De Leon, Romelie Annette R.

(2014-12210) May 4, 2017

STS 1 W2 (Science, Technology, and Society) Final Paper

Environmental Destruction and Sustainable Solutions: An Analysis Using STS Lens

I. Introduction

There is no doubt that Science, Technology, Research, and Development plays a crucial
role in society throughout the course of history. Indeed, these paved the way for countless of
opportunities for improvements in the lives of the members of the human race. Due to these
opportunities, countries all over the world are all competing for the latest technological
breakthroughs since these will mean sky-high progress for their own economies which, then, will
lead to power. In this age of a highly competitive environment filled with struggles of survival,
only those who has the power will come out alive.

The technological and scientific breakthroughs done through research and development
resulted to this whole new world our forefathers did not think would happen. Little did they
know that that means of production would turn out to be more efficient while not compromising
the working class (though of course this is still arguable) during the age of Industrial Revolution.
They did not see a better way of transportation coming before the invention and innovations on
the automobile and train systems. People gained a higher rate of survival against diseases
because of the development in the field of medical science. Scientific research and development
gave governments the power to further increase their export produce and rule the economic
aspect of their respective nations. Arguably, food security in highly industrialized and developed
countries is not an issue anymore. The countries military powers became stronger as their
weapons of ammunition were modernized and are still in the process of improvement for a more
precise and accurate defense of the land. Families are now closer together as the Internet,
cellphones, and computers tied them up and enabled a convenient way to communicate; people
are having stronger relationships. Through technology, too, people found a way to express
themselves and reach out to a wider audience which gives people with advocacies an advantage.
No one can deny the various improvements and advantages science, technology, research, and
development has brought into our lives, our nations, and our race as a whole.
 However, development in terms of science and technology (that leads to national
development as a result) comes with numerous prices to pay. People are starting to lose their
identity as they immerse themselves into the latest technology, forgetting for a moment that they
are separate from this. Children are growing up with a little to no sense of the typical childhood
experiences anymore. More importantly, the environment is being compromised. Forests are
burned down, bodies of water are polluted with garbage, the air we breathe is not as pure as it
was before, and mountains are bald to their cores. The consequences of such environmental
destructions cannot be ignored. People especially the old and the young became more
susceptible to diseases brought about by these environmental changes, even with the latest
medical breakthrough. There are more calamities now and they are stronger than ever. Floods,
landslides, hurricanes, and typhoons are everywhere. During summer time, the heat would leave
anyone dehydrated and left to die if not taken care properly. Sea water levels are rising due to the
melting of polar caps in the South and North poles which results to the possibility of land
submerging underwater. All of these are alarming phenomena that we must not ignore.

With all these in mind, what I aim to discuss in this paper are the following: first, I will
present the current environmental situations here in the country. The reason why I am limiting
the discourse to the Philippines solely is because for one, I believe that a lot of Filipinos are not
concerned with regards the environment today. Another reason is that when I proceed to discuss
the possible policies and solutions to the environmental problems, it will be easier to discuss
such matters since I am more familiar to the system of the Philippine government compared to
that of other countries. The third reason is that too little attention is being given to the Philippine
environmental concerns which I believe should be eradicated. Now, the second thing I aim to
discuss in this paper are the reasons why environmental ethics is being neglected in this age of
advanced breakthroughs in terms of science and technology. I will use arguments from
environmentalists, ethicists, and philosophers who tackled the subject as to why humans treat the
environment in a manner, consciously or otherwise, that will eventually lead to destruction and
even the possible extinction of the human race. Third, I wish to present the importance of
science, technology, research, and development in solving the environmental problems of today
despite these four being one of the major causes of such troubles. Fourth, I will discuss how
societal institutions specifically the government, private sector, and academe can make the
solutions proposed by science, technology, research, and development happen in order to achieve
a more sustainable growth and development. It is here at this point that I will be using what we
call the STS lens in analyzing the necessity for collaboration between the given institutions
and how these solutions can be brought down to the grassroots level with the safety and
acceptance of the community in mind. I will also give my overall assessment regarding the issue
and pose a challenge for future scientists and researchers as the conclusion.

II. Philippine Environment Today: A Brief Presentation

I will be presenting one case each for the three of the major environmental parts of
Philippine ecology: water, forest, and air. These will be discussed in this order as well.

Water pollution is only one of the various challenges that is faced not only by the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) but the whole country as a whole. It
is needless to say that water pollution can cause serious consequences so for this part, I will
present a specific section in the study by DENR (prepared by Renato Cruz) conducted between
1989 to 1990 about the water pollution in the Pasig River that discusses the sources of pollution
of the river. According to the study, 45% of the waste in the river is industrial waste from 315
(out of 2000) factories were identified as principal contributors. These factories (especially the
textile and food manufacturers) throw away 145 tons of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
every day. Further, the study suggests that the pollution rate will decrease by 2% per year
because of the limited commercial land surrounding the river. Similar to this, domestic liquid
waste contributes 45% of the waste in the river since there is approximately 4.4 million people
living in or near the area. Apparently, only 12% of the waste were treated by sewerage systems
before disposed to the Manila Bay resulting to 148 tons d-1 of BOD added to the river. On the
other hand, solid waste contributes only 10% of the pollution and contributes only 30 tons of
BOD every day. However this should not be taken lightly; solid waste prevents the flow of
sunlight underwater to the plant life. In addition, due to the sinking of solid waste to the river
bed, marine life in the river suffer from suffocation. From all these, we can see that the country is
facing a difficult hurdle in terms of our waters. (Cruz, 1997)

With regards to the forest situation in the country, according to DENR-FMB in 2011,
much of the cause of forest loss is due to the centuries of colonial and industrial logging
practices that can be traced back even into the Spanish colonial period of our history.
Furthermore, unrestricted and unregulated mining activities by mining corporations contributed
to the extent of forest loss in the country. In a study by DENR (2009), 23 mining projects can be
found in areas rich in biodiversity in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, in Palawan, and in
Mindoro. These projects employ harmful chemicals that threaten both the biodiversity and the
integrity of the forest. Besides these, there are also infrastructure and real estate developments
that cause forest loss. According to World Bank (2011), agriculture and forest areas cover around
12.1 million hectares (or 40% of the countrys total land area) are now converted to housing,
hospitals, schools, and other infrastructure aimed at addressing the rapidly increasing population.
These are only a few of the issues in forestry that needs to be addressed in the country.

Lastly, we go to the issue of the air. According to a material presented by the

Environmental Management Bureau of the DENR, Metro Manila, in 2008, has a TSP (Total
Suspended Particulates) of 138 ug/Ncm. Unfortunately, it exceeded the annual air quality
guideline value for TSP of 90 ug/Ncm. Despite this problem in the high gap, it was found out
that there was a 15% reduction from 2004 to 2008.

Now that we have seen a glimpse of the environmental situation in the country, we
should look into the reasons as to why people destruct the environment as they please and take
these situations lightly.

(Note: It is essential at this point to take note that the discussion that follows comes from
various stands discussed in environmental ethics in the field of philosophy. As I am a philosophy
student and have taken up environmental ethics as part of my study of ethics in the university
and this paper is not philosophical in nature, I will only provide an overview of what these ideas
are, what they entail, and what are their relevance and significance in this present discussion.
Moreover, I also want to make it clear that the claims I have laid out in the succeeding discussion
as well as in this paper are in no way the only claims that can be said about the topic at hand.
In no way do I claim that my arguments are to be taken gospel-like. It is in my great interest
that these arguments to be questioned and debated for and against.)

III. Environmental Ethics Explanations for Environmental Destruction

Environmentalists and ethicists identified several reasons as to why humans feel no guilt
at all with their destruction of the environment. These reasons are philosophical and theological
in nature so it is best to understand them in light of texts.
 One of the reasons that justify such destruction can be seen in the Judeo-Christian
tradition (which includes the Abrahamic religions) which can be traced back throughout the
history presented in the Bible most especially to the period of creation. It is said in the Bible,
specifically in Genesis 1:28, that God commanded man to subdue the earth and have dominion
over it. It is through this verse that subscribers of Christianity (and even those who are not)
adhere to the idea that humans have an obligation to assert its dominance over nature and utilize
it in such a way to address their needs. Of course they have forgotten the factor of being good
stewards of nature but that can be discussed elsewhere. Nevertheless, they use the Scripture in
order to justify their destruction (masked under the concept of utilization) of the resources.

In addition to this, the anthropocentric mindset on environment being made only for
human interests is observed and prevalent. Being made to believe that natural resources exist
simply to serve and obey humans, no wonder humanity throughout history felt little to no guilt at
all in destroying the environment. Anthropocentrism is not limited to the issues in the
environment. It can be seen in different fields of study such as biology. It is a worldview that
treats humans as the center of the universe or at least the Earth. Environmental ethics in
philosophy asserts that even if the goal of its study is to determine humans place within nature,
it does not entail that humans have the power and privilege to put themselves into position of
dominion over nature and do as they please. Environmental ethics, together with animal rights
activists, tells us that not only should we address our needs but also be mindful of the interests
and needs of the non-human-yet-sentient creatures living in the environment (especially in
biodiverse areas).

The desire for industrialization and technological advancement also contributes to

environmental destruction. The continuously mechanization of industrial processes and means of
production, the environment has been treated as the main source of raw materials for various
goods. I personally find it sort of contradictory when nature is treated as the main source of raw
materials and yet be overlooked by these corporations in terms of its welfare. I still wonder if
they are aware that their abusive use of the very source of their wealth leads to the eventual
depletion of these resources that will then result to their eventual fall down. Considering most
especially capitalistic ideologies and how the country is so immersed into it, it seems obvious to
me that the bourgeoisie will really exploit the environment to serve their corporate greed and the
proletariat is left without a choice but to adhere to these mindsets imposed by the bourgeoisie to
society as not to suffer the consequences of deviation.

These are only few of the reasons provided by environmental ethics in philosophy in the
attempt to provide an explanation regarding the destruction of nature. With all these in mind, we
are faced with questions: How can these destructions be resolved or at least alleviated? What is
the role that can be played by Science, Technology, Research, and Development in doing such?
What can be said by STS using its lens in analyzing this problem and proposing a response
framework in solving it? All these will be answered, I hope clearly and logically, in the
succeeding discussions.

The discussion that will follow will be divided into two parts. The first part will be
discussing that despite the role played by Science, Technology, Research, and Development in
environmental destruction, they can also provide solutions to alleviate the problem. I will also be
presenting what I see to be their role in sustainable development for the environment in terms of
ensuring the quality of products gained from ensuring that the continuous depletion in quantity. I
will also be trying to integrate the discussions in class.

On the other hand, the second part will focus on how the role of Science, Technology,
Research, and Development be put into practice by means of collaborations between institutions
concerned. This part will also include a discussion which relates to international and political
relations which impacts the implementation of these solutions to the country. Institutional
collaborations, implementations, and assessment of these solutions will be seen as challenges
posed to all parties involved.

IV. STS Lens Part 1: Science, Technology, Research, and Development (STRD):
Roles in Sustainable Growth in Environment

What I would like to assert in this part of the discussion is that despite the contribution of
STRD to the destruction of the environment, STRD can also be used in alleviating the
consequences of such destruction and provide a contribution to the sustainable development in
terms of both environmental policies and scientific experiments.

However important we think STRD is in our society, it cannot be denied that it

contributed in the destruction of the environment. The development of a higher technological
mining techniques paved the way for forest problems in the country. Harmful chemicals are now
available in the market that will aid mining companies to ease their operations without taking
into account the possible results of these chemicals both to their miners health and the
environment welfare.

The pursuit of a higher level of mechanization also paved the way for a higher deposit of
harmful toxins to bodies of water from industrial waste of factories. In addition to this are the
domestic waste from residential areas (most are either illegal or has an inefficient sewage
system) surrounding the body of water. This is prevalent mostly in Metro Manila as there are
fewer and fewer areas that can be resided in.

STRD, through the invention of powerful machines, contributed to the air pollution
present in the country. Dryers give off carbon emission that contributes 14% to the Greenhouse
Gas Effect (GGE). Cars that are not properly taken care of emit smoke that contains dangerous
chemical particles that threatens not only the environment but also to the health of both motorists
and commuters (notice that public utility vehicle drivers often catch Tuberculosis and other lung-
related ailments). Not only are they not properly taken care of; they are also unregulated by
governmental institutions.

On the other hand, it must not be dismissed so lightly that STRD can provide solutions to
the problems they brought. And this is what the chunk of this discussion will include. First, we
start off with the S and T part of the discussion.

Science and Technology, through scientists, developed various techniques as to how to

alleviate the pressing issue of environmental destruction. Inventions such as the electrostatic
vacuum cleaner designed by Daan Roosegaarde aimed at attracting pollution particles in the air
can be used to respond to the growing problem of natural resources contamination. S and T,
therefore, can address the very problems they themselves brought into society.

However, when it comes to S and T initiatives, there always comes along a problem of
institutional support both from the public and private sectors. Apparently, these institutions often
fail to acknowledge the essentiality of S and T initiatives in taking care of the environments
welfare that will eventually result to a better way of living for its citizens. Even the Department
of Science and Technology fails to recognize its duty to provide support (in terms of financial,
for one) to scientists in developing or inventing or innovating. This, I think, is simply
unacceptable as they are called the Department of Science and Technology for the reason that
whatever it is that involves science and technology, as long as it will benefit the greater public,
must be given support by this department.

In innovation of S and T initiatives, there is also the importance of Research and

Development. R and D ensures that there is consistent and efficient development of inventions,
initiatives, and discoveries so these would not remain stagnant and thus can keep up with the
changing times. R and D makes sure that the initiatives brought by S and T can properly address
issues encompassing the spatiotemporal circumstance upon which it was built. What I mean here
is that S and T initiatives must not only be effective at a certain period of time at a certain type of
space but also can be used to future similar issues (perhaps of different weight in terms of the
intensity of the problem) and different locations. R and D guarantees, then, that the S and T
initiatives do not remain a theory written on paper and discussed among academic circles. R and
D see to it that these initiatives can be brought to both the grassroots level (to respond to the
societal issue at hand from the very basic units of society) and the international arena that will
ideally contribute to the global competitiveness of the country.

It is through R and D that S and T initiatives on environmental sustenance (that is

included in the sustainable development of the country) that the environmental issues in the
Philippines are addressed starting from the bottom (grassroots level) to the industry (or vice-
versa) and eventually to the competitive stage of the world. Of course it is needless to say,
however ideally, that the higher the level of competency and effectiveness of these initiatives, the
higher the country will be positioned in global competitiveness rankings compared to those
which we initially treated as our benchmarks.

The economic aspect of this is affected in terms of the country having the patent and
therefore the power to control whoever can gain access to these S and T initiatives. Foreign
countries would start wooing us into sharing with them the technological advancement we
created in responding to environmental problems. This is due, obviously, to the pervasiveness of
environmental issues worldwide. We would start exporting these initiatives to other countries in
exchange for other gains. Using the trickle-down effect theory, exportation of initiatives would
pave the way for greater quantity of opportunities for employment and foreign investments to
enter the country. Hopefully, however, we would be able to handle such results environmentally
(and this is exactly where R and D comes into play; R and D makes S and T initiatives be
effective even when the time and circumstances are different).

V. STS Lens Part 2: Institutional Collaboration, Implementation, and Assessment

of STRD Solutions Seen as Challenges

The second part of the STS Lens discussion will focus primarily on the challenges as to
how S and T initiatives and the roles of R and D can be implemented to the grassroots level (an
eventually to industry and in the global scale) and in what ways are the institutions challenged in
the process of doing so.

First we start with the challenges posed to institutions as to how they would collaborate
and integrate themselves and their programs aligning to the aims of the S and T initiatives and
spoken out by R and D. Let us contextualize it in the Philippines. The DOST, being the
regulating branch of the government when it comes to the S and T works of the country, must
provide, besides funding, support not only from their department but also collaborate with other
agencies concerned as to aid the scientists and researchers with their jobs. For instance, an S and
T project that has something to do with fisheries can be supported and forwarded to and by both
the DOST and the Bureau of Fisheries. In this way, scientists and researchers are assured that
their effort will not go to waste and die a natural death because the project is well-aided.

On the other hand, the government and public sectors of society are not the only
institutions that are challenged. The industry or private sector must also play their role in
forwarding various S and T initiatives that has something to do with their industry. It is of course
essential that these corporations are regulated in terms of the benefits they will garner from the
support they will exert towards the S and T projects. Alongside with this is the collaboration
between the industry and the government to ensure not only the accessibility of the S and T
project to everybody (one of the many roles played by the government) but also the quality of the
product and/or service of the said project (one of the many roles played by the industry/private
sector).

In addition to these institutions, the academe or the university must contribute to these
collaborations by encouraging the scientists and researchers within their community to engage
into S and T initiatives. The academe may grant incentives such as scholarships or higher pay;
nevertheless, the administration should provide aid and guarantee that the scientists and
researchers need not worry about their projects. In the similar manner, the academe should be
regulated in terms of how they encourage and reward their researchers. There should not be a
mandatory engagement into a project to sort of advertise the name of the university.

Lastly regarding the collaborations and integration of various societal institutions, it must
be noted that these collaborations should be consistent from all parties. Moreover, there must
also be an impact assessment of the S and T initiative through these
agencies/departments/institutions to make sure that the project will only affect the benefactors
and stakeholders in a positive manner. The health and safety of the affected community must be
taken as one of the highest priorities. Next would be the environment and this is where my paper
was focused on.

Further, the S and T initiatives through R and D should also be aligned with international
policies but the national interest is still in the heart of these projects. The country should not be
pressured to internationalize decision-making but at the same time foster relations with foreign
countries. Consultations may be made and foreign direct policies may be clarified; but at the end
of the day, it still (at least ideally) the prerogative of the country to make decisions for its own.
Sovereignty in terms of political decision-making should remain respected by all (perhaps with
the exception in cases of human rights violation).

In conclusion, nevertheless, I argue that despite the contribution of STRD into the
destruction of the environment, it can also solve the exact same problems it brought through
continuous progress in terms of institutional collaborations characterized with consistency and
compliance to international policies with still the national interest taken as the priority.
References:

Cruz, R. (n.d.). The Pasig River, Philippines. Water Pollution Control A Guide to the Use of
Water Quality Management Principles (1997). Ed. Helmer, R., Hespanhol, I., Retrieved
from: http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/resourcesquality/wpccasestudy3.pdf

World Bank. (2011). http://data.worldbank.org/country/philippines

Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (2009). Assessing Progress towards the
2010 Biodiversity Target: The 4th National Report to the Convention on Biological
Diversity.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (n.d.). Air Quality in the Philippines.
Retrieved from:
http://www.pcw.gov.ph/sites/default/files/documents/efiles/webmaster/gwpf_sofe_air.pdf