Projects

Activities undertaken and events organized by the Department of Environmental Science include the following:

 

Environmental Education Initiatives and Development of Instructional Materials:

The Department of Environmenal Science is actively engaged in the promotion of environmental education through the development and publication of various textbooks and lab manuals for Tertiary level and training manual & facilitator’s guide used in capacity-building training programs. Examples include:

ES 12 Laboratory Manual (ongoing)

David, MAB, Hufemia, AMM, Segarra, PHL, Unson, JRS (2003). Understanding the Impact of Environmental Change, pp. 157-177. In: M.A. Cuyegkeng (Ed.), Romancing Science by the Ateneo de Manila Science Departments. Office of Research & Publication, Ateneo de Manila University.

Unson, Jewel Racquel S. (2005). Chapter 5: Energy: An Indispensable Resource, pp. 84-110. In: E.Q. Espiritu (Ed.),  Introduction to Environmental Science: Managing Resources for Sustainable Development. Office of Research and Publication, Ateneo de Manila University.

Unson, Jewel Racquel S. (2010). Session 7: The Environment and Integrated Flood Management. Integrated Flood Management Training Manual & Facilitator’s Guide. The Capacity Building Network for Integrated Water Resources Management (Cap-Net), Indonesia.

In addition, in 2011, the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Inc. (PRRCFI) obtained an educational grant from the Foundation for the Philippine Environment to establish, develop and institutionalize an environmental education program through the Danjugan Island Environment Education Project (DIEEP). Several marine and wildlife camps will be conducted in the next two years. The participants would consist of local public schools students and teachers and local government unit officials from Cauayan, Sipalay, and Hinobaan in Southern Negros Occidental, Philippines. The Department Environmental Science agreed to take part by assisting in the development of teachers’ manuals and students’ workbooks that focus on environmental principles/core values, biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and climate change that will be used at the various camps.

 

The SC Johnson-Ateneo Environmental Leadership Forum:

In 2008, during its 50th anniversary in the country, S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. established an endowment fund to recognize and celebrate environmental leadership in the Philippines. 

In partnership with the Ateneo de Manila University, this fund supports an annual Environmental Leadership Forum, which is a venue to present innovative ideas in the areas of Environment and Sustainable Development. 

Past forums have covered the following topics: 

2008: Perfect Storms: What Should the Philippines Do About Climate Change
Jose Ramon T. Villarin, SJ, Ph.D.
Antonio La Viña, Ph.D.
Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga

2009: Environment and Energy: New Challenges in Sustainable Development for the Philippines
Raphael M. Lotilla

2010: Come Hell and High Water: The Challenge of Freshwater Resources
Adelina Borja
Jeric Sevilla
Pipalawan Naga

2011: Food Security in an Unsecure Environment
William G. Padolina, Ph.D.
Rafael Guerrero III, Ph.D.

2012: Towards Sustainable Consumption: Balancing Economic Growth and Environmental Conservation
Atty. Angela S. Ibay
Ms. Lisa Inez C. Antonio

2013: Ecology and Ecnomy: A Balancing Act
Mr. Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan
Mr. Bonar A. Laureto
Mr. Danilo C. Israel
Mr. John Leo Algo

For more details, see the forum website at http://admu-scj-environmentforum.com/.

The Bayer Young Environmental Envoys EcoCamp:

In 2001, Bayer Philippines, Inc. initiated the Bayer Young Environmental Envoys (BYEE) Program, to support young Filipino leaders and help them gain more knowledge and understanding of global and local efforts on environmental protection and sustainable development.

One of the major components of the BYEE Program is the Ecocamp, which aims to give the Envoys an opportunity to understand various environmental issues as well as their vital role in sustainable development. Since the program’s inception, the Department of Environmental Science has been organizing and facilitating the BYEE Ecocamps, with the following objectives:

  • Present an overview of the current situation of the Philippine environment showcasing the efforts of the different sectors in addressing environmental issues;
  • Provide opportunities for interacting with environmental practitioners as well as fellow participants;
  • Offer firsthand learning experiences that will sensitize the participants to the cause of environmental protection.

Through the BYEE Ecocamps, the ES Department partners with Bayer Philippines, Inc., to foster young environmental leaders, so they may grow together towards a lifelong commitment for environmental responsibility and sustainable development.

 

Special Symposium on Climate Change and Biotechnology: Exploring Options towards Food Security

Climate change poses challenges and brings opportunities.  Shifts in climate, extreme weather events and growing demand make food security a critical priority for our country.  The risk posed by changes in rainfall, land use and population calls for a review of strategic options and innovations in the areas of food supply and distribution.

It is in this light that the Manila Observatory, the Ateneo de Manila University's Departments of Environmental Science and Biology, and the Department of Agriculture's Philippine Agricultural Development and Commercial Corporation, have partnered with the U.S. Department of State's Biotechnology Outreach Program to co-organize this symposium. This event also reflects an almost decade-long partnership between the United States and the Philippines in the fields of agricultural biotechnology development, adoption and trade.

The symposium was held from on May 21, 2012, at the Escaler Hall, Science Education Complex of the Ateneo de Manila University Campus, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City. The main speaker was Dr. Peter J. Davies, a Professor of Plant Physiology at Cornell University, where he has been a member of the faculty for 42 years.  Dr. Davies is, likewise, a Jefferson Science Fellow with the Office of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Textile Trade Affairs at the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Economics and Business Affairs.  A multi-sectoral panel of reactors was invited to comment on Dr. Davies' presentation.