WESTMEAD INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

WESTMEAD INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Science, Technology and Society
Flexible Learning Packets

WESTMEAD INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

College of Arts and Sciences

COURSE TITLE: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

MODULE 3: SPECIFIC ISSUES IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY
UNIT 2: BIODIVERSITY AND THE HEALTHY SOCIETY
INSTRUCTOR: MS. ALONA BAJA
SY AND SEM: 2021-2022/ 2ND SEMESTER

I. INTRODUCTION

Decrease in biodiversity is eminent worldwide. Vertebrates fell to 60% from the 1970s
due to human causes. It is projected that by 2020, wildlife decline will be 67% of the present
umber. The World Wide Fund for Nature and Zoological Society of London reported an annual
decrease in-wildlife by 2%. A major cause is human population which has doubled in number
since 1960 to 7.4 billion. Humans have industrialized the natural habitat of wildlife as well as
marine life. Leaving these creatures with no place to live would eventually cause their deaths.
Marco Lambertini, the General Director of WWF International, described that the
disappearance e of wildlife is at an unprecedented rate, Earth might enter the sixth mass
extinction event according to experts. Mass extinction is described as the disappearance of
species at a rate or 1,000 faster than usual.
Moreover, the disappearance of species in a certain environment causes an imbalance
ecosystem, producing more chaotic changes that harm the entire ecosystem (Inquirer.net,
2016).
This is but a pressing statement for people to know more about the importance of our
diverse environment, and how human activities can either contribute to its growth or
destruction. There is a growing importance of studying how society, environment, and health is
interrelated to each other, that if human beings fail to recognize the needs of one of those
components, the other remaining components can be affected and compromised. Thus, it is
timely to know about the pressing effects of species being extinct and that of our ecosystem
being imbalanced.

II. CONTENT’S LIST

 Biodiversity and Ecosystem
 Threats to Biodiversity
 Consequences of Biodiversity Loss
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 Nutritional impact of Biodiversity

 Health, Biology, and Biodiversity
 Environment-related Illnesses

III. LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Determine the interrelatedness of society, environment, and health

2. Create a diagram that would show the relatedness of species in forming up diverse
and healthy society without compromising one another
3. Identify everyday task and evaluate whether they contribute to the wellness and
health of biodiversity and society or not.

Time allocation for this subject: 3 hours per week

Technological tools:
• Mobile Phone or Laptop
• Social Platform (Fb, Messenger, G-mail, Google Classroom, Zoom)

RESOURCE MATERIALS YOU NEED TO LEARN IN THIS UNIT

• My Video lectures to be posted in our Facebook group
• YouTube Link : State of Philippines Terrestrial Biodiversity 2020(Webinar)
• https://youtu.be/J2p7VUlR6y8
▪ Link of activities and assignment posted on our goggle classroom
• Reading article link: https://www.cbd.int/idb/
• https://www.cbd.int/doc/press/2020/pr-2020-05-19-idb-en.pdf

IV. LECTURES NOTES

BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM

Biodiversity is defined as the vast variety of life forms in the entire Earth. Tt
encompasses all kinds of life forms, from the single-celled organisms to the largest multi-celled
organisms. Its definition is in the structural and functional perspective and not as individual
species. Another definition of biodiversity is "the variability among living organisms from all
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sources, including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic

ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within
species, between species, and of ecosystems.
Biodiversity is 'the source of the essential goods and ecological services that constitute
the source of life for all and it has direct consumptive value in food, agriculture, medicine, and
in industry." (Villaggio Globale, 2009) Understanding biodiversity within the concept of
ecosystem needs a thorough study on the relationship of the biotic, the living organisms and
the abiotic, non-living organisms. Interdisciplinary approach is needed to study the ecosystem.
Biodiversity plays a major role in this natural dynamics For example, a large number of
golden snails in a certain area of a rice field can help predict a low production of rice harvest,
since eggs the golden snails are considered pest for rice plant. On a positive view the larger
number of different spaces in a certain area can be a predictor sustainable life in that area.
Sustainability of the ecosystem ensures a better survival rate against any natural disaster.
Therefore, we, as human inhabitants of the ecosystem, must preserve and conserve the
biodiversity of all creatures.

THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY

There are major threats to biodiversity that were identified by the United Nations'
Environment Programme (WHO, n.d.). These are the following:

• Habitat loss and destruction. Major contributing factor is the inhabitation of human beings
and the use of land for economic gains.
• Alterations in ecosystem composition. Alteration and sudden changes, either within
species and group within the environment could begin to change entire ecosystems.
Alterations in ecosystems are a critical factor contributing to species and habitat loss.
• Over-exploitation. Over-hunting, or over-fishing, or over-collecting of species can quickly
lead to its decline. Changing consumpu0 patterns of humans is often cited as the key
reason for this unsustainable exploitation of natural resources.
• Pollution and contamination. Biological systems respond sow to changes in their
surrounding environment. Pollution and contamination cause irreversible damage to
species and varieties.
• Global climate change. Both climate variability and climate change cause biodiversity
loss. Species and populations may be lost permanently if they are not provided with
enough time to adapt to changing climatic conditions.

CONSEQUENCES OF
BIODIVERSITY LOSS

Even with the improvement of technology and science at present, we still have a lot to
learn about biodiversity, more so about the consequences of biodiversity loss. However, the
basic concept about biodiversity loss was from Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace.
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Infact ecosystems function best since the organisms composing them are specialized to
function in that ecosystem to capture, transfer, utilize and, ultimately, lose both energy and
nutrients. The particular species making up an ecosystem determine its productivity, affect
nutrient cycles and soil contents, and influence environmental conditions such as water cycles,
weather patterns, climate, and other non-biotic aspects. The loss of biodiversity has many
consequences that we understand, and many that we do not. It is apparent that humankind is
willing to sustain a great deal of biodiversity loss if there are concomitant benefits to society;
we hone they are net benefits. In many cases, the benefits seem to accrue to a few they are
benefits seem to accrue to a few individuals only, with net social loss.

As stated by Tilman “The Earth will retain its most striking feature its biodiversity, only if
humans have the presence to do so. This will occur, it seems, only if we realize the extent to
which we use biodiversity.

NUTRITIONAL IMPACT OF
BIODIVERSITY

According to the World Health Organization, biodiversity is vital element a human

being's nutrition because of its influence to food production. Biodiversity is a major factor that
contributes to sustainable 1OOd production for human beings. A society or a population must
have access to a sufficient variety of nutritious food as it is a determinant of their health as
human beings.

Nutrition and biodiversity are linked at many levels: the Ecosystem, with food production
as an ecosystem service, the species in the ecosystem; and the genetic diversity within
species. Nutritional composition between foods and among varieties/cultivars/breeds of the
same food can differ dramatically, affecting micronutrient availability in the diet. Healthy local
diets, with adequate average levels of nutrients intake, necessitates maintenance of high
biodiversity levels. Intensified and enhanced food production through irrigation, use of fertilizer,
plant protection (pesticides), or the introduction of crop varieties and cropping patterns affect
biodiversity and thus impact global nutritional status and human health. Habitat simplification,
species loss, and species succession often enhance communities, vulnerabilities as a function
of environmental receptivity to ill health (WHO, 2007).

HEALTH, BIOLOGY, AND

BIODIVERSITY

Almost all living organisms are dependent to their environment to live and reproduce.
Basic needs of Iiving organisms such as air, water, food, and habitat are provided by its
environment. The evolution of human beings was due to the improved access to these basic
needs. Advances in agriculture, sanitation, water treatment, and hygiene have had a far
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greater impact on human health than medical technology. Although the environment
sustains human life, it can also cause diseases. Lack of basic necessities is a significant cause
of human mortality.
Environmental hazards increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, asthma, and many
other illnesses. These hazards can be physical, such as pollution toxic chemicals, and food
contaminants, or they can be social, as dangerous work, poor housing conditions, urban
sprawl and poverty. Unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation and hygiene are responsible a
variety of infectious diseases, such as schistosomiasis, diarrhea, cholera meningitis, and
gastritis. In 2015, approximately 350,000 children under the age of five (mostly in the
developing world) died from diarrheal diseases related to unsafe drinking water, and
approximately 1.8 billion people use drinking water contaminated with feces. More than two
billion people lacked access to basic sanitation.

The interrelation between human health and biological diversity is considerable and
complex. With the current biodiversity loss at unprecedented rates, the delicate balance
between human health and biological diversity is at risk.

ENVIRONMENT-RELATED
ILLNESSES

Some human illnesses that are found to be related with its environment include
Parkinson's disease, heart disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma,
diabetes, obesity, occupational injuries, dysentery, arthritis, malaria, and depression. By
contrast, activities that promote health and extend human life could have adverse
environmental effects. For example, food production causes environmental damage from
pesticides and fertilizers, soil salinization, waste produced by livestock, carbon emissions from
food manufacturing and transportation, deforestation, and overfishing. Health care facilities
also have adverse environmental impacts. Hospitals use large quantities of electricity and
fossil fuels and produce medical wastes. To prevent some diseases, it may be necessary to
alter the environment. For example, malaria was eradicated in the United States and other
developed nations in the 1940s and 50s as a result of draining wetlands and spraying DDT to
kill mosquitoes. A reduction in mortality from starvation or disease can lead to overpopulation,
which stresses the environment in many different ways-increasing use of 1osil fuels, clearing
of land, generating pollution and waste, and so on (Kensik & Portier, 2017).

Interestingly, according to experts, climate change could also serious impact on human
health and could deteriorate farming ems and reduce nutrients in some foods. In this case,
biodiversity des resilience, thus helping adjust to new environmental conditions. Safeguarding
of coral reefs, for instance, is essential to reduce the risk of foods, as this extraordinary
ecosystem can reduce wave energy by 97%, thus protecting over 100 million people all over
the world.
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Relationships between human health and the environment raise many ethical, social, and legal
dilemmas by forcing people to choose among competing values. Many of the issues at the
intersection of health and the environment have to do with managing benefits and risks. For
example, pesticides play an important role in increasing crop yields but they can also pose
hazards to human health and the environment. Alternatives to pesticide use create trade-offs
in health. The extreme action of stopping all pesticide uses could significantly reduce
agricultural productivity leading to food shortages and increased food prices which would, in
tum, increase starvation in some parts of the world. Public health authorities have opted to
regulate the use of pesticides to enhance food production while minimizing damage to the
environment and human health. Energy production and use help sustain human life, but it can
also pose hazards to human health and the environment, such as air and water pollution, oil
spills, and destruction of habitats (Rensik & Portier, 2017).

No issue demands greater care in balancing benefits and risks than global warming a
significant percentage of global climate change is due to the human production of greenhouse
gases. Climate change is likely to cause tremendous harm to the environment and human
health, but taking steps to drastically reduce greenhouse gases could have adverse
consequences for global, national, and local economies. For example greatly increasing taxes
on fossil fuels would encourage greater fuel efficiency and lower carbon dioxide emissions, but
it would also increase the price of transportation, which would lead to widespread inflation and
reduced consumer spending power. Managing benefits and risks also raises social justice
concerns. In general, people with lower socio-economic status have greater exposure to
certain harmful environmental conditions in their homes or at work, such as lead, mercury,
pesticides, toxic chemicals, or air and water pollution. Communities and nations should wisely
choose a site for a factory, a power plant, or waste dump, or regulating safety in the workplace
to minimize impact to the society.

When drafting and implementing environmental health regulations it is important to

consider vulnerable subpopulations. A vulnerable subpopulation is a group with an increased

susceptibility to the adverse effects of an environmental risk factor, due to their age,
genetics, health status, or some other condition. If an environmental regulation is designed to
protect average members of the population, it may fail to adequately protect vulnerable
subpopulations. Justice demands that we take care of people who are vulnerable. However,
almost everyone in the population has an above-average susceptibility to at least one
environmental risk factor. Since providing additional protection to everyone would be costly
and impractical, protections must be meted out carefully and the populations who are
vulnerable to a particular environmental risk factor must be defined clearly (Rensik & Portier,
2017).

In addition to this, various public health strategies pit the rights of individuals against the
good of society, such as mandatory treatment, vaccination, or diagnostic testing; isolation and
quarantine; and disease surveillance. The owner of a coal-burning power plant must deal with
many laws concerning the operation of the plant, workplace safety, and carbon emissions. A
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developer who plans to build 150 new homes with land he has purchased may also
have to deal with laws concerning storm drainage, water and sewage lines, gas lines,
sidewalks, and so on. Restrictions on property nights are justified to protect human health and
the environment. However, opponents of these restrictions argue that they are often excessive
or not adequately supported by scientific evidence (Rensik & Portier, 2017) Human rights
issues also come up with research on environmental health that involves human subjects. For
such research to be ethical human subjects must give consent, and great care must be taken
to ensure that they understand that they can opt out of the research project. Since the late
1990s some pesticide companies have tested their products on human subjects to gather data
to submit to the government for regulatory purposes. Some commentators charge that these
experiments and because they place people at unacceptably high risk without a clear benefit of
society.

V. SUMMARY

Most of the time, it may seem impossible to really value species singly or in a detailed
manner. But we have to consider the entire Earth as a single unit. A loss of single-celled

species or a family of wild grass can have adverse effects in the entire biosphere.
Biodiversity seen in macro level seems to be still vast and rich, yet if we look at it in micro
level, per species, we have lost too much. Eventually, in the near future, this biodiversity loss
will have a great negative effect especially to us humans. "The value of biodiversity is the value
of everything (Rainforest Conservation Fund, n.d.).

We must recognize the value of the organisms with which we share the planet. As
Costanza et al. (1997) put it, ""We must begin to give the natural capital stock that produces
these services adequate weight in the decision-making process, otherwise, current and
continued future human welfare may drastically suffer... many ecosystem services are literally
irreplaceable." We do not and probably cannot, ever evaluate such services adequately, but
we can value the ecosystems of the world appropriately (Rainforest Conservation Fund, n.d.).

IV. PRE-TEST 1.3

I. Answer the following question minimum of 5 sentences.

1. How would you reconcile the emerging needs of human beings regarding their health and
the need to protect the growth biodiversity?
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2. Do you think that Earth can exist without human beings taking care of it? Or biodiversity
also needs human beings for it to be in a continuous growing process?

3. What are small ways that you think would promote safekeeping our biodiversity?

4. What do you think are the common human activities that can harm biodiversity? What
would be the consequences if these human activities might be stopped and prohibited?