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1. ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS The environment constitutes a very important part of human life. Unfortunately , the natural environment is on the brink of destruction , and humanity is to blame. People's exploitation of raw materials has caused environmental degradation.

2. Given the alarming rate of environmental deterioration, people are pushed to become environmentally aware. Environmental awareness means being mindful of the environment and the factors that affect it positively and negatively. This does not only involve awareness but also active engagement in addressing environmental crisis, either individually or as part of a group . Through environmental awareness , people can be encouraged to take key actions to mitigate and eventually eliminate the factors that are destructive to the environment. Preservation of natural resources is necessary to benefit the present and future generations .

3. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT For development to be sustainable, there must be a consciouseffort to protect the environment. Sustainable development,according to Brundtland Commission Report (1987), is a “process ofchange in which the exploitation of resources, the direction ofinvestments, the orientation of technological development, andinstitutional change are all in harmony and enhance both currentand future potential to meet human needs and aspirations."Furthermore, sustainable development also emphasizes thatdevelopment must aim to meet the needs of the current generationwithout completely depleting resources for future generations.Italso takes into consideration the present generation's ability tokeep these resources available so that future generations can alsobenefit from them (Earthscan Pub, 1987). Pursuing sustainable development does not mean that humansare no longer allowed to use the Earth's resources. It simply suggeststhat humans must consider the rate at which environmentalresources are utilized.

4.   ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION Natural disasters and the Earth's constant shifting tectonic plates affect the Earth's physical surface . An earthquake can cause parts of the Earth's crust to break apart or merge . Volcanic eruptions can cover entire areas of land with lava and thereby reshape the landscape of a particular region. These changes are natural and when they occur, the Earth is able to adjust to the changes that they introduce because of a phenomenon called natural landscape evolution (Johnson et al., 1997).

5. Ever since humans learned how to make use of the Earth's surface for agriculture and residential purposes, there have been significant changes in the Earth's landscape. Although relying on environmental resources is necessary for the survival of mankind , using such resources to the point of exploitation leads to environmental degradation.

6. Johnson et al. (1997) defined environmental degradation as a damaging alteration that upsets environmental processes . Compared to natural calamities such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions , environmental degradation is linked to man-made disturbances on Earth's natural processes (Johnson et al., 1997). Human activities such as industrial, land, and even social development result in environmental deterioration as they can lead to the depletion of resources and in extreme cases , cause the obliteration of ecosystems and natural habitats and the death of millions of wildlife . Environmental degradation puts the survival of mankind at risk. Therefore , it is necessary for humans to take responsibility for the negative consequences that the pursuit of large-scale developments bring to the environment .

7. CAUSES OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION Pollution Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances in the environment , which is present almost everywhere in different forms . According to Sharma et al. (2013), air and water pollution cause environmental degradation that result in the death of millions of people. A particular example of water pollution is contamination of bodies of water that harm the quality of water as well as its biodiversity.

8. Animals, plants and human beings are greatly affected by different kinds of pollution. Water pollution for instance , endangers the quality of water affecting marine life and puts many organisms at risk of being endangered . This is caused by silt which is deposited and built up in riverbeds and ocean floors through soil erosion from deforestation. Air pollution damages the quality of breathable air which can lead to respiratory diseases in all animals. Land pollution destroys the Earth's land and contaminates soil . Toxic materials can also compromise ground water which affect the health of animals and humans living in the area.

9. Population Growth According to Roser and Ortiz- Espina ( 2013),the world population has grown in great magnitude from being less than 1 billion in the 1800s to well over 7 billion in 2015. As a result, the demand for energy, food, and water also increased . The demand for energy has risen dramatically, from 5,652 terawatt hours ( TWh ) in the 1800s to 151,548 TWh in 2016(Ritchie & Roser , 2018). The amount of calories a person consumes has risen from 2,196 calories per person a day to 2,898 in 2013( Roser & Ortiz- Espina , 2013). A large proportion of the world's population is having difficulty in ensuring safe and secure water supplies as they are currently experiencing water interruptions( Vorosmarty , et al.,2000).

10. Population growth greatly strains the physical land area of the planet . Extreme measures are done to fulfill the needs of the growing population. One such measure is the clearing of forests , where the land is primarily used for agriculture, residential , industrial , or even commercial needs . Unfortunately , this leads to an ecological imbalance, resulting in environmental degradation . This leaves the land unpreservable that may cause the buildup of tinder , a potential breeding ground for forest fires , displacement of wildlife, and other such disasters.

11. Urbanization Another cause of environmental degradation is urbanization or the shift of population from the rural to urban areas and the transformation of towns and cities into larger areas due to the gradual increase of people living and working there . The United Nations projects that by 2050, the number of the world's population living in urban areas would increase from 55% of the world's population in 2018. Almost 90% of the increase would take place in Asia and Africa.

12. While urbanization brings better access to jobs, education , modern facilities, and healthcare, it also magnifies the risks of environmental hazards such as flooding, air pollution, water contamination , and improper waste disposal, which ultimately contribute to the destruction of natural ecosystems and the spread of diseases. Moreover, highly dense and populous urban areas consume not only more food and water but also energy compared with rural areas. The large consumption of energy in urban areas results in a phenomenon called an urban heat island (UHI)-a metropolitan area that is significantly warmer than the rural areas around it due to the heat created by energy from all the people, vehicles , and facilities. Urbanization also contributes to changing regional weather patterns as urban areas are said to generate more rainfall due to the UHI effect. The concrete and asphalt grounds in urban areas also hinder water infiltration, causing the alteration in water run off patterns and making urban places more prone to flooding.

13. Industrialization As societies continue to develop, the industries necessary to sustain them also evolve . These include primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary industries that involve extracting, processing , refining , and technologizing raw materials to finished goods . These industries have developed means and technologies that make human life more convenient. Unfortunately, such industries also pose many dangers to the environment . Many manufacturing industries exploit natural resources to the point that they are unable to replenish them, further shrinking the availability of those resources. In addition to this industries in the energy and transportation sectors often emit waste into the atmosphere, such as excessive heat and carbon dioxide that adversely affect air quality.

14. Effects of Environmental Degradation The negative effects of environmental degradation are felt by all living species across the Earth. Those that are unable to adapt to the rapidly changing environment are more vulnerable to the effects of environmental decay. Examples of these effects include climate crisis, scarcity of resources, loss of biodiversity, and even public health risks.

15. Environmental degradation affects the availability of natural resources . Exploitation degrades the quality and quantity of these resources . Deforestation not only depletes resources but also causes soil erosion that weakens the soil's quality and structure. If such exploitation of the environment continues, much of the valuable resources used today may no longer be available in the future.

16. The Earth's natural processes can be disrupted by the different forms of environmental degradation. The continued emission of harmful gases depletes the ozone layer, the Earth's primary form of protection against the harmful rays of the Sun. This corrupts the Earth's ability to naturally keep itself cool, thus dis orientingthe natural atmospheric cycles experienced in different parts of the world.

17. Environmental degradation is one of the factors that has led to the loss of biodiversity. Biodiversity refers to the different kinds of living organisms found in a given area. Habitats of many species are threatened by the production of needed goods and services . Industrialization and commercialization destroy habitats and the introduction of invasive species can threaten the survival of indigenous species.

18. Humans are also at the receiving end of the negative impacts of environmental degradation. Its effects can range from death caused by exposure to diseases resulting from or aggravated by air pollution and contaminated water to skin cancer from exposure to UV radiation due to the depletion of the ozone layer.

19. The Philippines on Environmental Awareness In the public sector of the country, laws have been enacted to protect the environment. One of these is Republic Act 7942, also known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 . This law aims to protect the environment by regulating the extraction of mineral resources by mining companies while expanding foreign investments and increasing mining output Another law is Republic Act 8749,known as the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 . This law aims to reduce air pollution by incorporating environmental protection into developmental plans. Likewise, it sets emission standards for motor vehicles and pollutant limitations for different industries . This law encourages self-regulation on the part of individuals and companies to ensure reduced emission of harmful gases.

20. One of the most recent additions enacted by the government is Republic Act 9512, known as the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008. This law requires different government agencies in the field of education to promote environmental awareness in the curriculum. Schools must discuss the threats of harming and exploiting the environment, the citizens responsibility to the environment, and the value of conserving protecting , and rehabilitating natural resources in the context of sustainable development.

21. In the private sector, numerous studies are conducted to survey environmental awareness regarding current issues. In a research study conducted by Medallon & Gallardo (2014), students who attended an environmental seminar at the Lyceum of the Philippines in Laguna were interviewed regarding the issues they are most familiar with concerning global warming. A similar study conducted by Pardo (2012) looked at different factors that measured how environmentally aware students of the University of Northern Philippines were. The study concluded that the students had very high environmental awareness levels and good environmental practices. News agencies can also help in spreading environmental awareness by publishing articles on how to preserve the environment.

22. Filipinos aim to achieve certain goals in spreading and preserving the environment in which they live in. However, proper actions must also be taken by the government, private institutions , and citizens in order to achieve goals in the preservation of nature.

23. The World and Environmental Awareness The importance of protecting the Earth and its resources is a priority of many key decision-makers around the world. World leaders are being more proactive in terms of integrating eco-friendly policies into developmental plans and policies. In the past decades , many world leaders have come together in order to collectively address pressing phenomena of environmental degradation through different international environmental treaties. These treaties recognize and require the cooperation of all parties involved. The signing of these treaties is a commitment to drive their countries to conserve and safeguard the environment.

24. The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty that focuses on the need to protect the ozone layer. It is a treaty designed to help its signatories , recognized formally by the treaty as “parties,” take steps to lessen and eventually eliminate the amount of ozone-depleting substances emitted into the atmosphere. The Montreal Protocol aims to eliminate the primary ozone-depleting substance chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). To date, 197 parties worldwide, including all nations that are part of the United Nations, are signatories to the Montreal Protocol.

25. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is a convention that recognizes the negative effects of greenhouse gases (GHG) on the Earth's climate and the human condition . According to the report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2013, GHG emitted through different industry-related human activities has been a primary driver of climate change from the mid-20th century until the present. In response to these reports, the UNFCCC convened with the goal of stabilizing the amount of GHG emissions so their effects on human health and climate change can be addressed(United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 2016).

26. The Kyoto Protocol is the first international agreement sponsored by the UNFCCC. It was an international agreement introduced by the UN in 1997 and enforced in 2005. The Kyoto Protocol recognizes that developed countries are principally responsible for the current high levels of GHG emissions in the atmosphere as a result of more than 150 years of industrial activity . As a result, the protocol indicated heavier sanctions and demanded greater action from developed nations in reducing GHG emissions

27. The Paris Agreement is the most recent treaty relating to the UNFCCC . The agreement was signed by almost all present parties except for Russia, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and other smaller countries . It is designed to push nations to enact actions that can alleviate climate change as well as help developing countries to financially do the same. The treaty hopes to fight climate change by " keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius"(United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 2017 ).

28. T he Millennium Development Goals (MDG) are a set of eight goals formulated by the participating entities of the United Nations in 2000 . These goals served as the roadmap that guided the development plans of all participating nations with a target date of 2015. These plans were established to address poverty, hunger, disease , gender discrimination, illiteracy, and environmental degradation . The Millennium Summit, held in 2000, recognized the importance of addressing the issue of environmental degradation and advocated for environmental sustainability.

29. In 2015, the United Nations mapped a more specific set of goals for the next 15 years the Sustainable Development Goals(SDG) . The SDGs' 17 goals ranged from the alleviation of poverty to quality education; however, its intentions are similar to the MDG’s in terms of environmental sustainability. Seven out of the 17 goals out lined in the SDG advocate to increase efforts to promote and practice environmental sustainability.