1. NATURE KNOWS BEST.

(ANG KALIKASAN ANG MAS NAKAKAALAM)

This principle is the most basic and in fact encompasses all the others. Humans have to understand nature and have to abide by the rules nature dictates, In essence, one must not go against the natural processes if one would like to ensure a continuous and steady supply of resources. One natural process that needs serious attention is nutrient cycling. In nature, nutrients pass from the environment to the organisms and back to the environment. Any dstruption in the cycle can bring about imbalance.

For example, burning of farm wastes instead of allowing them to decompose naturally disrupts the cycle. In burning, most of the organic compounds are lost. The combustion products bring greater havoc as in the case of carbon dioxide build-up, which results in the warmingup of the earth, or the so called greenhouse effect.
History and our experiences are full of examples to prove the validity of this principles. In fact this principle only surfaced when many of the detrimental effects of technology were recognized coined thereon as ecological backlash.

2. ALL FORMS OF LIFE ARE IMPORTANT. (ANG LAHAT NG BUHAY AY MAHALAGA.)

Each organism plays a fundamental role in nature. Since such occupational or functional position, otherwise known as niche, cannot be simultaneously occupied by more that one specie, it is apparent that all living things must be considered as invaluable in the maintenance of homeostasis in the ecosystem. It is easy to appreciate the beautiful butterflies, especially knowing their important role in pollination. The giant beast the elephants, the whales, the alligators = are objects of awe and the products they yield ivory, oil, leather, respectively are highly prized. But when it comes to unlovely, wriggly and troublesome creatures. This principle is unusually overlooked.

For instance, it has been customary for many to step on any wriggling creature (e.g. earthworms) without even considering why God made them in the first place. People also react adversely to the presence of snakes. At home, spiders are looked at with disdain. Awareness of the snakes role in limiting the rat population and of the spiders role in checking the population of mosquitoes and flies may, however, change thus attitude.

3. EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED TO EVERYTHING ELSE. (ANG LAHAT AY MAGKAUGNAY.)

This principle is best exemplified by the concept of the ecosystem. In an ecosystem, all biotic and amniotic components interact with each other to ensure that the system is perpetuated. Any outside interference may result in an imbalance and the deterioration of the system. In lake ecosystem, the organisms are linked to one another through their feeding habit/level and are also dependent on other physico-chemical factors in the late (e.g. amount of nutrients, amounts and types of gases, temperature, PH, etc.). At the same time, the physicochemical factores in the lake are influenced by the terrestrial environment that srrounds it. The fertilizers that reach the lake cause a faster growth of phytoplankton, which may lead to a algae bloom, red tide, or other such phenomena.

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principle may be discussed in local, regional, or global perspective. Deforestation in the mountains may affect the lowlands through floods, drought, and erosion. Whatever happens to one country may affect other countries. An example of this is the Chernobyl accident, which affected a lot of countries through the transfer of radioactive substances by natural by natural agents such as wind and water, as well as human activities like the export of contaminated flood.

4. EVERYTHING CHANGES. (ANG LAHAT AY NAGBABAGO.)

It is ssaid that the only permanent thing is change. As a general classification, change may be linear, cyclical or random. An example of linear change is evolution of species, which has brought about higher and more complex types of organisms. Cyclical change may be exemplified by seasons and the rhythms in floral and faunal life stages that go with the seasons. An in many parts of Luzon and changes in the topography of the lands.

The environment is constantly changing. Organism also evolve through time. However, mans technology has affected these natural changes often to a problematic extent. Although mutation is a natural change, pesticides have induced insect mutations, which are not matched by natural checks and balances. Humans should rethink their relationship with the environment. Changes that they think may be beneficial to the environment often turn out to be disastrous. Environmental technologies should be given priority if man would want more positive changes in the environment.

5. EVERYTHING MUST GO SOMEWHERE. (ANG LAHAT AY MAY PATUTUNGUHAN.)

When

a piece of paper is thrown away, it disappears from sight but it does not cease to exist. It ends up elsewhere. Gases released in smokestacks may disperse but it will end up a component of the atmosphere or brought down by rains. What a particular type of waste doest to the earths repository should be of concern to us. It may be pollutant or a resource depending on certain factors.

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wastes are not lost to oblivion, and even goes back to ones own backyard in some other forms, it is important that one becomes aware of the different types of wastes whether they are hazardous or not. Classification of wastes facilitates their proper disposal and minimizes, if not prevents, the entry of toxic wastes in vital ecosystems and ensures reconversion into useful forms.

6. OURS IS A FINITE EARTH. (ANG KALIKASAN AY MAY HANGGANAN.)

The

earths resources can be classified as either renewable or non-renewable. Renewable resources are those that can easily be replenished by natural cycles (e.g. water, air, plants, and animals) while nonrenewable resources are those that cannot be replenished through natural cycles (e.g. ores of various metals, oil, coal).

Although renewable resources can be replenished, it is important to note that these are renewable only as long as they are not overused nor destroyed from such factors such as pollution to ensure that these resources will be continually replenished, it is essential to know how much of a resources can be consumed at a given time to balance the rate of exploitation with the rate of replenishment.
Awareness of the earths limited resources leads to a conscious effort to change ones consumerist attitude as well as to develop processes and technology that would bring about effective recycling of a great number of resources.

7. NATURE IS BEAUTIFUL AND WE ARE STEWARDS OF GODS CREATION. (MAGANDA ANG KALIKASAN AT ANG
TAO ANG TAGAPANGASIWA NG LAHAT NG GINAGAWA NG DIYOS.)

Among all creatures, human are the only ones made in Gods image and have been given the right to have dominion over all His creations. Being the most intelligent and gifted with reason, humans are capable of manipulating creation to their own advantage. Yet, creation exists not to be ravaged or abused but to be taken care of. Humans cannot exist without nature. They are co-natural with the environment they live in. If the environment they live is in destroyed, with it will go Homo Sapiens.

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principle is inherent in all religious and tribal beliefs. Teachings of Christianity Buddhism, and Islam enjoin everyone to respect all life and the order of nature. Words of Chief Seattle, Macli-ing Dulag, and Chito Mendez point to our duty to discern the true worth of modern systems and techniques to reject those that degrade, and promote those that elevate the human condition.