CLIMATE CHANGE:

Mans Abuse to The Laws of Nature

Carla Angela O. Ladrido

10 Charity

Mr. Normon Laurista

Social Studies Teacher

2015 2016

I.

Introduction
For years we have suffered the effects of the abuses made by man to nature. One of this is

Climate change. This fight have spanned across the globe in over decades. But what really is this
fight all about? According to Oxford dictionary, Climate change refers to the changes in the
earth's weather, including changes in temperature, wind patterns and rainfall, especially the
increase in the temperature of the earth's atmosphere that is caused by the increase of particular
gases, especially carbon dioxide. This definition is also supported by Senator Loren Legarda in
her Documentary Buhos on climate change. But according to an article of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration in the US, Climate change is a normal part of the Earths
natural variability, which is related to interactions among the atmosphere, ocean, and land, as
well as changes in the amount of solar radiation reaching the earth. This has naturally existed in
the past, but as years pass the definition has changed into something negative that sees this
change as life threatening to humanity.
As mentioned earlier, Senator Loren Legarda discussed the factors and fatal effects of
climate change. Major points were focused on pollution, factories and industries, consumerism
and commercialism, waste of energy and population inflation. All of these factors are interrelated
in a way that it all tied in on the rapid growth of population. As of 2014, the population of the
Philippines has reached up to a 100 million. Thus, Food security, health, availability of space and
access to basic needs became big issues being currently faced. With pollution being a major
factor in the worsening of climate change, we have also witnessed Mother Natures fury among
our people because of the accumulation of plastic bags clogging our canals and wastes on the
streets. When heavy typhoons crash, a flood is immediately expected, including a high toll of
deaths to occur. And also the El Nino phenomenon that is worsening, especially this 2016 that is
expected to be the hottest according to Inquirer.com. And we are not the only country suffering.
As we have seen, authorities nationwide have brought their campaigns to combat climate
change. One of them has been Pope Francis, whom has made his 2 nd encyclical letter last June
18, 2015focusing on this problem, with it named as Laudato Si. Last December 2015 on a
Climate change conference held in Paris, Pope Francis said its now or never for the
international community to start effectively curbing climate change.

Every year the problems are getting worse, he said. We are at the limits. If I may use
a strong word I would say that we are at the limits of suicide.
In response to the world slowly burning, what can we possibly do?

II.

Discussion
First we must address the factors and effects brought upon by climate change. From the

documentary Buhos, there are five main factors that cause the rapid heating of the earth: 1)
Pollution, 2) Factories and industries, 3) Consumerism and commercialism, 4) waste of energy
and 5) Population inflation
And in accordance to this, there are also five main effects stemmed from these causes:
1) Animal extinction, 2) El Nino Phenomenon, 3) Agricultural threats, 4) Disease and 5)
Flooding
One form of pollution is seen from the smoke belching, cigarette smoking and black
cloud masses exhumed by factories. Air pollution has made its contribution and is frequently
witnessed in the Philippines. This includes greenhouse gases. One of these is carbon dioxide, a
common part of the exhaust from cars and trucks. Greenhouse gases cause global warming by
trapping heat from the Sun in the Earths atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are a natural part of
Earths atmosphere, but in the last 150 years or so, the amount in our atmosphere has increased.
The increase comes from car exhaust and pollutants released from smokestacks at factories and
power plants. The increase in greenhouses gases is the cause of most of the global warming that
happened over the past century. Scientists predict that much more warming will likely happen
during the next century.
As aforementioned, Factories and industries also made an impact on our environment.
Factory farming accounts for 37% of methane (CH4) emissions, which has more than 20 times
the global warming potential of Carbon Dioxide (CO2). In 2013, direct industrial greenhouse gas
emissions accounted for approximately 21% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making it
the third largest contributor to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, after the Electricity and
Transportation sectors. While in the UK, Five companies in Britain produce more carbon dioxide

pollution together than all the motorists on UK roads combined, according to new figures which
reveal heavy industry's contribution to climate change. But these largescale factories cannot be
abruptly stopped.
These types of things are inevitable, such as the creation of new technology along with
these massive industries, It is a sign of mans progress as according to Senator Legarda. But
we cannot deny the effects brought upon by these industries such as the melting of the northern
ice caps that add to the water level and thus make it more possible for flooding. And because of
this, animals such as polar bears are now endangered because of the treat to their homes.
In relation to booming industries and modern technological progress, commercialism and
consumerism has been a problem. In the 70th UN General Assembly during September of last
year, Pope Francis blamed environmental degradation on a selfish and boundless thirst for
power and material prosperity that causes untold suffering for the poor who are cast off by
society. It is also mentioned in Laudato si that tackles the throwaway culture evident in modern
society. This culture is heavily influenced by consumerism wherein it refers to the
overconsumption of and excessive production of short-lived or disposable items. Items especially
non-biodegradable materials such as plastic, continue to pile up until large masses accumulates
across the globe.
Another characteristic of the throwaway culture is the waste of resources such as gasoline
and electricity. The primary environmental effect of energy overuse is an increase in your carbon
footprint and also contributes to total greenhouse gas emissions.
Lastly, Population growth impacts climate change and global warming. There is no doubt
about this fact, for more people means more needs. And more needs means there must me more
production in order to satisfy these growing needs. Thus, pollution becomes inevitable caused by
factories and industries, energy wastes and also from the throwaway culture of humans. All these
are inextricably linked such that the El Nino phenomenon serves as proof. As greenhouse gases
increase due to mass production, the length of hot days increases which also affects our
agricultural sectors and threat the food security in our country. And because of the rise in
temperature, diseases such as malaria and dengue also become rampant due to insects such as
mosquitos that go out in hot weather.

III.

Action

IV.

We cant stop population growth and industries

Spread awareness and educate the masses (social media)
Be energy efficient (report smoke belchers, use transportation)
(Nizza Regalado) Gathering plastic bottles
Encourage research in high schools and colleges. Mealworms

Laudato Si

Pollution and throwaway culture

Global consensus (dialogue)
Progress?
Market
Consumerism
Commercialism
Aldub
Simplicity (church of the poor)

http://www.ensaa.eu/index.php/climate-change/97-defining-climate-change.html
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/climate/Climatechange.pdf
http://time.com/4132104/paris-climate-conference-pope-francis/
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Atmosphere/pollution_climate_change.html
https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-factory-farms-and-environment
http://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/sources/industry.html
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2006/may/16/pollution.uk
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Throw-away_society
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/effects-overusing-energy-78753.html