species.

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Over-Exploitation of Species
Genetic contamination, such as unregulated
hybridization and gene swamping, can also
NOITATIOLPXEREVO

endanger species. For example, abundant

species can interbreed with uncommon species,
resulting in a gene pool swamping. Overfishing,
SEICEPS FO

overhunting, excessive deforestation, and illegal

wildlife trade are all examples of
overexploitation. Overfishing has reached
unsustainable levels in over 25% of the world's
fisheries.

Global Warming and Climate Change

Climate change and global warming have a
direct effect on physical environmental factors
that are necessary for a healthy ecosystem. Coral
reefs, which are biodiversity hotspots, will vanish
in 20-40 years if the current pace of global
GNIMRAW

warming persists. Because of global warming,

wildlife in mountain regions that need cool
LABOLG

temperatures at high elevations, If global

warming and climate change continue, 10% of all
species on the planet will become extinct by
2050.
Pollution
Water contamination, soil pollution, air pollution,
land pollution, and agricultural pollution all pose a
NOITULLOP
significant threat to ecological systems by releasing
hazardous substances and chemicals into the
environment, damaging animal and plant habitats.

Human Overpopulation
Overpopulation has resulted in continued
encroachment into frontier forests, increased
pollution, and depletion of natural ecosystems, all of
which have contributed significantly to species
extinction. Human activities including acidification

-REVO NAMUH
of water bodies, over-exploitation of natural

NOITALUPOP
resources, deforestation, overfishing, poaching, and
the intentional and indirect degradation of natural
systems have all led to biodiversity loss.

Natural Calamities
Since the pathogen is often unique to a specific
species or group of species, such outbreaks in nature
are normally limited to specific plant or animal
populations. Floods are common in wet tropical
regions, inundating most of the ground vegetation,
SEITIMALAC

trapping a large number of animals and draining soil

LARUTAN

nutrients. Forest fires and earthquakes both reduce a

significant number of plant and animal species to
ashes in heavily forested areas.

Genetic Pollution
The hybridization or genetic modification of animals
is referred to as genetic pollution. It's often used in
agriculture to improve disease resistance and adapt
to local climates for higher yields. This poses a
threat to organisms, particularly when unregulated
hybridization and genetic engineering are involved.
It eventually leads to the emergence of distinct
NOITULLOP

genotypes, which eventually replace the previously

existing diverse genetic makeup.
CITENEG

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/what-is-biodiversity.php
 ANTHROPOGENIC
ACTIVITIES THAT
THREATENS THE
ECOSYSTEM
CHARLES BENEDICT GUZON

ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES IMPACT THE PHYSICAL

ENVIRONMENT IN MANY WAYS. CHANGES LIKE THESE HAVE
TRIGGERED GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE, WEARING, POOR AIR
QUALITY, AND UNDRINKABLE WATER. ANTHROPOGENIC
ACTIVITIES ARE INCREASING CONCENTRATIONS OF
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTANTS, ESPECIALLY ATMOSPHERIC CO2
AND TROPOSPHERIC O3, THAT PLAY SIGNIFICANT ROLES
WITHIN THE FUNCTIONING OF FOREST ECOSYSTEMS.
ELEVATED LEVELS OF CO2 AND O3 ALTER TREE METABOLISM,
GROWTH, AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION.

Scientists believe that the changes we are seeing are caused by human activities. Such example of this can be burning fossil
fuels. When fossil fuels are burned, they release large amounts of CO2, a greenhouse emission, into the air. Greenhouse
gases trap heat in our atmosphere, causing warming. the discharge of nitric oxides into the air in large quantities causes
smog and acid precipitation that pollutes the atmosphere, soil and water and affects plants and animals. Another example is
deforestation. The loss of trees and other vegetation can cause global climate change, desertification, eating away, fewer
crops, flooding, increased greenhouse gases within the atmosphere, and loss homes for indigenous people and certain
animals.

The most common anthropogenic activities humans made is overpopulation. the present population of the world is sort of
7.6 billion people and growing. Population is growing rapidly, far outpacing the flexibility of our planet to support it, given
current practices. More people mean an increased demand for food, water, housing, energy, healthcare, transportation, and
more. and every one that consumption contributes to ecological degradation, increased conflicts, and the next risk of large-
scale disasters like pandemics. The scarcity caused by environmental disruption and overpopulation has the potential to
trigger a rise in violence and political unrest. We are already seeing wars fought over water, land, and energy resources
within the geographical area and other regions, and also the turmoil is probably going to extend because the global
population grows even larger.

With the massive increase of population, another anthropogenic activity continues to rose which is pollution. Pollution is
that the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. although some pollutant
may be natural, most of the pollutant came from us like factories, power plants, cars, airplanes, chemicals, fumes from spray

3
cans, and methane gas from landfills. Pollution may muddy landscapes, poison soils and waterways, or kill plants and
animals. Humans also are regularly harmed by pollution. Long-term exposure to pollution, as an example, can cause chronic
respiratory disorder, carcinoma and other diseases. Toxic chemicals that accumulate in top predators can make some
species unsafe to eat. quite one billion people lack access to scrub water and a pair of.4 billion don't have adequate
sanitation, putting them in danger of contracting deadly diseases.

9 SIMPLE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO REDUCE ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES

Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Cut down on what
you throw away. Follow the three "R's" to
conserve natural resources and landfill space.
Volunteer. Volunteer for cleanups in your
community. You can get involved in protecting
your watershed, too.
Educate. When you further your own education,
you can help others understand the importance
and value of our natural resources.
Conserve water. The less water you use, the less
runoff and wastewater that eventually end up in
the ocean. less.
Shop wisely. Buy less plastic and bring a
reusable shopping bag.
Use long-lasting light bulbs. Energy efficient
light bulbs reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Also flip the light switch off when you leave the
room!
Plant a tree. Trees provide food and oxygen.
They help save energy, clean the air, and help
combat climate change.
Do not send chemicals into our waterways.
Choose non-toxic chemicals in the home and
office.
Bike more. Drive less.
 ROLE OF THE
YOUTH IN
PROTECTING THE
ENVIRONMENT

I WANT YOU TO ACT AS IF YOUR

HOUSE IS ON FIRE. BECAUSE IT IS.
GRETA THUNBERG

Young people can play an

active role in protecting
and improving the
environment. They can
change their lifestyle and
how it affects the
environment. They can
make their homes, schools
and youth organizations
more environmentally
friendly by adopting
environmentally friendly
practices, recycling of
different materials as well
as preserving resources
such as water and
e l e c t r i c i t y . E n g a g i n g y o u th
in environmental protection
not only creates a direct
i m p a c t o n c h a n g i n g y o u th
behaviors and attitudes,
but possibly influence their
parents, relatives and
families. Youths are the
backbone of the nation.
They can change the future
of the society with their
well-being and courageous
behavior. (Acharya, 2013)
 ROLE OF THE YOUTH IN PROTECTING
THE ENVIRONMENT
CLAYNE ALLIZA ALFONSO

The Youth has a big role in protecting the As in previous years, youth around the
environment. These are some of the things globe are seizing the opportunity to
that young people can do to have a commemorate World Environment Day by
cleaner, safer, and better environment: initiating awareness events and sharing
ideas with family and community
Three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle – members on how to protect the
By doing this, it helps to prevent waste environment. Youth are increasingly using
and conserve natural resources. the power of their collective voice to
Volunteer – Volunteer to community advocate, lobby and lead campaigns
services, and join in environmental towards adopting environmentally-friendly
organizations. practices and policies. As more youth
Spread awareness – Using social media, grow up in a world characterized by
the youth can spread awareness or advanced technologies and information

4
educate other people about the sharing, many are harnessing this
importance of protecting the opportunity to create innovative,
environment. This can influence many sustainable environmental solutions.
people to also contribute in protecting
our environment. More youth continue to adopt both
Plant trees – Trees have a big role in conventional and unconventional methods
protecting the environment. It provides to contribute to environmental care and
oxygen, reduces pollution, maintains protection. Youth have already begun
healthy soil, etc. Planting trees is the mobilizing their peers on social media or
simplest thing the youth can do that other online interactions to discuss,
has a big contribution in protecting the debate and advocate for better
environment. environmental protection. Youth efforts
Conserve water – Conserving water range from local initiatives to
saves energy, and keeps the water pure international campaigns, some influential
and clean. enough to reach policymakers and
Buy sustainable products - Plastic is national leaders. As more youth connect
one of the most significant contributors they are also using virtual platforms to
to soil and marine pollution, educate, raise awareness, expand outreach
endangering both the land and marine and share knowledge.
life. When buying a product, be aware
of its environmental impact and
disposal after use.

https://www.un.org/development/desa/youth-flash/feature/2018/06/beyond-2030-youth-taking-charge-of-the-environment/
 POSSIBLE
CONTRIBUTIONS OF
THE YOUTH SECTOR
IN ADDRESSING THE
ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES
MA ELISHA QUINN JUANILLO

IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX

IT, PLEASE STOP BREAKING IT
SEVERN CULLIS-SUZUKI

At the 1992 Earth Summit (The United Nations Conference on

Environment and Development), world leaders recognized
that achieving sustainable development would require the
active participation of all sectors of societies and types of
people, including children and youth. The relevance and
inclusion of youth in environmental governance has been
growing ever since.

Young people have, themselves, proven the relevance of

their involvement and demonstrated their readiness to join
other stakeholders and governments in efforts to protect
biodiversity. One very concrete result of the willingness of
young people to act has been the establishment of the
Global Youth Biodiversity Network. Since 2012, the network
has provided a global platform where youth organizations
and individuals can join forces, share concrete experiences
about biodiversity and prepare contributions to the
Convention on Biological Diversity process.

Most of what is stated below where some of the basic things the
youth can do as part of the following:

Universities and research institutes:

undertake research and analysis to support
improved conservation strategies and initiatives
can provide scientific information and findings that
can support awareness campaigns on informing the
general public about the current state of the
planet’s biodiversity.

Media and celebrities can:

highlight the perspectives of different stakeholders
undertake independent research that gives a new
view on the topic
form, shape and influence public opinion on the
importance of biodiversity conservation
raise awareness and put pressure on decision-
makers.
 POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE YOUTH
SECTOR IN ADDRESSING THE
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Environmental NGOs and CSOs can:

act and provide support for sustainable
biodiversity management at all levels
collaborate with various stakeholders (like
Non-governmental and Civil Society
Organizations Help to Conserve
Biodiversity”).

Farmers, livestock holders, fisherfolk,

landowners, and local communities:
They are the local managers of biodiversity
and are key to conservation actions on the
ground.

The private sector can:

provide financial resources for biodiversity
initiatives
ensure sustainable use of biodiversity
products
coordinate and collaborate with various
stakeholders on biodiversity actions
(Companies can also play a role in
biodiversity conservation).

The general public can:

check and evaluate the actions of
governments and other stakeholders
demand for further action to be undertaken.
More specifically: We can also find and
contribute to local, national, and
international programs and projects in a
variety of ways:
Volunteering for organizations and projects

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that address biodiversity issues.
Doing internships with organizations that
focus on biodiversity.
Starting a group or club to tackle a specific
issue such as invasive plants in your
neighborhood.
Remaining informed and sharing that
information with others.
Adopting an environmentally friendly
lifestyle.
Leading by example.

https://www.cbd.int/undb/media/youth/fao-youth-guide-biodiv.pdf
https://www.cbd.int/article/youthforbiodiversity
 I N S I G H T S

KEAN ZYRUS SASYON

The world we live in right now is definitely different from the past. The
civilizations and industrializations that occur in past decades and centuries
created the biggest changes in the world. Both have good and bad benefits.
The current status of our country’s ecosystem is very bad and is struggling to
reproduce and meet the needs of the people.
We need to learn to conserve and protect the current ecosystem that we
have. These are the only source of our life without the ecosystem we do not
have food to eat and eater to drink. Conservation of wildlife and aquatic
biodiversity is the only way for our ecosystem to reproduce its species and its
population.
There are some laws that the legislation of the Philippines made to add
protection to the ecosystem and punish the people who abuse nature. These
are some steps that the legislation showed initiative in protecting and
conserving nature. There are also some go green drives that some NGOs
initiate to do, they plant trees, clean bay areas, and also cleans the
mountains. There are also some conservation areas where they keep
endangered species to help them reproduce, they also help injured animals
and release them in the wild if they are ready.
Every small step is still a step. Conserve nature and protect what we have.

LIZA MARIE INSON

Every Human action has an outcome on our environment. Human actions
should be properly done. Protecting our environment is a must. It plays an
important role in our planet. We should protect it because we are the ones
who are getting benefits from it, not only humans but also the other living
things on our planet.
Our planet is slowly dying because of the bad things that people do. We
must start protecting our planet for future generations to live healthy and
peacefully. Humans should start evaluating their actions and start making a
big change. They play an important role in our biodiversity, we should make
a change by a small action. By starting with a small action it can bring a big
change to our environment (e.g by putting your trash in its proper place).
Even though we are still young we should contribute to protecting the
environment cause in the end we are the ones getting benefits from our
environment.
 CLAYNE ALLIZA ALFONSO
Protecting the environment is very important. Everyone has a role to play
in conserving the environment. Even the youth can contribute in many ways.
No matter how big or small, every contribution matters. We should not be
ignorant about the importance of biodiversity. Also, it is important to know
what are the activities that are harmful to the environment, so we can
prevent those, and we should know what are things to do or practice to
improve and protect the environment. We can contribute to protecting
biodiversity by joining environmental organizations, saving resources, and we
can also use social media to spread awareness and educate other people
about this matter. Humans have a big responsibility for the betterment of
the environment. We should know the possible effects of our actions if
everything is not planned and thought wisely. It is necessary for us to align
our decisions according to the stages of human action, for it helps us in
making decisions that will not negatively affect ourselves, other people, and
the environment. Preserving the ecosystem means caring for ourselves and
future generations. It helps us live in a happy, safe, and healthy environment.
Protecting or caring for the environment is an act of loving God for this is His
creation, loving yourself, and loving others.

CHARLES BENEDICT GUZON

Environment plays an important role in healthy living and the existence
of life on planet earth. The environment gives us countless benefits that we
cannot repay our entire life. The environment has helped us and other living
beings to flourish and grow from thousands of years. The environment
provides us fertile land, water, air, livestock, and many essential things for
survival.

Human activities are the major cause of why environment is breaking. Human
activities such as pollution, defective environmental policies, chemicals,
greenhouse gases, global warming, ozone depletion, etc. are the cause why
our environment are in danger. Even though environment is our main source
of life, we still do these human activities that affects the environment.

Everybody can save the environment. No matter how big or small your
contribution is, it is still one step closer to fixing our environment.
Everything that you do can affect the environment. You can help save the
environment in home by trying to decrease energy and water consumption,
changing your eating and transportation habits, and reducing, reusing, and
recycling your trash. We must abide by the laws created by the government
regarding our environment. A clean environment is essential for us to lead
healthy and fulfilling lives therefore, we must protect it no matter what the
cost is.
 MA ELISHA QUINN JUANILLO
Nothing was really pleasant or great about the current status of our
world. With the pandemic, global warming, and a bunch of people neglecting
their part in the preservation of the environment, this could be considered
the Dark ages. Everyone seems to be living off the moment and not minding
the future, a doing that needs to stop immediately.
We need to remember that most of our resources are scarce, unless they
are replaced, they’ll be gone. Especially now that most human activities tend
to cause pain and destruction to the environment and for the couple times
the livings things were disturbed. That simple disruption is like a ripple of
water, a tiny drop can spread and affect everything or like to wind the blows
the ocean and create waves. There’s really nothing wrong with enjoying and
living at the moment but we need to keep the future in our mind.
These resources are given by the divine and he can take them back as
they say. But even if we believe in him or not, we are causing our own death.
Like what Severn Cullis-Suzuki said, “If you don't know how to fix it, please
stop breaking it.” We knew exactly what we are capable of doing but we are
ignorant of the truth until we experience the worst, only then we’ll act. We
need to change that mindset and act now.

“I am here to speak for all generations to come... I am fighting for my future."

Severn Cullis-Suzuki
(The Girl who Silenced the World for Five Minutes)