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Learning
Material

Evaluating Environmental
Problems

Causes, Effects, Risks and Impacts

Causes, Effects, Risks and Impacts

 Evaluating Environmental Problems
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Overview

In the past lessons, you were able to be introduced to the different environmental
problems that we are facing today. Now, to further deepen your knowledge and understanding
of how these problems came about and how they will impact our environment as well as the
human well-being, we will evaluate the different environmental problems in terms of their causes,
effects, risks and impacts.

For this learning material, we will give emphasis on the steps of how to assess an
environmental problem by analyzing its root cause and the risks associated with the problem in
order to provide and come up with a feasible solution or resolution.

Learning Outcomes

The main objective of this learning material is to evaluate local environmental problems
associated with human interactions, their causes, and associated risks. Specifically, after
completing the study of this material, you should be able to propose an evaluation of a local
environmental problem by designing a plan of the general steps in analyzing problems using
root cause analysis.

Initial activity – accessing prior knowledge

Before, we start evaluating environmental problems through their causes, effects, risks
and impacts, let us first have a review of what you have learned in the previous learning material.
Based on past discussions, enumerate five (5) different environmental problems that you could
remember and rate each problem from 1 to 5 according to the severity and extent of destruction
the problem may bring, 1 being the highest and 5 as the least, then provide a brief explanation.
Use the table provided below.

Environmental Severity
Explanation
problem rating

Climate change is the most severe environmental problem

facing humanity today. It is caused by the release of
greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which trap heat and
Climate warm the planet. Climate change is already having a
5
change devastating impact on the planet, including more extreme
weather events, rising sea levels, and melting glaciers. If we do
not take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the
consequences of climate change will be catastrophic.

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Air pollution is another major environmental problem. It is

caused by the release of pollutants into the air from cars,
factories, and other sources. Air pollution can cause a variety of
Air pollution 4
health problems, including respiratory infections, heart disease,
and cancer. It can also damage the environment, including
plants and animals.

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies with

harmful substances. It can be caused by sewage, industrial
Water
3 waste, and agricultural runoff. Water pollution can make water
pollution
unsafe to drink, swim in, or use for other purposes. It can also
damage aquatic ecosystems.

Deforestation is the clearing of forests for other uses, such as

agriculture, logging, or development. Forests play an important
Deforestation 2 role in the environment, including regulating the climate,
providing habitat for wildlife, and filtering water. Deforestation
can lead to soil erosion, flooding, and a loss of biodiversity.

Biodiversity loss is the decline in the variety of life on Earth. It is

caused by a number of factors, including habitat loss, pollution,
Biodiversity and overexploitation. Biodiversity loss is a serious
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loss environmental problem because it can disrupt ecosystems and
make them less resilient to change. It can also lead to a loss of
important resources, such as food and medicine.

Causes, Effects, Risks and Impacts of Environmental Problems

The list of issues and problems concerning our environment goes on. Environmental
issues are extremely complex and they vary in intensity, forms, features, and other
characteristics. Environmental issues are defined as problems within the different systems of the
Earth such as the biosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere and the hydrosphere. Some of these may
have been developed naturally while others emerged as a result of human interference or misuse
of the different resources. If these issues and problems will not be properly addressed, they may
result to long term ecological effects that can demolish whole environments.

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In the past activities and lessons, we were able to

examine some specific environmental problems and to assess
the different factors that have contributed to the problems. We
were also able to evaluate the possible effects of the problems
on our environment, specifically on the different systems of the Source: Thwink.org
Earth, as well as its impact to mankind. The failure to properly
address the root cause of such problems has led to most of
the environmental problems being unresolved and even
worsening. However, if you look deeper to figure out what is
specifically causing the problem, the underlying issues will be
resolved.

One of the most effective way in addressing environmental problem is through the Root
Cause Analysis (RCA) as well as risks and consequences assessment. Root cause analysis is
a process used to identify the primary source of a problem. Root cause analysis may involve
different wide range of approaches, techniques, and tools that can be used to uncover causes
of problems. In this process you will identify causes and preventive actions. For example, if a
chemical spill occurs, you would attempt to identify the root cause of the spill occurring so that
you could address the cause and therefore prevent a spill from occurring in the future.

Root Cause Analysis is a commonly used technique that aids in answering the question
“why does a certain problem occurred in the first place?”. This method seeks to identify the origin
of a problem using specific set of steps using the appropriate tools in order to find the primary
cause of the problem. It is assumed that the systems and events are interrelated, thus through
this analysis, an action in one area triggers an action in another, and another, and so on. By
tracing back these actions, you can discover where the problem started and how it grew into the
environmental issues we are now facing.

RCA helps in problem solving by determining WHAT happened, WHY it

happened and HOW to prevent it from happening again.

Assessing the causes of problems involves the investigating the patterns of negative effects,
finding hidden problems, and formulating specific events that contributed to the problem.

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Root Cause
The Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Process: Analysis (RCA):
An Analogy
Think of uprooting a grass in Step One: Define the Problem
your backyard. If you keep on
cutting the leaves for some time,
you will see that your lawn will be
What do you see happening?
clear, but after a day or two, What are the specific symptoms?
new grasses have already
sprouted. In order to eliminate Step Two: Collect Data
the grasses, you must pull out the
whole grass together with the
roots, thus getting rid of the What proof do you have that the problem exists?
weeds totally. How long has the problem existed?
What is the impact of the problem?

You need to analyze a situation fully before you can move on

to look at factors that contributed to the problem.

Step Three: Identify Possible Causal Factors

What sequence of events leads to the problem?

What conditions allow the problem to occur?
What other problems surround the occurrence of the main problem?

During this step, identify as many causal factors as possible. In order to identify the
possible causal factors, some of the techniques that could be employ are: (1) ask many
"Why’s?" until you get to the root of the problem, (2) Drill down by breaking the problem into
small, detailed parts, and (3) creating a cause and effect diagram or a chart of all the possible
causal factors to see where the issue or problem have begun.

Step Four: Identify the Root Cause(s)

Why does the causal factor exist?

What is the real reason the problem occurred?

Use the same tools you used to identify the causal factors in the third step to look at the
roots of each factor. These tools are designed to encourage you to dig deeper at each level of
cause and effect.

Step Five: Recommend and Implement Solutions

What can you do to prevent the problem from happening again?

How will the solution be implemented?
Who will be responsible for it?
What are the risks of implementing the solution?

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In this step, the cause-and-effect process must be analyzed. This will be useful in planning the
whole solution and to predict possible effects of the process. This way, potential failures can
be predicted and avoided.

The above steps are the general method that could be observed and be conducted in
order to evaluate local environmental problems associated with human interactions, their
causes, and associated risks. For further readings and studies, you may visit these following
references for the different application of RCA and the different techniques and methods than
can be used in analyses:

ABC of root cause analysis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgBeC2j99LA)

Root Cause analysis for beginners (Rooney, J. J., & Heuvel, L. N. V. (2004). Root
cause analysis for beginners. Quality progress, 37(7), 45-56.)

Evaluation

Using your understanding on evaluating environmental problems, choose one

issue/problem that is existing in your community or barangay. Then, by applying the
steps of RCA, formulate a comprehensive analysis of that environmental problem.
You may also use other methods that is discussed in the additional resources
mentioned above. Use a separate sheet for this activity.

References

1. Chiras, D. D. (2009). Environmental science. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

2. Harich, J., Bangerter, P., & Durlacher, S. (2012, July). Solving the sustainability problem
with root cause analysis. In Proceedings of the Ecosystem Services Partnership
Conference, Portland, OR, USA (p. 25).
3. Robitaille, D. (2004). Root cause analysis: Basic tools and techniques. Paton
Professional.
4. Rooney, J. J., & Heuvel, L. N. V. (2004). Root cause analysis for beginners. Quality
progress, 37(7), 45-56.
5. Root Cause Analysis. Thwink.org. Accessed on
Thwink.orghttp://www.thwink.org/sustain/glossary/RootCauseAnalysis.htm

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Environmental Problem: Water Pollution in Puerto Princesa, Philippines

Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

Step 1: Define the Problem

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies with harmful substances, such as sewage,
industrial waste, and agricultural runoff. Water pollution can cause a variety of health
problems, including diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever. It can also damage the environment,
including harming aquatic ecosystems.

What do you see happening?

 People are getting sick from drinking contaminated water.

 Aquatic life is dying in polluted water bodies.
 The smell of sewage is unbearable in some areas.

What are the specific symptoms?

 People are experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
 Fish and other aquatic animals are dying in large numbers.
 The water in some rivers and streams is brown and murky.

Step 2: Collect Data

 The City Environmental Management Office (CEMO) has reported that the water quality
in several rivers and streams in Puerto Princesa is below the national standards.
 The CEMO has also reported that there are a number of illegal sewage and industrial
waste discharges into the city's water bodies.
 According to the World Health Organization (WHO), water pollution is the leading cause
of death among children under the age of five in the Philippines.

How long has the problem existed?

 Water pollution has been a problem in Puerto Princesa for many years.
 The problem has become worse in recent years due to population growth and rapid
urbanization.

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What is the impact of the problem?

 Water pollution is a major threat to public health and the environment.

 Water pollution can also have a negative impact on the tourism industry, which is a
major source of income for Puerto Princesa.

Step 3: Identify Possible Causal Factors

 Illegal sewage and industrial waste discharges

 Lack of adequate wastewater treatment facilities
 Agricultural runoff
 Deforestation

To identify the possible causal factors, we can ask ourselves the following questions:

 What sequence of events leads to the problem?

Sewage and industrial waste are discharged into water bodies without proper treatment. This
contaminates the water with harmful substances. People drink the contaminated water and get
sick. Aquatic life is also harmed by the pollution.

 What conditions allow the problem to occur?

There are no strict regulations or enforcement mechanisms to prevent illegal sewage and
industrial waste discharges. There is also a lack of adequate wastewater treatment facilities.

 What other problems surround the occurrence of the main problem?

Deforestation contributes to water pollution by increasing soil erosion and runoff. Agricultural
runoff also contributes to water pollution by carrying fertilizers and pesticides into water bodies.

Step 4: Identify the Root Cause(s)

The root cause of water pollution in Puerto Princesa is the lack of an effective wastewater
management system. This includes a lack of strict regulations, enforcement mechanisms, and
adequate wastewater treatment facilities.

Step 5: Recommend and Implement Solutions

The following solutions to water pollution in Puerto Princesa are recommended:

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 Develop and implement stricter regulations and enforcement mechanisms to prevent

illegal sewage and industrial waste discharges.
 Invest in adequate wastewater treatment facilities.
 Reduce deforestation and agricultural runoff through sustainable land management
practices.

How will the solutions be implemented?

The local government can play a leading role in implementing these solutions. The government
can develop and implement stricter regulations and enforcement mechanisms, invest in
wastewater treatment facilities, and promote sustainable land management practices.

Who will be responsible for it?

The local government will be responsible for implementing the solutions. However, the private
sector and the community can also play a role. For example, businesses can install their own
wastewater treatment facilities, and farmers can adopt sustainable land management
practices.

What are the risks of implementing the solution?

The main risk of implementing the solutions is the cost. It will be expensive to develop and
implement stricter regulations and enforcement mechanisms, invest in wastewater treatment
facilities, and promote sustainable land management practices. However, the long-term
benefits of addressing water pollution outweigh the costs.

Conclusion

Water pollution is a serious environmental problem in Puerto Princesa, Philippines. The root
cause of water pollution is the lack of an effective wastewater management system. This
includes a lack of strict regulations, enforcement mechanisms, and adequate wastewater
treatment facilities.

The following solutions to water pollution in Puerto Princesa are recommended:

 Develop and implement stricter regulations and enforcement mechanisms to prevent

illegal sewage and industrial waste discharges.
 Invest in adequate wastewater treatment facilities.
 Reduce deforestation and agricultural runoff through sustainable land management
practices.

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The local government, the private sector, and the community can all play a role in
implementing these solutions.

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Scoring Rubric for the Student’s Evaluation of Learning Material 7

EVALUATING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

Category 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25

(UNACCEPTABL (NEEDS (AVERAGE (VERY (EXCELLEN
E) IMPROVEMEN ) GOOD) T)
T)
Definition of Student does not Student fails to Student Student Student
the Problem identify the define the adequately adequatel states the
problem problem define the y and problem
adequately problem but clearly clearly and
missed defines identifies
some the underlying
points problem issues
Process of Only 30% of the Only 50% of 85% of the 90% of the All of the
Analysis Steps in RCA the Steps in Steps in Steps in Steps in RCA
were applied in RCA were RCA were RCA were were applied
problem analysis applied in applied in applied in in problem
problem problem problem analysis
analysis analysis analysis
Identification No causal factors Very few causal Only some Most of All of the
of Causal and root cause of factors and root of the the causal causal
Factors and the problems was cause of the causal factors factors and
Root Cause identified problems were factors and and root root cause of
identified root cause cause of the problems
of the the were
problems problems identified
were were
identified identified
Presentation Output Very few parts Only some Majority of The output
/ presentation was of the output of the parts the parts was
Organization not organized at were presented of the of the presented in
all in an organized output was output was a very
manner presented presented organized
in an in an manner
organized organized
manner manner

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