The Philippines and the Challenge of Climate Change (3rd Grading-No. 4)

During the 20th century, the average global temperature went up by about 0.74°C, with the warming affecting land more than ocean areas. In addition, average rate of warming over the last 50 years is nearly twice that for the last 100 years.

Further warming and changes in the global climate system during the 21st century could occur if greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions equal to or higher than current levels will persist. Among these are increased precipitation that could cause flooding in certain parts of the world while more intense and longer droughts are experienced in other areas, rising sea level, decreasing snow cover, melting glaciers and artic warming that also contribute to sea level rise. Climate change, if left unchecked, will also affect biodiversity and ultimately the earth's natural systems and processes.

The Philippines has experienced temperature spikes brought about by climate change. It has been observed that warming is experienced most in the northern and southern regions of the country, while Metro Manila has warmed less than most parts. In addition, the regions that have warmed the most (northern Luzon, Mindanao) have also dried the most. Largest precipitation trends are about 10 percent during the 20th century.

Hot days and hot nights have become more frequent. Extreme weather events have also occurred more frequently since 1980. These include deadly and damaging typhoons, floods, landslides, severe El Niño and La Niña events, drought, and forest fires. Adversely affected sectors include agriculture, fresh water, coastal and marine resources and health.

While the contribution of the Philippines to GHG emissions remains insignificant, there is no denying that the climate change issue affects all facets of the country's development. A business-as-usual option is no longer acceptable since the effects of climate change point to far-reaching consequences to the nation's food security, human health, water supply, settlements, and economic development. As part of the global community, the Philippines must do its part in helping mitigate carbon emissions.

From:
Presidential Task Force on Climate Change
http://www.doe.gov.ph/cc/ccp.htm

QUESTION:

As a student, what actions can you do to help prevent climate change? (Bilang isang mag-aaral, ano ang magagawa o maitutulong mo para maiwasan ang tuluyang pagbabago (pag-init) ng ating klima at tuluyang pag-init o pagtaas ng temperatura ng mundo?)

Metro Manila, Air Polluted Beyond Acceptable Levels (3rd Grading-No. 3)

1. Metro Manila air is unsafe and harmful, with its pollutants at levels higher than what is acceptable worldwide, the Department of Health said.

2. A study DOH sponsored along with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, World Health Organization, and Asian Development Bank showed that Metro Manila's air quality was poor, and the volume of particulate matter in its atmosphere was above the baseline level of 50 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) for clean air.

3. motor vehicles -- particularly buses -- were the major source of the pollution in the city, followed by industrial emissions.

4. Cities considered high risk or extremely polluted were Caloocan, Valenzuela, and Quezon City.
Quezon City air was deemed most polluted, with 96.9% of PM10 and 78.3% of PM2.5 or fine grain particulates.


Taken from an article written by:
Kristine L. Alave, BusinessWorld (18 Aug 2004)
http://www.cleanairnet.org/caiasia/1412/article-58903.html

_______________________________

Question:

As a resident of Metro Manila, how can you help reduce the air pollution? What is your suggestion to reduce it, if not totally eradicated it? ( Bilang isa sa mga nakatira/residente sa Metro Manila (Quezon City), ano ang iyong maisusuhestiyon o maitutulong upang mabawasan ang polusyon sa hangin?)

The Extinction of Some Philippine Animals and Plants (3rd Grading-No. 2)

In biology and ecology, extinction is the end of an organism or group of taxa. The moment of extinction is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of that species (although the capacity to breed and recover may have been lost before this point). Because a species' potential range may be very large, determining this moment is difficult, and is usually done retrospectively.

Through evolution, new species arise through the process of speciation—where new varieties of organisms arise and thrive when they are able to find and exploit an ecological niche—and species become extinct when they are no longer able to survive in changing conditions or against superior competition. A typical species becomes extinct within 10 million years of its first appearance, although some species, called living fossils, survive virtually unchanged for hundreds of millions of years. Extinction, though, is usually a natural phenomenon; it is estimated that 99.9% of all species that have ever lived are now extinct.

Dr. Edward O. Wilson of Harvard University estimates that if 1% of the world's tropical rain forests are destroyed each year—a conservative estimate based on current rates of deforestation—then over 100 years there would be a loss of at least 20% of all species, assuming extinction rates remain constant. Based on a total of 10 million species, the current annual loss has been calculated to be 20,000 to 30,000 species.

CAUSES:

There are a variety of causes that can contribute directly or indirectly to the extinction of a species or group of species.

Humans can cause extinction of a species through (1) overharvesting, (2) genetic pollution, (3) habitat destruction, (4) introduction of new predators and food competitors, (5) overhunting, and (6) other influences such as global warming.

The best known groups of organisms are birds and mammals. Since the year 1600, a total of 83 mammals species (2.1%) and 113 birds (1.3%) are known to have become extinct. This number is expected to rise rapidly as the breeding populations of many species continue to decline.

QUESTIONS:

1. How will it (extinction of some animals and plants) affect the ecosystem?
(Paano makakaapekto ang tuluyang pagkawala ng ilang mga hayop at halaman sa ekosystema?)

2. Although extinction is a natural process, can we prevent extinction of some plants and animals, particulaly in the Philippines? How?

(Paano natin mapipigilan ang tuluyang pagkawala o pagkaubos ng ilang mga hayop at halaman, lalong-lalo na dito sa Pilipinas?)

The Right Way To Post A Comment

To my students,

1. Make sure that your comment is posted on the right topic, or else, it will earn NO POINTS. The comment button is located below every post. ( The best way to post is to click first on the topics placed on the archive located on the right portion of the screen, then click comment link at the end of the post.)

2. As much as possible, avoid the use of abbreviated words like the way you write text messages.
3. If you have a difficulty in using the English language, the use the FILIPINO (tagalog) language is very much welcome.
4. As much as possible, edit your comment first before publishing.
5. Please sign in on the FOLLOWERS located at the right portion of the page so that I can easily identify you as my students.

6. As much as possible, write your FULL NAME and SECTION in every post for easy recording of your points.

7. Happy posting!

Fossil Fuels and The Current Energy Crisis (3rd Grading-No.1)

Fossil fuels, coal, oil and natural gas, are a non-renewable source of energy. Formed from plants and animals that lived up to 300 million years ago, fossil fuels are found in deposits beneath the earth. The fuels are burned to release the chemical energy that is stored within this resource. Energy is essential to modern society as we know it. Over 85% of our energy demands are met by the combustion of fossil fuels.

Going back to the earlier days of Earth, the plants and animals that lived then eventually died and decomposed. The majority of these life forms were phytoplankton and zooplankton. When these ancient ocean dwellers died, they accumulated on the bottom of a seabed; this is how a good portion of our fossil fuel reserves began. The actual transformation process of these prehistoric creatures is not known, but scientists do know that the pressure, heat, and a great deal of time go into the making of fossil fuels.

Fossil fuels are excellent sources of energy for our transportation needs; however they are also the primary source of electrical energy in the world today. Coal power plants account for at least 52% of the world's demand. We, as a world, burn approximately 1.9 billion tons of coal a year to generate electricity.

We are currently in an energy crisis. Fossil fuels are the lifeblood of our society and for many others around the world. Our supply has a finite end. Fossil fuels will run out and the use of them will soon take the lives of many people. These are important reasons to find other means of getting the energy we need to continue our society as we know it.

So what are our options?

Welcome

Welcome to Science Guro.

We are inviting all Manuel A. Roxas High School students to participate by sharing your thoughts, views and opinions regarding science and science related issues. Its your chance to be heard on some science related issues that are timely and relevant.

We are going to post one topic per week for you to discuss.

We are discouraging the use of foul words and obscene languages.

Happy Posting !

Mr. Rodelio P. Ramos
Science Teacher, MRHS