PopulationChapter 5

The Effects of Overpopulation

Lesson 1

A population is a group of organisms of the same kind living in the same place at the same time. Look at the pictures below.

Which is considered a population?

All the pictures above show population. But this chapter will focus on the human population – the effects of overpopulation, the strategies for coping with rapid population growth and restoring the balance of nature.

Through the years, the Philippine population has been increasing steadily. Millions of babies are born every year. When more babies are born than those who die, birth rate or natality is greater than the death rate or mortality. Thus population size increases. When population size becomes too big in a certain place, this results in overcrowding or population explosion.

Population explosion brings about several problems. What problem can

you infer from the picture below?

Overpopulation beings about inadequacy in space and housing. The families in this picture stay together in a very limited space. What other problems may occur due to over population? Find out in the activity that follows.

What are the effects of overpopulation?Study the photos below.

What are some of the effects of overpopulation as shown in the photos above?

Overpopulation or rapid population growth (RPG) carries with it lots of

problems. Let’s discuss them one by one.

Food Shortage

Food is human’s basic need. Without it, you cannot live. If there are too many people in a certain place, food production and supply may not be sufficient for their needs. There is food shortage. When there is a great demand for food but the supply is low, prices of food go higher. People with minimum income can’t cope with the rising prices of basic commodities so they become malnourished and undernourished. Food shortage may even become worse and lead to famine.

What is famine?

Water ShortageIs there enough supply of water in your community? Is

the water safe for drinking? What reminds you of El Niño phenomenon?

Places with large populations are beset with water shortage. More people need more water. In depressed areas and even in many places in Metro Manila, you would see the long queue or line of people waiting for their turn to get some water.

Housing Problems

In an overcrowded place, people build their houses along the railroad tracks, river banks or even on sidewalks. Some even squat on private or vacant government lots. Families living in a cart, sleeping under big trees or waiting sheds are also noticeable in Metro Manila.

Air Pollution

When something appears in an environment that is unwanted and does not belong, it is “dirtying” the environment. We say it is polluted. One kind of pollution is air pollution. Air pollution sometimes results in smog-dirty air caused by too many fuels being burned by factories and vehicles. Sometimes rain drops touch polluted air as they fall. The rain is dangerous to the environment, particularly bodies of water. In industrial places, factories give off fumes and chemicals that pollute the air. Second hand or poorly maintained vehicles emit lead, iron, carbon monoxide and other pollutants that are detrimental to your health.

Water PollutionDirty water caused by chemical waste from factories, insecticides,

detergents, oil spill from giant ships and household sewage all contribute to water pollution.

Oil spills kill aquatic animals in the water. The oil clogs the scales of fish. When this happens, they cannot move through the water. The may also die because of poisoning.

What is the condition of the Pasig River, Manila Bay, Tulyahan River and creeks in Metro Manila nowadays?

Water pollution can affect the ecosystem by poisoning food chains. It also might cause low oxygen content which is generally harmful to aquatic animals.

Noise Pollution

Overcrowding causes noise pollution. Too much noise drowns out all natural sounds in nature.

Garbage Problem

When there are more people living in a certain place, more garbage will be produced. Garbage accumulates but there is no safe places for its proper disposal. That’s why you see biodegradable as well as non-biodegradable materials that are scattered everywhere. When biodegradable waste rots, it gives off a poisonous gas called methane. Non-biodegradable waste, especially plastics that are dumped in nearby water, clog water drainage systems thereby preventing the water from flowing freely.

UnemploymentPeople ranging from 20-59 years old comprise the working group of

our population. They support the dependents in our population. But as population increases, job placement becomes more difficult. Competition becomes very stiff. So, there is unemployment. Unemployment leads to deprivation of needs, which at its worst leads to prostitution, robbery and theft.

Lack of jobs in the Philippines has encouraged many to seek greener pastures, even at the sacrifice of being separated from their families. What happens when Filipino people migrate? The Philippines suffers a brain drain as our nurses and doctors go to the United States. Teachers accept domestic jobs in Hong Kong which is far below their profession. Entertainers go to Japan and are sometimes forced into prostitution by illegal recruiters. Laborers go to the Middle East where sometimes they do not get the wage that was promised to them. The separation of a husband or a wife from the family causes broken homes and delinquent children.

Diseases

Victims of diseases such as cholera, flu, and dysentery usually come from an overcrowded place. These diseases are highly contagious. Contagious diseases are easily transferred from one person to another. When a disease affects a large number of people in a place at the same time, epidemic happens.

Lack of Educational Services

Most of the children of the poor go to public schools. Public schools have no space for more pupils. They lack rooms, chairs, textbooks, learning equipment and even teachers. One teacher handles a class with 50 pupils or more. They even hold classes outside the school buildings just to accommodate more pupils.

Energy Shortage

As population grows fast, more electricity is needed. More electrical energy is needed to run our electrical appliances. But sometimes we run short of energy due to the big increase in oil prices.

Lack of Peace and Order

Everyday, there is news of killing either over the radio, on TV or newspapers. Innocent citizens are ambushed or killed. Bank holdups happen. Houses are robbed. Some people, young or old, indulge in illegal activities, such as pickpocketing, illegal gambling, drug pushing, smuggling, etc. just to earn money the easy way. The more people there are in a certain community, the more chances for people quarreling over food, water, jobs and other basic needs. Some people sometimes take the law into their own hands. In this case, there is a lack of peace and order.

Poverty

Our country is one of the underdeveloped countries. It is one of the annual recipients of foreign aid for solving population problems. There is an increasing number of urban poor in major cities. You see street children, malnourished and homeless families. These things are indications of poverty.

Remembering Science Facts

• Population refers to a group of organisms of the same kind living in the same place at the same times.

• The effects of overpopulation or rapid population growth (RPG) are

• food shortage• water shortage• housing problems• air pollution• water pollution• noise pollution

• garbage problems

• unemployment• lack of educational

services• energy shortage• lack of peace and

order• poverty

Reaching OutRead each situation carefully then write the problem that is connected to

overpopulation.

1.People become idle and find difficulty in landing jobs.

2.Big families build shanties on sidewalks.

3.More people line up waiting for their turn to get water.

4.People line up to buy rice.

5.People dump industrial waste into bodies of water.

Coping with Overpopulation

Lesson 2

How can we control the bad effects of overpopulation? Are there measures done by the government to minimize or solve overpopulation problems or perhaps to improve our living conditions? Do you take part in controlling problems accompanying overpopulation?

Let’s look at the brighter side of the world. Read the headlines below.

Aren’t these worth encouraging? Get set and find out how you can involve yourself in overcoming these problems brought about by overpopulation.

“Bayan Tubig” for the Poor

Solving our

garbage

problem

Clean and green

campaign in Palawan

Lina awards cleanest firms

SAVE: ILOG PASIG

Let’s get to know our ecosystem!

What are ways of solving overpopulation problems?

Study each photo below.

A. Controlling Rapid PopulationYou know for a fact that the government, non-government organizations (NGO’s) ad

other agencies such as the United Nations (UN) have been campaigning for the control of population growth. Several steps and programs have been done such as Family Planning, Population Education, Sex Education, Responsible Parenthood, etc., that are geared toward the control of overpopulation.

To help alleviate the bad effects of overpopulation, some of the following steps are being done by the government.

1. People are given population education to help them know the bad effects of overpopulation and big families.

2. Health workers teach couples, young and old about family planning and birth spacing. Birth spacing means the couple agreeing on the size of the family they want to have and planning when to have children. Birth spacing promotes maternal and child health.

3. Married couples are urged to accept and practice the family planning method of their choice.

4. Seminars and film viewing on various means of birth control and responsible parenthood are conducted at health centers and barangays for married couples.

5. Sex education and family planning are part of the curriculum.

6. Adults are taught wholesome forms of recreation such as home industry or even ballroom dancing so that they may not always turn to sex during their leisure hours.

7. Unmarried youths are advised to have delayed marriage. Delayed marriage tends to limit family size.

8. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) allows couples an exemption for up to four minor dependents only from their Income Tax Returns.

Rapid population growth is quite alarming so people themselves should do something about it.

B. Improving Food SupplyThere are several ways to improve or increase

food production.Farming Methods and Innovations:

• TerracingIn terracing, farmers cut into the hills to make terraces. They plant the seeds on the stair-step terraces. There the crops grow with little runoff water. Have you seen the rice terraces in the Mountain Province?

Farming Methods and Innovations:• Crop Rotation

After planting rice, farmers grow different crops like corn, peanuts, beans, mongo and other legumes. The roots of these legumes contain much nitrogen which makes the soil fertile.

Farming Methods and Innovations:• The use of modern farm tools and best seeds

Through science and technology, today’s farmers use modern machinery for fast labor. Irrigation systems enable farmers to plant and harvest rice two or three times a year. Farmers have better varieties of rice, hybrid corn, and disease-resistant strains of wheat, rice, and other cereal crops.

• Organic FertilizingOrganic fertilizer is proven inexpensive and more productive. Organic fertilizers are prepared by mixing the leftover parts of crops such as straw husk, peels of fruits and vegetables, manure, cuttings from lawn and soil. All of these things are allowed to decompose for some time then the decaying mixture is a good soil fertilizer.

Farming Methods and Innovations:

• Fish ProductionFishermen and fishpond operators now produce bigger and meatier varieties of tilapia, carp, bangus and other fish in large quantities for consumption.

• Plant and Animal ProductionWith the continuing research and development in technology, there are more small-scale backyard and poultry and piggery farms. Scientists have invented food for birds, fish, chicken, hogs and other animals that will make them grow bigger and faster. Different varieties of chicken, pork and beef are produced for consumers. Knowledge of plant breeding also improved and increased our food supply which is a big help to our growing population.

C. Other ImprovementsAside from food, human beings also need water, shelter and

health services.Improving Water Supply

The Philippines is composed of thousands of islands and has a vast reserve of fresh water. There are 421 rivers, 59 lakes and over 100,000 hectares of freshwater swamps. We also have four major groundwater reservoirs: Ambuklo, Angt, Magat and Pantabangan reserves. We are surrounded by water so why do we still experience water shortage? Water crisis is due to inefficient water distributions, especially in Metro Manila.

So what was the recourse of our people? They turned to bottled water companies. These companies made us think that bottled water is the safest and the healthiest way to replenish the water supply that our bodies need. But, not everybody can afford to buy bottled water.

So as a concerned citizen, here are some ways to help increase our

supply of potable water:1.Conserve water, never leave the water faucet

open. Don’t let the water overflow when taking a bath or washing dishes or clothes.

2.Keep water sources such as ground wells, rivers, springs and seas clean.

3.Repair or report leaking water pipes. Report discolored water too. Contaminated water could enter water pipes during floods.

4.Boil tap water before drinking.

On the part of the two private water firms Maynilad Water Works Inc. and

Manila Waters, they:

1. Install bigger water pipes in many areas in Metro Manila.

2.Put more water pipes in areas without safe sources of water.

3.Maynilad waters launched the “Bayan Tubig” program to provide potable water to poor families. They deliver water connections to these families with charge but at a minimum cost and at installment basis.

Improving Housing Facilities

As the population increases, more and more houses are needed. To solve housing problems especially in urban areas, low cost houses are constructed by the government or private agencies. These houses are paid by low income families in affordable installment basis. Urban settlements are decongested by providing resettlement centers with livelihood projects.

Improving Health Services

In response to the increasing need for health care of a growing population, the Department of Health has shown a great improvement in delivering health services to the people. Health centers nationwide give lectures on health practices, proper diet, family planning and how to avoid illnesses. They also give immunization against polio, typhoid fever, tetanus and measles on scheduled dates.

Remembering Science Facts

• Some programs to help alleviate the bad effects of rapid population growth are family planning, population education, sex education, responsible parenthood and knowledge of birth control and contraceptives.

• Some ways to increase the food supply are terracing, crop rotation, organic fertilizing, the use of modern farm machinery, and applications of more techniques in plants, fish and other animals production.

• Overpopulation problems can be solved by improving water supply, housing facilities and delivery of health services.

Reaching OutCheck the activities that are done by the government

to help solve overpopulation problems.

1.Giving free immunization against measles.

2.Constructing low cost houses which are paid on cash basis.

3.Conducting free lectures on sanitation and disease control.

4.Building artesian well in areas without safe water supply

5. Installing bigger water pipes.

Have you heard of genetic engineering?

Genetic engineering is a way of changing the arrangement of genes. Through genetic engineering, man has produced giant watermelons, seedless grapes, blue roses, protein-rich plants, high yielding rice, and plants that are resistant to insects, cold, drought and diseases.

Genes are the fundamental units of inheritance. They consist of specific lengths of interlocking double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). DNA is a chemical found in the nucleus of every cell. It can be visualized as a very long spiral stepladder with thousands of millions rungs.

DNA stores and sends genetic information to new cells. The genetic information gives every detail of how a biological species is put together and what they look like. They separate and rearrange individual genes and transfer these from one cell to another. By transferring genes from cell to cell, they can choose only the good traits of a plant and mix them with the good traits of another. This process produces a hybrid with the desired traits.

Restoring the Balance of Nature

Lesson 3

Restoring the Balance of NatureHuman beings have done a great alteration in the ecosystem. Our natural

resources have been depleted. Some wild animals and plants are endangered. What now? Should we stop there? These environmental problems should not stop us from striving for modernity, progress and development. Rather, we should see to it that development and the environment are handled in a balanced way. We should maintain a balance between our needs and what our environment can offer.

We must also work hard to help each other become more capable of participating and benefitting from development. We should make the environment a better and more pleasant place to live in. How can we realize all these things? How can we maintain the balance of nature? The best way we can maintain the balance of nature is through conservation.

Conservation is the wise use of our natural resources. What are the things that we should conserve? How should we conserve them? These questions will be answered in this lesson.

Think of the things you do at home, in school and in your community to conserve our natural resources.

Discuss with your teacher.

How can we conserve?

There are many ways by which you can conserve our natural resources. You can do it by conserving our forest, wildlife, water and soil. Much has been said about these things so a few will be mentioned briefly in this lesson.

You practice forest conservation by planting new trees or joining tree-planting projects. You can also support activities for forest conservation and protection. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, specifically the Bureau of Forestry, has spearheaded extensive programs on reforestation. National Forest tree seed centers are established and forestry laws are being implemented.

Regarding wildlife conservation, the government has passed laws declaring closed and open seasons. During the closed season, people are prevented from hunting animals because they are having their young. Permits and licenses are issues to loggers and hunters. Interesting information about wild animals and plants is published to develop favorable attitudes toward them.

You too can play an important role in conserving our natural resources. You

can do this by:• Recycling waste from your own kitchen

• Finding new uses for things that were once throwaways

• Preventing things from getting spoiled (tomatoes, mushrooms, pineapple and fish such as mackerel are canned when the market cannot absorb them)

• Walking instead of riding a jeepney or car to the next block

• Using vacant lots or used cans in raising vegetables

• Turning off lights and electrical appliances when not in use

• Burying biodegradable materials

• Separating biodegradable from non-biodegradable waste materials

• Composting

• Closing leaking faucets

• Preventing the dumping of solid waste into rivers, lakes or seas

• Using coral without destroying their source

We are all stewards of the environment. So we must take care of our Mother Earth to meet our

needs and wants. We should conserve and care for our environment by starting with our

own lifestyles, attitudes and beliefs.

Remembering Science Facts

• Human beings as stewards in the environment can do several things to restore the balance of nature by conserving our forest, water, soil and wildlife.

Yes or No? Tell whether the activity helps restore the balance of nature.

1. Dumping waste in a nearby river

2. Planting new trees

3. Observing closed season

4. Joining environmental campaigns

5. Destroying coral reefs

6. Turning off appliances that are not in use

7. Separating biodegradable from non-biodegradable materials

8. Throwing candy wrappers and fruit peelings anywhere

9. Saving water

10.Recycling old materials

Chapter 5 ReviewFor you to remember

• Population refers to a group of organisms of the same kind living in the same place at the same time.

• The effects of overpopulation or rapid population growth (RPG) are food shortage, water shortage, housing problems, air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, garbage problem, unemployment, lack of educational services, energy shortage, lack of peace and order and poverty

• Some programs to help alleviate the bad effects of rapid population growth are family planning, population education, sex education, responsible parenthood and knowledge of birth control and contraceptives.

• Some ways to increase food supply are terracing, crop rotation, organic fertilizing, the use of modern farm machinery, and applications of more techniques in plant, fish, and animal production.

• Overpopulation problems can be solved by improving water supply, housing facilities and delivery of health services.

• Human beings as stewards of the environment can help in several ways to restore the balance of nature by conserving our forest, water, soil and wildlife.