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GOV. ALFONSO D. TAN COLLEGE

INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Maloro, Tangub City

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY (GE STS)

UNIT 3: ISSUES IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY

In this unit, deals with various issues in the society related to science
and technology. Some of these issues are climate change, impact of the
information age, nanotechnology, and genetically modified organisms.

Unit Intended Learning Outcome:

1. Connect learned concepts to the development of the information age
and its impact on society (CILO 5)
2. Illustrate how the social media and the information age have impacted
our lives (CILO 6)
3. Develop an innovative output that help improve the lives of people in the
society. (CILO 4, 5)

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 MODULE V

LESSON 1 BIODIVERSITY AND A HEALTHY SOCIETY

“Without biodiversity, there is no future for humanity,” says Prof David Macdonald, at Oxford
University. It is the variety of life on Earth, in all its forms and all its interactions. Biodiversity
is the most complex feature of our planet and it is the most vital.

Biodiversity underpins life on Earth, and refers to the variety found in biota from genetic
makeup of plants and animals to cultural diversity. People depend on biodiversity in their
daily lives, in ways that are not always apparent or appreciated. Human health ultimately
depends upon ecosystem products and services such as availability of fresh water, food
and fuel sources which are requisite for good human health and productive livelihoods.
Health is therefore one of the most important indicators of sustainable development.
Biodiversity is the foundation for human health. By securing the life-sustaining goods and
services which biodiversity provides to us, the conservation and sustainable use of
biodiversity can provide significant benefits to our health.

Additionally, biophysical diversity of microorganisms, flora and fauna provides extensive

knowledge which carry important benefits for biological, health, and pharmacological
sciences. Significant medical and pharmacological discoveries are made through greater
understanding of the earth's biodiversity. Loss in biodiversity may limit discovery of potential
treatments for many diseases and health problems.

At the end of this section, you will be able to:

1. develop a deeper understanding in our biodiversity and healthy society’s importance; and
2. integrate new ideas to help sustain our biodiversity and achieve a healthy society.

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 Biodiversity provides numerous ecosystem services that are crucial to human well-
being at present and in the future. Climate is an integral part of ecosystem functioning and
human health is impacted directly and indirectly by results of climatic conditions upon
terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Marine biodiversity is affected by ocean acidification
related to levels of carbon in the atmosphere. Terrestrial biodiversity is influenced by climate
variability, such as extreme weather events like drought and flooding, which directly
influence ecosystem health and the productivity and availability of ecosystem goods and
services for human use. Longer term changes in climate affect the viability and health of
ecosystems, influencing shifts in the distribution of plants, pathogens, animals, and even
human settlements. Biodiversity loss can have significant direct human health impacts if
ecosystem services are no longer adequate to meet social needs. Indirectly, changes in
ecosystem services affect livelihoods, income, and local migration and, on occasion, may
even cause political conflict.

The term was coined in 1985 – a contraction of “biological diversity” – but the huge global
biodiversity losses now becoming apparent represent a crisis equalling – or quite possibly
surpassing – climate change. More formally, biodiversity comprises several levels, starting
with genes, then individual species, then communities of creatures and finally entire
ecosystems, such as forests or coral reefs, where life interplays with the physical
environment. These myriad interactions have made Earth habitable for billions of years.

A more philosophical way of viewing biodiversity is this: it represents the knowledge learned
by evolving species over millions of years about how to survive through the vastly varying
environmental conditions Earth has experienced. Seen like that, experts warn, humanity is
currently “burning the library of life”. The concern is that many species are being lost before
we are even aware of them, or the role they play in the circle of life.
The extinction rate of species is now thought to be about 1,000 times higher than before
humans dominated the planet, which may be even faster than the losses after a giant
meteorite wiped out the dinosaurs 65m years ago. The sixth mass extinction in geological
history has already begun, according to some scientists.

Species extinction provides a clear but narrow window on the destruction of biodiversity –
it is the disappearance of the last member of a group that is by definition rare. But new
studies are examining the drop in the total number of animals, capturing the plight of the
world’s most common creatures. The results are scary. Billions of individual populations
have been lost all over the planet, with the number of animals living on Earth having plunged
by half since 1970. Abandoning the normally sober tone of scientific papers, researchers
call the massive loss of wildlife a “biological annihilation” representing a “frightening assault
on the foundations of human civilization”.

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Summary

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms. It includes every living thing—the
common, the ordinary, the ugly, and even those organisms’ invisible to the naked eye. Also,
biodiversity refers to more than individual species. It includes the genes they contain, and
the ecosystems and habitats of which they form part. Biodiversity is essential for supporting
human life on earth. The health of the natural environment depends on continuing diversity;
for instance, if one species is lost from an ecosystem, then all the other species in that
ecosystem are affected. Therefore, it needs proper nurturement because in the first place,
we highly depend on it and a healthy biodiversity results in a healthy society.

Answer the following questions briefly:

1. What is biodiversity?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________
2. What does biodiversity mean for human health? What are the nutritional impacts of
biodiversity? What are threats to biodiversity and health?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________
3. How human activities affect biodiversity?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

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Essay Rubric

4 3 2 1
Features
Expert Accomplished Capable Beginner
Piece was written in Piece had little style
Piece was written in an
an extraordinary style or voice Piece had no style or voice
interesting style and voice
Quality of and voice
Writing Gives some new Gives no new information
Somewhat informative
Very informative and information but poorly and very poorly organized
and organized
well-organized organized
So many spelling,
Grammar, Virtually no spelling, Few spelling and A number of spelling,
punctuation and grammatical
Usage & punctuation or punctuation errors, minor punctuation or
errors that it interferes with
Mechanics grammatical errors grammatical errors grammatical errors
the meaning

Teacher‘s
Comments

6
LESSON 2 GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMOs) AND GENE

THERAPY

Modern bio technology has allowed the movement of genetic material across
unrelated species, something impossible with the traditional breeding methods. This
intentional transfer of genetic material has in turn brought biotechnology out from the
laboratory to the field. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms whose
genetic material has been artificially modified to change their characteristics in some way
or another. It refers broadly to organisms that are produced when selected individual genes
are transferred from a given donor organism into another target organism, typically
conferring desired properties to the new organism. In essence, “genetic modification” or
“genetic engineering” techniques enable scientists to find individual genes that control
particular characteristics, separate them from the original source, and transfer them directly
into the cells of an animal, plant, bacterium, or virus.

Gene therapy is the introduction of nucleic acids into cells for the purpose of altering the
course of a medical condition or disease. In general, with some exceptions, the nucleic
acids are DNA molecules encoding gene products or proteins. The original ideas were
directed toward treating monogenic (single-gene) disorders, but it has become clear that
the gene can be considered a new pharmaceutical agent for treating many types of
diseases. With recent technological advances, gene therapy for treating a wide variety of
diseases is likely to become a reality within the early part of the next century.

At the end of this section, you will be able to:

1. Identify the uses and effects of GMOs and gene therapy on society in terms of health
and economy
2. Enumerate the GMO and gene therapy’s positive and negative impacts to the living
things; and
3. Describe various ethical concerns associated with GMO.

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 GMOs can include plants, animals, and enzymes. Some GMOs have been approved
by regulatory agencies for commercial production and consumption, while others are
currently undergoing regulatory evaluation. Still other GMOs are in experimental stages
and confined to scientific laboratory research. According to the United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA) by 2012, 93% of soybeans, 94% of cotton, and 88% of corn grown in
the U.S. were genetically modified. These are some things that GMO are modified to do:

Pest Resistance (Example: Bt corn): The genome of Bt corn has been modified to
include a gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis which produces a protein
poisonous to the European corn borer, an insect that damages corn crops.

Virus Resistance (Example: GM papaya): Developed at the University of Hawaii, the

genetically modified papaya is resistant to Papaya Ringspot Virus (PRSV) a plant virus
spread predominantly by aphids. The Rainbow papaya variety is produced by introducing a
protein from the PRSV into plant tissue, which confers resistance to the virus. This method
works in much the same way as human influenza virus vaccinations.

Herbicide Tolerance (Example: RoundupReady soybean): Glyphosate is an herbicide

widely used to kill weeds. Tolerance to the herbicide was genetically engineered into
agricultural crops, such as soybeans, allowing farmers to broadly spray their farms without
killing the crops.

Fortification (Example: Golden rice): Engineered to include beta-carotene

biosynthesis genes, Golden rice was developed to address dietary vitamin Ashortages in
the developing world. Rice does not usually produce beta carotene, a precursor of vitamin
A, in the edible portion of the grain. Research is currently being conducted on the
bioavailability of the genetically modified grain.

Cosmetic Preservation (Example: Arctic Apple): Currently in the regulatory pipeline

in the U.S. and Canada, Arctic Apples are genetically engineered to silence the apple gene
responsible for browning due to superficial damage. The technology is being advertised as
cost-saving across the entire apple supply chain.

Increased Growth Rate (Example: AquAdvantage salmon) Genetically modified with

genetic material from the ocean pout (a bottom-dwelling, eel-like fish) and Pacific Chinook
salmon, the AquAdvantage Atlantic salmon is designed to decrease the time it takes for this
farmed salmon to grow to market size. This GE fish is currently undergoing regulatory
review in the U.S.

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 If there is GMO for plants, animals and enzymes, there’s also a genetic modification
being used to help humans fight diseases and it’s called Gene Therapy. Sometimes, there
is a change in a gene’s DNA sequence, such as a substitution, deletion, or duplication. This
is called a mutation and can cause a necessary protein to not work properly or to be missing.
A mutation can be passed from parent to child or can be acquired during a person’s life.
Some changes in genes are harmless, but others can affect our health. Gene mutations
can result in genetic diseases. Gene therapy research has the potential to find ways to treat
diseases that were previously untreatable. Gene therapy typically involves the insertion of
a functioning gene into cells to correct a cellular dysfunction or to provide a new cellular
function. For example, diseases such as cystic fibrosis, combined immunodeficiency
syndromes, muscular dystrophy, hemophilia, and many cancers result from the presence
of defective genes. Gene therapy can be used to correct or replace the defective genes
responsible. Gene therapy has been especially successful in the treatment of combined
immunodeficiency syndromes, showing lasting and remarkable therapeutic benefit. The
goal of gene therapy research is to determine whether a new gene can be used to replace
or inactivate a mutated gene to treat a disease or help the body fight a disease. For a gene
to be delivered into a cell, a transporter is typically used. A transporter is known as a
vector.

The application of genetic modification allows genetic material to be transferred from

any species into plants or other organisms. The introduction of a gene into different cells
can result in different outcomes, and the overall pattern of gene expression can be altered
by the introduction of a single gene. The sequence of the gene and its role in the donor
organism may have a relatively well-characterized function in the organism from which it is
isolated. However, this apparent “precision” in the understanding of a gene does not mean
that the consequences of the transfer are known or can be predicted. Copies of a gene may
be integrated, additional fragments inserted, and gene sequences rearranged and deleted
which may result in lack of operation of the genes instability or interference with other gene
functions possibly cause some potential risks. There are various ethical concerns
associated with GMOs that have been raised including perceived threats to the integrity and
intrinsic value of the organisms involved, to the concept of natural order and integrity of
species, and to the integrity of the ecosystems in which the genetically modified organism
occurs.

Food is integrally entwined with place, culture, environment, and ethics. While the use of
biotechnology tools for genetic engineering is at least 40 years old, the application of these
tools is rapidly evolving. As the science and the tools evolve, so do our perceptions and
understanding of both the tools themselves, and the products they produce. Many fields
such as medicine, industrial research, and agriculture utilize the techniques of genetic
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engineering, but the most heated debates have centered on the use of GMOs in the human
food supply and how these GMOs are regulated. Whilst on gene therapy, most scientists
believe the potential for gene therapy is the most exciting application of DNA science, yet
undertaken. How widely this therapy will be applied, depends on the simplification of
procedure. As gene therapy is rising in the field of medicine, scientists believe that after 20
years, this will be the last cure of every genetic disease. Genes may ultimately be used as
medicine and given as simple intravenous injection of gene transfer vehicles that will seek
our target cells for stable, site-specific chromosomal integration and subsequent gene
expression. And now that a draft of the human genome map is complete, research is
focusing on the function of each gene and the role of the faulty gene play in disease. Gene
therapy will ultimately change our lives forever.

Answer the following questions briefly:

1. What are Genetically Modified Organisms? (GMO)

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________
2. What is Gene Therapy?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________
3. What are the positive effects of GMO and Gene Therapy? How are they going to help
our society?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
4. Are there risks related to the use of GMO and Gene Therapy? What are those risks?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
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 _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________

Essay Rubric

4 3 2 1
Features
Expert Accomplished Capable Beginner
Piece was written in Piece had little style
Piece was written in an
an extraordinary style or voice Piece had no style or voice
interesting style and voice
Quality of and voice
Writing Gives some new Gives no new information
Somewhat informative
Very informative and information but poorly and very poorly organized
and organized
well-organized organized
So many spelling,
Grammar, Virtually no spelling, Few spelling and A number of spelling,
punctuation and grammatical
Usage & punctuation or punctuation errors, minor punctuation or
errors that it interferes with
Mechanics grammatical errors grammatical errors grammatical errors
the meaning

Teachers
Comments

11
LESSON 3 The Nano World and Gene
Therapy (Stem Cells)

Eliciting Ideas: “My Wishlist”

At present, advances in science and technology have become more apparent. Inventions
and new technologies transformed the world and the everyday lives of every one of us.
Many things that were mere visions of the future yesterday are now a reality. But of
course, there are still a lot of tech innovations that remain as a
goal. On the table below, make a wish list of technological
innovations concerning each area of science that you wish one
day will come to reality.

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 Over the past few decades, research has been moving towards the infinitely small -
the nanoworld. The production of nanotechnologies and nanodevices is now occurring at a
rapid pace. Its applications are widely diverse and have affected a variety of fields of science
and industry including energy, environmental science, food security, electronics, and
medicine.

In medicine, nanotechnology promises to revolutionize drug delivery, diagnostic

techniques, and gene therapy. Scientists develop new gene therapy approaches that offer
a promise for one day treating different inherited and acquired diseases.

We have seen the huge potentials of new technologies or fields of study, but how
about the risks? It is important for us to examine the potential for unintended consequences,
especially those related to human and environmental health.

In this module, we will talk about nanotechnology, gene therapy, and their benefits
and
concerns.

1. Discuss the implication of nanotechnology in society.

2. Describe the concept of gene therapy and its various forms.

3. Assess the potential benefits and detriments of nanoworld and stem cell to global

health.

1.1 The Nano World

Just as human understanding of the natural world was revolutionized by the discovery
of light microscopes, modern microscopes that can expose and change individual atoms
are once again exposing a whole new world-the nano world. Scientific researchers
have developed new technological tools that greatly improved different aspects of our lives
through the use of nanoscale.

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 Nanotechnology refers to the science, engineering, and technology conducted at the
nanoscale. It is concerned with building 'things' - generally, materials and devices on the
scale of atoms and molecules. It encompasses science and technology that manufactures
materials of great help to the improvement of various areas of society especially health,
environment, energy, electronics, food, water, and agriculture.

How Small is a Nanoscale?

A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter. The illustration below shows how small nanoscale
is compared to other particles or materials.

How to view Nanomaterials

Scientists use special types of microscopes to view minute nanomaterials. These are the
electron microscopes, and the atomic force microscope and scanning tunneling microscope
which are just among the modern and remarkable advances in microscopy.

1. Electron microscope- It utilizes a particle beam of electrons to light up a specimen and

develop a well-magnified image. The y can magnify objects up to a million times.

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2. Atomic force microscope- It makes use of a mechanical probe that gathers information
from the surface of a material.

2. Scanning tunneling microscope- It enables scientists to view and manipulate nanoscale

particles, atoms, and small molecules.

Nano manufacturing

It refers to scaled-up, reliable, and cost-effective manufacturing of nanoscale materials,

structures, devices, and systems. It leads to the development of new products and improved
materials. Below are the two fundamental approaches to nonmanufacturing.

1. Bottom-up fabrication- It manufactures products by building them up from atomic- and

molecular-scale components. However, this process can be time-consuming. Scientists and
engineers are still in search for effective ways of putting up together molecular components
that self-assemble.

2. Top-down fabrication- It trims down large pieces of materials into nanoscale. This process
needs larger amounts of materials and discards excess raw materials.

Benefits and Concerns of Using Nanotechnology

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Nanotechnology has various applications in different sectors of the society and environment.
However, there are concerns that need to be addressed before using and promoting
materials derived from nanotechnology.

1. Nanotechnology is not a single technology; it may become prevalent.

2. It seeks to develop new materials with specific properties.
3. New efficiencies and paradigms may be introduced that may render certain natural
resources and current
practices uncompetitive or obsolete.
4. It may be complicated to detect its presence unless one has the specialist tools of
nanotechnology.

1.2 Gene Therapy

Medical Science has detected many human diseases related to defective genes. These
types of diseases are not curable by traditional methods like taking readily available
medicines.
Gene therapy is an experimental technique for the treatment or prevention of disease using
genes. In the future, instead of using drugs or surgery, this technique could allow doctors to
treat a disease by inserting a gene into the cells of a patient.

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The Basic Process

There are several approaches to gene therapy. These are the following:

• Replacement of mutated gene that causes disease with a healthy copy of the gene.
• Inactivation of a mutated gene that is functioning improperly.
• Introducing a new gene into the body to help fight a disease.

In general, a gene cannot be directly inserted into a human gene or cell. A gene is inserted
into another gene using a carrier or vector. At present, the most common type of vectors are
viruses that have been genetically changed to carry normal human DNA.

Two Types of Gene Therapy

1. Somatic gene therapy- involves the manipulation of genes in any cells of the body except
sperm and egg cells that will be helpful to the patient but not inherited to the patient's
descendants.

2. Germ-line gene therapy- involves the genetic modification of reproductive cells such as
sperm and egg cells that will pass the change on to the next generation.

Stem Cell Gene Therapy

Have you heard about stem cells in the news? If yes, perhaps you've wondered if they might
help you or your loved one with a serious disease. You may wonder how they're being used
to treat diseases, and why they are being discussed so vigorously.

Stem cells are mother cells that have the potential to become any type of cell in the body.
Under the right conditions in the body or a laboratory, stem cells divide to self-renew or
multiply. They can become cells of the blood, heart, bones, skin, muscles, brain, among
others.

Why is there such an interest in stem cells? Researchers and doctors hope stem cell studies
can help to:

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1. Increase understanding of how diseases occur.

2. Generate healthy cells to replace diseased cells (regenerative medicine).

3. Test new drugs for safety and effectiveness.

Sources of stem cells

1. Embryonic stem cells- are derived from a three to five-day-old human embryo that is in
blastocyst phase of development and has about 150 cells. The embryos are usually extras
that have been created in IVF (in vitro fertilization) clinics where several eggs are fertilized
in a test tube then implanted into a woman.

2. Somatic stem cells- are cells that exist throughout the body after embryonic
development. They are also capable of self-renewal and, with appropriate signals,
differentiate into various cell types from the organ from which they are derived. The extent
to which they are capable of creating various types of cells is controversial.

The Bioethics of Gene Therapy

There are ethical issues involved in gene therapy. Some of the inquiry cited are the following:

1. How can “good” and “bad” uses of gene therapy be distinguished?

2. Who decides which traits are normal and which constitute a disability or disorder?
3. Will the high costs of gene therapy make it available only to the wealthy?
4. Should people be allowed to use gene therapy to enhance human traits such as height,
intelligence, or athletic ability?

A. Make a simple concept map showing the potential and realized impacts of
nanotechnology on society.

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Supply Type
B. Answer the following questions briefly.

1. Would you subject yourself to gene therapy without its 100% assurance of
effectiveness or future negative effects? Why or why not?

2. Should gene therapy be limited to medical concerns only or could it be used for aesthetic
purposes?

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3. Among the various forms of gene therapy, which do you think has the fewest ethical
concerns? Why?

3. Do you think the government should fund researches on human germline gene
therapy? Why or
why not?

C. Complete the following metacognitive phrases.

1. For me, nanotechnology and gene therapy are beneficial to global health because…

2. Even though the nanoworld has provided many great advances, there are also some
alarming concerns about potential health risks because…
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________

3. After seeing the potential benefits and detriments of nanoworld and gene therapy, I
realized that…
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________

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Textbooks:
1. Serafica, et.al. 2018. Science, Technology and Society. Rex Book Store, Inc. 856 Nicanor
Reyes Sr. St., Manila.
2. Doria, et.al. 2018. Science, Technology and Society. Jimczyville Publications. #16 Concha
St., Bgry. Tinajeros, Malabon City.

Online References:
1. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/nano-world/
2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/244972
3. https://www.azonano.com/article/
4. https://www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/what/nano-
5. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/therapy/genetherapy/
6. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-marrow-transplant/in-depth/stem-
cells/art-
20048117
7. https://www.nature.com/scitable/content/embryonic-and-somatic-stem-cells-as-a-
60673/

LESSON 4 CLIMATE CHANGE

Our world is getting warmer at an extremely alarming rate. Most of our wildlife are
near extinction, and we are accumulating too much waste. Do we lose our concern in life as
we become professionals, or we don't care because we thought we are more significant than
our environment? Do we even realize that without the environment, there will be no us?

Scientists are helping to provide information on how humans contribute to climate

change with the discovery of the greenhouse effect. Revealing our acts leads to many
environmental impacts. These impacts are rising temperatures on the atmosphere and
environment, air pollution, ocean acidification, sea-level rise, drought, species extinction,
and extreme weather events are some of the most pressing and challenging global issues
of our time.

Educating ourselves on how we contributed to this problem and what we can do about it are
tiny steps to solve the situation. Adapting to the situation and mitigating the problem are
significant steps to save what we have left and sustain its development. We can save our

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environment if we work together with a shared vision to live a harmonious life with our
environment.

After mastering this chapter, students should be able to:

1. State the meaning of climate change, global warming, and greenhouse effect;
2. Identify the cause of climate change;
3. Understand the impact of climate change on society and the environment;
4. State possible solutions to minimize the implication of climate change; and
5. Be able to take action in preventing climate change.

Climate change

Climate Change is the future shift in average weather patterns across the planet. Our times'
defining issue and that we are in our defining moment. From rising sea levels that increase
the danger of catastrophic flooding, shifting weather patterns that threaten food production,
and global climate change impacts are global in scope and unprecedented in scale. Without
drastic action today, adapting to those impacts within the future is going to be more
challenging.

The Human Fingerprint on Greenhouse Gases

Naturally occurring greenhouse gases are essential to humans' survival and many other
living things by keeping a number of the sun's warmth from reflecting back to space and
making earth livable. But after quite a century and half industrialization, deforestation, and
enormous scale agriculture, quantities of greenhouse gases within the atmosphere have
risen to record levels not seen in three million years. As the populations, economies, and
living standards grow, so does the incremental greenhouse gas(GHGs) emissions.

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There are some basic well-established scientific links consistent with the United Nations:
• The concentration of GHGs within the earth's atmosphere is directly linked to the
typical earth's global temperature;
• The steady rise of concentration, and mean global temperatures alongside it, since
the time of the economic Revolution;
• The most abundant GHG, accounting for about two-thirds of GHGs, CO2, is
essentially produced from burning fossil fuels.

Fact: CO2 takes 100 years to disperse within the atmosphere

What is Global Warming?

Global warming may be a global climate change phenomenon characterized by a general

increase in the world's average temperatures, which modifies the weather balances and
ecosystems for an extended time. It is directly linked to the rise of greenhouse gases in our
atmosphere, worsening the greenhouse effect.

What causes global warming?

The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon. However, the greenhouse gases increase
is connected to human activities. Human activities are very likely the most explanation for
heating since the mid-twentieth century as climate scientist believes, mostly because of:
• Fossil Fuels
The massive use of fossil fuels is clearly the primary source of worldwide warming, as
burning coal, oil and gas produces CO2 - the foremost important greenhouse emission within
the atmosphere - as well as nitrous oxide.
• Deforestation
The exploitation of forests has a significant role in climate change. By absorbing CO2 from
the atmosphere trees help regulate the climate. This positive effect is lost when they are cut
down, and the carbon stored in the trees is released into the atmosphere.
• Intensive Farming
Another explanation for heating is intensive farming, with the ever-increasing livestock and
plant protection products and fertilizers. Cattle, chicken, and hog produce large amounts of
methane when digesting their food, while fertilizers produce nitrous oxide emissions.
• Waste Disposal

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Waste management methods like incineration and landfills emit toxic gases, and greenhouse
gases- including methane- released into the waterways, soil, and atmosphere, contributing
to the greenhouse effects' increase.
• Mining
Modern life is highly dependent on the metallurgical and mining industry. Minerals and metals
are the raw materials utilized in the construction, manufacturing of goods, and transportation.
The extraction of the materials to delivery accounts for five percent of all greenhouse
emissions.
• Overconsumption
Overconsumption also plays a severe role in global climate change. It's liable for the
overexploitation of natural resources and emissions from international freight
transport, contributing to heating.

Global Warming Effects

The following are some consequences that are documented within the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Special Report on Global Warming:

1. On biodiversity
The increase of temperatures and the radical change in climate disturb the ecosystems and
modify plant reproduction conditions and cycles. The scarcity of resources and global climate
change are changing life habits and migratory cycles of animals. Today we are already
witnessing the many species' disappearance, conversely, the intrusion of invasive species
threatening crops and animals. Global warming has huge impacts on biodiversity.
Biodiversity's balance is modified and threatened. According to the IPCC, a 15°C (34.7°F)
average rise might put 20-30% of species at risk of extinction. If the earth warms by quite
2°C, most ecosystems will struggle.

2. On oceans
Because of the global rise of temperature, permafrost and ice are melting massively at the
poles, increasing the ocean level at a rate never known before. The rise reached 18 cm
(including 6 cm within the last 20 years). The scenario is a surge of up to 1m by 2100 is
terrifying. The oceans' acidification is becoming a significant concern. Based on facts, the
large amount of CO2 captured by the oceans makes them more acidic, arousing serious
questions about seashells' adaptability or coral reefs

3. On humans
These upheavals do not spare human beings. The global economy is affected by climate
change. It shakes up social, health, and geopolitical balances in many parts of the world.
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The scarcity of resources like food and energy gives rise to new conflicts. Rising sea levels
and floods are causing population migration. Small island states are in the front line. The
estimated number of climate refugees by 2050 is 250 million people.

4. On the weather
For decades now, meteorologists and climatologists worldwide are watching the
consequences of worldwide warming on weather phenomena. And the impact is enormous:
more droughts and heatwaves, more precipitations, more natural disasters like floods,
hurricanes, storms and wildfires, frost-free season, etc.

Global Warming Prevention

Experts say there are ways to reduce global warming and they are the following:

1. Renewable energies
The first way to prevent global climate change is to avoid using fossil fuels. We need to ship
to renewable energies like solar, wind, biomass and geothermal.

2. Energy and water efficiency

Producing clean energy is important but reducing our consumption of energy and water by
using more efficient devices such as LED light bulbs, innovative shower system is a smaller
amount of costly and equally important.

3. Sustainable transportation
Promoting public transportation, carpooling, and electric and hydrogen mobility can help
reduce CO2 emissions and thus fight global warming.

4. Sustainable infrastructure
To scale back the Carbon Dioxide emissions from buildings caused by heating, using air
conditioning units, hot water, or lighting: it's necessary both to create new low energy
buildings and renovate the prevailing constructions.

5. Sustainable agriculture and forest management

Encouraging better use of natural resources, stopping massive deforestation, and making
agriculture greener and more efficient should also be prioritized.

6. Responsible consumption and recycling

Adopting responsible consumption habits is crucial, be it regarding food (particularly meat),
clothing, cosmetics, or cleaning products. Last but not least, recycling is an absolute
necessity for dealing with waste.
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Activity:
Engage in a free write in response to the term “Climate Change.”

Analysis:
The earth’s climate has changed over the past years; its' warming up at a steady pace.
Scientific works are tackling to understand the world's changing climate. The younger
generations might not notice it, but definitely, the old ones knew. In the early years, there
is no worry about exposing yourself under the sun. The temperature is cooler only during
summer days that you need to use an electric fan.

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 GADTC VISION
GADTC is integral to Tangub City’s becoming a center for
learning and eco-cultural tourism by producing God-centered
citizens committed to be the light of the world.

GADTC MISSION
To provide opportunities for continuing education for faculty
and staff, providing upgraded facilities for quality and research-
based instruction to students towards community engagement
and linkages to industry.

Institute of Arts and Sciences VISION

The GADTC-Institute of Arts and Sciences is the Heart of the
institution in providing humanistic and scientific education
needed to produce holistic individuals who are globally-
competitive and value-oriented professionals appreciative to
both culture and innovations.

Institute of Arts and Sciences MISSION

The GADTC-Institute of Arts and Sciences shall produce
globally competitive and value-oriented professionals who
appreciate tradition and innovation and contribute to the
understanding of the diversity of cultures producing socio-
cultural and environment related researches to further serve
the institute and the community.

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