Environment and National Security Concerns PDF

Environment and National Security Concerns Environment: The environment encompasses all living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) elements in a particular location. This includes physical features like mountains and rivers, as well as biological components such as plants and animals. The e...

Environment and National Security Concerns Environment: The environment encompasses all living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) elements in a particular location. This includes physical features like mountains and rivers, as well as biological components such as plants and animals. The environment significantly impacts the health and survival of life on Earth, providing essential resources like food, air, and water. Importance of the Environment: The environment is crucial for the well-being of all living organisms on Earth. It provides essential resources like food, air, water, and shelter. A healthy environment is vital for the growth and development of individuals and the sustainability of ecosystems. Environmental Protection: Environmental protection involves individual, organizational, and governmental efforts to preserve natural resources and the environment. The goals include conserving resources, mitigating environmental damage, and reversing harmful trends. ○ Individual Actions for Environmental Protection: Using energy-efficient light bulbs. Donating usable items instead of discarding them. Turning off devices when not in use. Walking or cycling for short journeys. Using the recommended detergent dosage. Fixing leaky faucets. Collecting rainwater for various purposes. Environmental Concerns: As of 2019, some of the top environmental concerns include: ○ Biodiversity Loss: Global warming, pollution, and deforestation threaten the variety of life on Earth. Numerous species are facing extinction, potentially leading to a sixth mass extinction event. ○ Water Pollution: Pollution from oil spills, plastic waste, and chemicals harms both human and marine life. ○ Deforestation: The destruction of forests through natural wildfires, illegal logging, and commercial timber harvesting leads to oxygen depletion and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.  ○ Pollution: All forms of pollution—air, water, soil, noise, radioactive, light, and thermal—impact the environment and are interconnected, influencing one another. ○ Climate Change: Greenhouse gas emissions cause global warming and impact sea life, ecosystems, and weather patterns. Rising sea levels and extreme weather events threaten human populations and infrastructure. Seven Environmental Principles: These principles highlight the interconnectedness of nature and the responsibility of humans as stewards of the environment: ○ Nature Knows Best: Disruptions to natural processes have harmful consequences. ○ All Forms of Life Are Important: Every organism plays a role in the ecosystem, including decomposers and pest control agents. Human activities threaten this biodiversity. ○ Everything is Connected to Everything Else: All living organisms and the environment are interconnected. Actions affecting one part of the system impact the whole. ○ Everything Must Go Somewhere: There is no undefined space for waste; it interacts with both living and non-living components of the environment. ○ Ours is a Finite Earth: Earth's resources are limited, and their overuse can have detrimental consequences. ○ Nature is Beautiful and We Are Stewards of God's Creation: Humans have a responsibility to care for the environment. ○ Cooperation: Protecting and managing the environment requires collaborative efforts. National Security: National security refers to the protection and enhancement of a nation's core values, democratic way of life, institutions, unity, welfare, and well-being. The Philippine National Security Council (NSC) emphasizes the integration of domestic, foreign, and military policies to achieve these goals. Threats to National Security in the Philippines: The Philippines faces a variety of internal and external security threats, including: ○ Internal Threats: Territorial Disputes: Conflicts with China over the South China Sea and its resources.  Terrorism: Extremist groups like Abu Sayyaf threaten peace in the southern Philippines. Communist Insurgency: The New People's Army (NPA) engages in guerrilla warfare, destabilizing certain areas. Cybersecurity Threats: Hackers and the spread of disinformation pose risks. Transnational Crimes: Drug and human trafficking persist despite government efforts. Natural Disasters and Climate Change: The country is prone to typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. Rising sea levels and climate change worsen these vulnerabilities. Corruption and Poverty: Corruption hinders the government's ability to address security issues, and poverty increases vulnerability to crime and extremism. ○ External Threats: Foreign Military Tensions: The Philippines is strategically located amidst tensions between global powers like the U.S. and China. Health Crises: Pandemics like COVID-19 expose the need for a stronger healthcare system. Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF): A rebel group aiming to establish an independent Islamic state in the Philippines. Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army/National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF): A persistent threat to national security. Organized Crime: Including drug trafficking, counterfeiting, and smuggling. Poverty: A breeding ground for rebellion, crime, and social unrest. Economic Sabotage: Activities like smuggling and illegal poaching that undermine the economy. Graft and Corruption: Misuse of public resources and weakening of the civil service. Severe Calamities: Food shortages, hoarding, and disease resulting from natural disasters. Environmental Degradation: Pollution, deforestation, and resource depletion threaten long-term security and well-being. Spratly Islands Dispute: Tensions arising from territorial claims and military presence in the region. Transnational Concerns: Smuggling, illegal migration, and terrorist movement across borders.  Regional Economic Disparities: Instability and socio-economic issues within ASEAN countries. Global Economic Disparity: Tensions between rich and poor nations due to resource scarcity. Ethnic, Religious, and Cultural Conflicts: Exacerbated by poverty, resource limitations, and human rights violations. Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs): A global security threat, particularly with the increased accessibility of nuclear materials and the ease of producing chemical and biological weapons. Transnational Organized Crime: A significant threat in the age of globalization, particularly drug trafficking, which contributes significantly to the world economy. Natural Disasters and Environmental Issues: Global population growth, resource consumption, pollution, and climate change strain ecosystems and impact health and social systems. Cybernetic Crime: Increasingly prevalent threats like computer viruses targeting information systems. The source also provides a list of types of security threats, which include: Rebellion or Insurrection: Organized armed resistance against an established authority. Terrorism: The use of violence to create fear and achieve ideological goals. Crime: Acts causing measurable damage or destruction. Murder: Unlawful killing with intent. Hijacking/Highway Robbery: Taking something of value using force or fear. Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention: Taking a person against their will for ransom or other criminal purposes. This reviewer summarizes key points from the source, highlighting important concepts related to the environment and national security in the Philippines. It provides a comprehensive overview of the topics covered in the source document. QUIZ