The 7 Environmental Principles PDF

Society for the Conserv ation of Philippine Wetlands. Inc. Environment …“immediate surroundings of an individual” …”is a complex system that deals with a network of living and non-living entities” Includes: Physical Components (air, water, land, energy) Biological Components (plants, animal...

Society for the Conserv ation of Philippine Wetlands. Inc. Environment …“immediate surroundings of an individual” …”is a complex system that deals with a network of living and non-living entities” Includes: Physical Components (air, water, land, energy) Biological Components (plants, animals) Socio-Economic Components (people, communities, institutions, values)  The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner) I. Everything is connected to everything else. Ecosystem is the basic functional unit of nature is the interaction of the community (living components) and the non-living environment The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner) The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner)  Philippine Ecosystem The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner) Forest Ecosystems Is a community of trees, shrubs, herbs, microorganisms and animals, the trees being the most obvious living structure Marginal Lands/Uplands Public lands that are hilly to mountainous and greater than 18% slope, including the table land and plateaus lying at elevations which are not normally suited to wet rice unless some form of terracing and ground water exists Protected Areas Areas of remarkable and outstanding features considered as biologically important and are habitats or rare and endangered species.  Philippine Ecosystem The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner) Freshwater and Wetlands Areas of marsh, fen, peatland, or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish, or salt, including areas of marine water, the depth does not exceed six meters. Lowland/Agricultural Ecosystems Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Home to 59% of the country’s total population (70% of total municipalities and most of the country’s major cities are located here) Urban Ecosystems  The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner) II. All forms of life are important (thus, the need for biodiversity)  All organisms have a role in the ecosystem (niche) The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner)  Biological Diversity or Biodiversity The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner) …”is the variety of all life forms on Earth – plants, animals, microorganisms…” Ecosystems diversity - interdependence within species Species diversity – basic unit of biological classification Genetic Diversity – variation within species http://www.regentsprep.org/regents/biology/units/ecology/biodiversitycomparison. gif  The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner) III. Everything must go somewhere (thus, too much can cause pollution)  Waste Management  Environmental Management Systems  The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner) IV. Ours is a finite earth (thus, the need for conservation)  Trends in Paradigm Preservation Conservation Sustainable (no touch) (Wise Use) Development The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner)  Sustainable Development The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner) …”development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs.” Taken from the Brundtland Report “Our Common Future”, 1987.  Natural Resource Management The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner) Natural Resources can be classified into:  renewable (forest)  non-renewable (minerals)  Natural Resource Management Approach The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner)  Reforestation, community-based management  Soil and water conservation techniques, e.g. agroforestry  Biodiversity Conservation through PA establishment  Regulation of Wildlife Trade  Ex-situ conservation techniques  Integrated coastal resources management  Environment-friendly aquaculture  Solid Waste Management  Community Organizing/involvement  The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner) V. Nature knows best (thus, the need for ecological technology) “Nature must be obeyed first before it can be commanded”  Humans should first understand nature and follow its laws  Humans should not go against natural processes if we want a sustained yield of natural resources  The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner) Natural Processes Food Chain Energy Flow Diversity Evolution Ecological succession Ecological control or cybernetics Biogeochemical cycles (e.g. carbon-oxygen cycle, nitrogen cycle, water cycle)  The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner) Disruptions are in the form of:  Illegal logging  Indiscriminate kaingin-making and forest fires  Dynamite and cyanide fishing  Habitat destruction resulting in biodiversity loss Can you think of other disruptions?  The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner) VI. Nature is beautiful and we are stewards of God’s creation  Divinity in all forms of life.  Religion is one of the most influential aspects that affect values and environment.  The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner) VII. Everything changes. Linear change – evolution of species Cyclical Change – influenced by time such as seasons Random Change – eruption of Mt Pinatubo  SUMMARY The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner) 1. Everything is Connected to Everything Else  Ecosystem 2. All forms of life are important  Roles and niches, biodiversity 3. Everything Must Go Somewhere  There is no ‘away’ 4. Ours is a finite Earth  No touch, wise use, sustainable development 5. Nature knows best  Nature must be obeyed first before it can be commanded 6. Nature is Beautiful and We are Stewards of God’s Creation  Religion is one of the most influential aspects that affect values and environment 7. Everything Changes  Linear, cyclical, random 22  The Seven Environmental Principles (Barry Commoner) Workshop  Connect ideas from the game with any of the abovementioned principles  Discuss relevance in everyday life.