Ray Siemon Z.

Matalog January 30, 2024

Cpet-3202 21-30405

Environmental Technology Activity #1

1. How has the world changed since you were a child? (technology, values,
environment, health)

Since I was a child, the world has changed so much. I remember children
spending their day outdoors back then. There was no internet when I was a
child. The only thing we used to do was to play outside with my friends.
Since I lived in the province, me and my friends like to spend our days
playing basketball, riding on our bikes, and playing with some hay in the
farm. While in today’s generation, I noticed some kids used to stay inside
of the house playing with thier gadgets and not enjoying being a child.

I also noticed that in today's generation, they are becoming disrespectful

to their parents, just like reasoning and blaming parents for bad things. I
remember when I was young when my siblings and I made a mistake, even if it
was just a small one, we immediately hid it because we knew our parents would
scold us. We will be spanked immediately with something that can be spanked,
so maybe my siblings and I have discipline and respect now.

In terms of the environment, it really changed a lot. I mean a lot. Since

we live in the province, when I was young our area was still full of trees
and there were only a few houses here and there were also few cars because
the trend back then was sleds pulled by buffalo I also remember that we still
bathe in the river every vacation with my friends because of the extreme
heat, not unlike today when the trees are cut down and houses or other
buildings are built, there are also many cars and it hurts the land because
of these vehicles cause air pollution. and the rivers and creeks have floating
trash and is also carried by wastes from piggeries. I suddenly remembered
the song by the band Asin "Masdan Mo Ang Kapalirigan" there is a line in it
that mentions like

Ang mga batang ngayon lang isinilang

May hangin pa kayang matitikman?
May mga puno pa kaya silang aakyatin?
May mga ilog pa kayang lalanguyan?

and I suddenly realized that if we don't maintain or fix the beauty of our
environment, it will be destroyed forever.

The thing I noticed that has changed in health in our country is that
it is innovating, and it is also with the help of the other country. But on
the downside not everyone is given it. I mean because the price of medicines
is so expensive that the poor can no longer afford it. If there are medicines
to be requested from the health centers in each barangay, it is not enough
for all the illnesses of the sick people in society.
 2. Which is more important, increasing people’s standard of living, or
protecting the environment?

a. Think of a situation in your area involving this issue.

b. Which side would you choose?

I think it's a complicated and frequently discussed question whether

increasing people's standards of living or protecting the environment should
come first. The difficulty is striking a balance between environmental
sustainability and economic development, both of which are significant
factors. in our barangay, our barangay officials are conducting several
projects related to this such as free checkups and free vaccines, also having
a meeting and inviting speakers where they teach how to properly build a
small business. Our barangay also conducts a program which is called "tapat
mo, linis mo" to teach and train people to be disciplined to keep the
environment clean.

So, for me I don't have a side to choose because these are both
important especially when applying, so I'll just take the same side and do
it.

3. Who do you think is more responsible for pollution, individual people

or the government? Explain.

If you ask me and based on my observation, the people and the government
are equally responsible for the presence of pollution, it is because the
government owns some companies that cause air pollution, just like the big
companies in our country. Another is the mining in our mountains and aside
from that I also see that our country's funds are not being used properly to
maintain the cleanliness of our surroundings. while I can also say that
people are the cause of pollution due to lack of discipline, just like simply
throwing it in the right trash can't be done which produces pollution in the
environment as well as in the water that can block the canals and cause
flooding. That’s the reason why I said both people and government are
responsible for pollution.

4. Are companies more or less environmentally responsible now than they

were in the past? Why do you think that is?

A blog post titled "Commercial Waste, Recycling, Types of Waste (2021)"

claims that while businesses seeking more environmentally friendly ways to
conduct business are not new, their number has significantly increased
recently. There is a sea of change occurring, and its seas are unmistakably
green. From the smallest startups entering the market focused solely on
sustainable goods and services to the biggest multinational corporations
restructuring their operations to include sustainability measures, there is
a sea of change happening. They seem to be less conscious of the environment,
in my opinion. To save the environment, businesses should take action to
become more environmentally friendly. Businesses are finding that consumers
are more willing to back up their statements. Over 50% of respondents stated
they would pay more for environmentally friendly, reusable, or
recycled goods.

5. How can we protect the environment and at the same time improve people’s
standard of living?

As a student, balancing environmental protection and improving people's

standard of living is a challenge. Establishing concurrent goals, such as
encouraging the use of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro
power to lessen dependency on fossil fuels, is crucial in my opinion. Promote
resource efficiency by means of recycling, waste minimization, and
conscientious consumption. and put conservation plans into action to save
biodiversity and ecosystems. By doing sustainable practices of environmental
responsibility, it is possible to achieve a balance between protecting the
environment and improving people's standard of living.

6. Do you think overpopulation is an important environmental issue? Why

or why not?

For me, yes, in my opinion, overpopulation is a serious environmental

problem. According to the Media Population Center report from 2022, it also
directly causes other major environmental effects. One of those problems is
overconsumption, particularly regarding single-use goods that harm the
ecosystem, hinder the planet's capacity to replenish its resources, and fuel
climate change. and because of the damaging consequences it has on the
environment because of the increased demands made on ecosystems and natural
resources. I view this as an extremely serious problem. More waste is
produced by larger populations, including electronic, solid, and industrial
byproduct waste. It may also result in the exhaustion of limited resources,
hence bringing about environmental deterioration. Moreover, there is a
growing demand for land for infrastructure, housing, and agriculture. This
frequently leads to deforestation, which obliterates ecosystems and natural
habitats. Increased population pressures can result in nutrient depletion,
soil erosion, and loss of arable land.

7. Should gas for motorists be more expensive?

a. What would be the advantages and disadvantages of this?

According to Janus Ludak, we should increase the price of gasoline if

we wish to decrease the consumption of fossil fuels, as certain nations
currently consume 21 million barrels of oil per day, 60 percent of which is
imported. We won't alter our routines unless we experience some collective
financial hardship. The cost of gas is going to make us drive more carefully.
It will promote carpooling, using public transportation, and the purchase of
more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Benefits of Rising Gas Prices: People may choose to use public

transit, carpool, or drive fuel-efficient vehicles as a result of
rising gas prices. In addition, it can encourage people to investigate
other forms of transportation like riding an electric vehicle, walking,
or cycling. Also, as people and businesses look for more affordable
and environmentally friendly alternatives, rising gas costs can spur
innovation in energy-efficient devices and alternative fuels.
 The disadvantages of rising gas costs: People and businesses,
particularly those who depend significantly on transportation, may
suffer greatly because of rising gas prices. This may result in higher
prices for products and services, which could put a strain on the
economy.

8. What can large cities do to improve their air quality?

Using public transit, limiting industry emissions, encouraging green

spaces and electric vehicles are some strategies to reduce air pollution in
cities. A blog called Perfect Pollucon Services claims that air pollution is
a serious issue that affects cities all over the world. Cities have higher
concentrations of dangerous chemicals, which endanger human health and
deteriorate the ecosystem. To lessen air pollution and build cleaner,
healthier cities, a variety of tactics and policies can be put into place.

9. Do you think nuclear power is safe? Who should be allowed it and why?
Who should police it?

According to a blog post on Technology Breakthroughs in 2022, Despite

statistical evidence showing that driving is more hazardous, people tend to
find flying scarier. A comparable inconsistency is observed in public
attitudes toward nuclear energy. Despite being one of the safest and cleanest
energy sources when measured in terms of deaths per electricity unit, nuclear
power often faces heightened skepticism, especially in comparison to fossil
fuels. Personally, if I were to express my preference, I would advocate for
the use of nuclear power to benefit the environment. This is because, with
proper study and monitoring, incidents in nuclear power plants can be
prevented. Moreover, the presence of skilled engineers allows for the
development of technologies that enhance safety. In recent decades, engineers
have actively pursued new reactor designs, aiming for greater efficiency
and, in some cases, the utilization of radioactive waste as a power source.

10. Discuss and illustrate the Material Cycles (Water Cycle, Carbon
Cycle, Oxygen Cycle, Phosphorus Cycle and Nitrogen Cycle) in Ecosystem
- Water Cycle- Water is constantly moving between the atmosphere,
land, and oceans as part of the water cycle. It includes procedures
including runoff, precipitation, condensation, and evaporation.
- Carbon Cycle- carbon cycle that occurs in living things, the
atmosphere, the oceans, and the crust of the Earth. Photosynthesis,
respiration, breakdown, and combustion are important biological
processes.

- Oxygen Cycle- The oxygen cycle is closely tied to the carbon cycle.
It involves the production of oxygen through photosynthesis and its
consumption through respiration and combustion.

- Nitrogen Cycle- The flow of nitrogen through the soil, atmosphere,

and living things is known as the nitrogen cycle. It involves
nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, denitrification, and
nitrogen fixation, among other processes. The carbon cycle and the
oxygen cycle are intertwined. It includes the creation of oxygen
through photosynthesis as well as the ingestion of it through
burning and respiration.
- Phosphorus Cycle- The flow of phosphorus through the rocks, water,
soil, and living things on Earth is known as the phosphorus cycle.
The transfer via the food chain, weathering, and plant absorption
are important mechanisms.