1. Enabling Approaches to Sustainability SESSION 3 Ruth Sarra Guzman
Professor, Rizal Technological University
and Board Chair, PATLEPAM
Manila, Philippines

2. Outline Introduction The Ecosystem Perspective -
Basic Ecological Principles
Environmental Principles
Ensuring Environmental Sustainability
Sustainable Development Paradigm
Social, Economic and Ecological Perspectives

3. SD and Climate Change Sustainable Climate Climate development change
policies
Alternative development pathways
Sectoral environment/ economic policies
Institutional/managerial changes
Innovation/ technological change
Climate
change
policies
Climate
change
Avoided climate change damage
Ancillary benefits/costs
Spillovers/trade effects
Innovation/technological change
Sustainable
development
Two-way linkages between climate change and sustainable development. Source: Swart et.al (2003)

5. 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

6. 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

7. The State of Environment
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
Mayon Volcano
Candidates for the
NEW 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD
Chocolate Hills
Tubbataha Reef

8. The State of Environment
Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor
Center of the center of marine shorefish diversity in the world
(Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion)

9. The State of Environment
Philippine Water Resources
Water Supply = Bcu.m
Water Consumption = Bcu.m
Consumption Ratio = %

10. The State of Environment
One of the hottest ‘hot spots’ in habitat destruction

11. 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

12. 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)

13. 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

14. 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

15. The State of Environment
TSP levels above the standards by as much as 200% causing adverse health impacts

16. The State of Environment
In 2000, 76M Filipinos generated over 10 million tons of municipal solid wastes.
In 2007, waste generated was million tons.
On 2012, waste projection is pegged at 14 million tons

17. The State of Environment
VAST MINERAL RESOURCES
Only 1.4% being exploited
30% or 9 Million Hectares
High-Potential
70%
Low-Medium Potential
Mineral Land Distribution
(As % of Total Philippine Land Area)
Land Area: 30 million Hectares

18. Global catastrophes are happening…
And will continue to happen…

19. THE NEED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
PRESENTLY
Alarming rate of environmental degradation
Adverse environmental issues and problems
Bring havoc and poses a very serious problem

20. GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS –
DO WE KNOW THEM ALL?
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
Problems develop faster than man’s ability to resolve them. Goes beyond Man’s own “carrying capacity”. There is blatant abuse of the environment.

21. 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 Act, 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

22. Finiteness of Resources
Ours is a Finite Earth
Ang Kalikasan ay may Hangganan

23. 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.

24. Materials Cycle/Pollution
Everything Must Go Somewhere
Ang Lahat ay may Patutunguhan

25. GARBAGE DISPOSAL MENTALITY
THE LINEAR SOCIETY
Resources
Production
Consumption
WASTE
Waste Disposal Industry
Waste Regulation Industry
Where shall we put it?
Is it safe?
GARBAGE DISPOSAL MENTALITY

26. Balance of Nature
Nature Knows Best
Ang Kalikasan ang Mas Nakakaalam

27. Diversity and Stability
All Forms of Life are Important
Ang Lahat ng Uri ng may Buhay ay Mahalaga

28. Change
Everything Changes
Ang Lahat ay Nagbabago

29. CHANGES Cyclic Seasons Night and Day Tides
Biogeochemical: C-O, N, P, S, Cycles
Hydrologic Cycle

30. Linear
Erosion
Corrosion of metals
Extinction of Species

31. Random/Catastrophic Volcanic eruptions Earthquakes Meteor showers
Landslides, Mudslides
Floods

32. Interdependence
Everything is Connected to Everything Else
Ang Lahat ay Magkaugnay

33. CONCEPT OF INTERDEPENDENCE
COMPLEX INTERACTIONS EXIST BETWEEN THE LIVING AND NON-LIVING COMPONENTS OF THE ECOSYSTEM.

34. CONCEPT OF INTERDEPENDENCE
The structure and function of ecological systems are interrelated with socio-economic systems.
SOCIOECONOMIC SYSTEM
ECOLOGICAL
SYSTEM

35. Thank you