Post on 21-Jan-2023
Enabling Approaches
to Sustainability
SESSION 3
Ruth Sarra Guzman
Professor, Rizal Technological University
and Board Chair, PATLEPAM
Manila, Philippines
Outline
� Introduction
� The Ecosystem Perspective -
� Basic Ecological Principles
� Environmental Principles
� Ensuring Environmental Sustainability
� Sustainable Development Paradigm
� Social, Economic and Ecological Perspectives
SD and Climate Change
Sustainable development
policies
Climate change
Sustainable
development
Climate changepolicies
� Alternative development pathways� Sectoral environment/ economic policies� Institutional/managerial changes� Innovation/ technological change
� Avoided climate change damage� Ancillary benefits/costs� Spillovers/trade effects� Innovation/technological change
Two-way linkages between climate change and sustain able development. Source: Swart et.al (2003)
The State of Environment
• One of 17 mega-diverse countries in the world�Containing two-thirds of the earth’s biodiversity�70-80% of the world’s endangered species
The State of Environment
• 4th in the World in bird endemism• 5th in the World in mammal endemism• 5th in the World in number of plant species• 8th in the World in reptile endemism
The State of EnvironmentPuerto Princesa Subterranean River National ParkPuerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
Mayon VolcanoMayon Volcano
Candidates for the
NEW 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD
Chocolate HillsChocolate Hills Tubbataha ReefTubbataha Reef
The State of Environment
Verde Island Passage Marine CorridorVerde Island Passage Marine Corridor
Center of the center of marine shorefish diversity in the world
Center of the center of marine shorefish diversity in the world
(Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion)(Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion)
The State of EnvironmentPhilippine Water ResourcesPhilippine Water ResourcesPhilippine Water ResourcesPhilippine Water ResourcesWater Supply = 146.0 Bcu.mWater Consumption = 40.9 Bcu.m
Consumption Ratio = 28.0%
The State of Environment
• Massive loss of forest cover which is now down to only about 18% of our total land area
• Only about 800,000 hectares of virgin forest left
The State of Environment
• Threatened and endangered species (increasing in about 9.7% annually)
• Only 5% of our coral reefs remain in excellent condition• 30-50% of our seagrass beds were lost in the last 50 years• Only 112,400 hectares of mangroves left (decline from
450,000 ha in 1918)
The State of Environment
• The degradation of coastal and marine ecosystem has affected fish production
• Catch per municipal fisherman significantly went down from about 1500 kg per year in 1987 to about 1100 kg per year in 1996 and declining still because of overfishing
The State of Environment
• Groundwater levels going down by 5-10 meters for the last several decades that led to saline intrusion and ground subsidence
• Sixteen major rivers, five in Metro Manila, are biologically-dead during summer months due to pollution
• 48% of water pollution is caused by household waste, compounded by the lack of an adequate sewerage system
The State of Environment
• TSP levels above the standards by as much as 200% causing adverse health impacts
The State of Environment
• In 2000, 76M Filipinos generated over 10 million tons of municipal solid wastes.
• In 2007, waste generated was 12.45 million tons.• On 2012, waste projection is pegged at 14 million tons
The State of Environment
VAST MINERAL RESOURCES
Mineral Land Distribution(As % of Total Philippine Land Area )
30% or 9 Million Hectares
High-Potential
Low-Medium Potential
70%
Only 1.4% being exploited
Land Area: 30 million Hectares
THE NEED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION•PRESENTLY
– Alarming rate of environmentaldegradation
– Adverse environmental issues andproblems
– Bring havoc and poses a veryserious problem
Climate change Ozone depletion
Deforestation and desertification Water scarcity (freshwater)
Losses of soil Reduction of biodiversity
Land, atmosphere and ocean pollution
Scarcity of natural resources and energy
Food security Depletion of biological resources
Overpopulation Residue production
Accelerating trends of urbanization Development of megacities
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS –
DO WE KNOW THEM ALL?
PHILOSOPHY“For humankind to SURVIVE and IMPROVE its
QUALITY OF LIFE , it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY for Everyone to become Aware of and Understand Humanity’s Relation to the Environment .
Develop Values and Attitudes of Conservation and Social Justice , and Ac t, Alone or in Groups , in such Ways as to Correct or Prevent Environmental Problems ” .
TO SAVE MANKIND, EVERYONE SHOULD BE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
The natural resources needed
to maintain the lifestyle of
one person in the United
States are equal to what is
required by 200 to 300 Asians.
Imagine what would happen if
the same North American
lifestyle were to be extended
to people everywhere.
THE LINEAR SOCIETY
Resources
Production
Consumption
WASTE
Waste Disposal Industry
Waste Regulation Industry
Where shall we put it?
Is it safe?
GARBAGE DISPOSAL MENTALITY
Random/Catastrophic
• Volcanic eruptions
• Earthquakes
• Meteor showers
• Landslides, MudslidesFloods
CONCEPT OF INTERDEPENDENCE
• COMPLEX INTERACTIONS EXIST BETWEEN THE LIVING AND NON-LIVING COMPONENTS OF THE ECOSYSTEM.
CONCEPT OF INTERDEPENDENCE
• The structure and function of ecological systems are interrelated with socio-economic
systems.
SOCIOECONOMIC SYSTEMECOLOGICAL
SYSTEM