SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

SLM 3.2 Biotechnology

What is biotechnology?

"It is the process by which raw materials could be

biologically upgraded into socially useful products"

Broad definition
- is the application of biological systems and organisms
to technical and industrial processes.
Narrower definition
is the [direct] manipulation of nature for the benefit of
mankind at the subcellular and molecular levels.
Narrowest definition
"New" biotechnology is the industrial use of
recombinant DNA, cell diffusion, and novel
bioprocessing techniques” (Daba, n.d., slides 3-5).

Timelines
Ancient Biotechnology (Pre 1800) Two Types of Cells:
“Fermented foods and beverages are often discovered
1. Somatic cells– are cells commonly found in the
by accident.
body. If somatic cells’ genetic materials are
These products are used for: ·Flavor and/or texture
changed, the subsequent changes are not
improvement
passed along to offspring. Examples: Organ cells
·Intentional adulteration with bacteria or fungi (molds)
such as skin cells, liver, heart, lungs, etc., which
E.g., Cheese, Bread, Yogurt, Wine, Beer, Sauerkraut, and
vary from one another
others
2. Reproductive cells- are the sperm cells and egg
Classical Biotechnology (From 1800 to the middle of
cells. Subsequent changes in the genetic
the 20th century)
makeup of these cells would be passed along to
 “Industrial exploitation of the fermentation the person’s offspring (UM-School of Medicine,
process for the following products Nd).
 Different types of beverages (like wine, beer,
Gene Therapy and Genetic Engineering
cider, and others)
 Glycerol, Acetone, Butanol The genes determine the growth and function of an
 Lactic acid, Citric acid organism and are inherited from the parents.
 Antibiotics
There are two terms related to gene manipulation that
 Chemical transformations to produce
can be distinguished based on purpose.
therapeutic products
 Substrate + Microbial Enzyme Product Genetic engineering’s goal is to modify the genes to
enhance the capabilities of the organism beyond what is
Modern Biotechnology
normal (University of MissouriSchool of Medicine, n.d.).
Crucial discoveries were reported during the Second
World war period and beyond, which led the path for “Both technologies have ethical controversy for use in
modern biotechnology and its current status. For the plants, animals, and humans. For genetic engineering,
first time, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) mysteries have for example, would it be proper to modify human genes
been demystified by having the “Double Helix” to make.
structural model of it in 1953 by James Watson, Francis
Crick, and Francis Rosalind Franklin. (Brown, n.d.).
Arguments in Favor of Gene Therapy and Genetic 3. It may be becoming irrelevant in some cases. This is
Engineering because the selection of healthy embryos for
implantation is now possible in in-vitro fertilization.
1. Use of gene therapy for the cure and prevention
of some diseases or disorders.
2. Use of genetic engineering as genetically
Some of the pressing questions onbGene Therapy
modified (GM) crops (also known as GMO --
Genetically Modified Organisms in agriculture. (UM-School of Medicine, n.d):

a) Crops resistant to insects and/or pests  “How can the “good” and “bad” uses of these
b) Crops resistant to herbicides and pesticides, which technologies be distinguished?
allow the use of chemicals to be used for such GMO  Who decides which traits are normal and which
crops. constitute a disability or disorder?
c) Crops with greater nutritional value  Will the high costs of gene therapy make it
d) Selective breeding of farm stock, race horses, and available only to the wealthy?
show animals.  Could the widespread use of gene therapy make
e) Insulin from genetically modified bacteria, growth society less accepting of people who are
hormone, a protein used in blood clotting, and other different?
pharmaceuticals  Should people be allowed to use genetic
f) Human physical and behavioral enhancements engineering to enhance basic human traits such
g) Gene selections for offspring. as height, intelligence, or athletic ability?”
Examples of GMO:
Fig. 2. Photos of GMO Crops Arguments Against Genetic Engineering from Ethicists:

1. Uncertainty of the outcome of genetically

engineered creatures that may pose dangerous
consequences.
2. It is against the natural or supernatural order since
Stephen Hawking God has created human genes that we should have for
"With genetic engineering, we will be able to increase our survival.
the complexity of our DNA, and improve the human 3. Dehumanizing. “Genetically engineered people will
race." be alienated from themselves, feel a confused identity,
or no longer feel human, or the human race will feel
ARGUMENTS AGAINST GENE THERAPY alienated from itself” (UM-School of Medicine, n.d).
1. “It is technically too dangerous,” since clinical trial 4. Obsolescence. Hot gene enhancement of one year
attempts caused tragic deaths of participants as shown will be old news several years later.
from various headlines (though the extent attributable 5. A version of “Eugenics through technology,” the
to gene therapy and the extent due to pre-existing view that improvement of the genetics of the human
conditions and improper research techniques were not race is needed;
certain). Example: The human race view as morally abhorrent the
Other considerations are: vectors may be delivered not mass extermination of the Jews took place by the
on target cells; viruses as vectors may even cause German Nazis.
disease; changes may not carry over to new cells and
the person may have to undergo more therapy later; What is cloning?
and, in the case of changing the reproductive cells Reproductive cloning
where the effects can only be seen at later years, the “Reproductive cloning involves the implantation of a
undesirable effects may already have been passed to cloned embryo into a real or an artificial uterus. The
the patient’s offspring. embryo develops into a fetus that is then carried to
2. It discriminates or invites discrimination against term” (Rugnetta, n.d.).
persons with disabilities.
Cloning can be achieved through Somatic Cell Nuclear
Transfer (SCNT) is considered very harmful. Fetuses are
born with birth defects and rarely survive the gestation “better” humans is seen as violating the principles of
period. Examples: 277 tries to create Dolly (sheep human dignity, freedom, and equality (Rugnetta, n.d.).
clone); 100 cloned embryos, none of which gave rise to
pregnancy were implanted into 50 female macaque
monkeys (Rugnetta, n.d.).
It is the process of generating a genetically identical What is a stem cell?
copy of a cell or an organism” (Rugnetta, n.d.). Stem cell is a cell that provides new cells for the body
and replaces specialized cells that are damaged or lost
Dissecting the Difference because of its ability to divide over and over again to
Cloning is the process of generating a genetically produce new cells, and its ability to change or
identical copy of a cell or an organism”(Rugnetta, n.d.). differentiate into other types of cell in the body
(YourGenome, 2021).
Reproductive Cloning
“Reproductive cloning involves the implantation of a Three (3) Types of Stem Cells:
cloned embryo into a real or an artificial uterus. The Embryonic Stem Cells
embryo develops into a fetus that is then carried to Pluripotent cells that can change into any cell. These
term” (Rugnetta, n.d.). cells supply new cells for an embryo as it grows and
Therapeutic Cloning develops into a baby.
Here, the embryo is created just like in reproductive Adult stem cells
cloning, but the resulting "cloned" cells remain in the For the creation of new cells as an organism grows and
lab and are not implanted into a female's uterus. It for replacing damaged cells.These cells are multipotent,
enables the cultivation of stem cells that can meaning, they can only change into some cells in the
differentiate into any of the 200 cell types in the human body, not any cell, for example:
body and are genetically identical to a patient. These
 Blood (or ‘hematopoietic’)stem cells
cells can be transplanted to thepatient with no risk of
 Skin (or ‘epithelial’) stem cells
immune system rejection. Current applications include
the treatment of stroke, spinal cord injury, diabetes, Induced pluripotent stem (iPS cells)
Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s conditions (Rugnetta, n.d.).
Stem cells made in the laboratory by taking normal
adult cells and reprogramming them to become stem
cells. These are also pluripotent and therefore can be
changed into any cell type (YourGenome, 2021).

Ethical Controversy
As of now, globally, human reproductive cloning
remains condemned, due to psychological, social, and
physiological risks, and loss of life associated with
cloning. Also, thorough molecular testing on cloned
embryos is necessary to fully ascertain a healthy embryo
and to check if the cloning process is complete. In
addition, a viable pregnancy is not guaranteed.
The nature of reproduction, human identity, and
eugenics are some of the philosophical issues that also
have been raised. Moreover, the idea of creating
SLM 4.1 Biodiversity
What is ECOLOGY?

Ecology is the science of interactions among organisms

and their physical environment. 1. Terrestrial
It includes Abiotic Factors (non-living forms in the 2. Aquatic
environment such as weather, climate, temperature,
rock, air humidity, water, etc.).
It helps synthesize organic components that involve the
exchange of energy. Biotic Factors or Components
include living organisms, the principal constituent of an
ecosystem.
These factors are inseparable and interdependent,
important in describing the organism's general biology.
It also determines the Ecosystem of the organism and
the Habitat it is dwelling on.

What is an ECOSYSTEM?
The ecosystem is a biological community of living 1. TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEM
species that interact as a system with their
A terrestrial ecosystem is a land-based community of
environment's non-living components.
organisms and the interactions of biotic and abiotic
Habitat is the type of natural environment in which a
components in a given area. They are as follows:
particular species of organism lives. A species' habitat is
where the species can find food, shelter, protection, and
FOREST - GRASSLAND - TUNDRA - DESERT
mates for reproduction

What is a SPECIES?
Species (can be singular and plural in form) is a group of
living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable
of exchanging genes or interbreeding.
The Species is the main natural taxonomic unit, ranking
below a genus and denoted by a Latin binomial, e.g.,
Homo sapiens, the scientific name of humans.

Types of ecosystem
An ecosystem can be as small as an oasis in a desert, or Forest
as big as an ocean, spanning thousands of miles.
A forest is an area of land dominated by trees and 2. Aquatic ecosystem
animals that live in coordination with the abiotic factors Aquatic ecosystems are ecosystems present in a body of
of the environment. water. These can be further divided into two types,
namely:
Freshwater & Marine

Grassland
In a grassland ecosystem, the vegetation is dominated
by grasses and herbs.

FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEM
The freshwater ecosystem is an aquatic ecosystem that
includes lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and wetlands.
These have no salt content in contrast with the marine
ecosystem.
MARINE ECOSYSTEM
The marine ecosystem includes seas and oceans. These
have a more substantial salt content and greater
biodiversity in comparison to the freshwater ecosystem.

Tundra STRUCTURE OF THE ECOSYSTEM?

In physical geography, tundra is a type of biome where The structure of an ecosystem is characterized by the
the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and organization of both biotic and abiotic components. This
short growing seasons includes the distribution of energy in our environment.
It also includes the climatic conditions prevailing in that
particular environment.

Biotic Components
Abiotic Components

The autotrophic, or self-sustaining, species in the

ecosystem utilize the energy from the Sun. These
organisms, mostly green vegetation, can
photosynthesize—that is, they can use the energy of
Desert sunlight to transform carbon dioxide and water into
A desert is a barren area of landscape where little simple, energy-rich carbohydrates.
precipitation occurs and, consequently, living conditions Autotrophs utilize the energy stored in simple
are hostile for plant and animal life. carbohydrates to make more complex organic
substances like proteins, lipids, and starches, which are 2 - The mice eats the grasshoppers.
essential for the organism's survival. 3 - The snake eats the mice.
4 - The eagle eats the snake.
5 - When the hawk die, fungi breaks the bodies down
 Consumers, also known as heterotrophic
and turns into nutrients.
organisms, are creatures that rely on other
6 - The nutrients, along with sun and water, cause the
species for sustenance.
grass to grow.
Categories of consumers:
Primary consumers- herbivorous animals that depend Classification of living organisms
on producers for food are always the primary
consumers. Taxonomy, the nomenclature study for identifying,
Secondary Consumers- energy is supplied by primary characterizing, and classifying organisms, which
consumers. They can either be carnivores or omnivores. comprises all plants, animals, and microbes.
Tertiary consumers are omnivores that rely on
secondary consumers for food. 8 Taxonomic Categories:
Quaternary consumers prey on tertiary consumers for
energy in some food systems. They are also at the top of Domain,
the food chain, with no natural predators. Kingdom,
Decomposers- feed on dead and decaying organic Phylum,
substances directly. Saprophytes such as fungus and Class,
bacteria are decomposers. Decomposers are beneficial Order,
to the environment because they aid in breaking down Family,
organic matter. Genus, and
Species
EXAMPLE OF FOOD WEB Binomial Nomenclature

“NATURE IS A CHAIN REACTION. ONE THING FOLLOWS Definition:

THE OTHER, EVERYTHING IS DEPENDENT ON Binomial nomenclature is a binomial system of naming a
SOMETHING ELSE. THE SMALLEST IS AS IMPORTANT AS species. A binomial name is comprised of two parts.
THE LARGEST.” They are
(1) the generic name (genus name) and
The Food Chains
During this biological process, light energy is converted
into chemical energy and is passed on through
successive levels. The flow of energy from a producer, to
a consumer and eventually, to an apex predator or a
detritivore is called the food chain.

1 - The grasshoppers eat the grass.

(2) the specific name (or specific epithet, in botanical processes, and the amount (e.g., abundance, biomass,
nomenclature). It is often in a Latinized form. cover, and rate) of different types of species.

Types of diversity
Below is the list of some examples of common names
and their binomial names:
All diversities help in maintaining the correct balance of
Apple – Pyrus maleus
nature. But, gradually over the years, there has been a
Banana – Musa paradiscium
major loss in the biodiversity across the globe. The loss
Elephant – Proboscidea elephantidae
of biodiversity could adversely affect our environment
Horse – Eqqus caballus
as the balance is lost and the natural food web is
Human – Homo sapiens
disturbed.
Lemon – Citrus limonium
Thus, due to its major role in our survival, conservation
Maize – Zea mays
of biodiversity has now become a matter of high
Onion – Allium cepa
priority. Everybody is paying high attention to it.
Orange – Citrus aurantium
Pig – Artiodactyla suidae
Genetic Diversity
Pineapple – Ananus sativus
It is basically the variety of species expressed at the
Potato – Solanium tuberosum
genetic level by each individual in a species. No two
Rabbit – Leporidae cuniculas
individuals belonging to the same species are exactly
Watermelon – Citrullus vulgaris
similar. For example, in the species of human beings,
Wheat – Triticum aestivum
each human shows a lot of diversity in comparison to
another human. People living in different regions show a
Other labeling of organisms:
great level of variation.
Some labels classified the existence of distinct species to
provide additional information about species
characterization.

 Keystone Species, Flagship Species, and

Umbrella Species are the three types of species Species Diversity
mentioned. It is the biodiversity observed within a community. It
stands for the number and distribution of species. The
What is BIODIVERSITY?
number of species in a region varies widely depending
Lovejoy (1980) coined the word "biodiversity" in its upon the varied environmental conditions. For example,
expanded form (Biological Diversity), and it is most it is usually observed that civilizations residing beside
usually used to refer to the number of species. water bodies show more species than the one
compared to the areas away from water bodies.
Others expanded the definition by incorporating the
diversity and variability of organisms, recognizing that Ecological diversity
traditional techniques of defining and differentiating It defines the diversity observed among the ecosystems
species were insufficient. in a particular region. Different ecosystems like
In a more concrete sense, biodiversity is a property of a mangroves, rainforests, deserts, etc., show a great
region that refers to the variety of life inside and among variety of life forms residing in them.
living beings, assemblages of living species, biotic
communities, and biotic processes, whether natural or Measurements of Diversity
manipulated by people. A biodiversity index's primary concept is to provide a
quantitative measure of biological variability in space or
It can be evaluated in terms of genetic diversity, the time.
identity and number of distinct types of species,
assemblages of species, biotic communities, biotic Three types of indices:
processes, and the quantity (e.g., abundance, biomass,
cover, and rate) of different types of species,  Species richness index: The overall number of
assemblages of species, biotic communities, biotic species in a community is measured by species
 richness. In practice, however, full inventories of  What we can do to protect and conserve our
all species present in each region are an almost biodiversity
unachievable task.
Importance & Threat to Biodiversity
 Evenness index: Evenness describes how equally
Importance of Biodiversity:
individuals in a group are distributed across
species.  Increase ecosystem productivity; each species in
 Taxonomic index: a more comprehensive an ecosystem has a specific niche—a role to
approach, usually considers the taxonomic play.
relation of organisms in a community.  Support a larger number of plant species and,
therefore, a greater variety of crops.
Types of taxonomic index:
 Protect freshwater resources.
1. Alpha diversity: Alpha diversity is defined as diversity  Promote soils formation and protection.
inside a specific location, community, or ecosystem and  Provide for nutrient storage and recycling.
is often quantified by counting the number of taxa  Aid in breaking down pollutants.
within the ecosystem (usually species level)  Contribute to climate stability
·2. Beta diversity: The number of taxa that are unique to  Speed recovery from natural disasters.
each of the ecosystems is used to compare beta  Provide more food resources.
diversity between ecosystems.  Provide more medicinal resources and
3. Gamma diversity: Gamma diversity is a measure of pharmaceutical drugs.
the total diversity of a region’s ecosystems.  Offer environments for recreation and tourism.

Threat to Biodiversity:

 Habitat Fragmentation and Habitat Loss

 Exotic Species Introductions
 Pollution
 Global Climate Change
 Humans
Figure 4. The species richness in Area 1 and Area 2 is the
CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICES
same, but the species evenness is not. Area 1 has a
larger total species diversity than Area 2, due to its  A Conservation Management System (CMS) is a
higher species evenness, because species diversity method for preserving a species or habitat in its
considers both richness and evenness. natural condition.

It is a method through which humans preserve

animals in an appropriate state for contemplation,
teaching, or research.

 The IUCN Red List is the most authoritative

reference to the status of biological diversity,
thanks to its strong scientific foundation. These
standards apply to all species and all parts of
the globe.

CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICES

The IUCN Red List divides species into nine categories:

Why biodiversity is important? the rate of decline, population size, geographic
 Biodiversity and Ecosystems distribution area, and population and distribution
 Importance of Biodiversity fragmentation. In the absence of high-quality data, any
 Status of Philippine Biodiversity criteria, including suspicion and possible future risks, is
acceptable “as long as they may properly be justified.”
 Status of Global Biodiversity
  Extinct (EX) – beyond reasonable doubt that the policies and regulations relating to human and animal
species is no longer extant. health at the national and international levels.
 Extinct in the wild (EW) – survives only in
3. Interlinkages of Partnerships and Groups refers to
captivity, cultivation, and outside the native
collaborations between conservation, health, and
range, as presumed after exhaustive surveys.
welfare organizations to reduce and regulate the scope
 Critically endangered (CR) – in a particular and
of international wildlife and wildlife products trade,
highly critical state.
notably the procurement of wild animals for pets and
 Endangered (EN) – very high risk of extinction in
aquaculture from wild populations.
the wild, meets any of criteria A to E for
Endangered. SLM 4.2 Climate Change
 Vulnerable (VU) – meets one of the five red list
What is CLIMATE CHANGE?
criteria and is thus considered at high risk of
unnatural (human-caused) extinction without Long -term changes in temperature and weather
further human intervention. patterns are referred to as climate change, regardless of
 Near threatened (NT) – close to being at high natural or as a result of human activity (IPCC, 1995;
risk of extinction soon. United Nations - Climate Action, n.d.).
 Least concern (LC) – unlikely to become extinct
There has been historical data of climate changes in the
soon.
earth since the planet's formation 4.5 billion years ago;
 Data Deficient (DD) – when the available
the climate of Earth has altered significantly numerous
information is not sufficient for a proper
times (Australian Academy of Science,2015).
conservation status assessment to be made.
 Not evaluated (NE) – not yet having been GLOBAL WARMING
assessed
Global warming is the term used to define the gradual
increase in the planet's surface temperature because of
human activity. This causes the present climate in earth
to change.
"One health" approach
Some of the evidence of global warming, as far as we
know, produced using advancement in technology
includes data on global temperature rise, ocean
warming, shrinking ice sheets specifically in Greenland
and Antarctic, glacial retreat in Himalayas, Andes, and
Alaska, satellite observation on decreased snow cover in
the Northern Hemisphere, sea-level rise, declining Artic
Sea ice, extreme events, and ocean acidification.

CLIMATE CRISIS

Climate crisis the term used to define the impacts of

Practical Ways Toward Increasing Conservation and global warming and climate change.
Health Participation It is a political terminology that evokes the urge for an
1. The crucial components are integrated. Refers to aggressive action to climate change mitigation.
ensuring that a project's environmental, conservation, CLIMATE SCIENCE
and human and animal health components are all
integrated and enhanced rather than being treated The study of the natural factors that shape the climate.
separately. The field of climate science is not a recent one.
2. Development of Integrated Policies and Beginning with work by French mathematician and
Regulations - this is to stimulate participation from the physicist Joseph Forier in the 1820s, who postulated
environment and conservation sectors in developing
that the Earth's atmosphere played a role in trapping The ecological footprint is a measurement of human
heat energy being radiated from the planet's surface. demand on the quantity of nature to support the
community or the economy (also known as natural
In the 1850s, the Irish chemist John Tyndall made the
capital). The reports contrast the biologically productive
first demonstration that gases such as carbon dioxide,
area that people use for consumption with the
water vapor, and others could absorb infrared radiation,
biologically productive area that is available within a
known as the Greenhouse effect.
region or around the planet (biocapacity, the productive
Additionally, Svante Arrhenius, a Swedish chemist, area that can regenerate what people demand from
demonstrated in the 1890s that the future warming of nature). In a nutshell, it measures human impact on the
Earth could be caused by the rising levels of carbon environment.
dioxide in the atmosphere brought on by the burning of
The measurement of footprint against biocapacity can
coal.
be measure at a personal, regional, national, or global
Causes of Climate Change scale. It is highly dependent on its variables: number of
people, per person consumption, efficiency production,
Solar Variability and ecosystem productivity.
The sun's brightness and luminosity have been Adaptation and Mitigation
increasing since its formation, this is important because
the Earth's energy come from the heat of the sun. The ways to address climate change varies per person,
region, and nation. There are differences in how every
Volcanic Activity entity tackle climate change. They are distinguished to
Volcanic eruptions release enough quantities of sulfur either an adaptation or mitigation; this is because most
dioxide and other aerosis into the Earth's atmosphere. ecological impacts happen on a local scale and vary
from place to place. Adaptation is the process of merely
Orbital Variations adjusting to the current effects of climate change, while
Orbit is the path of a mass revolving around a mass due mitigation is the effort to lessen the impacts of climate
to its heavy attraction’s properties. change by targeting the root cause and making ample
changes to lessen its effects.

Greenhouse Effect
Technologies used to address climate change
The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon on the
Earth's surface. A giant vacuum cleaner called Direct Air Capture (DAC)
was made by Climeworks sequestering tons of carbon in
Feedback the atmosphere to help lessen the concentration of
carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere.
Feedback is a term used in the discussion of research
topics in climate variability that represents the natural The BioSolar leaf comprises millions of microalgae made
systems that happen on Earth that interact and by Arborea, which mimic photosynthesis.
influence atmospheric activities.
Its mechanism concerns the production of growth
Human Activities solutions mixed with microorganisms that feed on
carbon dioxide.
The impact of human activities has been the most
recent cause of the rapid pace of the world's climate Smart cities are now being designed together with
change. artificial intelligence, smart sensors, and the internet of
things (IoT) to help down harmful earth emissions,
Effects of rapid and severe climate change
securing the community's health
CFR education (2019). What Are the Effects Of Climate
There are countless other innovations, and some can be
Change? | World101 CFR [Video]. Youtube.
categorized as carbon reduction technologies, improved
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9Kp-bQzruw
battery efficiency, cooling tech, and geoengineering the
The Ecological Footprints larger environment.
SLM 4.3 Energy Crisis 1.3 Energy is neither created nor destroyed but it can
be transferred and transformed. The total amount of
"There is no energy crisis, only a crisis of ignorance." energy in the universe is finite and constant.
R. Buckminster Fuller One example of an energy change is when potential
Learning Objectives: energy becomes kinetic energy or when one object
moves another object.
Define “energy” and the natural laws that govern it.
1.4 Energy available to do useful work decreases as it
Understand how energy affects the lives of individuals is transferred from system to system. Energy is lost
and societies. when energy is transferred between two systems.
Understand the global energy demand as of the Year The energy “lost” has been used up (though it is still
2021. around somewhere). The efficiency of a system can be
Understand the causes of the global energy crisis. seen when it loses less energy.

Understand the energy situation in the Philippines. 1.5 Energy comes in different forms and can be
divided into categories. Light energy, elastic energy,
Understand/Enumerate the effects of the global energy chemical energy, and more are “forms” of energy.
crisis.
Whereas, kinetic and potential energy is the two
Understand/Enumerate the possible solutions to the categories of energy. Kinetic energy is related to motion.
global energy crisis. The Potential energy of an object or system is related to
its position relative to another object or system.
Devise a plan on how to save electricity at home.
1.6 Chemical and nuclear reactions involve the transfer
WHAT IS ENERGY?
and transformation of energy. For a given mass, nuclear
Energy is a physical quantity that follows precise natural reactions are much larger than those chemical
laws: reactions. Examples such as nuclear bombs, reactions at
the centers of stars, nuclear bombs, and both fission-
1.1 Energy is a quantity that is transferred from
and fusion-based nuclear reactors are transformation by
system to system. It is the ability of a system to
nuclear reactions.
do work.
Chemical reactions, on the other hand, happen in both
NOTE:
living and non-living systems on the earth.
A system has done work if it has exerted a force on
1.7 Different units are used to quantify energy. As with
another system over some distance, [and therefore],
other physical quantities, many different units are
energy is transferred from one system to another” (U.S
associated with energy: joules, calories, ergs,
Department of Energy, 2014).
kilowatt-hours, and BTUs.
ENERGY IS A PHYSICAL QUANTITY THAT FOLLOWS
The conversion of units is possible using a conversion
PRECISE NATURAL LAWS:
constant
1.2 The energy contained within a system that is
(For example 1 calorie = 4.186 joules).
responsible for its temperature is called “heat” energy.
1.8 Power is a measure of energy transfer rate.
Methods of heat transfer:
Power is the energy transferred per time. One joule of
1) convection (heat is transferred by movement
energy transferred in one second is called a Watt (i.e., 1
of a heated fluid such as air or water),
joule/second = 1 Watt).
2) conduction (heat or electricity passes through
HOW DOES ENERGY AFFECT THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS
or along something.), and
AND SOCIETIES?
3) radiation (energy released in the form of particle or
electromagnetic waves).
The quality of life of individuals and societies is affected ·The drop in energy use during 2020 does not show
by energy choices (U.S Department of Energy, 2014): much sign of helping the world reach climate goals –
with emissions rising too.
1.Economic security is impacted by energy choices.
Economic consequences like higher energy costs and ·Emerging economies fueled the rise in demand
energy price fluctuation/instability. worldwide.

2.National security is impacted by energy choices. ·Renewable energy is capturing a larger share of the
Nations with stable energy sources, and or with market but is still a long way behind fossil fuels.
diversified energy sources are more secure than those
Moreover, concerning the clean energy initiatives (like
without.
zero CO2 emission policy), the following are facts based
3.Environmental quality is impacted by energy choices. on a global survey.
Tapping energy sources may affect/disrupt the
·Most people around the world don’t blame climate
environment.
policies for rising energy costs, finds a new survey.
4. Increasing demand for and limited supplies of fossil
·Consumer support for ending the use of fossil fuels
fuels affects the quality of life. If a nation has a limited
remains strong.
supply of fossil fuels with little or no available other
sources of energy, this situation will have many social ·But they expect surging energy prices to reduce their
and economic consequences. spending power.
5. Access to energy resources affects the quality of life. UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSES OF THE GLOBAL ENERGY
Human health, access to education, socioeconomic CRISIS (RINKESH. (2020)
status, gender equality, global partnerships, and the
environment are greatly affected by access to energy Overconsumption- puts strain on natural
resources or lack thereof. resources/fossil fuels, gas, oil, and coal; moreover, the
use of it causes pollution, an additional problem to bear.
6. Some populations are more vulnerable to the impacts
of energy choices than others.

7. Energy decisions have economic, social, and Overpopulation- increases the demand for the
environmental consequences. Energy decisions tend to consumption of products. Everything uses
benefit with positive consequences for the poor, transportation to move products that use petroleum.
marginalized, or underdeveloped populations but they Poor infrastructure of power generation stations or
are also the most susceptible to negative consequences. equipment is also a reason for energy shortage.
UNDERSTANDING THE GLOBAL ENERGY DEMAND AS Unexplored Renewable Energy Options- we should give
OF THE YEAR 2021 more focus on the use of renewable energy.
·Recent highlights on global energy fuel consumption Delay in commissioning power plants. The gap between
show that fuel fossil is still the primary source of fuel at the supply and demand increases causing load-shedding
around 40%, followed by coal, at @30%, natural gas at and breakdown.
@25%, and renewables, hydroelectric and nuclear
energy @below 10% level (still a long way behind fossil Waste of Energy. We should conserve energy.
fuels). Weakness of the distribution systems which causes
ENERGY NEWS: breakdown/tripping and energy loss.

·Global energy demand quickly returned to pre- Natural calamities and accidents.
pandemic levels as global economies emerged from Conflicts, wars, and attacks
lockdown, according to analysis from bp Statistical
Review of World Energy, 2022. Other Factors such as political events, severe weather
conditions, strikes, and tax hikes can increase demand
or hinder supply.
 1. Environmental Effects. The burning of fossil
fuels releases carbon dioxide and other
greenhouse gasses that cause global warming.
2. Fluctuating or high prices of energy resources.
The effect of this is in increasing the prices of
energy products.
3. Political Disturbance.
4. Effect on Tourism Industry. Increased costs of
tourism make it hard for individuals to afford it.

Therefore, the country needs 43,765 MW of added

capacity to come available. The need to conserve is
crucial but we need more power to deal with it.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE GLOBAL

ENERGY CRISIS?

UNDERSTANDING THE ENERGY SITUATION IN THE Action towards Renewable Resources would result in
PHILIPPINES the reduction of the world's dependence on non-
renewable sources of energy.
The power supply shortage is not only common in Luzon
but in the whole country. Communities face rotating a) Bio-energy -is produced from biomass
brown out to cope with this situation. (biological materials) through the process of
anaerobic decomposition. Biogas is a
combination of mostly methane and carbon
dioxide.
b) Geothermal- energy from the earth
c) Hydroelectric- kinetic energy of water flowing
from a dam or river
According to the government’s Power Development
d) Solar - is the most popular form of renewable
Plan for 2017 to 2040 forecasts. There will be an annual
energy which uses captured sunlight to create
5 percent growth in the electricity demand. It is
electricity.
predicted to reach 49,287 MW in 2040.
e) Wind – electricity generation using windmills.
Therefore, the country needs 43,765 MW of added
F) Ocean- with the “Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
capacity to come available. The need to conserve is
(OTEC) [where electricity is produced] by the
crucial but we need more power to deal with it. We
temperature difference between deep cold ocean water
need to boost and support all renewable energy
and warm tropical surface waters” (U.S. Energy
alternatives such as windmills, solar energy, and
Information Administration, 2019).
hydropower plants. Energy security and issues with high
energy prices should also be considered as we find g) Hydrogen and fuel cells – Hydrogen is a combustible
solutions (The Manila Times, 2020). gas that can be used as fuel using a fuel cell. “A fuel cell
is a device that generates electricity through an
The power supply shortage is not only common in Luzon
electrochemical reaction, not combustion. In a fuel cell,
but in the whole country. Communities face rotating
hydrogen and oxygen are combined to generate
brown out to cope with this situation.
electricity, heat, and water” (FCHEA, n.d.).
According to the government’s Power Development
h) Tidal – the power of tides is converted into electricity
Plan for 2017 to 2040 forecasts. There will be an annual
by various methods.
5 percent growth in the electricity demand. It is
predicted to reach 49,287 MW in 2040. i) Human Power

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE GLOBAL

ENERGY CRISIS?
Action towards Renewable Resources would result in
the reduction of the world's dependence on non-
renewable sources of energy.

Top 10 Energy Sources of the Future

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE GLOBAL

ENERGY CRISIS?

2. Buying of Energy-Efficient Products. An example is

replacing traditional bulbs with LEDs for household and
commercial purposes.

3 Lighting Controls.

4. Easier Grid Access. Allowing people to get access to

plug their alternative power generation into a grid and
get credit for it.
SLM 4.4 Eudaimonia
5. Energy Simulation. Redesigning building units to come
up with more energy-efficient buildings, reducing Happiness
energy costs.
●Describe how humans flourish through science and
6. Perform Energy Audit. Identification of areas in an technology
office or home that are losing energy to improve
efficiency. ●Explain the concept of technology as a way of
revealing its connection to the development of our
7. Stand on Climate Change. Every country should have society
a common stand in the reduction of greenhouse
emissions. ●Examine what is meant by a good life.

8. Creating urban green spaces. “Happiness depends on your mindset and attitude.”
(Black 2021)
9. Use of electric, hydrogen-fuel, and nanotech fuel cells
for vehicles. What is Happiness?

A Fuel Cell Car ·In society, external circumstances have been pursued
by humans. They have identified possession, respect,
Research News (2016, August 8). Using nanotechnology career, and similar things as sources of happiness.
to give fuel cells more oomph [Image]. Unfortunately, happiness does not rely on outside
https://cdn.vanderbilt.edu/vu-news/files/20190417221 circumstances but rather on your mindset and attitude.
342/Fuelcellcar.jpg (Black 2021)
We need to boost and support all renewable energy Happiness is difficult to obtain because it is acquired. It
alternatives such as windmills, solar energy, and should be learned like a child who is trying to learn how
hydropower plants. Energy security and issues with high to walk. It should identify what it is and its purpose. We
energy prices should also be considered as we find could not cultivate it immediately in our minds.
solutions (The Manila Times, 2020).
It is a process to learn how to think and act.

Simply put, it refers to happiness and appreciation in all

aspects of life (Binger, 2016).

When people do not succeed in doing something, they

feel unhappy because the mindset is the foundation of
feelings about your presence in the world.

THE HUMAN FLOURISHING

·The progress of human civilizations through history There are different fields that define what happiness is.
mirrors the development of science and technology. As
Behaviorist
both the bearer and the beneficiary of science and
technology, the human person flourishes and finds It is a cocktail of emotions we experience when we do
meaning in the world that he or she builds. In the something good or positive (Graham, 2019)
pursuit of the good life, he or she may unconsciously
acquire, consume, or destroy what the world has to Neurologist
offer. It is the experience of a flood of hormones released in
·To be able to appreciate the results of science and the brain as a reward for behavior that prolongs
technology, you have to look at not only how they work Hedonist
and what they can be used for, but also how they affect
the world as a whole. ·The hedonistic view of well-being is that happiness is
the polar opposite of suffering; the presence of
·As times change, elements that contribute to human happiness indicates the absence of pain.
flourishing change, subject to the dynamic social history
written by humans. The various gadgets, machines, ·Hedonists believe that the purpose of life is to
appliances, and vehicles are all tools that make human maximize happiness, which minimizes misery.
lives easier because they serve as a means to an end. EUDAIMONIA
·There exists a discrepancy between eastern and Eudaimonia is a Greek word that means “good spirit”.
western conceptions regarding society and human
flourishing. It has been observed that western It emphasizes happiness as a way of well-being.
civilization tends to be more focused on the individual,
• Eudaimonia defines happiness as the pursuit of
while those from the east are more community-centric.
becoming a better person.
·Human flourishing as an end, then, is primarily more of
• Eudaemonists do this by challenging themselves or by
a concern for western civilizations than for eastern ones.
engaging in activities that make them spiritually richer
Human flourishing is an achievement in the self- people.
actualization and fulfilment stage of an individual in
• Human flourishing is the pinnacle of happiness that
society.
humans can achieve.
It uses rational ways to pursue values and goals. Human
·According to Aristotle, there is an end to all of the
has an opportunity to build a desirable world through
actions that we perform that we desire for ourselves—
acceptance and rejection.
eudaimonia, flourishing, or happiness, which is desired
It is a lifelong journey of different encounters such as for its own sake with all other things being desired on its
coping, suffering, regrets, achievements and hopes. account.

·Eudaimonia is a property of one’s life when considered

as a whole.

There are different fields that define what happiness is.

Psychologist

It is a mental or emotional state of human through

emotion of joy.

For example, the happy person is not attracted to

material things and any luxury because simple things
will do. such as sitting under a tree, enjoying a cup of
coffee and petting a dog. (Psychology Today, 2020)
Nichomachean Ethics in Achieving Eudaimonia ·Technology is associated with utopian thinking.

• From Nicomachean Ethics (philosophical inquiry into ·Technology facilitates the creation of idealistic cultural
the nature of the good life for a human being) Written production—literature, music, and visual arts.
by Nicomachus, Aristotle’s son.
·Heidegger’s words remind us that technology is not
• Human flourishing arises as a result of different value-neutral; it has normative value, either good or
components such as: bad.

1. Phronesis (Wisdom) ·He seeks to illuminate that nature and people are
vulnerable to the controlling power of technology. He
2. Friendship
argues that we might escape this not by rejecting
3. Wealth technology but by perceiving its danger.

4. Power ·Reality is not presented in the same way in all eras and
cultures.
·In ancient Greek society, they believed that acquiring
these would undoubtedly bring the seekers happiness, ·Reality is not something that human beings can ever
allowing them to participate in the larger concept of know once and for all; it is relative in the most literal
what we call "the good." sense of the word—it exists only in relations.

·Elements that contribute to human flourishing change ·Reality "in itself" is inaccessible for human beings;
as time passes. when they try to perceive or understand it, it is not
reality "in itself" anymore but a "reality for us."
·People found ways to live more comfortably, explore
more places, develop more products, and make more Essence of Technology
money.
·The essence of technology is not something we make; it
·Humans of today are expected to become "men of the is a mode of being or of revealing.
world."
·Technology holds sway over beings that we do not
·Supposedly, he should situate himself in a global normally think of as technological, such as gods and
neighborhood, working side by side with institutions history.
and the government to be able to reach a common goal.
·Modern and industrial technology are the main parts of
·Competition as a means of survival has become passé. technology. Factories and other industrial processes
show what technology is all about.
·Coordination is the new trend.
·Technology is not simply the practical application of
Science, Technology, and Human Flourishing natural science.
·Every discovery, innovation, and success contribute to Questioning as the Piety of Thought
our pool of human knowledge
·In stepping back and taking stock of things, we begin to
·Human’s perpetual need to locate themselves in the wonder and question. One may admire the intricacy of
world by finding proof to trace the evolution mechanisms and the sophistication of mobile
·Elicits our idea of self-importance applications. Another may marvel at the people and
circumstances that allowed for such technology.
·Technology is a human activity we excel as a result of
achieving science. (Heidegger) ·There is so much wealth of insight that can be gathered
when people stop, think, and question.
·Good is inherently related to the truth.
·Questioning is the piety of thought. Martin Heidegger
Technology is a way of revealing
Enflaming: Way of Revealing in Modern Technology
·Technology is a way of revealing things (Martin
Heidegger) In today’s technology, revealing is accomplished through
framing. In simpler terms, it is as if nature is put in a box
or inside a frame so that it can be better understood Aristotle was convinced that a genuinely happy life
and controlled according to people’s desires. required the fulfillment of a broad range of conditions,
including physical as well as mental well-being.
·In looking at the world, two ways of thinking are
distinguished: ·Aristotle argues that virtue is achieved by maintaining
the Mean, which is the balance between two excesses.
*In calculative thinking, one orders and puts a system
(Treddenick, 2004)
on nature so it can be understood better and controlled.
Everyone seeks Eudaimonia
*In meditative thinking, one lets nature reveal itself to
him or her without forcing it. Eudaimonia is a Greek word translated as “happiness”
which is sometimes can be misleading like most
·One kind of thinking is not in itself better than the
translations from ancient languages.
other. The human person has the faculty for both and
would well use them in synergy. It is perceived, nowadays, that happiness is often
conceived of as a subjective state of mind. However,
Human Person Swallowed by Technology
happiness is an end or goal that encompasses the
·Although the individual does indeed take part in the totality of one’s life.
revealing of nature, limits must still be recognized.
·It is not something that can be gained or lost in a
Humans do not call the shots on this earth.
moment, like pleasurable sensations. It is more like the
·If we allow ourselves to get swallowed up by modern ultimate value of your life as lived up to this moment,
technology, we lose the essence of who we are as measuring how well you have lived up to your full
beings in this world. potential as a human being. (Lear, J., 2000; Kraut, 1997)

“Happiness turns out to be an activity of the soul by Virtue Enables the Human Person to Flourish
virtue”
Aristotle distinguishes two kinds of virtue: those that
For as it is not one swallow or one fine day that makes a pertain to the part of the soul that engages in reasoning
spring, so it is not one day or a short time that makes a (virtues of mind or intellect), and those that pertain to
man blessed and happy” - Aristotle (Nicomachean the part of the soul that cannot itself reason but is
Ethics, 1098a13,18) nonetheless capable of following reason (ethical virtues,
virtues of character).
• What is “the good life”? This is one of the oldest
philosophical questions. ·Intellectual virtues are in turn divided into two sorts;
those that pertain to theoretical thinking, and those
• It has been posed in different ways – How should one that pertain to practical thinking.
live? What does it mean to “live well”? – but these are
just the same question. ·Aristotle describes ethical virtue as a “hexis” (“state”,
“condition”, “disposition”) – a tendency or disposition,
• After all, everyone wants to live well, and no one induced by our habits, to have appropriate feelings.
wants “the bad life.” Defective states of character are “hexes” as well, but
they are tendencies to

• “Happiness depends on ourselves.” More than Virtue is the mean between two extremes
anybody else, Aristotle enshrines happiness as the
central purpose of human life and a goal in itself.

The Good life

Good habits -> Good life

“·Happiness depends on the cultivation of virtue,

though his virtues are somewhat more individualistic
than essential social virtues.
 theists is communication with
God.
HUMANISM The freedom of man to carve his
destiny and legislate his laws, free
from

the shackles of a God that

monitors and controls.

Summary

·Some people do not rely on mere pleasure without

pain because they are looking for a deeper sense of
happiness in life. That is the sense of eudaimonia, and it
involves personal development, living well, and human
flourishing. It is living with intrinsically worthwhile
Happiness as the Goal of a Good Life human beings in terms of good purpose, relationships,
health, and contribution to a community.
• During the 18th century, John Stuart Mills declared
the Greatest Happiness Principle by saying that an ·Aristotle's main point about happiness is that a good
action is right as far as it maximizes the attainment of life is a life of relationships. People seek a better life not
happiness for the greatest number of people. only for themselves but for all of humanity. It is called a
common good in the sense of flourishing.
• Mill said that individual happiness of each individual
should be prioritized and collectively dictates the kind of Thus, humans and the common good are related, and
action that should be endorsed. the whole is more than the sum of its parts. The
common good may differ from an individual's good, so
• Ethics means to lead us to a good and happy life. advancing the common good advances the individual's
good. (Ilagan et al., 2018).
How to achieve happiness?
·Science, technology and society foster interdisciplinary
School of How to Achieve Happiness?
approaches with different science disciplines. It may
Thoughts
cover areas like sociology, philosophy, economics,
MATERIALISM The matter is what makes us attain
happiness. psychology, health and nutrition, ecology, and the
Most people cling on to material environment. So, humans improve and develop in
wealth as the primary source of different aspects, especially in physical and mental
the health, with the assistance of technology.
meaning of their existence.
Any advancement in science and technology should be
HEDONISM See the end goal of life is acquiring
pleasure. assessed according to the risks and costs they bring to
“Eat, drink, and be merry for society and the environment, which further affect
tomorrow we die” humans. The assessment should be based on what
STOICISM Stoics espoused the idea that to constitutes human nature and the human condition.
generate happiness, one must Social and ethical issues should always be considered in
learn to research and technology development for our absolute
distance oneself and be apathetic. well-being.
Happiness can only be attained by
a careful practice of apathy.
THEISM Base their life goals on beliefs that
hinged on some form of
supernatural
reality
The ultimate basis of happiness for