PART 1.

Environmental Education
International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN,1970) defines environmental
education as the process of recognising values and clarifying concepts in order to develop skills
and attitudes necessary to understand and appreciate the inter-relatedness among man, his
culture, his biophysical surroundings. Environmental education also entails practice in decision-
making and selfformulation of a code of behaviour about issues concerning environmental
quality.
The goals of environmental education as stated in the Tbilisi Declaration (1977) are:
- to foster clear awareness of, and concern about, economic, social, political, and ecological
interdependence in urban and rural areas;
- to provide every person with opportunities to acquire the knowledge, values, attitudes,
commitment, and skills needed to protect and improve the environment;
- to create new patterns of behavior of individuals, groups, and society as a whole towards the
environment.
The categories of environmental education objectives are:
1. Awareness—to help social groups and individuals acquire an awareness and sensitivity to
the total environment and its allied problems.
2. Knowledge—to help social groups and individuals gain a variety of experience in, and
acquire a basic understanding of, the environment and its associated problems.
3. Attitudes—to help social groups and individuals acquire a set of values and feelings of
concern for the environment and the motivation for actively participating in environmental
improvement and protection.
4. Skills—to help social groups and individuals acquire the skills for identifying and solving
environmental problems.
5. Participation—to provide social groups and individuals with an opportunity to be actively
involved at all levels in working toward resolution of environmental problems.
In the Philippines, under Republic Act 9512 otherwise known as an act to promote
environmental awareness through environmental education and for other purposes, the
Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in coordination with the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST) and other relevant agencies, in consultation with experts on the
environment and the academe, shall lead the implementation of public education and
awareness programs on environmental protection and conservation through collaborative
interagency and multi-sectoral effort at all levels.
 Furthermore, environmental education shall encompass “environmental concepts and
principles, environmental laws, the state of international and local environment, local
environmental best practices, the threats of environmental degradation and its impact on
human well-being, the responsibility of the citizenry to the environment and the value of
conservation, protection and rehabilitation of natural resources and the environment in the
context of sustainable development” (RA 9512, 2008).
Environmental education is a process which is very useful to human beings in order to manage
well their environment and instill the right behavior that serves as the key to sustainable
development. It is also an opportunity especially for the youth to participate actively in making
their respective locality clean and green, and a pleasant place to live in. Through relevant
undertakings, the youth becomes a great force to combat the ill effects of climate change
(Labuguen, et.al., 2010).
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Executive Order No. 579, s. 2006 entitled :
Encouraging the Formulation and Implementation of Green Philippines Programs through the
National Service Training Program (NSTP). The order provides that NSTP shall endeavor to build
a new quality of life that will keep the nation young and beautiful. In order to ensure its
realization, all students under NSTP, Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), Literacy Training
Services (LTS), and Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS), shall be involved in Green Philippines
Activities which include among others:
1. Taking back our forests and replenishing fallen trees with new, protected forests;
2. Beautifying our barangays and cities;
3. Building more urban parks and recreation areas;
4. Purifying our water; and
5. Cleaning up industrial sites
PART 2. Philippine Environmental Problems in Perspective*
A. Present Environmental Problems The Philippine environment is presently in crisis.
The country’s rich landscape is experiencing a drastic decline on account of human activities.
Most of the country’s forest cover is already depleted and about 23 percent of the endemic
species are threatened with extinction. Furthermore, poor environmental quality has adversely
affected human health and welfare by lowering the quality of life and resulting in productivity
loss.
The onset of industrialization played a critical role in the increase of environmental problems in
the country. The growing need of Filipinos to sustain themselves has clearly taken its toll on the
environment. Effluent from both commercial and domestic activities led to increasing levels of
water pollution and frequent bouts of water scarcity. Human migration resulted in the
conversion of forest lands to residential and industrial areas, and the demand for
transportation services and the increase in the number of factories and industrial plants have
all contributed to the worsening air pollution.
Recent tragedies brought about by natural disasters merely highlight the country’s need to
enhance its efforts to protect and rehabilitate the environment. These concerns must be
brought to the forefront of the country’s concerns before the effects of human activities on the
environment become irreversible.
The following are the most serious environmental problems which the country is presently
experiencing. It is worth noting that the problems encompass all kinds of natural resources.
a. Environmental Problems in Philippine Waters
The primary environmental problem in our country’s waters is water pollution. The
current state of water in the country has shown a rapid decline in quality due to poor
water management. The increasing number of pollutants in the bodies of water has led to
the destruction of the country’s groundwater, lakes, rivers, and other coastal areas. One
example of the decline in water quality is the Pasig River. Before the 1930s, the Pasig River
was rich in marine life and sustained the community living along its banks. As decades
passed, the Pasig River became a dumping ground for nearby factories and villages. In
1990, it was declared biologically dead. In the National Capital Region, major rivers are
heavily polluted with both industrial and domestic effluent. The effluent is in the form of
raw sewage, detergents, fertilizer, heavy metals, chemical products, oils, and even solid
waste.

A 2007 Study conducted by the Blacksmith Institute revealed that the rivers in these two
areas are the most polluted in the whole of Southeast Asia. This is primarily due to the
dumping of industrial wastes, such as wastes from tanneries, gold and precious metal
refineries, lead smelting wastes, and municipal dumpsites in the river systems. The
dumping of wastes and other hazardous materials contaminated the local fishing areas and
severely affected the health of the people living in the surrounding area. Rural areas are
also plagued with the same concerns. The agricultural chemicals, chemical fertilizers and
effluent from mining operations all contaminate the bodies of water surrounding the
areas.

Water pollution, however, does not only occur in our internal waters. Our oceans and
marine resources are at great risk because of water pollution in the form of oil spills or
discharges from shipping vessels. There are domestic and international ships that navigate
through the waters every day. Because of its strategic location, Philippine waters have
become favorite passageways for ships moving between the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Even ships passing through the South China Sea contribute to the pollution of Philippine
waters.
 One infamous example of water pollution in the country’s waters is the Guimaras Oil Spill
which occurred on August 11, 2006 at the Guimaras Strait in Visayas. Three years later, the
destruction wrought is still apparent, not just in Guimaras, but also in nearby provinces.

Perhaps most disquieting is the fact that water pollution affects freshwater availability.
Despite being composed mostly of water, the Philippines is experiencing episodes of water
scarcity and depletion. As a result, the available freshwater is insufficient to meet the
demands of the increasing population. Both the over extraction of available ground water
and the pollution of potential freshwater sources contribute to a decrease in the available
amount of freshwater in the country.

The growing problem of water pollution can be ascribed to poor governance. In particular,
there is poor planning, fragmented water management, and weak enforcement of
environmental laws. To address these issues, it is suggested that stricter effluent standards
should be imposed on companies and all those concerned. In the domestic sphere,
changes must be made in people’s lifestyles in order to place domestic effluent under
control. Most importantly, violations of environmental laws involving the quality of the
country’s water resources must be addressed.

b. Some Environmental Problems in Forest Lands

Deforestation in the Philippines has reached alarming new heights. The country’s forest
cover has dropped from 270,000 square kilometers at the end of 1898 to only about 8,000
square kilometers in 2006. Increasing urbanization, commercial logging, kaingin or slash
and burn agriculture, and forest fires all contribute to the country’s deforestation problem.
There is also a rapid conversion of forest lands and grass lands to urban use prompted by
the needs of the growing population. This leads to severe soil erosion and water pollution
(e.g., river siltation).

The deforestation problem is another issue that urgently needs to be addressed.

Inconsistent laws, inadequate regulations, weak enforcement, and lack of adequate
funding play significant roles in the rapid decline of the country’s forest lands. There are
low tree survival rates and protected areas still suffer from destruction and habitat
conversion. Thus, more needs to be done in terms of environmental protection and proper
implementation of environmental laws in order to stop the degradation of the country’s
forest lands and prevent the loss of biodiversity.

One of the most deforested areas in the Philippines is the CALABARZON Region, which is
composed of five provinces, namely Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon Provinces.
It has one of the most varied landscapes in the country, consisting of flat coastal areas and
upland interior areas of plains, rolling hills, and mountains. Calabarzon has 55 percent of its
 area covered in forest and is very rich in biodiversity. It is home to endemic animals such as
the tamaraw, Visayan spotted dear, Visayan warty pig, and more. Unfortunately, the whole
region is under serious threat of deforestation as illegal logging remains unabated.

c. Environmental Problem of Loss of Biodiversity

Loss of biodiversity is a prevailing problem in the country. It does not only occur in
terrestrial areas but also in our coastal waters. The deforestation problem of our forest
lands contributes to the loss of biodiversity in our land. Many of the Philippines’ species, a
lot of which are endemic and depend on the forests, are gradually becoming extinct. The
reason for this is that forest lands that were once occupied by these species are grazed and
converted into residential or agricultural areas. The loss or alteration of their critical
habitats gravely affects the resident species’ chance for survival. They are not only driven
out of their habitat but are also deprived of their food source. The scarcity of their food
supply eventually leads to their extinction.

Furthermore, loss of habitat threatens to destroy the ecological balance of whole

communities and ecosystems. One example of the alarming effect of such loss of habitat is
the critically endangered Philippine Eagle, the king of eagles that once proudly soared in
the skies. Another area which is of grave concern is the loss of biodiversity in our coastal
and marine waters and inland water resources such as lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Similar
to the cause of water pollution, effluents from agricultural, industrial, and domestic areas
all contribute to the deterioration and pollution of our inland water sources. As a result,
water quality in these water resources have deteriorated, causing habitat loss and
degradation. Hundreds of freshwater species and even species other than fish, such as
amphibians, are all in danger of extinction. Furthermore, the diversion of rivers for
irrigation and dam construction has affected the movement of migratory fish species and
drastically changed river habitat.

d. Environmental Problems in Aerial Territory

Air pollution is a serious and pressing problem in the Philippines. The World Health
Organization rates Manila, as the fourth largest air polluted capital in the world next to
Mexico City, Shanghai, and New Delhi. Reports have shown that every year, around 5,000
premature deaths which occur in the Philippines are caused by respiratory diseases such as
acute bronchitis, pneumonia, lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and more. As much as
1.5 million Filipinos suffer from respiratory sickness due to outdoor pollution in urban
areas, and a third of that number suffers from various illnesses due to indoor air pollution.

Air pollution is caused by two types of sources: outdoor and indoor pollution. Outdoor air
pollution is large-scale pollution that occurs outside of people’s homes and involves
external pollutants, such as industrial and vehicle emissions. Indoor air pollution, on the
other hand, involves proximity to indoor air pollutants such as cigarette smoking and
 cooking with solid fuels. What greatly contributes to the rise of these two types of
pollution are the rapid urbanization and industrialization of the country, most of which
occur in Metro Manila. The increasing number of people migrating from rural areas to
urban areas has significantly increased the demand for services and transport, resulting in
a negative impact on the air quality in the cities and other urban areas. With 1,768,033
million registered vehicles traversing the roads of Metro Manila in 2009, the level of air
pollution in the city has exceeded the established safety limit threefold.

e. Environmental Problems in the Mining Sector

Mining is a major industry in the Philippines and is believed to play a vital part in
determining the success of the country’s economy. Besides generating employment, which
amounted to more than 192,000 jobs at the start of 2010, the taxes on mining companies
are major sources of revenue for the local government in the area.

Unfortunately, the long-term effects of mining operations have resulted in significant

damage to the environment, such as deforestation and loss of wildlife habitat, decrease in
the quantity and quality of water supply, decrease in agricultural production, erosion and
flash floods, water and air pollution, and threat to the marine environment brought by
erosion and effluents. In fact, the Philippines today is considered as one of the worst
countries in the world when it comes to tailings dam failures. Toxic wastes from the mining
sites are not properly disposed of, which has led to disastrous consequences for the local
people and the environment. Surprisingly, mining applications are considered for
watershed areas.

The negative effects of mining are very much apparent in the infamous Marcopper Mining
Disaster of 1996. The mine tailings of the mining site, consisting of more than 400 million
metric tons of waste, caused widespread flooding and damage to farmlands and property.
The Boac River, where the mine tailings escaped to, was subsequently declared dead.
Small-scale mining activities are just as destructive to the environment.

*Excerpt from Access to Environmental Justice: A Sourcebook on Environmental Rights

and Legal Remedies

B. Environmental Laws in the Philippines*

At present, Philippine Environmental Law seeks to address a wide array of environmental
concerns ranging from forest degradation, loss of biodiversity, water pollution, air
pollution, and hazardous waste management among others.
The discussion is divided into Green, Blue, and Brown laws. Green laws refer to laws that
are concerned with the protection of flora, fauna, wildlife, and land ecosystems. Blue laws,
though similar to green laws, are focused on coastal and marine wildlife, their ecosystems
and resources. Brown laws, on the other hand, deal with pollution control and abatement,
and other regulatory processes that ensure the protection of the environment.

1. Green Laws
Green laws are those that deal with the protection, conservation, utilization and
development of forests, other land-based natural resources, and wildlife. Green is the
color used since lands and forests are generally supposed to be green. Land-based
wildlife also consider the forests as their habitat, thus, they are included under the
green laws.
a. The Revised Forestry Code and the Chain Saw Act
Some of the most common violations of environmental laws in the Philippines, a
tropical country endowed with forest resources, are that of the Presidential Decree
(PD) No. 705, or more commonly known as the Revised Forestry Code. It has been
described as the most violated law in cases brought before the courts, yet not
much has been done to curb this. Although enacted in the 1970s, it is still the
primary law which governs the management, utilization, use, development, and
protection of forest lands.

Closely related to the Forestry Code is RA No. 9175, or the Chain Saw Act of 2002.
The law complements the Forestry Code and serves to curb illegal logging by
regulating the use and possession of a chain saw while punishing its illegal use,
given that chain saws are widely used in the destruction of the forest. The DENR
shall regulate the sale, distribution, and use of the chain saw and only those
specifically authorized by the DENR shall be allowed to use and possess it.

The two laws specifically punish illegal logging or the cutting, gathering, or
collecting timber or other forest products without the necessary permit from the
government. Transporting illegally cut timber and forest products are also covered
here. unlawful occupation or destruction of forest and grazing lands and unlawful
use of a chain saw were likewise prohibited.

b. The Wildlife Conservation Act

The primary law governing the protection of wildlife and their habitats is RA No.
9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. The law covers all
wildlife species found in all areas of the country, including protected areas and
critical habitats. It shall also apply to exotic species which are subject to trade, are
cultured, maintained, and/or bred in captivity or propagated in the country. Three
agencies are primarily tasked to enforce the law, the DENR, the Department of
Agriculture (DA), and the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD),
depending on the specie of wildlife or where it is located.
 The law specifically punishes the following acts of killing and destroying wildlife
species, inflicting injury which cripples and/ or impairs the reproductive system of
wildlife species, gathering or destroying active nests, nest trees, and host plants
and maltreating and inflicting other injuries. The acts of committing certain acts in
critical habitats like
1) dumping of waste products detrimental to wildlife;
2) occupying any portion of the habitat;
3) mineral exploration and extraction;
4) burning;
5) logging; and
6) quarrying. The law also prohibits trading and collecting, hunting, or possessing
and transporting of wildlife.

c. The National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act

There is a need to designate spaces and areas in the country solely as places where
wildlife, flora, and fauna can grow, and where the rich biodiversity of the
ecosystem can be preserved. There is also a need to reserve certain areas
exclusively for the environment, and to exclude all other forms of land use and
utilization. In the Philippines, the primary law that does this is RA No. 7586, or the
National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act. Enacted in 1992, NIPAS
serves as the basis for the classification and administration of all designated
protected areas to maintain essential ecological processes and life support
systems, to preserve genetic diversity, to ensure sustainable use of resources
found therein, and to maintain their natural conditions to the greatest extent
possible.

The law punishes the following acts of hunting, destroying, disturbing, or mere
possession of plants or animals without permits, dumping of waste products,
destroying objects of natural beauty or of interest to cultural communities, and
leaving refuse and debris. These violations affect the physical conditions and
characteristics of the protected area. They either cause immediate damage or
harm, or cause future detrimental effects not only to the physical environment but
also to wildlife, plants, and other living organisms.

d. The Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act
The laws that primarily govern mining activities in the Philippines are RA No. 7942,
or the Mining Act of 1995, and RA No. 7076, or the People’s Small-Scale Mining
Act. These two laws operationalize the principle enunciated in Section 2, Article XII
of the Constitution on the ownership of the State of all natural resources found
within the Philippines and its correlated right to their use, development and
 utilization. RA No. 7942 applies to all mining activities in general, while RA No.
7076 applies specifically to small-scale mining operations.

Large-scale mining operations, or those done with the use of heavy equipment and
machineries, are primarily under the control and supervision of the DENR and the
Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB). On the other hand, small scale mining, or
those done with small or artisanal tools, is generally regulated and under the
supervision of the DENR and the local government units (LGUs), through the
specific Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Boards (P/CMRBs).

The law specifically punishes the acts of causing pollution by willfully violating or
grossly neglecting the environmental compliance certificate (ECC).
2. Blue Laws
Referring to the color of the seas, oceans, and other bodies of water, blue laws refer
to laws which deal with the protection, conservation and utilization of waters, marine
life, and aquatic resources. Blue laws encompass both inland waters such as rivers,
lakes, and streams, and the seas and oceans, whether part of the country’s territory or
not.

a. The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998

The primary law on fisheries and aquatic resources in the Philippines is RA No.
8550, or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998. The law seeks to manage the
country’s fishery and aquatic resources in a manner consistent with an integrated
coastal area management and to protect the right of fisherfolk, especially of the
local communities. The law applies to all Philippine waters, including the country’s
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf. Since the Philippines is an
archipelago, our fisheries laws and other blue laws, in general, are crucial in
protecting our waters and marine resources.

The law specifically punishes poaching, fishing through illegal means, use or
possession of explosives, noxious and poisonous substances, and electricity. The
use of fine mesh net except for certain species, use of active fishing gear, fishing
with gear or method that destroys coral reefs and other marine habitats, such as
muro-ami and use of superlight are also prohibited. The law also punishes those
who are involved in fishing in prohibited and restricted areas, illegal gathering,
possessing, catching, and selling of certain marine species, aquatic Pollution,
construction and operation of fish pens without a license/permit and obstruction
to navigation or flow and ebb of tide in any stream, river, lake, or bay.

b. The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) Act The LLDA was established
through RA No. 4850 in 1966 as a quasi-government agency that leads, promotes,
 and accelerates sustainable development in the Laguna de Bay Region. Regulatory
and law enforcement functions are carried out with provisions on environmental
management, particularly on water quality monitoring, conservation of natural
resources, and community-based natural resource management. Special attention
is given to the Laguna Lake due to its significance as the largest fresh water lake in
the country and its impact on its nearby areas and provinces, especially Metro
Manila. Thus, within the Laguna Lake area, the LLDA has jurisdiction and authority
over the enforcement of environmental laws, rules, and regulations.

The law prohibits any undertaking development or a project without LLDA

clearance; disposal or throwing of any organic or inorganic substance in water
form that causes pollution; disposal of toxic and/or hazardous substances without
authorization from the LLDA.

3. Brown Laws
Brown laws refer to laws and rules which deal with pollution control and the
regulation of activities which could affect the environment. These laws and rules
include those which control hazardous and toxic wastes and chemicals, solid waste
management, and rules on the conduct of environmental impact assessments.

a. The Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990
In the Philippines, RA No. 6969 was enacted to regulate, restrict or prohibit the
importation, manufacture, processing, sale, distribution, use and disposal of
chemical substances and mixtures that present unreasonable risk and/or injury to
health or the environment. The law covers the importation, manufacture,
processing, handling, storage, transportation, sale, distribution, use and disposal of
all unregulated chemical substances and mixtures in the Philippines, including the
entry, even in transit, as well as the keeping or storage and disposal of hazardous
and nuclear wastes into the country for whatever purpose.

The law specifically punishes the acts of knowingly using a chemical substance or
mixture in violation of the rules and regulations and causing or facilitating the
storage and importation of hazardous and chemical wastes into the Philippines.

b. The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999

The law that primarily governs and regulates air quality in the Philippines is RA No.
8749, or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999. The State shall formulate a holistic
national program of air pollution management that shall be implemented by the
government through proper delegation and effective coordination of functions and
 activities and shall focus primarily on pollution prevention rather than on control,
and provide for a comprehensive management program for air pollution.

The law specifically punishes the acts of violating the standards for stationary
sources and motor vehicles. RA No. 8749 provides for emission and other
standards which stationary sources (such as factories) and mobile sources (such as
motor vehicles) must follow and comply with. It provides for a system of permits,
quotas, and also financial liability for environmental rehabilitation.

c. The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004

The primary and most recent law dealing with water resources and water pollution
is RA No. 9275, or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004. The law says that the
State shall pursue a policy of economic growth in a manner consistent with the
protection, preservation, and revival of the quality of our fresh, brackish, and
marine waters. The law specifically applies to the water quality management in all
water bodies, and that it shall primarily apply to the abatement and control of
pollution from landbased sources.

The law specifically punishes any acts resulting to water pollution. This kind of
violation specifically includes pollution of water body; groundwater pollution,
chemical dumping, and illegal discharge.

d. The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000

Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, is
the law which primarily governs waste management in the Philippines. One of its
declared policies is to ensure the proper segregation, collection, transport, storage,
treatment and disposal of solid waste through the formulation and adoption of the
best environmental practice in ecological waste management excluding
incineration. It adds that the law shall retain primary enforcement and
responsibility of solid waste management with LGUs while establishing a
cooperative effort among the national government, other LGUs, non- government
organizations, and the private sector.

The law specifically punishes the acts of Illegal dumping and disposal of wastes
which includes littering, open burning of solid waste and dumping in flood prone
areas. It also prohibits illegal dumpsites and waste disposal facilities which includes
establishing and operating open dumps and construction and operation of a landfill
near a watershed, reservoir, or aquifer.

4. The Climate Change Act of 2009

 The Philippines also enacted the Climate Change Act of 2009 which aims to
systematically integrate the concept of climate change in various phases of policy
formulation, development plans, poverty reduction strategies and other development
tools and techniques by all agencies and instrumentalities of the government.

The Philippines adopts the principle of protecting the climate system for the benefit of
humankind, on the basis of climate justice or common but differentiated
responsibilities and the Precautionary Principle to guide decision-making in climate risk
management. As a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change, the State adopts the ultimate objective of the Convention which is the
stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would
prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system which should
be achieved within a time frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to
climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable
economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner. As a party to the Hyogo
Framework for Action, the State likewise adopts the strategic goals in order to build
national and local resilience to climate change-related disasters. (RA 9729, 2009)
*Excerpt from Citizen’s Handbook on Environmental Justice
PART 3. Environmental Principles
A. Basic Principles on the Right to the Environment *
The Right to the Environment is a fundamental right of each person and need not even be
written in the Constitution, for this right has existed since the inception of humankind. In
the Philippine Constitution, environmental protection is stated not in the Bill of Rights
under Article III but in the Declaration of State Policies under Article II. Nevertheless, the
right to a healthful ecology is recognized as iron-clad and no less demandable than those
specifically enumerated in the Bill of Rights.

1. Sovereignty Over Natural Resources and the Obligation Not to Cause Harm
States have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of
international law, the sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their
own environmental policies, and the responsibility to ensure that activities within their
jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States or of
areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. The sovereign right over natural
resources includes the right of the states to be free from external interference. The
exercise of state sovereignty, however, has its limits. The State has the responsibility
not to cause harm beyond the limits of its national jurisdiction. The No- Harm Principle
recognizes that a state’s activities may be transboundary in nature and is also meant to
balance the sovereign principle of states and require them to take responsibility for
their actions which cause harm outside their own territory.
2. Principle of Prevention
The Principle of Prevention aims to stop environmental damage even before it occurs
or when it is critical and potential damage may already be irreversible. In applying this
principle, action should be taken at an early stage to reduce pollution rather than wait
for the irreversible effects to occur. For instance, the discharge of toxic substances in
amounts which exceed the capacity that the environment can handle must be halted in
order to ensure that no irreversible damage is inflicted. This is done to prevent
irreversible harm for it is better to stop the pollution rather than commence efforts to
clean the contaminated areas later in the day.

The Principle of Prevention is based on the idea that it is better to prevent than employ
measures, after harm has occurred, in order to restore the environment. This principle
has been expanded by a relatively new principle – the Precautionary Principle.

3. Precautionary Principle
The Precautionary Principle states that in order to protect the environment, the
precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to their
capabilities. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full
scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures
to prevent environmental degradation.

This principle advocates that the potential harm should be addressed even with
minimal predictability at hand. The Precautionary Principle requires a high degree of
prudence on the part of the stakeholders. Decision makers are not only mandated to
account for scientific uncertainty but can also take positive action, e.g., restrict a
product or activity even when there is scientific uncertainty.
4. Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development is the process of developing land, cities, businesses,
communities, and so forth that “meets the needs of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The concept of Sustainable
Development carries two key concepts. First, is the existence of needs with particular
focus to the needs of the poor. Second, is that the environment has limitations in
meeting the needs of present and future generations.

The Principle of Sustainable Development addresses the need to reconcile issues of

development and environmental protection. It recognizes that development requires
economic exploitation to satisfy the needs of the growing population while at the same
time protecting the environment for future generations. The concept of sustainable
development seeks to achieve exploitation of resources while leaving the environment
intact for the use of future generations. Nonrenewable resources must be used as
 efficiently as possible. According to this principle, there must be optimal management
of natural resources.

5. Intergenerational Equity
The concept of Intergenerational Equity supports the Principle of Sustainable
Development with respect to holding the natural resources in trust for future
generations. Nevertheless, this principle does not stop there. Inter-generational Equity
is defined as “each generation’s responsibility to leave an inheritance of wealth no less
than what they themselves have inherited.” Every generation has a responsibility to
the next to preserve that rhythm and harmony for the full enjoyment of a balanced
and healthful ecology.

B. The Seven Environmental Principles*

The key to understanding the environmental problems that we encounter today is to learn
about our ecosystem. This section highlights the basic environmental principles, varied
types of ecosystem, current environmental issues, anthropogenic activities that threaten
the environment and the role of youth in protecting our environment.
1. Nature knows best.
2. All forms of life are important.
3. Everything is connected to everything else.
4. Everything changes.
5. Everything must go somewhere.
6. Ours is a finite earth.
7. Nature is beautiful and we are stewards of God’s creation.