My personal action to achieve ecological sustainability

        Firstly, I would encourage everyone I know to never harm the habitats of other species and instead let them see its importance to nature and its cycles. I would plant more trees in my garden and plant flowers and etc. 

This is my garden at home. everyday after school I make sure to water them and make sure they get enough sunlight. Also every two months I plant Okras, Grapes, Papayas.. and etc.  









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I would also segregate my garbage and throw them properly. I would always reuse, reduce, and recycle my things and only buy things that I need, not want.  

I segregate my garbage by biodegradable or non-biodegradable. 

Examples of biodegradable materials are paper, fruit peels, leaves and etc.

Examples of non-biodegradable materials are plastic, candy wrapper, plastic folder, styrofoam, aluminum cup and etc.




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Having too little of something is not enough, yet having too much of something is harmful. ex. without carbon dioxide plants would die because they need carbon dioxide in order to make food through photosynthesis. Without plants we would die because there would be no one to make oxygen for us and at the same time if we die then plants would die too because there would be no one to excrete carbon dioxide for them. This is a perfect example of why we need a balance. All of us coexist together, we need each other to survive no matter how much we might dislike some species... Balance is applicable not only in science but also in life.  


We should all have a balance of plants being planted and plants being cut down, of animals / humans being killed and people/animals being born, of the water we are drinking and of the water we are purifying, of the food we are eating and of the food we are making, of raw materials being used and many many more. Throughout our whole life balance will always be a essential.

The world is in our hands. It's time to make a change.

found in google images

Measures taken to conserve, preserve, and protect endangered animals and plants

Because of ecological degradation a lot of species are becoming extinct.

In order to counter-act this problem I have given some ideas on what we should do in our community:

1. Learn about endangered species in your area
2. Teach your friends and family about the wonderful wildlife, birds, fish and plants that live near you. The first step to protecting endangered species is learning about how interesting and important they are.
3. Take care of the plants, trees, lakes, and etc. These protected lands provide habitat to many native wildlife, birds, fish and plants. Scientists tell us the best way to protect endangered species is to protect the places where they live. Get involved by volunteering at your local nature center or wildlife refuge. 
4. Secure garbage cans in shelters or with locking lids, feed pets indoors and lock pet doors at night to avoid attracting wild animals into your home. Reduce your use of water in your home and garden so that animals that live in or near water can have a better chance of survival. disinfect bird baths often to avoid disease transmission. Place decals on the windows to deter bird collisions. Millions of birds die every year because of collisions with windows. You can help reduce the number of collisions simply by placing decals on the windows in your home and office. 
5. Native plants provide food and shelter for native wildlife. Plant more trees, flowers, and etc. 
6. Herbicides and pesticides may keep yards looking nice but they are in fact hazardous pollutants that affect wildlife and many levels. Many herbicides and pesticides take a long time to degrade and build up in soils or throughout the food chain. Predators such as hawks, owls and Coyotes can be harmed if they eat poisoned animals. Some groups of animals such as amphibians are particularly vulnerable to these chemical pollutants and suffer greatly as a result of the high levels of herbicides and pesticides in their habitat.
7. Slow down when driving and keep a look out for any animals crossing the street.
8. Recycle and buy sustainable products.  Buy recycled paper, sustainable products like bamboo and wood products Forest Stewardship Council to protect forest species. Never buy furniture made ​​from wood from rainforests. Recycle your cell phones, because a mineral used in cell phones and other electronics is mined in gorilla habitat. Minimize your use of palm oil because forests where tigers live are being cut down to plant palm plantations.
9. Never purchase products made from endangered or threatened species.
10. Overseas trips can be exciting and fun, and everyone wants a souvenir. But sometimes the souvenirs are made ​​from species nearing extinction. Avoid supporting the market in plant or killing animals just for our pleasure.
11. Protect wildlife habitat.  The greatest threat that faces many species is widespread destruction of habitat. Scientists tell us the best way to protect endangered species is to protect the special places where they live. Wildlife must have places to find food, shelter and raise their young . Logging, oil and gas drilling, over-grazing and development all result habitat destruction. 

We should all stop cutting too much trees but instead plant new ones, stop throwing thrashes into our seas, lakes, rivers, and etc. but instead organize them into two types: biodegradable or non-biodegradable, ( some trashes might end up on some water forms and will make them intoxicated, animals might also mistake it for food and might eat it and die. ) minimize our use of cars, air conditioning, television, computer, and etc. using them only when needed to, and to stop smoking, burning garbage or anything else that releases too much carbon dioxide ( carbon dioxide is a huge contribution to green house gasses which in turn traps the heat inside the earth which changes our climate into something hotter . )  


While we are here enjoying the coldness of our aircon, our fast transportations by means of cars, airplanes, motorcycles, trains and etc., while we are enjoying our gadgets and going about with our daily lives as if nothing is happening to the world, this polar bear is thinking....

This is a polar bear from the north pole, helpless to our destruction,
but still trying to find a solution.

Photo is found on Google Images                                                                                                             

Some Examples of endangered animals and plants in the Philippines

The Top Five Endangered animals in the Philippines

The Philippine Eagle                                                             

The Philippine Eagle is regarded as the rarest and the most powerful birds in the world.

Philippine eagle is also the national bird of the Philippines. 

One of the foremost causes of population decline is habitat loss or deforestation.

The Philippine Spotted Dear

1996, there were around 2,500 species of Philippine spotted dear in the world. 

Scientists are not sure about exactly how many species are left now. 

These deer feeds primarily on leaves, buds, and grasses.




The Philippine freshwater crocodile

These crocodiles are considered to be critically endangered species due to unsustainable fishing. 








The Philippine Tarsier





These animals are found in the south-eastern region of the archipelago.

Toyota

Tamaraw is critically endangered species as they were subject to extreme hunting, habitat loss, and logging.

The population of these species are now limited to a few grassy plains.

Sources: ©http://animalstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/endangered-animals-in-the-philippine-harpy-eagle.jpg
©http://animalstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/endangered-animals-in-the-philippine-philiphine-spotted-dear.jpg

© http://animalstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Philippine-Freshwater-Crocodile-Endangered-Animals-in-the-Philippines1.jpg

©http://animalstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Philippine-Tarsier-Endangered-Animals-in-the-Philippines.jpg

©http://animalstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Tamaraw-Endangered-Animals-in-the-Philippines1.jpg

The Top Five Endangered Plants in the Philippines

Waling-Waling

The Waling-waling is a flower in the family of orchids.

In 2004 it was declared as the national flower of the Philippines that would substitute for the jasmine.

It is extinct due to excessive collecting.

Almaciga 

This tree is much in demand as a chief source of Manila copal and for its high-quality timber used for many general purposes. 

It is planted as an enrichment crop inadequately stocked areas or under-planted in existing plantations, as it needs partial shade in the early stages of its development.

Jade Vine

The Jade Vine is considered vulnerable to extinction due to extensive deforestation.

 Kris plant 

Due to the changing climate, the Kris plant  can be quite difficult to keep alive as it will not accept sub standard   care or incorrect conditions for very long.

Droppings palm

 Droppings The palm  is under threat by the destruction of its habitat, and over-collection of its seeds. 








Humans are largely responsible when animals become extinct, endangered or threatened. Here are some reasons why animals become endangered;

Destruction of Habitat:
Humans destroy precious habitat - the natural environment of a living thing - when they fill swamps and marshes, rivers and dams cut down trees to build homes, roads and other developments.

Pollution:
Oil spills, acid rain and water pollution have been devastating for many species of fish and birds.

Hunting and Fishing:
Many animals are over-hunted because their meat, fur and other parts are very valuable.

Exotic Species:
When animals or plants arrive into a new habitat from a foreign place they sometimes introduce diseases that native species can not fight. These "exotic" species can also prey on native species.


Sources: © http://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talaksan:Euanthe_sanderiana.jpg 
© http: //rafi.org.ph/greenin-philippines/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Almasiga-tree-final.jpg
© http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/explore/attractions/jade-vine
© http://www.onlineplantguide.com/Image%20Library/A/11571.jpg
 © http://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/images/thumb/1/1a/2cb7b2z.jpg/450px-2cb7b2z.jpg




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What is Ecological Sustainability? and What are the measures we have to take in order to achieve this within one's community?

     The worlds increasing population 

     In 1820 there were around one billion people in the entire world. Today, that is less than the population of China alone. The world's population has rapidly increased in the last 50 years. This year our population has grown to 7 billion, each year thousands of babies are born. And when the population increases so those our needs, wants, and waste. This means that there are now more people using the same amount of natural resources and more people polluting the earth. At the same time it would also mean that there are more people to help and contribute to a great society, advancement of medicine and more. 

http://www.businessinsider.com/14-pictures-of-our-crowded-world-2013-6?op=1 

This is a line to get into a train station in the Philippines. Because of increasing fuel costs, Filipinos are choosing to take public transportation instead.

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      The idea of ecological sustainability is to create a balance between our ecological, social and economic needs. Our needs of today must be taken care of in such a way that it does not negatively impact the needs of the next generations.  This means using our natural resources wisely so that these resources are available and are still in good condition for the next generations to use. It is a fact that humans have the tendency to overuse our natural resources,  leaving nothing but polluted water and infertile soil. Ecological sustainability is the belief that all humans must use resources wisely and efficiently so that these resources become exhausted or never over polluted.



     It is also another fact now that if we do not start and take the human race along with everyone else on earth would die or go extinct because of the lack of natural resources that are still in good condition. To understand this better we need to know and understand ecological degradation and the measures we can take up against it.

Understanding ecological degradation

   Ecological degradation  is the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil; the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife. In order to solve this problem we have to take action and try to rehabilitate the environment of one's community. The major problems are deforestation, water, soil, and air pollution, acid rain, agricultural runoff , global warming and many many more. 

   To stop this problem we need to plant more trees (reforestation), have proper water disposals, reduce the use of putting to much artificial fertilizers, use of dynamite fishing, use of cars, smoke and etc., throwing trashes properly, and just try to reduce pollution as much as we can. 
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The world before ecological degradation.









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Before there were crystal skies, clear and clean sea water, and trees that were filled with fruits or vegetables just waiting to be harvested. I have tried swimming in a place that is overflowing with marine life and is clearly being well taken care of. The result is that picture on the left. It has the best water and environment to relax, swim, get a tan, or just to have fun with family and friends. 

This photo was captured by me at the North side of Cebu City, Philippines

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I have  also experienced going to a place that is filled with trees and wild life. There was fresh air everywhere, animals running around, laughing children, and just smiling faces everywhere. There were plants being planted beautifully that they grew because of the perfect environment and the proper care for their soil. 

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how sure are we that fifty years from now what we are experiencing today can be experienced by our grandchildren and their grandchildren?

Now, especially in the Philippines we occasionally use air-conditioned because of our hot climate. We occasionally contribute to human waste and pollution. I believe anything we do can cause a ripple effect, good or bad. Just by not throwing your thrash properly can contribute to floods which would then contribute to traffic, then it will become a hazardous material that some animals might accidentally consume and will then be intoxicated and die, it would also end up on lakes, ponds, seas , oceans and etc. once and will contaminate our water clean and clear. An example is this picture below. 

The world after by ecological degradation and pollution.








found in Google Images.

One simple plastic that is not recycled and not thrown properly will make a huge difference in the destruction of our environment and the death of other species, at the same time throwing that simple thrash will save dozens of innocent animals and will make the environment cleaner, healthier and a lot more suitable for living creatures to live in. 

blurry though you can see that in this picture is a mountain being stripped from trees and is currently going through a lot of deforestation because illegal loggers cut trees from there and they do not bother to plant new ones.

It broke my heart to see this once beautiful mountain become less of a mountain and more rock. 





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Isn't it funny how we were given everything? and how little by little that everything is being destroyed and we have no one else to blame but ourselves.  The world has given us everything, now it is our turn to give back.