Thesis

Chapter I
The Research Problem

1. Background of the study

Awareness is defined as the state or ability to perceive, to feel, or to be conscious of events, objects, or sensory patterns. In this level of consciousness, sense data can be confirmed by an observer without necessarily implying understanding. More broadly, it is the state or quality of being aware of something. Nowadays there are a lot of issues that you can see in the news, written in the tabloids and from the internet. In contemporary society, the climate change is one of the most important issues that have impacts in many aspects in human's daily life. Climate change has its causes; there are some people who are not knowledgeable enough about these. If you are going to ask some high school students about the causes of climate change, surely they will answer green house gases, which is a known or famous answer. Some of them are not aware that this issue is from two aspects which are the natural and the anthropogenic causes. This research will be conducted to find out the level of awareness of students in the causes of climate change and to know what guidelines could be made for the college students to improve the level of awareness on causes of climate change. The researchers are motivated to pursue this study since they believe that the findings will help the readers to gain more knowledge about climate change.

1.2 A. Statement of the problem The study aimed to determine how was the climate triggered. Specifically it sought to answer to the following questions: 1. What is the connection of Greenhouse Effect to climate change? 2. What other matters influence the development of climate change? 3. Where/when/how does climate change started? 4. How does climate change affects our daily lives? 5. In what ways can the government help us in prevention of climate change?

1.2 B. Statement of the Objectives The main purpose of the study is to how was the climate triggered. Specifically, it attempts to answer these questions: • To determine how does the Greenhouse Effect connected on the climate change. • To identify what other matters that influence climate change. • To analyze how does the climate change affects our lives. • To know how capable is our government to help us in prention of climate change.

1.3 Hypothesis There is no correlation between the Greenhouse Effect(x) and the Climate change(y) in our country and in whole world. H0 : x – y = 0
1.4 Significance of the Study The study is deemed beneficial to the following: The findings in the particular study could help us know more about the Climate Change. It would make is more aware about what does the climate change do with our surroundings. The study can help us the researchers to be more knowledgeable and more informed about the said topic. It can provide more information that can be used in academic purposes. This study significantly, has a benefit for us the researchers. The study also has a significance to its beneficiaries.
1.5 Scope and Limitations of the Study

CHAPTER II: Review of Related Literature and Studies This chapter provides several legal basis, literature and studies that have relevance to the present study. It also gives information that substantiates the research undertaken.

2.1 Related Legal Basis
A.)
[REPUBLIC ACT NO . 9729]
AN ACT MAINSTREAMING CLIMATE CHANGE INTO GOVERNMENT POLICY FORMULATIONS, ESTABLISHING THE FRAMEWORK STRATEGY AND PROGRAM ON CLIMATE CHANGE, CREATING FOR THIS PURPOSE THE CLIMATE CHANGE COMMISSION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Climate Change Act of 2009”.
SEC . 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to afford full protection and the advancement of the right of the people to a healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. In this light, the State has adopted the Philippine Agenda 21 framework which espouses sustainable development, to fulfill human needs while maintaining the quality of the natural environment for current and future generations.
Towards this end, the State adopts the principle of protecting the climate system for the benefit of humankind, on the basis of climate justice or common but differentiated responsibilities and the Precautionary Principle to guide decision-making in climate risk management. As a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the State adopts the ultimate objective of the Convention which is the stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system which should be achieved within a time frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner. As a party to the Hyogo Framework for Action, the State likewise adopts the strategic goals in order to build national and local resilience to climate change-related disasters.
Recognizing the vulnerability of the Philippine archipelago and its local communities, particularly the poor, women, and children, to potential dangerous consequences of climate change such as rising seas, changing landscapes, increasing frequency and/or severity of droughts, fires, floods and storms, climate-related illnesses and diseases, damage to ecosystems, biodiversity loss that affect the country’s environment, culture, and economy, the State shall cooperate with the global community in the resolution of climate change issues, including disaster risk reduction. It shall be the policy of the State to enjoin the participation of national and local governments, businesses, nongovernment organizations, local communities and the public to prevent and reduce the adverse impacts of climate change and, at the same time, maximize the benefits of climate change. It shall also be the policy of the State to incorporate a gender-sensitive, pro-children and pro-poor perspective in all climate change and renewable energy efforts, plans and programs. In view thereof, the State shall strengthen, integrate, consolidate and institutionalize government initiatives to achieve coordination in the implementation of plans and programs to address climate change in the context of sustainable development.
Further recognizing that climate change and disaster risk reduction are closely interrelated and effective disaster risk reduction will enhance climate change adaptive capacity, the State shall integrate disaster risk reduction into climate change programs and initiatives.
Cognizant of the need to ensure that national and subnational government policies, plans, programs and projects are founded upon sound environmental considerations and the principle of sustainable development, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to systematically integrate the concept of climate change in various phases of policy formulation, development plans, poverty reduction strategies and other development tools and techniques by all agencies and instrumentalities of the government.
SEC . 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following shall have the corresponding meanings:
(a) “Adaptation” refers to the adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities.
(b) “Adaptive capacity” refers to the ability of ecological, social or economic systems to adjust to climate change including climate variability and extremes, to moderate or offset potential damages and to take advantage of associated opportunities with changes in climate or to cope with the consequences thereof.
(c) “Anthropogenic causes” refer to causes resulting from human activities or produced by human beings.
(d) “Climate Change” refers to a change in climate that can be identified by changes in the mean and/or variability of its properties and that persists for an extended period typically decades or longer, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity.
(e) “Climate Variability” refers to the variations in the average state and in other statistics of the climate on all temporal and spatial scales beyond that of individual weather events.
(f) “Climate Risk” refers to the product of climate and related hazards working over the vulnerability of human and natural ecosystems.
(g) “Disaster” refers to a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and impacts which exceed the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources.
(h) “Disaster risk reduction” refers to the concept and practice of reducing disaster risks through systematic efforts to analyze and manage the causal factors of disasters, including through reduced exposure to hazards, lessened vulnerability of people and property, wise management of land and the environment, and improved preparedness for adverse events.
(i) “Gender mainstreaming” refers to the strategy for making women’s as well as men’s concerns and experiences an integral dimension of the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of policies and programs in all political, economic, and societal spheres so that women and men benefit equally and inequality is not perpetuated. It is the process of assessing the implications for women and men of any planned action, including legislation, policies, or programs in all areas and at all levels.
(j) “Global Warming” refers to the increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s near-surface air and oceans that is associated with the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
(k) “Greenhouse effect” refers to the process by which the absorption of infrared radiation by the atmosphere warms the Earth.
(l) “Greenhouse gases (GHG)” refers to constituents of the atmosphere that contribute to the greenhouse effect including, but not limited to, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride.
(m) “Mainstreaming” refers to the integration of policies and measures that address climate change into development planning and sectoral decision-making.
(n) “Mitigation” in the context of climate change, refers to human intervention to address anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of all GHG, including ozone- depleting substances and their substitutes.
(o) “Mitigation potential” shall refer to the scale of GHG reductions that could be made, relative to emission baselines, for a given level of carbon price (expressed in cost per unit of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions avoided or reduced).
(p) “Sea level rise” refers to an increase in sea level which may be influenced by factors like global warming through expansion of sea water as the oceans warm and melting of ice over land and local factors such as land subsidence.
(q) “Vulnerability” refers to the degree to which a system is susceptible to, or unable to cope with, adverse effects of climate change, including climate variability and extremes. Vulnerability is a function of the character, magnitude, and rate of climate change and variation to which a system is exposed, its sensitivity, and its adaptive capacity.
SEC . 4. Creation of the Climate Change Commission. – There is hereby established a Climate Change Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission.
The Commission shall be an independent and autonomous body and shall have the same status as that of a national government agency. It shall be attached to the Office of the President.
The Commission shall be the sole policy-making body of the government which shall be tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs and action plans of the government relating to climate change pursuant to the provisions of this Act.
The Commission shall be organized within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act.
SEC . 5. Composition of the Commission. – The Commission shall be composed of the President of the Republic of the Philippines who shall serve as the Chairperson, and three (3) Commissioners to be appointed by the President, one of whom shall serve as the Vice Chairperson of the Commission.
The Commission shall have an advisory board composed of the following:
(a) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture;
(b) Secretary of the Department of Energy;
(c) Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources;
(d) Secretary of the Department of Education;
(e) Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs;
(f) Secretary of the Department of Health;
(g) Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government;
(h) Secretary of the Department of National Defense, in his capacity as Chair of the National Disaster Coordinating Council;
(i) Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways;
(j) Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology;
(k) Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development;
(l) Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry;
(m) Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications;
(n) Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority, in his capacity as Chair of the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development;
(o) Director-General of the National Security Council;
(p) Chairperson of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women;
(q) President of the League of Provinces;
(r) President of the League of Cities;
(s) President of the League of Municipalities;
(t) President of the Liga ng mga Barangay;
(u) Representative from the academe;
(v) Representative from the business sector; and
(w) Representative from nongovernmental organizations.
At least one (1) of the sectoral representatives shall come from the disaster risk reduction community.
The representatives shall be appointed by the President from a list of nominees submitted by their respective groups. They shall serve for a term of six (6) years without reappointment unless their representation is withdrawn by the sector they represent. Appointment to any vacancy shall be only for the unexpired term of the predecessor.
Only the ex officio members of the advisory board shall appoint a qualified representative who shall hold a rank of no less than an Undersecretary.
SEC . 6. Meetings of the Commission. – The Commission shall meet once every three (3) months, or as often as may be deemed necessary by the Chairperson. The Chairperson may likewise call upon other government agencies for the proper implementation of this Act.
SEC . 7. Qualifications, Tenure, Compensation of Commissioners. – The Commissioners must be Filipino citizens, residents of the Philippines, at least thirty (30) years of age at the time of appointment, with at least ten (10) years of experience on climate change and of proven honesty and integrity. The Commissioners shall be experts in climate change by virtue of their educational background, training and experience: Provided, That at least one (1) Commissioner shall be female: Provided, further, That in no case shall the Commissioners come from the same sector: Provided, finally, That in no case shall any of the Commissioners appoint representatives to act on their behalf.
The Commissioners shall hold office for a period of six (6) years, and may be subjected to reappointment: Provided, That no person shall serve for more than two (2) consecutive terms: Provided, further, That in case of a vacancy, the new appointee shall fully meet the qualifications of a Commissioner and shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term only: Provided, finally, That in no case shall a Commissioner be designated in a temporary or acting capacity.
The Vice Chairperson and the Commissioners shall have the rank and privileges of a Department Secretary and Undersecretary, respectively. They shall be entitled to corresponding compensation and other emoluments and shall be subject to the same disqualifications.
SEC . 8. Climate Change Office. – There is hereby created a Climate Change Office that shall assist the Commission. It shall be headed by a Vice Chairperson of the Commission who shall act as the Executive Director of the Office. The Commission shall have the authority to determine the number of staff and create corresponding positions necessary to facilitate the proper implementation of this Act, subject to civil service laws, rules and regulations. The officers and employees of the Commission shall be appointed by the Executive Director.
S EC . 9. Powers and Functions of the Commission. – The Commission shall have the following powers and functions:
(a) Ensure the mainstreaming of climate change, in synergy with disaster risk reduction, into the national, sectoral and local development plans and programs;
(b) Coordinate and synchronize climate change programs of national government agencies;
(c) Formulate a Framework Strategy on Climate Change to serve as the basis for a program for climate change planning, research and development, extension, and monitoring of activities on climate change;
(d) Exercise policy coordination to ensure the attainment of goals set in the framework strategy and program on climate change;
(e) Recommend legislation, policies, strategies, programs on and appropriations for climate change adaptation and mitigation and other related activities;
(f) Recommend key development investments in climate- sensitive sectors such as water resources, agriculture, forestry, coastal and marine resources, health, and infrastructure to ensure the achievement of national sustainable development goals;
(g) Create an enabling environment for the design of relevant and appropriate risk-sharing and risk-transfer instruments;
(h) Create an enabling environment that shall promote broader multi-stakeholder participation and integrate climate change mitigation and adaptation;
(i) Formulate strategies on mitigating GHG and other anthropogenic causes of climate change;
(j) Coordinate and establish a close partnership with the National Disaster Coordinating Council in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness in reducing the people’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters;
(k) In coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, represent the Philippines in the climate change negotiations;
(l) Formulate and update guidelines for determining vulnerability to climate change impacts and adaptation assessments and facilitate the provision of technical assistance for their implementation and monitoring;
(m) Coordinate with local government units (LGUs) and private entities to address vulnerability to climate change impacts of regions, provinces, cities and municipalities;
(n) Facilitate capacity building for local adaptation planning, implementation and monitoring of climate change initiatives in vulnerable communities and areas;
(o) Promote and provide technical and financial support to local research and development programs and projects in vulnerable communities and areas; and
(p) Oversee the dissemination of information on climate change, local vulnerabilities and risks, relevant laws and protocols and adaptation and mitigation measures.
S EC . 10. Panel of Technical Experts. – The Commission shall constitute a national panel of technical experts consisting of practitioners in disciplines that are related to climate change, including disaster risk reduction.
The Panel shall provide technical advice to the Commission in climate science, technologies, and best practices for risk assessment and enhancement of adaptive capacity of vulnerable human settlements to potential impacts of climate change.
The Commission shall set the qualifications and compensation for the technical experts. It shall provide resources for the operations and activities of the Panel.
SEC . 11. Framework Strategy and Program on Climate Change. – The Commission shall, within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, formulate a Framework Strategy on Climate Change. The Framework shall serve as the basis for a program for climate change planning, research and development, extension, and monitoring of activities to protect vulnerable communities from the adverse effects of climate change.
The Framework shall be formulated based on climate change vulnerabilities, specific adaptation needs, and mitigation potential, and in accordance with the international agreements.
The Framework shall be reviewed every three (3) years, or as may be deemed necessary.
SEC . 12. Components of the Framework Strategy and Program on Climate Change. – The Framework shall include, but not limited to, the following components:
(a) National priorities;
(b) Impact, vulnerability and adaptation assessments;
(c) Policy formulation;
(d) Compliance with international commitments;
(e) Research and development;
(f) Database development and management;
(g) Academic programs, capability building and mainstreaming;
(h) Advocacy and information dissemination;
(i) Monitoring and evaluation; and
(j) Gender mainstreaming.
SEC . 13. National Climate Change Action Plan . – The Commission shall formulate a National Climate Change Action Plan in accordance with the Framework within one (1) year after the formulation of the latter.
The National Climate Change Action Plan shall include, but not limited to, the following components:
(a) Assessment of the national impact of climate change;
(b) The identification of the most vulnerable communities/areas, including ecosystems to the impacts of climate change, variability and extremes;
(c) The identification of differential impacts of climate change on men, women and children;
(d) The assessment and management of risk and vulnerability;
(e) The identification of GHG mitigation potentials; and
(f) The identification of options, prioritization of appropriate adaptation measures for joint projects of national and local governments.
SEC . 14. Local Climate Change Action Plan. – The LGUs shall be the frontline agencies in the formulation, planning and implementation of climate change action plans in their respective areas, consistent with the provisions of the Local Government Code, the Framework, and the National Climate Change Action Plan.
Barangays shall be directly involved with municipal and city governments in prioritizing climate change issues and in identifying and implementing best practices and other solutions. Municipal and city governments shall consider climate change adaptation, as one of their regular functions. Provincial governments shall provide technical assistance, enforcement and information management in support of municipal and city climate change action plans. Inter-local government unit collaboration shall be maximized in the conduct of climate- related activities.
LGUs shall regularly update their respective action plans to reflect changing social, economic, and environmental conditions and emerging issues. The LGUs shall furnish the Commission with copies of their action plans and all subsequent amendments, modifications and revisions thereof, within one (1) month from their adoption. The LGUs shall mobilize and allocate necessary personnel, resources and logistics to effectively implement their respective action plans.
The local chief executive shall appoint the person responsible for the formulation and implementation of the local action plan.
It shall be the responsibility of the national government to extend technical and financial assistance to LGUs for the accomplishment of their Local Climate Change Action Plans.
The LGU is hereby expressly authorized to appropriate and use the amount from its Internal Revenue Allotment necessary to implement said local plan effectively, any provision in the Local Government Code to the contrary notwithstanding.
SEC . 15. Role of Government Agencies. – To ensure the effective implementation of the framework strategy and program on climate change, concerned agencies shall perform the following functions:
(a) The Department of Education (DepED) shall integrate climate change into the primary and secondary education curricula and/or subjects, such as, but not limited to, science, biology, sibika, history, including textbooks, primers and other educational materials, basic climate change principles and concepts;
(b) The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Local Government Academy shall facilitate the development and provision of a training program for LGUs in climate change. The training program shall include socioeconomic, geophysical, policy, and other content necessary to address the prevailing and forecasted conditions and risks of particular LGUs. It shall likewise focus on women and children, especially in the rural areas, since they are the most vulnerable;
(c) The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall oversee the establishment and maintenance of a climate change information management system and network, including on climate change risks, activities and investments, in collaboration with other concerned national government agencies, institutions and LGUs;
(d) The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shall review international agreements related to climate change and make the necessary recommendation for ratification and compliance by the government on matters pertaining thereto;
(e) The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) shall disseminate information on climate change, local vulnerabilities and risk, relevant laws and protocols and adaptation and mitigation measures; and
(f) Government financial institutions, shall, any provision in their respective charters to the contrary notwithstanding, provide preferential financial packages for climate change- related projects. In consultation with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), they shall, within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, issue and promulgate the implementing guidelines therefor.
The Commission shall evaluate, recommend the approval of loans and monitor the use of said funds of LGUs.
SEC . 16. Coordination with Various Sectors. – In the development and implementation of the National Climate Change Action Plan, and the local action plans, the Commission shall coordinate with the nongovernment organizations (NGOs), civic organizations, academe, people’s organizations, the private and corporate sectors and other concerned stakeholder groups.
SEC . 17. Authority to Receive Donations and/or Grants. – The Commission is hereby authorized to accept grants, contributions, donations, endowments, bequests, or gifts in cash, or in kind from local and foreign sources in support of the development and implementation of climate change programs and plans: Provided, That in case of donations from foreign governments, acceptance thereof shall be subject to prior clearance and approval of the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs: Provided, further, That such donations shall not be used to fund personal services expenditures and other operating expenses of the Commission.
The proceeds shall be used to finance:
(a) Research, development, demonstration and promotion of technologies;
(b) Conduct of assessment of vulnerabilities to climate change impacts, resource inventory, and adaptation capability building;
(c) Advocacy, networking and communication activities in the conduct of information campaign; and
(d) Conduct of such other activities reasonably necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act, as may be defined by the Commission.
SEC. 18. Funding Allocation for Climate Change. – All relevant government agencies and LGUs shall allocate from their annual appropriations adequate funds for the formulation, development and implementation, including training, capacity building and direct intervention, of their respective climate change programs and plans. It shall also include public awareness campaigns on the effects of climate change and energy-saving solutions to mitigate these effects, and initiatives, through educational and training programs and micro-credit schemes, especially for women in rural areas. In subsequent budget proposals, the concerned offices and units shall appropriate funds for program/project development and implementation including continuing training and education in climate change.
SEC . 19. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. – There is hereby created a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to monitor the implementation of this Act. The Oversight Committee shall be composed of five (5) Senators and five (5) Representatives to be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. The Oversight Committee shall be co-chaired by a Senator and a Representative to be designated by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. Its funding requirement shall be charged against the appropriations of Congress.
SEC . 20. Annual Report. – The Commission shall submit to the President and to both Houses of Congress, not later than March 30 of every year following the effectivity of this Act, or upon the request of the Congressional Oversight Committee, a report giving a detailed account of the status of the implementation of this Act, a progress report on the implementation of the National Climate Change Action Plan and recommend legislation, where applicable and necessary. LGUs shall submit annual progress reports on the implementation of their respective local action plan to the Commission within the first quarter of the following year.
SEC . 21. Appropriations. – The sum of Fifty million pesos (Php50,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated as initial operating fund in addition to the unutilized fund of the Presidential Task Force on Climate Change and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Global Warming and Climate Change. The sum shall be sourced from the President’s contingent fund.
Thereafter, the amount necessary to effectively carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC . 22. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act, the Commission shall, upon consultation with government agencies, LGUs, private sector, NGOs and civil society, promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act: Provided, That failure to issue rules and regulations shall not in any manner affect the executory nature of the provisions of this Act.
SEC . 23. Transitory Provisions. – Upon the organization of the Commission, the Presidential Task Force on Climate Change created under Administrative Order No. 171 and the Inter-Agency Committee on Climate Change created by virtue of Administrative Order No. 220, shall be abolished: Provided, That their powers and functions shall be absorbed by the Commission: Provided, further, That the officers and employees thereof shall continue in a holdover capacity until such time as the new officers and employees of the Commission shall have been duly appointed pursuant to the provisions of this Act. All qualified regular or permanent employees who may be transferred to the Commission shall not suffer any loss in seniority or rank or decrease in emoluments. Any employee who cannot be absorbed by the Commission shall be entitled to a separation pay under existing retirement laws.
SEC. 24. Separability Clause. – If for any reason any section or provision of this Act is declared as unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby.
SEC . 25. Repealing Clause. – All laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC . 26. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,
PROSPERO C. NOGRALES
Speaker of the House of Representatives
JUAN PONCE ENRILE
President of the Senate
This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2583 and House Bill No. 5982 was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on August 25, 2009 and September 2, 2009, respectively.
MARILYN B. BARUA -YAP
Secretary General
House of Representatives
EMMA LIRIO -R EYES
Secretary of the Senate
Approved:
GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
President of the Philippines

2.2 Foreign Literature A.)Volcanic Activity Explosive eruptions can inject large quantities of dust and gaseous material (such as sulphur dioxide) into the upper atmosphere ,where sulphur dioxide is rapidly converted into sulphuric acid aerosols. Whereas volcanic pollution of the lower atmosphere is removed within days by the effects of rainfall and gravity, stratospheric pollution may remain there for several years, gradually spreading to cover much of the globe. The volcanic pollution results in a substantial reduction in the direct solar beam, largely through scattering by the highly reflective sulphuric acid aerosols. This can amount to tens of percent. The reduction, is however, compensated for by an increase in diffuse radiation and by the absorption of outgoing terrestrial radiation (the greenhouse effect). Overall, there is a net reduction of 5 to 10% in energy received at the Earth's surface. Clearly, this volcanic pollution affects the energy balance of the atmosphere whilst the dust and aerosols remain in the stratosphere. Observational and modelling studies (e.g. Kelly & Sear, 1984; Sear et al., 1987) of the likely effect of recent volcanic eruptions suggest that an individual eruption may cause a global cooling of up to 0.3°C, with the effects lasting 1 to 2 years. Such a cooling event has been observed in the global temperature record in the aftermath of the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in June 1991. The climate forcing associated with individual eruptions is, however, relatively short-lived compared to the time needed to influence the heat storage of the oceans (Henderson-Sellers & Robinson, 1986). The temperature anomaly due to a single volcanic event is thus unlikely to persist or lead, through feedback effects, to significant long-term climatic changes. Major eruptions have been relatively infrequent this century, so the long-term influence has been slight. The possibility that large eruptions might, during historical and prehistorical times, have occurred with greater frequency, generating long-term cooling, cannot, however, be dismissed. In order to investigate this possibility, long, complete and well-dated records of past volcanic activity are needed. One of the earliest and most comprehensive series is the Dust Veil Index (DVI) of Lamb (1970), which includes eruptions from 1500 to 1900. When combined with series of acidity measurements in ice cores (due to the presence of sulphuric acid aerosols), they can provide valuable indicators of past eruptions. Using these indicators, a statistical association between volcanic activity and global temperatures during the past millennia has been found (Hammer et al., 1980). Episodes of relatively high volcanic activity (1250 to 1500 and 1550 to 1700) occur within the period known as the Little Ice Age, whilst the Medieval Warm Period (1100 to 1250) can be linked with a period of lower activity. Bryson (1989) has suggested a link between longer time scale volcanic variations and the climate fluctuations of the Holocene (last 10,000 years). However, whilst empirical information about temperature changes and volcanic eruptions remains limited, this, and other suggested associations discussed above, must again remain speculative. Volcanic activity has the ability to affect global climate on still longer time scales. Over periods of millions or even tens of millions of years, increased volcanic activity can emit enormous volumes of greenhouse gases, with the potential of substantial global warming (Pickering & Owen, 1994; Rampino & Volk, 1988). However, the global cooling effects of sulphur dioxide emissions (Officer & Drake, 1983) will act to counter the greenhouse warming, and the resultant climate changes remain uncertain. Much will depend upon the nature of volcanic activity. Basaltic outpourings release far less sulphur dioxide and ash, proportionally, than do the more explosive (silicic) eruptions.
B.) Causes of Climate Change The primary way humans cause global warming is by burning fossil fuels. This increases the amount of carbon in the atmosphere, which leads to an increase in the Greenhouse Effect.

Since the Industrial Revolution, humans have been using fossil fuels to power machines. Now, nearly everything you consume, nearly every product you buy, and many of your daily activities, involve the use of fossil fuels. You contribute to global warming:

When You Drive or Fly Every time you drive a car, carbon-rich auto exhaust enters the atmosphere. The use of jet fuel in plane travel also adds a great deal to your carbon footprint. (Though, cars contribute more per passenger mile in the long run). The transportation option that uses the least energy per passenger mile is clearly the bicycle. Automobiles (especially SUVs, light trucks, and minivans) use the most, followed by planes. Passenger trains, electric vehicles, and ships sit somewhere in the middle. Of course, the more energy used, the more greenhouse gases are emitted, the more humans cause global warming.

When You Eat Meat and Exotic Foods The food industry, especially the meat industry, is one of the primary sources of greenhouse gases, according to some recent studies. (Note: it seems very likely that at least 51% of greenhouse gas emissions are from the livestock sector.) Eating food that is shipped long distances adds to greenhouse gas emissions. Consider the fact that the average food item you eat travels over 1000 miles from farm to fork. In addition, conventional agriculture uses massive amounts of petroleum-based fertilizers.

Eating beef and drinking milk also adds to greenhouse gases, since cows emit significant amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas even more potent than carbon.One of the best ways to cut your greenhouse gas emissions is by going vegetarian.

When You Use Electricity Although some power generation is now being done with solar and wind energy, the chances are high that the electricity you use is generated from coal-burning power plants.

When You Move Into A New Development If you decide to move into a new suburban development near the edge of town, you’re increasing the profits developers get from cutting down trees and paving over farm land. When farms and forests disappear, the land loses the ability to absorb carbon, and emissions from other activities have an even greater effect

C.) Greenhouse gases produced by human activities According to the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report issued on 2 February 2007 (Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Summary for Policymakers), most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentration. Human affect greenhouse gas levels by introducing new sources or by interfering with natural sinks. The major greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and ozone (O3). Atmospheric water vapour (H2O) also makes a large contribution to the natural greenhouse effect but it is thought that its presence is not directly affected by human activity. Global atmospheric concentrations of CO2, CH4 and N2O have increased markedly as a result of human activities since 1750 and now far exceed pre-industrial values determined from ice cores spanning many thousands of years. The global increases in CO2 concentration are due primarily to fossil fuel use and land-use change, while those of CH4 and N2O are primarily due to agriculture.
D.) The Climate Forcing Processes

The External Climate Forcing Processes: 1. variations in the amount of energy received from the Sun About 30-40% of the UV energy from the Sun is believed to be reflected back into space after hitting Earth's upper atmosphere, while the remaining 60-70% gets through to the Earth. This ratio could change however, due to variations in Sun’s characteristics from time to time, thus leading to changes to the the global energy balance above and hence changes in our climate 2. variations in the Earth’s orbit around the Sun Changes in the tilt of the Earth’s axis, changes in the shape of Earth's orbit (i.e. eccentricity) and the shifting of the equinoxes (i.e. precession) play major roles in determining variations in the amount of Sun’s energy reaching the Earth and hence lead to variations in the Earth’s climate (i.e. Climate Change). B. The Internal Climate Forcing Processes:
1. The Oceans Oceans cover up to 70% of the Earth. Oceans are the key source of moisture in the air through interactions with the atmosphere. Oceans also store heat efficiently, transporting it thousands of miles thus redistributing heat in time and space. The oceans and marine life also consume huge amounts of carbon dioxide. These ocean based processes exert tremendous influence on global climate and accounts for the variations. 2. Continental Drift The surface of our earth is mostly (3/4 th) covered by water. Our current day earth is made up of 7 continents (Australia, North America, South America, Asia, Africa, Europe and Antarctica) - big landmasses separated apart by oceans. A close look at the shape of the earth, one will think that the continents look like the pieces of a jig-saw puzzle that fits into a solid mass when brought together. Actually, scientists believe that several millions of years ago, the whole earth consisted of 1 big continent surrounded by a big ocean. Over time, it is believed that the big landmass (earth) slowly broke up and take the current form it has today. Scientists proofs for this theory are: similarity between plant and animal fossils and broad belts of rocks found on the eastern coastline of South America and western coastline of Africa, which are now widely separated by the Atlantic Ocean. The discovery of fossils of tropical plants (in the form of coal deposits) in Antarctica has led to the conclusion that this frozen land at some time in the past, must have been situated closer to the equator, where the climate was tropical, with swamps and plenty of lush vegetation. Scientists believe that the our earth is still slowly drifting and constantly changing. This constant drifting is believe to have impact on the climate because it changes the physical features of the landmass, their position and the position of water bodies. The separation of the landmasses changed the flow of ocean currents and winds, which affects the climate. 3. The atmosphere The atmosphere stores a lot of heat or energy which comes from the Sun. This energy regulates the Earth's climate. Furthermore, the atmosphere composes of small particles and several gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide. Some of the gases (e.g. carbon dioxide vapour, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide) are known to trap heat in the atmosphere thus increasing the net “energy” stored and contributing to Earth warming. The later forms of gases are referred to as “greenhouse gases (GHG)”. The Earth climate is also affected by the particles in the atmosphere which tend to block sunlight reaching the Earth. 4. Water Cycle Higher air temperatures can increase water evaporation and melting of ice. And while water vapour is the most potent greenhouse gas, clouds also affect evaporation, creating a cooling effect. 5. The Clouds Clouds reflect solar energy (cooling the Earth) and thereby trapping heat being radiated up from the surface (warming the Earth). Clouds variability contribute to climate change 6. Ice and Snow The whiteness of ice and snow reflects heat out, cooling the planet. When ice melts into the sea, this drives heat from the ocean causing variability in climate. 7. Land Surfaces Mountain ranges can block clouds, creating "dry" shadows downwind. Sloping land allows more water runoff, leaving the land and air drier. A tropical forest will soak up carbon dioxide, but once cleared for cattle ranching, the same land becomes a source of methane, a greenhouse gas.

8. Volcanic Eruptions A volcanic eruption, lasting for few days, emits large volumes of sulphur dioxide (SO2), water vapour, dust, and ash into the atmosphere that influence climatic patterns for years. The gases and dust particles partially block the incoming rays of the sun, leading to cooling
E.) Global Warming Causes

Global warming is not just a single issue, but a compilation of numerous environmental issues which are threatening the basic existence of various lifeforms on the planet. If you are wondering, as to why we should be concerned about it, you need to understand that we are one of the numerous species which are going to bear the brunt of ever intensifying global warming effects on earth.

Simply put, global warming is a phenomenon marked by incessant rise in the near surface temperature of the planet owing to various underlying factors. These underlying factors, i.e. the global warming causes, can be grouped into two categories - natural causes of global warming and human induced causes of global warming (i.e. anthropogenic causes).

Natural Global Warming Causes

Let's start with the natural causes of global warming, as it is human tendency to blame nature for each and every calamity we face. While the natural causes are relatively less in terms of numerical count, they are alleged to be more serious than their anthropogenic counterparts. The most prominent natural causes include volcanic eruptions, solar variations, methane release, etc. The link between volcanic eruptions and global warming can be attributed to the fact that a single volcanic eruption tends to release copious amount of carbon dioxide and ash in the atmosphere. The link between global warming and carbon dioxide is not at all difficult to understand. The increase in amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere eventually contributes to a rise in near surface temperature as greenhouse cover traps the solar radiations in the earth's atmosphere. Yet another natural trigger of global warming is solar variation - a phenomenon wherein the planet inches towards the Sun and the proximity causes the near surface temperature of the planet to increase and results in global warming.

When we talk about the natural causes of global warming, one important trigger which has to be taken into consideration is methane release. In order to understand methane global warming potential you need to take into consideration the fact that this greenhouse gas has a life of 7 years. This implies that it will take 7 whole years to clear off methane concentration in the atmosphere if its release is curbed today. That, however, is difficult considering that the large deposits of methane in Arctic tundra and other wetlands tend to release it in the atmosphere continuously, thus contributing to global warming. Those who argue that the natural causes are more devastating than the anthropogenic causes fail to understand that these natural causes help in stabilizing the temperature of the planet, and without them the Earth would have been freezing making it unsuitable for human existence.

Anthropogenic Global Warming Causes

The list of global warming causes which can be attributed to human activities is quite lengthy, and includes several important human activities including agriculture and industrial production. The large-scale environmental pollution which results in dumping of various greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and CFCs, in the atmosphere can be attributed to human activities such as industrial production, burning of fossil fuel, modern lifestyle, etc. Contrary to popular belief, methane release is not just restricted to nature. It is also triggered by various human activities, and therefore, methane and global warming link finds a place in the list of anthropogenic causes of global warming as well. Methane is released in the atmosphere as a result of two important human activities - mining and cattle rearing. When ground is dug during the process of mining, the methane trapped beneath the Earth's crust is released in the atmosphere. Other than methane sources in the ground, this gas is also present in cattle from where it is released in the form of manure. The fact that cattle rearing is an important component of agriculture makes the latter equally responsible for the occurrence of global warming.

The relation between global warming and agriculture is not just restricted to cattle rearing, but goes much beyond that. Land clearance for agricultural purpose also amounts to deforestation, and so does the activity of logging. The trees tend to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and lack of these trees due to excessive deforestation contributes to carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere. This may come as a surprise for many, but rising population also has its significant share in human induced global warming. We release carbon dioxide when we breathe and when millions of people breathe, the amount of carbon dioxide dumped in the atmosphere is bound to be significant.

This list of global warming causes covered most of the prominent causes of this hazard, but then there also exist quite a few causes of global warming which contribute to this phenomenon indirectly. When we say that there are some simple ways to stop global warming we talk about finding solutions to these very problems. As in cases of the causes, even global warming solutions can be categorized into two groups - those which need administrative interference to be solved and those which we can undertake on our own, and do our bit to stop global warming and its repercussions.

2.3 Local Literature

A.)Mount Pinatubo Eruption: The Volcanic Mount Pinatubo Eruption of 1991 that Cooled the Planet By Matt Rosenberg, About.com Guide In June 1991, the second largest volcanic eruption of the twentieth century* took place on the island of Luzon in the Philippines, a mere 9 0 kilometers (55 miles) northwest of the capital city Manila. Up to 800 people were killed and 100,000 became homeless following the Mount Pinatubo eruption, which climaxed with nine hours of eruption on June 15, 1991. On June 15, millions of tons of sulfur dioxide were discharged into the atmosphere, resulting in a decrease in the temperature worldwide over the next few years. Mount Pinatubo is part of a chain of composite volcanoes along the Luzon arc on the west coast of the island (area map). The arc of volcanoes is due to the subduction of the Manila trench to the west. The volcano experienced major eruptions approximately 500, 3000, and 5500 years ago. The events of the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption began in July 1990, when a magnitude 7.8 earthquake occurred 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of the Pinatubo region, determined to be a result of the reawakening of Mount Pinatubo. In mid-March 1991, villagers around Mount Pinatubo began feeling earthquakes and vulcanologists began to study the mountain. (Approximately 30,000 people lived on the flanks of the volcano prior to the disaster.) On April 2, small explosions from vents dusted local villages with ash. The first evacuations of 5,000 people were ordered later that month. Earthquakes and explosions continued. On June 5, a Level 3 alert was issued for two weeks due to the possibility of a major eruption. The extrusion of a lava dome on June 7 led to the issuance of a Level 5 alert on June 9, indicating an eruption in progress. An evacuation area 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) away from the volcano was established and 25,000 people were evacuated. The following day (June 10), Clark Air Base, a U.S. military installation near the volcano, was evacuated. The 18,000 personnel and their families were transported to Subic Bay Naval Station and most were returned to the United States. On June 12, the danger radius was extended to 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from the volcano resulting in the total evacuation of 58,000 people. On June 15, the eruption of Mount Pinatubo began at 1:42 p.m. local time. The eruption lasted for nine hours and caused numerous large earthquakes due to the collapse of the summit of Mount Pinatubo and the creation of a caldera. The caldera reduced the peak from 1745 meters (5725 feet) to 1485 meters (4872 feet) high is 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) in diameter. Unfortunately, at the time of the eruption Tropical Storm Yunya was passing 75 km (47 miles) to the northeast of Mount Pinatubo, causing a large amount of rainfall in the region. The ash that was ejected from the volcano mixed with the water vapor in the air to cause a rainfall of tephra that fell across almost the entire island of Luzon. The greatest thickness of ash deposited 33 centimeters (13 inches) approximately 10.5 km (6.5 mi) southwest of the volcano. There was 10 cm of ash covering an area of 2000 square kilometers (772 square miles). Most of the 200 to 800 people (accounts vary) who died during the eruption died due to the weight of the ash collapsing roofs and killing to occupants. Had Tropical Storm Yunya not been nearby, the death toll from the volcano would have been much lower. In addition to the ash, Mount Pinatubo ejected between 15 and 30 million tons of sulfur dioxide gas. Sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere mixes with water and oxygen in the atmosphere to become sulfuric acid, which in turn triggers ozone depletion. Over 90% of the material released from the volcano was ejected during the nine hour eruption of June 15. The eruption plume of Mount Pinatubo's various gases and ash reached high into the atmosphere within two hours of the eruption, attaining an altitude of 34 km (21 miles) high and over 400 km (250 miles) wide. This eruption was the largest disturbance of the stratosphere since the eruption of Krakatau in 1883 (but ten times larger than Mount St. Helens in 1980). The aerosol cloud spread around the earth in two weeks and covered the planet within a year. During 1992 and 1993, the Ozone hole over Antarctica reached an unprecedented size. The cloud over the earth reduced global temperatures. In 1992 and 1993, the average temperature in the Northern Hemisphere was reduced 0.5 to 0.6°C and the entire planet was cooled 0.4 to 0.5°C. The maximum reduction in global temperature occurred in August 1992 with a reduction of 0.73°C. The eruption is believed to have influenced such events as 1993 floods along the Mississippi river and the drought in the Sahel region of Africa. The United States experienced its third coldest and third wettest summer in 77 years during 1992. Overall, the cooling effects of the Mount Pinatubo eruption were greater than those of the El Niño that was taking place at the time or of the greenhouse gas warming of the planet. Remarkable sunrises and sunsets were visible around the globe in the years following the Mount Pinatubo eruption. The human impacts of the disaster are staggering. In addition to the up to 800 people who lost their lives, there was almost one half of a billion dollars in property and economic damage. The economy of central Luzon was horribly disrupted. In 1991, the volcano destroyed 4,979 homes and damaged another 70,257. The following year 3,281 homes were destroyed and 3,137 were damaged. Damage following the Mount Pinatubo eruption was usually caused by lahars - rain-induced torrents of volcanic debris that killed people and animals and buried homes in the months after the eruption. Additionally, another Mount Pinatubo eruption in August 1992 killed 72 people. The United States military never returned to Clark Air Base, turning over the damaged base to the Philippine government on November 26, 1991. Today, the region continues to rebuild and recover from the disaster.

B.)

Philippines ranks third on climate change vulnerability list

By Kristine L. Alave Philippine Daily Inquirer

The Philippines ranks third in the list of countries most vulnerable to climate change, a study by a United Nations agency has warned. The report by the United Nations University’s Institute for Environment and Human Security and the German Alliance Development Works said the top 10 countries facing the highest risk are: Vanuatu, Tonga, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, Guatemala, Bangladesh, Timor-Leste, Costa Rica, Cambodia and El Salvador. Vanuatu which is experiencing a fresh water shortage ranks number one with a 32-percent disaster risk. Tonga in the second spot has 29.08 percent. The Philippines ranks third with a 24.32-percent disaster risk. The risk index used in the report analyzed each country’s exposure to natural disasters like storms, floods, earthquakes, droughts and sea level rise. It also estimated their susceptibility to damage based on the state of their economy and infrastructure, and the countries’ ability to respond to these disasters through preparedness measures and early warning systems. It also studied their ability to adapt to future disasters due to climate change. Filipino scientists said the Philippines would get more rains in the coming years due to climate change. In 2010, the climatology division of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that climate data from 1960 to 2003 showed significant increases in the frequency of hot days and warm nights in many areas of the country. Pagasa also observed that the number of cooler days had decreased. This trend mirrors the experience of other countries in Southeast Asia, Pagasa said, as it predicted more rains in the Philippines in the coming decades. The Climate Reality Project, which is backed by former United States Vice President Al Gore, said the study confirmed what residents of the Philippines already know from their experience. “This is reality. Lives and livelihoods lost are not a hoax, these are all realities brought about by the biggest crisis this world has ever faced. As the study shows, the Philippines ranks third in exposure to natural hazards like earthquakes, storms, floods and droughts, as well as the exposure of populations to sea level rise by one meter,” said Rodne Galicha, Philippine country district manager of The Climate Reality Project (TCRP). TCRP stressed that climate change is not the only culprit. Galicha noted that man-made factors, such as land conversion, deforestation, and mining activities, worsen the effects of climate change and have a multiplier effect on disasters. “Massive land conversion, long-term deforestation, mining in island ecosystems and forests and lack of solid waste management are just some of the culprits,” TCRP disaster risk reduction and management expert Miguel Magalang said. He added that a comprehensive land use plan based on principles of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction should be strongly adopted by the government. The floods and landslides from typhoons Pedring and Quiel recently emphasized the Filipinos’ vulnerability to extreme weather. Almost a week since Quiel left the Philippines, many towns in Central Luzon were still underwater.

C.) Climate change and Philippine deforestation REFLECTIONS Fr. Shay Cullen (Manila Times)

The greatest hope we have for saving our planet from catastrophe is the dedication of those environmentalists and scientists who love creation and work tirelessly to protect it from the irresponsible tycoons of industry and corrupt politicians who cause global warming. Many choose to deny the scientific evidence that climate change is underway and damaging our world. They only have to ask the people of Bangkok why they are experiencing the worst floods in living memory.

Millions of people around the world are suffering from severe deprivation, disease and death because of the extremes of climate change caused by prolonged droughts, intense storms, cyclones, and raging hurricanes.

There is one vital number—390—that is going to determine the future of every living creature on our planet. Like it or not, believe it or not, the concentration of CO2 in our atmosphere is increasing daily. It is now at that dangerous level of 390 parts per million (ppm). This heavy concentration is too much already and the planet is reaching a tipping point where there will be no way to reverse the trend. The number 450 ppm is our absolute limit.

The scientists, environmentalists and other knowledgeable people who have studied global warming say that concentration of CO2 has to be reduced to 350 ppm for us to avert a global disaster. The human race needs to realize that there is an environmental and climatic disaster underway as the Earth heats up and global temperature edges upward to the two-percent centigrade rise. This is essential to prevent ourselves from reaching the point of no return.

Acidification of the oceans will surely kill millions of fish and marine life and the melting of the arctic ice sheet will be irreversible and will bring on that destructive rise in sea levels. Witness the recent break-off of a huge slab of the Antarctic glacier, a piece the size of Manhattan.

In Bangladesh, 30 million people were displaced last year due to floods, and tens of millions more will be displaced in the coming years. With rising sea levels, it will reach one meter in the next ten to twenty years. They are forecasting catastrophic effects of climate change and the government is demanding compensation from the highest polluting countries. Australia has passed a law compelling polluting industries to pay for the pollution they cause.

In the Philippines, only nine percent of the original forest cover remains but this is being illegally logged and hacked to death by loggers who flout the law and act with impunity and protected by corrupt politicians who fund their reelection with the proceeds. Hypocritically, their reelection propaganda usually says that they will fight corruption, end impunity and give environmental protection top priority.

Filipino environmentalists and anti-mining advocates were outraged recently when the chief of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Leo Jasareno, announced during a mining conference that President Benigno Aquino 3rd had given mining corporations an exemption from the strict Executive Order 23 (EO23) forbidding the cutting of trees in natural and residual forests, provided that they would join the National Greening program that aimed to plant 1.5 million trees in the next six years.

The Office of the President has denied the report and said that Mr. Aquino only announced the names of the six companies that already had exemptions. This is a troubling revelation. No exemptions ought to be given and large-scale open-pit mining must be stopped.

EO Order 23 is the only bulwark that is holding back the waiting chain-saw gangs of the loggers and insatiable desires of the mining corporations. They want to get their hands on the minerals under the forests. That means large-scale deforestation and related environmental and human disasters like landslides, river and sea poisoning, dangerous dams holding back toxic mining sludge, loss for ancestral land rights, and loss of farming land and natural water sources.

The burning of cleared forests causes a huge release of CO2 and other greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, resulting in a whopping 16 percent of all gasses released worldwide and equal to all the gasses released by almost every vehicle, plane or ship in the world. To make matters worse, the loss of the trees themselves will leave huge amounts of CO2 unabsorbed. Forest trees are the CO2 sponges of the planet.

I am not sure if the 2000, two-meter tall, grafted fruit tree saplings that I plant annually through the Preda Fair Trade will be of any help, but it will offset the emissions I create. All of us can do something to stop deforestation and planting a tree is a good start to heal a wounded planet.

D.) Climate Change and the Philippines

Recent scientific studies reveal that human activities have contributed significantly to the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that causes climate change.

The Philippines is a hotspot for climate change disasters particularly the risk for agriculture and food security due to extreme El Nino and severe tropical cyclones. The spread of infectious diseases are influenced by fluctuations in climate variables, temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. Sever super typhoons like Reming that pummeled the Bicol region in 2006 destroyed at least $90-million worth of agricultural products and infrastructure.

Diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, cholera have increased throughout the years. Climate change impacts on coastal zones and marine ecosystems caused massive coral bleaching especially in 1998 due to elevated sea temperature and fish kills and red tides like the one that occurred in 1992 which was an El Nino period.

Scientists warned the Philippines could experience famine by 2020, as the adverse impact of global warming takes its toll on natural resources. Thousands will be displaced from their homes especially in low-lying coastal communities.

E.) Decline of Natural Resources and Biodiversity

The Philippines is suffering from degradation of the natural environment. It has fifty major rivers now polluted due to abuse and neglect. Approximately two-thirds of the country's original mangroves have been lost. A hundred years ago, the Philippines had close to 22 million hectares of old growth forest. At the start of 2000, we had less than 600,000 hectares of old-growth forest left. In one century, we had cut down close to 97 percent of our original forest. A study by the Environmental Scientists for Social Change (ESSC) reveals that we have systematically cut this forest down and that we have not stopped its destruction and that of its core biodiversity. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) estimates that it takes over 4,000 liters of water to produce one kilo of rice. Because of the loss of forests, we have less water since most of our freshwater comes from watersheds found in forests. Therefore, loss of forests means loss of food.

More than 400 plant and animal species found in the Philippines are currently threatened with extinction, including the Philippine eagle, the tamaraw, and the dugong. In 2001, 49 of the nation's mammal species, 86 bird species, and 320 plant species were threatened with extinction. Endangered species in the Philippines include the monkey-eating eagle, Philippine tarsier, tamaraw, four species of turtle (green sea, hawksbill, olive ridley, and leatherback), Philippines crocodile, sinarapan, and two species of butterflies. The Cebu warty pig, Panay flying fox, and Chapman's fruit bat have become extinct. The Philippines is suffering from degradation of the natural environment. It has fifty major rivers now polluted due to abuse and neglect. Approximately two-thirds of the country's original mangroves have been lost. A hundred years ago, the Philippines had close to 22 million hectares of old growth forest. At the start of 2000, we had less than 600,000 hectares of old-growth forest left. In one century, we had cut down close to 97 percent of our original forest. A study by the Environmental Scientists for Social Change (ESSC) reveals that we have systematically cut this forest down and that we have not stopped its destruction and that of its core biodiversity.

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) estimates that it takes over 4,000 liters of water to produce one kilo of rice. Because of the loss of forests, we have less water since most of our freshwater comes from watersheds found in forests. Therefore, loss of forests means loss of food.

More than 400 plant and animal species found in the Philippines are currently threatened with extinction, including the Philippine eagle, the tamaraw, and the dugong. In 2001, 49 of the nation's mammal species, 86 bird species, and 320 plant species were threatened with extinction. Endangered species in the Philippines include the monkey-eating eagle, Philippine tarsier, tamaraw, four species of turtle (green sea, hawksbill, olive ridley, and leatherback), Philippines crocodile, sinarapan, and two species of butterflies. The Cebu warty pig, Panay flying fox, and Chapman's fruit bat have become extinct.

F.) Alarming Waste Problem in the Philippines

The Philippines is looming with garbage problems despite the passage of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act or the Republic Act (RA) 9003.

2007 first quarter data from the National Solid Waste Management Commission shows that there are 677 open dumpsites, 343 controlled dumps, and 21 landfills in the country. An additional 307 dump sites are subject for closure or rehabilitation plans but without definite schedules for enforcement. About 215 additional landfills are being proposed to be set up nationwide.

About 1,000 open and controlled dump sites exist in the country. Prominent dumps all over the country can be found in Antipolo and Montalban in Rizal; Baguio City; Calapan, Mindoro Oriental; Carmen, Cagayan de Oro; Mandurriao, Iloilo City; Obando, Bulacan; and San Pedro, Laguna.

Environmentalists stress that Republic Act 9003 calls for the adoption of the best environmental practices in ecological waste management and explicitly excludes waste incineration as an ecological option. These polluting disposal facilities are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere which adds to global warming. Landfills and open dumps, according to studies, account for 34 percent of human-related methane emissions to the atmosphere, a global warming gas that has 23 times more heat-trapping power than carbon dioxide. These landfills and open dumps are illegal under RA 9003.

Incinerators, on the other hand, have significantly higher levels of greenhouse gas emissions (per kilowatt) than a coal-fired power plant when all of the carbon coming out of an incinerator stack is measured. Such emissions are banned by the country’s Clean Air Act. Inaction on garbage contributes to the death of at least two persons every minute due to complications from environmental problems, which could be prevented if the country only developed a more efficient environmental management program.

Mismanagement of waste has serious environmental consequences: ground and surface water contamination, local flooding, air pollution, exposure to toxins, and spread of disease. Many of the disposal sites contain infectious material, thus threatening sanitation workers and waste-pickers.

Annual waste generation in the Philippines is expected to grow 40 percent by 2010. Improvements in recycling, collection, and disposal will become even more critical as garbage production continues to increase with population growth and economic development.

Past efforts to promote waste segregation at source have minimal impact despite the presence of Republic Act 9003. Most of these were barangay, city, and municipal ordinances providing for sanctions and penalties for non-compliance. Campaigns, seminars, trainings and other different community activities were implemented with the help of various private groups or NGO’s to pursue the objective of solving the garbage problem.

RA 9003 further calls for the establishment of materials recovery facilities, or ecology centers, in every barangay or cluster of a barangay. To date, only 1,923 ecology centers exist, serving 2,133 barangays of a total 41,975 nationwide. In Quezon City alone, only 52 barangays have established Materials Recovery Facilities out of a total of 142.
People’s Behavior Toward Waste Behaviour is a key cultural aspect that is embedded in people’s way of life. Studying a community’s behavior and introducing new ones requires intensive, long-term, and creative social marketing. This can be done by studying the demographic and cultural fiber of the community through immersions and capacity building activities.

The Resources, Environment and Economics Center for Studies, Inc.’s (REECS) 2002 study on household waste management systems and the attitudes and behavior of the communities in two barangays in Metro Manila ( Bennagen, Nepomuceno, Covar, 2002) showed that:

1. Waste management is still perceived by many as the responsibility of government.
2. Public participation in waste management, especially in segregation at source, remains limited.
3. More extensive awareness- raising activities and training on ecological waste management are needed, together with stricter enforcement of the Law and local ordinances must be observed.
4. There is lack of community empowerment and political will to resolve the problem.

Recognizing the importance of the environment’s immediate recovery and effects of improper waste management to the Philippines, there is a need for understanding and reformation of attitudes and concern towards the protection of environment. The impending garbage crisis can be prevented if we only practice waste segregation at source, recycling, and composting as what the law requires. An intensive social marketing program has to be established on a long-term scale within a barangay – the smallest unit of the local government.

CHAPTER III: Theoretical/Conceptual Framework

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