Wednesday, October 10, 2007 Inclusion of global warming lessons in curriculum sought By Albert B. Lacanlale
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A councilor here has proposed the inclusion of lessons about global warming in the curriculum of elementary and high school students in this city to create early awareness to the deteriorating condition of the earth’s climate among local residents.
Councilor Jaime Lazatin, author of the proposed ordinance, said the passage and implementation of such ordinance is necessary to involve school children in the preservation and protection of the environment, and “in the overall effort to save the world.”
Lazatin’s proposal came in the light of a series of super typhoons that have wrought havoc in the country.
“More catastrophe and numerous deaths can be expected if the problem of global warming is not taken seriously,” Lazatin quoted various research materials he wandered through in support of the ordinance.
In the country alone, he said typhoons Milenyo and Reming last year claimed and devastated the lives of hundreds of Filipinos.
Global warming is the abnormal variance in the temperature in some parts of the world. Warmer temperatures increase the energy of the climactic system and lead to a more intense rainfall in some areas.
Lazatin said human-induced global warming more than contributed to the trend.
“National catastrophes always receive widespread publicity and attention but oftentimes the news reports fail to go further and delve deeper into the rood causes of these disruptions on the environment and ecosystem,” he said.
The councilor launched the aggressive campaign geared towards prioritizing preservation-related actions and fighting for laws which create awareness and move towards lessening the intensification of global warming not just at the barangay level but ideally on a nationwide degree.
“Global warming is a very common term often heard or read about in the media but few people grasp the actual contributions their day-to-day decisions and actions have on worsening the effects of global warming,” he stressed.
Lazatin said there are many ways within each citizen’s power to reduce the effects of global warming and it starts with awareness and conscientiousness.
The proposed ordinance, which would cover both the elementary and high school in both private and public schools in the city, tends to provide insights on the ill-effects of global warming to students, such as increased infectious diseases and heart related deaths, among others.
The “Global Warming Education” is targeted to be integrated in the curricula effective school year 2008-2009, specifically in the students’ Science subject.
