G-11 Vertebra Alvarado, Trinity V. & Culaniban, Ma. Deckzie N.

1st Semester – 2nd Quarter – Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics

I. New challenges to human adaptation and social change

1. Global warming and climate change

What is global warming?

A gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse
effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants.

Greenhouse effect:
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface. When the Sun’s energy reaches the
Earth’s atmosphere, some of it is reflected back to space and the rest is absorbed and re-radiated by
greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse gas:
Any gas that has the property of absorbing infrared radiation (net heat energy) emitted from Earth’s surface
and reradiating it back to Earth’s surface, thus contributing to the greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide, methane,
and water vapour are the most important greenhouse gases.

Some causes of global warming:

1. Burning of fossil fuels

When we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas to create electricity or power our cars, we release CO2
pollution into the atmosphere.
2. Farming
Animals produce large amounts of methane. Some fertilizers also release nitrous oxide, which is another
greenhouse gas.
3. Improper waste disposal
Improper waste disposal is the disposal of waste in a way that has negative consequences for the
environment. Examples include littering, hazardous waste that is dumped into the ground, and not recycling
items that should be recycled.

Some effects of global warming:

1. Rise of sea levels

With a large amount of ice melted, large amount of water or the sea level increases.
2. Loss of habitats
Since ice caps and glaciers start to melt, species that live in that habitat start to migrate and might lead to
extinction because of the loss of habitat that they live in.
3. Extreme weather
Since the level of the sea rises, high levels of precipitation would occur, the earth would experience extreme
rainfall or storms because of the large amount of water being evaporated in the atmosphere.
4. Ocean acidification
As carbon dioxide dissolves in sea water, carbonic acid is formed, which has the effect of acidifying the ocean,
measured in the change in pH.
G-11 Vertebra Alvarado, Trinity V. & Culaniban, Ma. Deckzie N.

1st Semester – 2nd Quarter – Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics

Some steps to prevent global warming:

5. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

6. Drive less, walk more
7. Conserve electricity
8. Plant a tree or don’t destroy nature

2. Transnational migration and Overseas Filipino Workers

(OFWs)
What is transnational migration?
A process of movement and settlement across international borders in which individuals maintain or build
multiple networks of connection to their country of origin while at the same time settling in a new country.

Why people migrate to other countries?

Many people leave their home countries in order to look for economic opportunities in another country. Others
migrate to be with family members who have migrated or because of political conditions in their countries.
Education is another reason for international migration, as students pursue their studies abroad..

Immigrate
come to live permanently in a foreign country.

Migrate
to move from one country or region to another.

Emigrate
leave one's own country in order to settle permanently in another.

Overseas Filipino Workers

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) work abroad to escape crushing poverty and unemployment and the lack of
opportunities at home. The sacrifices OFWs make just to provide a better life for their families earned them the
title of the nation’s bagong bayani (new heroes).

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)

Is an agency of the Government of the Philippines responsible for opening the benefits of the overseas
employment program of the Philippines. It is the main government agency assigned to monitor and supervise
recruitment agencies in the Philippines.