Gees 210 Environmental Science and Environmental Laws in Palawan

Course Orientation
EnP. Elizabeth D. Alzaga
Professor
Course Description
This course introduces the study of nature and the scope of
environmental problems, population, and economic growth, energy
growth and future environmental hazards, human environmental
hazards, water, and air pollution, and environmental management. It is
an interdisciplinary academic field that draws on ecology, geology,
meteorology, biology, chemistry, engineering, and physics to study
environmental problems and human impacts on the environment. It
also involves the laws relating to environmental protection specifically
on the Island Province of Palawan.
Course Objectives
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
A. Competencies
1. learn the importance of studying the environment and its problems;
2. understand the various effects of environmental pollution;
3. know the existing laws and regulations of the government for environmental issues;
4. become aware of the present condition of our environment here in the country; and
5. understand the importance of our environment and how we should protect it;
B. Skills
6. analyze the significance of the environment and its impact on our lives;
7. promote awareness to other students, their families, and friends about the value of our environment; and
8. analyze the application of various laws in the Province of Palawan
C. Values
9. respond to the call for environmental protection;
10. appreciate the works of God through the existence of the environment; and
11. become better stewards of our environment.
Course Requirements
A. CLASS STANDING 60%
• Class attendance 10%
• Class Participation 15%
• Quizzes 25%
• Assignments/Projects 10%
B. LONG EXAMINATION (Midterm & Final Exams) 40%
Classroom Policies
1. Class Attendance (10% of Class Standing)
• A student is only allowed up to a maximum of three (3) unexcused absences.
Beyond this number, a student will be given a grade of FA (Failure due to
absences).
• Those who want to be excused from class must secure a certificate from the
school’s clinic or a letter from his/her Dean/Guardian explaining the reason for the
absence.
• Time is an important element of the course. We will start on time and end on
time. Students who arrive more than 20 minutes late will be marked absent for
the day.
• Nobody shall be leaving the room while somebody is reporting or while a
discussion is going on.
• Avoid using cellular phones during classes; they must be turned off or put on silent
mode.
2. Class Participation (15% of Class Standing)
• Our time in class is the opportunity to actively engage with the lessons we are
discussing. Participation during class is crucial because it is an important avenue for
learning.
• Give everyone a chance to speak or express his/her mind. No grandstanding is
allowed, and no one is to monopolize the discussion.
• Be prepared for the discussions. Read assigned materials before coming to the
session. We will have a rich discussion if we do not just make inferences from
assumptions that are not supported by evidence, facts, or theories from
authoritative sources.
• Enjoy the class. A positive attitude is an important ingredient in learning. Humility is
another. A humble person learns more because he can quickly admit that he/she is
wrong, and he/she is willing to change. Change is what education is all about. If no
change has occurred in a person after the class, no learning had taken place.
Expectations for Class Participation
Participation is graded on a scale from 0 (lowest) through 4 (highest),
using the criteria presented on the next slide. The criteria focus on what
you demonstrate and do not presume to guess at what you know but do
not demonstrate. This is because what you offer to the class is what you
and others learn from. I expect the average level of participation to
satisfy the criteria for a "3".
Participation Criteria
Grade Criteria
0 Absent
1 Tries to respond when called, but does not offer much. Demonstrates very
infrequent involvement in discussion

2 Demonstrates adequate preparation. Offers straightforward information without

elaboration. Demonstrates sporadic involvement in discussion

3 Demonstrates good preparation. Offers interpretation and analysis. Responds to

other students constructively. Demonstrates consistent ongoing involvement

4 Demonstrates excellent preparation. Offers analysis and synthesis. Puts together

pieces of the discussion to develop new approaches.
Cont’d…Classroom Policies
3. Assignments/Projects
• Deadlines are assigned as part of an overall evaluation strategy, to create the
opportunity for students to receive timely feedback on their submitted work
and to enhance their learning.
• Organizing assignments and meeting deadlines cultivates important skills; this
is part of the development of a professional.
• Adherence to deadlines has implications for others, including instructors who
are responsible for meeting deadlines for grade submission, as well as other
students who deserve to receive equitable treatment in the learning
environment.
• It is important for instructors to have some flexibility and discretion to meet
student needs emerging from extenuating circumstances (short-term
difficulties/problems)
Cont’d…Classroom Policies

• All required materials must be submitted/completed by the stated

due date and time.
• A late (date and/or time) assignment will be assessed and graded with
a five percent (5%) decrement for each day it is late, including
holidays and weekends, up to a maximum of 14 calendar days, after
which a grade of zero will be assigned. All assigned work will be
initially graded according to the assignment's original marking
guideline, and then the mark will be reduced as stated.
Cont’d…Classroom Policies

4. Quizzes (25% of Class Standing)

• Pre-test will be given at the beginning of the discussion of the lesson/s, which
the students must read and comprehend. There are also activities and
exercises provided in each lesson. After which, evaluation or post-test is one
of the requirements of the students to be accomplished.
• A missed quiz will receive a zero grade unless prior arrangements have been
made with the course instructor. Exceptions to this may be granted for
unforeseeable events or circumstances, at the discretion of the instructor.
Criteria for Oral Reporting
Content 10 points
Organization 3 points
Delivery 2 points
Visual Aids 1 point
Preparedness 2 points
Audience Interaction 1 point
References 1 point
Total: 20 points
Lessons
Week 1: Introduction to Environmental Science
Week 2: The 7 Environmental Principles
Week 3: Ecological Principles and Concepts
Week 4: Hydrology
Week 5: Atmosphere
Week 6: Soil
Week 7: MIDTERM EXAM
Week 8: Solid Waste Management
Week 9: Nuclear and Hazardous Waste
Week 10: Water Pollution Management
Week 11: Air Pollution
Week 12: Human Impact on the Environment
Week 13: A Strategy and Actions for Sustainable Living and Development
Week 14: FINAL EXAMINATION
Lesson 1 – Week 1
INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Environmental Science and its Interrelationship with other sciences

Components of Environmental Science
Importance of Studying Environmental Science
The Environmental Ethics
The Three Ethical Perspectives Toward the Natural World
The Role of Environmental Education
The Environmental Attitudes
The Environmental Organizations
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:
a. understand the fundamental concepts of environmental science;
b. describe its interrelationship with other sciences;
c. enumerate the components of environmental science;
d. understand the importance of studying Environmental Science
e. define environmental ethics;
f. determine the three ethical perspectives toward the natural world;
g. Understand the importance of environmental education;
h. enlighten with environmental attitudes; and
i. contribute ideas to an environmental organization.
Activities/Exercises
Create an environmental organization, then present your
• Organization’s name
• Objectives
• Projects
• Advocacies
CRITERIA:
Relevance to the topic ……………… 5
Presentation/Organization ………… 5
Creativity ………………….. 5
Reflective Ideas …………………… 5
TOTAL 20 points
Lesson 2 - Week 2
THE SEVEN ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES

Principle 1: Nature Knows Best

Principle 2: All Forms of Life are Important
Principle 3: Everything Related to Everything Else
Principle 4: Everything Changes
Principle 5: Everything Must Go Somewhere
Principle 6: Ours is a Finite Earth
Principle 7: Nature is Beautiful and We are the Stewards of God’s Creation
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:

● determine the 7 environmental principles;

● understand the fundamental concept of interdependence and
equal importance of all forms of life on earth;
● recognize the importance of environmental principles to the
establishment of genuine advocacy and action towards
environmental conservation and sustainability; and
● understand the social responsibilities of humans to apply these
principles to protect the natural environment.
Lesson 3 - Week 3
ECOSYSTEM

The Roles of Organism in the Ecosystem

Ecological Succession
Factors Influencing Succession
Types of Succession
Global Biogeochemical Cycles
Environmental Impacts
Types of Ecosystem
Learning Outcomes
After studying this lesson, the students should be able to:
• Analyze the roles of organism in the ecosystem;
• Describe ecological succession;
• Identify the factors influencing succession;
• Determine the types of succession
• Illustrate the biochemical cycle;
• Analyze the environmental impacts; and
• Familiarize on the different types of ecosystem
Exercises/Activities
1. Interactive Output
Create an interactive output of an ecosystem, the roles of organisms in it, how do ecological succession
occurs, and the types of succession. It could be in a form of scrap book, pamphlets, brochure, or
magazine-look like.
CRITERIA:
Content …………………… 5
Presentation/Organization …………………… 5
Creativity …………………… 5
Reflection …………………… 5
TOTAL 20 points
2. Picture Analysis
Students will contemplate each given picture and state their analysis on
one whole sheet of paper.
Lesson 4 - Week 4
HYDROLOGY
• Water
• Essentialities of Water
• Physical Properties of Water
• Chemical Properties of Water
• Most Abundant Element Found in Sea Water
• Most Abundant Compounds in Sea Water
• Kinds of Water
• Types of Water
• Hydrologic Cycle
• Water Treatment
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
● define water;
● identify the essentialities of water;
● differentiate the properties of water;
● determine the most abundant element and compounds in seawater;
● discuss the kinds and types of water;
● explain the hydrologic cycle;
● illustrate the processes of water treatment; and
● appreciate the importance of water in our daily life.
Exercises/Activities
MAKING OF INTERACTIVE DIAGRAM
Students will create interactive diagram of how hydrologic cycle occurs.
Materials:
¼ Illustration board
Art materials
CRITERIA:
Content ………………….. 5
Presentation/Organization … 5
Accuracy of Ideas …………………5
Creativity …………………… 5
TOTAL 20 points
Lesson 5 - Week 5
ATMOSPHERE
• Meteorology
• The Earth’s Atmosphere
• Composition of the Atmosphere
• The Air in the Atmosphere
• Weather and Climate
• Elements of Weather
• Clouds
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
a) understand the Earth’s atmosphere;
b) define meteorology;
c) explain the structure of the Earth’s atmosphere;
d) discuss the difference between weather and climate; and
e) appreciate the roles of clouds in our daily life.
Exercises/Activities
3-DIMENSIONAL MODEL
Create a 3-D Model of the Composition of the Atmosphere
CRITERIA:
Relevance to the topic ……………5
Presentation/Organization …… 5
Creativity ………………….. 5
Aesthetic Beauty ……………………5
TOTAL 20 points
Lesson 6 - Week 6
SOIL
• Geologic Processes
• Soil and Land
• Soil Formation
• Properties of Soil
• Soil Erosion
• Soil Conservation
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
a) describe the soil and its order;
b) familiarize with the ecologic processes;
c) define and differentiate soil and land;
d) enumerate and identify the different soil properties; and
e) appreciate the role of soil conservation.
Week 7 – MID TERM EXAMINATION
• May 16 – 20, 2023
Lesson 7
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
• Introduction to Solid Waste Management
• Solid Waste Management Policies, Regulations, Acts, Programs, and
Ordinances
• Solid Waste
• Waste Disposal Methods
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
a) discuss the importance of solid waste management;
b) compare and contrast the different waste generated from different places
of origin;
c) describe the types of waste disposal method and identify its advantages
and disadvantages;
d) realize the importance of solid waste management and proper handling
of waste through the existing waste management methods; and
e) determine the laws governing the implementation of waste management
programs locally and abroad.
Lesson 8
HAZARDOUS AND NUCLEAR MATERIALS
• Nuclear Waste
• Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites
• Radioactive Waste
• Effects of Contamination
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
a) define and identify the different hazardous and nuclear materials;
b) classify hazardous waste disposed sites;
c) explain radioactive waste and contamination; and
d) evaluate the effects of contamination.
Activity 1: TABLE COMPLETION – Types of Solid Wastes
Complete the needed data in the table to describe the type of waste that are usually generated
from the given places
SOURCE TYPICAL WASTE GENERATORS TYPES OF SOLID
WASTES
Residential Single and multifamily dwellings
Industrial Light and heavy manufacturing, fabrication ,construction
sites, power and chemical plants
Commercial Stores, hotels, restaurants, markets, office buildings
Institutional Schools, hospitals, prisons, government center
Municipal/City Street cleaning, landscaping, parks, beaches, other
Services recreational areas, water and waste water treatment plants
Construction New construction sites, road repair, renovation sites,
and Demolition demolition of buildings
Manufacturing/ Heavy and light manufacturing, refineries, chemical plants,
Processsing power plants,, mineral extraction and processing
Plants
Agriculture Crops, orchards, vineyards, dairies, feedlots, farms
Activity 2
Students are asked to cite the pros and cons of using Landfills as one of
the Waste Disposal Methods thru the use of Venn Diagram.
CRITERIA:
Relevance to the Topic ……………5
Presentation/Organization ………5
Creativity ………………….. 5
Appropriateness of Data …………5
TOTAL 20 points
Lesson 9
WATER POLLUTION MANAGEMENT
• Introduction
• Categories of Water Pollution
• Causes of Water Pollution
• Oil Pollution
• How Wastewater Treatment Works
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
a) Define water pollution;
b) Describe the categories and causes of water pollution;
c) Identify the effects of water pollution; and
d) Differentiate the process of wastewater treatment
Exercises/Activities
CONDUCTING A BRIEF AND CONCISE RESEARCH STUDY
Students are asked to conduct a brief and concise research study about
River/Water Pollution.
• Where it is located?
• What types of pollution are affecting it?
• How did the nearby people react in the condition of the river or the
body of water you are studying?
• Why do you think river or water pollution took place?
• Get information and make an audio-visual presentation
Exercises/Activities
CONDUCTING A BRIEF AND CONCISE RESEARCH STUDY
Students are asked to conduct a brief and concise research study about
River/Water Pollution.
• Where it is located?
• What types of pollution are affecting it?
• How did the nearby people react in the condition of the river or the
body of water you are studying?
• Why do you think river or water pollution took place?
• Get information and make an audio-visual presentation
Lesson 10
AIR POLLUTION
• Sources of Air Pollution
• Major Air Pollutants
• Acid Deposition
• Ozone Depletion
• Global Warming
• Regional Impacts of Global Warming
• The Montreal Protocol
• Montreal Protocol Control Measures
• The Kyoto Protocol
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
a) familiarize with the nature and scope of air pollution;
b) be informed of the recent status of the atmosphere; and
c) commence ways on how to protect the atmosphere.
Exercises/Activities
Making of Advertisement
Students are asked to make their creative, innovative, and unique
advertisements on how to reduce air pollution and protect and save
the atmosphere.
CRITERIA:
Relevance to the Topic ………………….. 5
Presentation ………………….. 5
Creativity ………………….. 5
Uniqueness …………………… 5
TOTAL 20 points
Lesson 11
HUMAN IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

• Introduction
• Negative Impact
• Positive Impact
• Effects of Technology
• Loss of Biodiversity
• Causes of Biodiversity Loss
• Habitat Destruction
• Some Facts about Human Population and Resource Consumption
• Conservation Biology
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
a) describe the human impact on the environment;
b) identify the factors of human impact on the environment; and
c) appreciate the responsibility of humans to protect the natural
environment.
Exercises/Activities
Short Video Clip Watching and Reflection
Students are asked to watch a short video about “Human Activities that Threaten Biodiversity”
that can be found on https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-
ecology/hs-human-impact-on-ecosystems/v/human-activities-that-threaten-biodiversity.
• Write a reflection about the video.
• Why is our biodiversity been threatened?
• What are the applications you can do or give with regards to our present environment?

CRITERIA:
Content ………………….. 5
Organization of Ideas ………5
Accuracy of Ideas …………… 5
Grammar …………………… 5
TOTAL 20 points
Lesson 12
A STRATEGY AND ACTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING AND
DEVELOPMENT
• Earth’s Carrying Capacity
• A Strategy of Care for Planet Earth
• The Principles of Sustainable Living
• The Concept of Earth Capital in Sustainable Living
• Sustainable Economy
• RA 7611 – Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan Act
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
• identify the factors of human impact on sustainability;
• define earth’s carrying capacity;
• define sustainability and sustainable development;
• understand the fundamental environmental, social, and economic issues
underlying sustainability
• understand the importance of carrying capacity in sustainable development;
• understand the social responsibility of humans to protect the natural
environment;
• display an appreciation for the love and care of nature; and
• determine the law governing the planning and implementation of a strategic
environmental plan for the province of Palawan
WEEK 14 – FINAL EXAMINATION
• June 29 – July 3, 2023