MST

• Human population growth


  Increase in the number of individuals in a population over time

  
• In March 2024, the population of the world is 8.1 billion, and in the Philippines it is 118.2 million (1.46%), and it is still increasing rapidly

  
• Measure of poverty trends

  Change in the estimated number of people living in extreme poverty around the world in a given period of time
• As of 2022, 23% of the global population (1.8 billion people) was living below the poverty threshold, with 46 million more people living below the poverty line than in 2019
• According to the Statistical Indicators on Philippine Development 2022 report, poverty incidence in 2022 was 18.1%

  
• The Philippines' poverty rate was 22.4%, or 25.24 million people, in the first half of 2023

  
• Local impacts and implications of population growth and poverty trends


  • Poorer communities prioritize immediate needs, leading to unsustainable practices and unaddressed environmental problems like waste disposal, sewage, and plastic use
  • Environmental degradation due to unsustainable livelihoods, inadequate infrastructure, informal settlements, and vulnerability to climate-related hazards like landslides, storms, floods, rising sea levels, and natural disasters
  • Immense pressure on natural resources like land, water, and forests which may lead to deforestation, loss of biodiversity, depletion of fisheries, destruction of habitats, and related problems that can threaten the country's sustainability
  • Schools tend to become overcrowded or encounter shortages in teachers, classrooms, and resources. Moreover, poverty can also affect a student's access to quality education and opportunities
  • Access to healthcare services can also be limited, as well as access to well-balanced and nutritious meals, clean water, and healthy environments which all together contribute to malnutrition, infectious diseases, and health complications
• Global impacts and implications of population growth and poverty trends


  • The more people there are, especially in poor countries with limited amounts of land and water, the fewer resources there are to meet basic needs. If basic needs cannot be met, development stalls, and economies begin to unravel
  • More people leads to more waste & pollution, leading to water contamination, air pollution, & other environmental issues. WHO estimates that pollution can be associated with 7 million premature deaths each year
  • New construction can destroy wildlife habitats & introduce invasive plants and animals. Urban poverty becomes a significant challenge as cities struggle to accommodate growing populations
  • With more people comes a possible burden on both the healthcare and education system as they may start lacking in resources, in provision of adequate and quality services, and people may find themselves lacking access to quality healthcare and education all together
  • Increased population density and urbanization, increases vulnerability to disasters. Marginalized people are more likely to be affected by hazards, and when affected, they tend to lose a larger fraction of their wealth
• Root causes and contributors to population growth and poverty


  • Limited access to education, especially for women, is a fundamental contributor. Without education, individuals may lack the knowledge and resources for family planning, leading to higher fertility rates
  • Inadequate availability of family planning services restricts individuals' ability to control their reproductive choices. This lack of access can result in unintended pregnancies and larger family sizes
  • Economic instability, unemployment, and low income contribute to poverty, creating conditions where families may view having more children as a source of additional labor or social security
  • Insufficient access to healthcare, especially maternal and child health services, contributes to high child mortality rates. In response, families may have more children to ensure survival
  • Traditional cultural beliefs and societal norms, such as preferences for larger families or gender roles, can influence reproductive behavior
  • Rapid population growth can strain natural resources, leading to environmental degradation and increased competition for essential resources
• Effects of pollution on the ecosystem, wildlife, and human health


  • Plastic pollution is killing the ocean's coral reef. Calcifying organisms are greatly affected with the decrease of carbonate ions
  • The lowering of the pH of marine waters harms aquatic animals and phytoplankton which is a food source for different organisms and animals. Toxic chemicals can force wildlife species to migrate to other places and change their habitat
  • Air pollution can affect lung development and is implicated in the development of respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Contaminated water and poor sanitation are linked to transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio
• Effects of deforestation on the ecosystem, wildlife, and human health


  • Forest loss and damage is the cause of around 10% of global warming. Deforestation is a major cause of soil erosion, perhaps the main cause
  • According to recent estimates, the world is losing 137 species of plants, animals and insects every day to deforestation. It can change existing habitats and remove sources of shelter, water, and food, such as fruit-bearing trees
  • Forest filter our air, regulate water cycles, and help mitigate the hazardous effects of climate change through carbon sequestration. Deforestation also fosters new or increased human contact with disease vectors – through population migrations to new clear-cut areas
• Current existing environmental initiatives, regulations, and policies at the local, national, and international level


  • China's One Child Policy
  • RA 10354 - The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012
  • RA 6365 - The Population Act of 1971
  • NREGA (India) - Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
  • RA 8425 - Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act
  • Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program 4Ps
  • K-12 Program
  • RA 11291 - Magna Carta of the Poor
• The Uniformed Personnel of Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) conducted a Gift Giving and Feeding Program Activity to the learners from Brookside Day Care Development Center
• As the Population grows

  More people require essentials like food, water and energy to survive. If people use up the resources quickly, it harms the environment just to meet everyone's needs
• Growing populations often lead to more land being used for farming, housing, and people often rely on natural resources for their cause of living, like cutting trees for firewood or fishing for their food


  This can lead to overuse and destruction of natural habitats which can harm the environment
• Poverty often leads to reliance on environmentally harmful practices such as deforestation for agriculture or burning fossil fuels for energy


  These activities release greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. As temperature rise, it exacerbates existing environmental challenges and threatens human well-being, especially in vulnerable communities
• Poverty and environmental damage often go hand in hand


  Polluted air and water, along with other hazards, especially affect poor communities, keeping them stuck in a cycle of illness and poverty
• Air Pollution

  The release of pollutants into the air that are detrimental to human health and the planet
• People living in low- and middle-income countries disproportionately experience the burden of outdoor air pollution with 89% (of the 4.2 million premature deaths) occurring in these areas
• The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that indoor and outdoor (ambient) air pollution cause around 7 million deaths worldwide annually
• WHO Air Quality Guidelines

  • 99% are not met
  • 1% are met
• Common causes of Outdoor Air Pollution Related Deaths

  • Ischaemic Heart Disease and Stroke (37%)
  • Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (23%)
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (18%)
  • Cancer Within Respiratory Tract (11%)
  • Others (11%)
• Ground-level Ozone


  A colorless and highly irritating gas that forms just above the earth's surface, produced when two primary pollutants react in sunlight and stagnant air
• Nitrogen Dioxide


  A chemical compound with the formula NO2, one of several nitrogen oxides, a reddish-brown gas
• Particulate Matter


  A common indicator for air pollution, major components include sulfates, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust, and water. PM 2.5 and PM10
• Carbon Monoxide


  A colorless, odorless, and tasteless toxic gas produced by incomplete combustion
• Sulfur Dioxide


  A colourless gas with a sharp odour, common sources include industrial emissions, gas appliances, forest fires, biomass burning, power generation, and on-road vehicles
• Climate Change


  Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, primarily driven by human activities burning fossil fuels that generate greenhouse gas emissions
• The average temperature of the Earth's surface is now about 1.1 degrees Celsius warmer, and 2011-2020 has the warmest record
• Consequences of climate change


  • Intense droughts
  • Water scarcity
  • Severe fires
  • Rising sea levels
  • Flooding
  • Melting polar ice
  • Catastrophic storms
  • Declining biodiversity
• The emissions that cause climate change come from every part of the world and affect everyone, but some countries produce much more than others
• Local and global impacts and implications of air pollution


  • Respiratory diseases, economic costs, environmental degradation, impact on tourism, social equity issues
• Local and global impacts and implications of climate change


  • Extreme weather events, smog formation, sea level rise, loss of biodiversity, disruption of agriculture
• The Philippines is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, with numerous endemic species
• Climate change affects ecosystems


  Leading to habitat loss, shifts in species distribution, and increased extinction risk
• A study published in the journal "Biological Conservation" highlights the vulnerability of Philippine biodiversity to climate change, particularly in the context of deforestation and habitat fragmentation
• Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns


  Disrupt ecosystems, leading to habitat loss, species extinction, and shifts in biodiversity
• Agriculture


  A vital sector in the Philippines, employing millions of people and providing food security
• Climate change disrupts agricultural patterns


  Through altered rainfall patterns, increased temperatures, and extreme weather events
• A study by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) notes the adverse effects of climate change on rice production, including yield reduction and increased pest and disease incidence