GE1801

Environmental Education
Environmental Concepts and Principles
 The word environment is derived from the French word “environ” which means “surrounding.”
 Our surrounding includes biotic and abiotic factors.
• Biotic factors in an ecosystem include all living things like human beings, plants, animals, microbes, etc.)
It can be broken down further into producers, consumers, and decomposers. The producers create their
own food, like plants through the process of photosynthesis. The consumers must eat others to gain
energy, like grazing animals or predatory animals. Decomposers breakdown the waste from both the
producers and consumers. Certain beetles, worms, and bacteria are types of decomposers.
• Abiotic factors in an ecosystem are all nonliving components of an ecosystem. These factors include
chemical and geological features such as water or lack of water, soil, rocks, and minerals. Other abiotic
factors include physical components such as the temperature and weather affecting the ecosystem.

The Four Major Components of the Environment

 Hydrosphere includes all water bodies such as lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and oceans etc. Hydrosphere
functions in a cyclic nature, which is termed as hydrological cycle or water cycle.
 Lithosphere means the mantle of rocks constituting the earth’s crust. It mainly, contains soil, earth rocks,
mountain, etc. It is divided into three layers—crusts, mantle, and core (outer and inner).
 Atmosphere is a thin layer which contains gases like oxygen, carbon dioxide etc. which protects the solid
earth and human beings from the harmful radiations of the sun. There are five concentric layers within the
atmosphere—troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and the exosphere.
 Biosphere is otherwise known as the life layer. It refers to all organisms on the earth’s surface and their
interaction with water and air. It consists of plants, animals, and micro-organisms, ranging from the tiniest
microscopic organism to the largest whale of the sea.

The Seven Environmental Principle

1. Nature knows best. (Ang kalikasan ang mas nakakaalam)
This principle is the most basic and in fact encompasses all the others. Humans have to understand nature
and have to abide by the rules nature dictates. In essence, one must not go against the natural process if
one would like to ensure a continuous and steady supply of resources.
2. All forms of life are important. (Ang lahat na may buhay ay mahalaga)
Each organism plays a fundamental role in nature. Since such occupational or functional position, otherwise
known as niche, cannot be simultaneously occupied by more than one species. It is apparent that all living
things must be considered as invaluable in the maintenance of homeostasis in the ecosystem
3. Everything is connected to everything else. (Ang lahat ng bagay ay magkakaugnay)
This principle is best exemplified by the concept of the ecosystem. In an ecosystem, all biotic and amniotic
components interact with each other to ensure that the system is perpetuated. Any outside interference may
result in an imbalance and the deterioration of the system.
4. Everything changes. (Ang lahat ng bagay ay nagbabago)
It is said that the only permanent thing is change. As a general classification, change may be linear, cyclical
or random. The environment is constantly changing. Organisms evolve through time. However, man’s
technology has affected these natural changes often to a problematic extent.
5. Everything must go somewhere else. (Ang lahat ng bagay ay may patutunguhan)
When a piece of paper is thrown away, it disappears from sight but it does not cease to exist. It ends up
elsewhere. Gases from smokestacks may disperse but it will end up a component of the atmosphere or
brought down by rains. Since wastes are not lost to oblivion, and even goes back to backyard in some other
forms, it is important that one becomes aware of the different types of waste—whether hazardous or not.
6. Ours is a finite earth. (Ang kalikasan ay may hangganan)
The earth’s resources can be classified as either renewable or non-renewable. Renewable resources are
those that can easily be replenished by natural cycles (e.g. water, air, plants, and animals) while non-
renewable resources are those that cannot be replenished through natural cycles (e.g. ores of various
metals, oil, coal.)
Although renewable resources can be replenished, it is important to note that these are renewable only as
long as they are not overused nor destroyed from such factors as pollution.

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7. Nature is beautiful and we are stewards of God’s creation. (Ang kalikasan ay maganda at tayo ang
tagapangasiwa ng lahat na nilikha ng Diyos)
Among all creatures, humans are the only ones made in God’s image and have been given the right to have
dominion over all His creations. Being the most intelligent and gifted with reason, humans are capable of
manipulating creation to their own advantage. Yet, creation exists not to be ravaged or abused but to be
taken care of. Humans cannot exist without nature. They are co-natural with the environment they live in. If
the environment they lived is destroyed, with it go all Homo Sapiens.

Environmental Law
 Known as Environmental and Natural Resources Law, describing the network of treaties, statutes,
regulations, common and customary laws addressing the effects of human activity on the natural
environment.
 Environmental law is a foundation for environmental sustainability and the full realization of its objectives is
ever more urgent concerning growing environmental pressures.

Major Environmental Laws in the Philippines

 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Statement of 1978 (Presidential Decree 1586)
This was formally established in 1978 with the enactment of Presidential Decree no. 1586 to facilitate the
attainment and maintenance of rational and orderly balance between socio-economic development and
environmental protection. EIA is a planning and management tool that will help government, decision-
makers, the proponents, and the affected community address the negative consequences or risks on the
environment. The process assures implementation of environment-friendly projects.
 Toxic Substances, Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990 (Republic Act 6969)
It aims to regulate restrict or prohibit the importation, manufacture, processing, sale, distribution, use, and
disposal of chemical substances and mixtures the present unreasonable risk to human health. It also
prohibits the entry of hazardous and nuclear wastes and their disposal into the Philippine territorial limits for
whatever purpose, and to provide advancement and facilitate research and studies on toxic materials.
 Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act 8749)
The law aims to achieve and maintain clean air that meets the National Air Quality guideline values for criteria
pollutants, throughout the Philippines, while minimizing the possible associated impacts to the economy.
 Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (Republic Act 9003)
In partnership with stakeholders, the law aims to adopt a systematic, comprehensive, and ecological solid
waste management program that shall ensure the protection of public health and environment. The law
ensures proper segregation, collection, storage, treatment, and disposal of solid waste through the
formulation and adaptation of best eco-waste products.
 Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (Republic Act 9275)
The law aims to protect the country’s water bodies from pollution from land-based sources (industries and
commercial establishments, agriculture, and community/household activities). It provides for comprehensive
and integrated strategy to prevent and minimize pollution through a multi-sectoral and participatory approach
involving all the stakeholders.
 Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008 (Republic Act No. 9512)
The Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and other relevant agencies, shall integrate environmental
education in its school curricula at all levels, whether public or private, including in barangay daycare,
preschool, non-formal, technical vocational, professional level, indigenous learning, and out-of-school youth
courses or programs.
The CHED and the TESDA shall include environmental education and awareness programs and activities in
the National Service Training Program under Republic Act No. 9163, as part of the Civic Welfare Training
Service component required for all baccalaureate degree courses and vocational courses with a curriculum
of at least two (2) years.
REFERENCES:
Carpenter, M. (2018). The definition of abiotic and biotic Factors. Retrieved from https://sciencing.com/definition-abiotic-biotic-factors-8259629.html
Gifford, R. (2014). Environmental psychology principles and practice (5th ed.). Colville, WA: Optimal Books.
Major Environmental Laws. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://ecac.emb.gov.ph/?page_id=43

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