ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Introduction

This module is designed to provide an overview of the instructional adaptations in

Environmental Science instruction in line with the K to 12 curriculum. This features the K
to 12 general/regular basic education curriculum in Environmental Science and
adaptations for learners with additional needs. The focus of this course is the
phenomenon that students enter school and the expectation is that they will be taught to
learn appropriately to their level, interest, and needs. This features Energy
Transformation, Biogeochemical Cycles, Forests in the Philippines and their
Importance, Roots, and Effects of Deforestation in the Philippines, and Environmental
Laws in the Philippines.

Contents of this Module

This module contains the following lessons:

Environmental Science Lessons 11-15

 Energy Transformation
 Biogeochemical Cycles
 Forests in the Philippines and their Importance
 Roots, and Effects of Deforestation in the Philippines
 Environmental Laws in the Philippines.

Directions on How to Use this Module Properly:

 In order to gain much benefit from this module, you should follow all points
carefully. The key points you need to familiarize yourself with are summarized as
follows:

1. This module is divided into different lessons. Each lesson is explained thoroughly
so that you can understand it fully.
2. On the first page of each lesson, you will find the learning objectives. Read them
carefully.

Environmental Science

Lesson 1: Energy Transformation

Specific Objectives:

1. Define what is Energy Transformation

2. Explain the ways energy transformation
3. Value the importance of Energy Transformation in our daily lives.

Discussion

Lesson 1: Energy Transformation

Human needs energy to survive. Energy is the ability to do work. It is the reason why it
is possible for us to do different things and to make such movements.

Although several sources of energy are available for exploitation on earth, the most
significant is the solar energy. In this topic, we will discuss on how energy is being
transformed from the sun, to plants and to all living organisms. This transfer of energy is
what we called energy transformation.

Energy begins its journey from the sun as solar energy and is converted to chemical
energy by plants. This transfer happens in photosynthesis. Solar/ light energy is the
radiant light and heat from the sun while chemical energy is the stored energy. Plants
can convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and glucose, a common sugar consumed by
most organisms, through a process called photosynthesis which allows the plants to use
sunlight as a source of energy. Plants convert energy from the sun into chemical
energy. Plants are called producers because they can produce their own food and
convert energy from the sun into chemical energy.

Consumers are organisms that eat plants or other organisms to get energy. Consumers
get their energy from plants and is converted into some forms of energy. The energy
they get from the plants will be stored in their body as chemical energy. Consumers
tend to move their body for some reasons. The stored energy which is the chemical
energy will now be converted into kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the energy in motion.

When organisms die, its remain will decompose through the help of decomposers like
fungi and bacteria. Decomposers are responsible for breaking down the complex
organic compounds into simpler nutrients. They are responsible for breaking down dead
materials. The nutrients from the decompose organism will remain in the soil and will
help in the growth of plants.

All living organisms require energy for carrying on their vital metabolic activities. The
primary source of energy for living system is solar energy which came from the sun.

The transformation of energy in an ecosystem begins with the energy from the sun. This
energy is captured by plants through the process of photosynthesis.
 Lesson 13: Forests in the Philippines and their Importance

Specific Objectives:

1. Define what is the importance of forests

2. Explain the roles of forest.
3. Value the importance of forests in our daily lives.

Discussion

Importance of forests

Forests and biodiversity are vital to all life forms. The richer the diversity of life, the
greater the opportunity for medical discoveries, economic development, and adaptive
responses to such new challenges as climate change.
Below are some more importance of forests:

Climate Control
Climate control and atmosphere purification are vital to human existence. Trees and
soils help regulate atmospheric temperatures through a process called
evapotranspiration. It helps to stabilize the climate. Additionally, they enrich the
atmosphere by absorbing toxic gases (such as CO2 and other greenhouse gases) and
producing oxygen. Trees also help to remove air pollutants.
Forests absorb the equivalent of roughly 2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.

Habitat and Ecosystems

Forests are a home to many species of plants and animals

Forests serve as a home (habitat) to millions of animals. Think of the many types of
reptiles (snakes and lizards), wild animals, butterflies and insects, birds and tree-top
animals, as well as all those that live in the forest streams and rivers.
Animals form part of the food chain in the forests. All these different animals and plants
are called biodiversity, and the interaction with one another and with their physical
environment is what we call an Ecosystem. Healthy ecosystems can better withstand
and recover from a variety of disasters, such as floods and wildfires.

Watershed
Forests serve as a watershed. (A watershed: The area of land that contributes water to
a stream or river. Watersheds come in all sizes—some are millions of square miles,
while others are just a few acres.) That is because almost all water ultimately comes
from rivers and lakes and forest-derived water tables. Some rivers running through
forests are kept cool and from drying out. “The Amazon is by far the largest watershed
and largest river system in the world occupying over 6 million square kilometers. Over
two-thirds of all the fresh water found on Earth is in the Amazon Basin’s rivers, streams,
and tributaries.” – RainTree.
La Mesa is one of the watersheds that we have in the country.

Economic Benefits
Forests are of immense economic importance to us. For example, plantation forests
provide humans with timber and wood, which is exported and used in all parts of the
world. They also provide tourism income to inhabitants (people living in or close to
forests) when people visit to see the best of nature.

Lesson 14: ROOTS AND EFFECTS OF DEFORESTATION IN THE PHILIPPINES

Specific Objectives:

1. Define what is the roots and effects of deforestation

2. Explain how these affect human beings
3. Value the importance of trees and forest in our daily lives.

Discussion

Forest is an important source of satisfying people's demands and needs. Thus,

undoubtedly people would try to exploit forests resources. This process of exploiting
forests is called deforestation. The clearance of forest done by human being in order to
meet their needs is known as deforestation. Deforestation is the term often used as the
activity where all trees are removed in a certain area. Deforestation occurs for many
reasons caused by different persons. It may cause a lot of destruction in this world if we
cannot stop this one environmental problem.

14.1 Causes of Deforestation in the Philippines

1. Urban construction

Forests are cleared to make way of expansion of urban areas. Trees are cut down for
lumber that is used for building materials, furniture and paper products which create a
major impact on forest life. This results in loss of forest area and massive deforestation.

2. Agriculture

Sometimes forests are cleared to provide space for growing crops and building farms,
ranches and other lands for agricultural purposes.

3. Grazing Land

Forests are cut down in order to create land for grazing cattle huge herds of animals
require food and forests are cleared out to make for grazing lands.

4. Used for Fuel

Trees are cut down to be used as firewood or turned into charcoals which are used for
cooking and heating process.

5. Commercial Purposes

Deforestation can also be caused by clearing forests for oil and mining exploitation,
making highways and roads, slash and burn farming techniques, wildfires, and acid rain.

6. Illegal Logging

Many government agencies are fighting illegal logging to protect the forests. However,
any type of logging legal or illegal leads to deforestation.

14.2 Effects of Deforestation

1. Soil Erosion

Soil is exposed to the sun's heat. Soil moisture is dried up, nutrients evaporate and
bacteria that help break down organic matter are affected. Eventually, rain washes
down the soil surfaces and erosion takes place. Soil never gets its full potential back.

Thirty-six provinces out of 75 are affected by soil erosion: Bicol, Magat, Pampanga and
Angat in Luzon, Cebu, Batangas, La Union, Marinduque and Ilucus Sur are in severe
condition due to acute severe condition and sedimentation.
2. Loss of Biodiversity

Many wonderful species of plants and animals have been lost, and many others remain
endangered. More than 80% of the world's species remain in the Tropical Rain Forest. It
is estimated that about 50 to 1000 species of animals are being lost each day as a
result of their destruction of their habitats, and that is a tragedy.

3. Flooding

Forests can function to absorb and store great amounts of water quickly when there are
heavy rains. When forests and trees are cut down, this regulation of the flow of water
disrupted, which leads to alternating periods of floods and then drought in the affected
areas, leading to increased risks for people living nearby.

Because of the irresponsible doings to our environment especially to our forest and for
thinking only of our good we may be the reason for the destruction and for the loss of
our forest. If we continue to think only ourselves not for the good of our forest, there will
be no life in the next generation. We know how important our forest is so we must do
our best to stop this kind of destruction.

Maintaining the beauty of our forest shows how we love the Creator. Being responsible
for every decision we make and for every activity we do that will not cause any problem
to anything or anyone is a simple way of doing good. If we love ourselves and every
people in this world we should also love the things that may be found here especially
the forest which is the source of our living.

Lesson 15: ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Specific Objectives:

1. Define what are the environmental Laws

2. Explain how the laws in the Philippines help Filipinos
3. Value the importance of environmental laws in our daily lives.

Discussion
 There are many policies and rules on how to conserve and protect our environment
and biodiversity in the country. Here are some of the Philippine Laws on Environmental
protection and conservation.

PD 1586: Philippine Impact Statement System

This law requires private corporations, firms or entities including agencies and
instrumentalities of the government to prepare environmental impact system for every
proposed project and undertaking which significantly affect the quality of the
environment

RA 8749: Clean Air Act of 1999

Provides for a comprehensive ast quality management policy program which aims to
achieve and maintain healthy air for all Filipinas

RA 9275: Philippine Clean Water Act of 2009

This law aims to protect the country's water bodies from land-based pollution sources
(industries and commercial establishments, agriculture and community/household
activities).

KA 6969: Philippine Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Act

The act provides legal framework for the Philippines to control and manage the
importation, manufacture, processing, distribution, use, transport, treatment, and
disposal of toxic substances and hazardous and nuclear wastes.

RA 9003: Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000

It provides the legal framework for the systematic, comprehensive, and ecological
solid waste management program that shall ensure the protection of public health and
the environment.

RA 9729: Climate Change Act of 2009

It aims to systematically integrate the concept of climate change in the policy.

Formulation and development plans of all government agencies and units, 1 to the end
that the government will be prepared for the impact of climate change

RA 9512: Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2005

It's an act to promote environmental awareness though Environmental Education (EE)
and covers the integration of UE in the school curricula at all levels, be it public or
private, including day care, pre-school, non-formal, technical, vocational, indigenous
learning and out-of-school youth courses or рrograms.

The detailed policies and guidelines for the above environmental laws are available at
the properties of this book

Some Non-Government Environmental Organizations in the Philippines

The following are a few of the many more government organizations that highlight the
protection and conservation of our environment in the country. To read more about the
following organizations, feel free to search about them on the internet

 Bantay Kalasan
 Center for Environmental Concerns
 Clean and Grow Foundation, Inc
 Earthsavers movement
 Environmental Bronicast Circle
 Envieniental Center of the Philippines Foundation
 Environmental Education Center Foundation for the Philippine Environment
 Green Forum-Philippines Foundation
 International Centre for Living Aquatic Resources Management
 Philippine Center for Water and Sanitation
 Kabang Kalikan ng pilipinas/ World Wide Fund-Philippines
 Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center, Inc.-Kasama Kalikasan
 Lingkod Tao Kalikasan
 National Coalition of fisher hook for Aquatic Reforms
 NGOs for Integrated Protected Areas, Inc
 Pacific basin Consortium for Hazardous Waste Research and Management
 Philippine Business for the Environment, Inc.
 Philippine Federation for Environmental Concern

Haribon is the Philippines plance ortrennental orgenen, Haribon practically give birth to
the Philippene evronmental movement. Heched in 1972, the cganization and the
individuals it trained and nurtured were instrumental
Source: Provided modules

Prepared by:

Carabayas, Crisel C.

Palumar, Diekimlee

Casil, Keisha Mayenne

Lagunero, Rena

Rodriguez, Danilo

Olpos, Vinciea Ferr

Pinanonang, Dianemie

Sarao, Hazel

Cadimas, Meljean