SUBJECT: TRENDS, NETWORKS, AND CRITICAL THINKING IN 21ST CENTURY

LESSON 11. Introduction to Network Science

Network
is a group of entities that are connected to each other.
Node is an individual entity in a network.
Links is the connection between nodes.
Network Science is the study of networks, specifically complex networks.
A Brief History of Network Science
The Digital Revolution made it possible for vast amounts of information to be recorded, stored,
shared, and analyzed. This has enabled scholars from various fields to map different kinds of network.
Today, government agencies and private organizations are capable of mapping networks with billions
of nodes and links.
For example: The World Health Organization maintains a data repository called the Global Health
Observatory (GHO) which contains vital information gathered from 194 members state.

Complex Network is the name given to a network that has a structure and behavior that is neither
totally predictable nor completely random.
Types of Network

1. Random network is network that follows a probability distribution in the number of links that each
node can have. In simple terms, there is a limit to how many and/or how few links a node can have.
2. Scale-free Network is a complex network. Its defining characteristic is that it has few nodes with a
lot of links and lot of nodes with few links. A node with many links is called a hub.

3. Small World Network is a network in which most nodes are not directly linked but any two nodes
are connected by short paths. In order to get from one node to another that is not directly connected to
travel between two unconnected nodes, you have to go through path composed of other connections.
LESSON 12: SOCIAL NETWORK

A society is basically a group of people that constantly interact with each other. In most cases,
members of a society share the same location like a town, a university, or a workplace. However, it is
also possible for a society to be composed of people from different places. A major example is an online
society where members are connected via the Internet and it does not really matter where they are
physically located.

Social structure is the way a society is organized. The following are some of the parts that form social
structure:
1. Social Norms are informal rules or practices that govern the behavior of members of a
society. They are informal in the sense that they are not usually upheld by official rules or law but are
nonetheless expected to be followed by everyone. Examples in Filipino Culture: Shaking hands with
people you meet Offering your seat to women and the elderly Chewing with your mouth closed
Taking a bath everyday Fist bumps, high fives, and other hand gestures.

2. Social Stratification is society’s way of categorizing people. Social stratification ranks

people based on different factors such as wealth, intellect, talent, power, etc.

3. Social Status is the rank or position of a person in a society. It is a result of social stratification.
A person can gain a social status in different ways.
2 TYPES OF SOCIAL STATUS

1. Achieved Status- a person can acquire on the basis of merit; it is a position that is
earned or chosen.
2. Ascribed Status- It reflects personal skills, abilities, and efforts (innate).

4. Social Roles is the sum of the norms, responsibilities and expectations that applies to a
person. Basically, it is a part that a person of a certain social status is expected to play.
The difference between social status and social role can be tricky. Essentially, social
status is something that you have while a role is something that you have to do.

A social network is a network of people and the social interactions between them.
AGIL Model

The AGIL paradigm is a sociological model created by the sociologist Talcott Parsons in the
1950’s. The AGIL model is made up of 4 elements that drive social structure. These elements are:
1. Adaptation it can be summarized as the things that we do in order to survive. For example,
most people need to have regular paying jobs in order to afford the resources that they need to survive.
In order to get and maintain these jobs, people have to play certain social roles, follow norms, and form
social connections.
2. Goal attainment. Everyone has goals and life. Our need to set and achieve these goals can
drive our actions. A person can strive to achieve a certain social status. A person can also make it his
or her goal to fulfill the roles that come with his or her current social status.
 3. Integration. Humans have the inherent need to connect with other human beings. Meaning
full social relationships are a part of a fulfilling life. Because of this, we attempt to create new social
connections and give effort to maintain the ones that we already have.

4. Latency. People need motivation in order to continue functioning in a society. We are

motivated by people that we are connected with like friends and family and groups that we belong to
like religion and school. This way, the norms, roles, and statuses that form society are preserved.

Social Network Analysis is the process of studying social structures through network science.

Network Centrality is the measure of importance of a node in a network. The most central node in a
network is the one that has the highest number of connections and/or the one that plays the most
number of roles. The following are the three types of centrality:

1. Degree Centrality is measured based on the number of links that a node has. In real life,
degree centrality is measured by how many connections or social relationships you have.

2. Betweenness Centrality is measured by how many indirect connections passes through a

node. Basically, degree centrality measures how many times a node serves a bridge between other
nodes.

3. Closeness Centrality determines which node has the shortest average path to the other
nodes in the network.
Social Media as a Tool

Social media services allow us to connect to people from different parts of the world. They also
enable us to keep in touch our friends and family wherever they are.

Social media or online social networking also serves as a great tool for Social Network Analysis.
Traditionally, social networks are hard to observe. In order to visualize a social network, you will have
to manually identify its members or the people that are involved in it and draw a map of the connections
or relationships between each and every one of them.
LESSON 13. NUERAL NETWORKS

The term “neural network” can mean one of two things. First is the Biological Neural Network
which is the network inside our brains composed of interconnected neurons.

Second is the Artificial Neural Network, a computing model that imitates the design and
behavior of a biological neural network.
Biological Neural Network

Inside the brain is a network composed of neurons. A neuron or nerve cell is a cell that is capable
of receiving, processing, and sending information in the form of very small electrical impulses. An
average human brain has approximately 100 billion neurons.
PARTS OF NEURON

Cell body or soma

is basically the main part of the neuron. It acts like a factory which produces proteins that are
used to create and maintain the other parts of the neuron. The soma also contains the nucleus (plural
nuclei) which contains most of our DNA.

Dendrites
Connected to the soma are dendrites, which are thin fibers that branch out to different directions
and connect to other neurons. Dendrites receive input signals.
Axon and axon terminals

The axon is a long nerve fiber that is also connected to the soma. Axon terminals are the
branches that are attached to the end of the axon. The axon sends out the neuron’s output by carrying
electrical signals away from the soma and into the axon terminals which are connected to the dendrites
of other neurons.
Synapse
If the neurons are the nodes in this network then there has to be a link between them. This link
is called a synapse. A synapse is the connection between neurons, specifically the point where the
axon terminal of one neuron connects to the dendrite on another neuron. Each neuron is connected to
approximately 10 thousand other neurons.
Artificial Neural Network

Basically, an Artificial Neural Network is a computing system that is modeled after the neural
structure of the brain. Most if the time, an Artificial Neural Network is composed of software algorithms
(procedures) but it can also have hardware components.
Deep learning: Artificial Intelligence

Deep learning is a branch of Machine Learning that uses algorithms based on artificial neural
networks. Machine learning is a subfield of Computer Science that is concerned with creating
computers that can “learn” without having to be programmed by humans.
Training

Before a machine can make decisions on its own, first it has to be trained. This is done by
inputing large amounts of data called training examples. The machine would record and analyze these
examples. The type of data to be used depends on what tasks the machine is intended to do. Examples
can be text, images, sounds; basically anything that a computer can perceive.
Decision Making

These training examples will become the foundation of the machine’s decision’s making process.
Whenever an input enters the machine, it uses information gathered from the training examples to
determine what course of action it should take. This is not a straightforward process. An input will have
to go through many layers within the neural network before the final output is made.
Learning

The process does not end there. The machine can also keep records of previous inputs and use
them as new examples. This enables the machine to adjust or refine its decision-making skills.
Essentially, the machine can learn from experience. Let’s say that we want to design a machine that
can identify shapes. The input will be pictures of polygons and the output will be the names of those
polygons. For example, if we input a picture of a five-cornered polygon, the output will be “pentagram”.
REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS OF NEURAL NETWORKS
1. Pattern Recognition

Like our example, neural network-based systems can be used to detect and process patterns
that computers do not conventionally recognize like pictures, handwriting, and human voice. Practical
applications include facial recognition software, voice control in gadgets, and converting handwriting to
digital text.
2. Data Mining

Data mining is the process of processing raw data and turning it into useful information. For
example, websites normally record information from its users such as locations, birthdays, browsing
history, etc. This leads to a huge collection of information that is difficult for a human to make sense of.
A neural network, on the other hand can extract useful information like what’s the average age of active
users, what are the most commonly used search terms, etc.
3. Forecasting

Neural networks can analyze trends and other historical data and use it to make predictions for
the future. The ability to make reliable predictions is a valuable asset in many fields such as
meteorology and trade. Powerful neural networks can be used to make predictions about the weather
or the movement of the stock market.
4. Robotics

One of the most promising applications of artificial neural networks is in robotics. By imitating
the way the human brain works, artificial neural network can be used to make robots smarter, more
responsive and ultimately more human-like.

LESSON 14: MIGRATION

Migration
is the movement of organisms from one place to another. Migration can mean the seasonal
movement of animals. For example, some species of birds migrate to warmer areas during winter and
return home in spring.

Immigration
is the movement of people from their home country to another country with the goal of becoming
permanent residents. For the purpose of this module, we will use the term migration to indicate non-
permanent relocation and immigration as a permanent one.

Citizenship
is the status of a person as a legal member of a sovereign state. Nationality is another term for
citizenship. A citizen has several responsibilities including obeying laws, paying taxes, and serving his
or her country in times of need.

As a citizen, a person also has the right to be protected by his or her country and its laws. A
person can be a citizen of a country by birth or by naturalization. Naturalization is the legal process that
a foreigner has to go through in order to be a citizen of a country. A person can also be a citizen of
more than one country. This is called multiple citizenship.

The most common form is dual citizenship where person is a citizen of two countries but it is
also possible for a person to be a citizen of three or more countries. However, not all countries allow
multiple citizenships. Some countries completely prohibit it while some countries impose limitations.
For example, Spain allows dual citizenship with certain countries only, including some countries that it
formerly colonized like the Philippines.
WHY PEOPLE MIGRATE PEOPLE MIGRATE FOR DIFFERENT REASONS

These reasons are grouped into two, namely PUSH FACTORS AND PULL FACTORS.

PUSH FACTORS PUSH FACTORS ARE THE NEGATIVE CONDITIONS THAT DRIVE PEOPLE TO
LEAVE A PARTICULAR AREA:
a. Economic

Poverty and the low employment and livelihood opportunities is one of the most common
reasons why people leave their home countries. For example, today, it’s common for Filipinos to seek
employment abroad.
b. Cultural

In some cases, ethnic and religious conflict can cause people to leave their countries. For
example, from 1960’s up until the 1990’s, hundreds of thousands of people from Rwanda belonging to
the Tutsi ethnic group were forced to flee their country to escape persecution.
c. Political

Throughout history, the rule of oppressive political regimes has caused countless people to leave
their countries. A modern example is North Korea where many citizens risk their lives to escape its
long-standing military dictatorship.
d. Environmental

Devastating natural events such as earthquakes and disease that threaten people’s lives can
cause a sizeable portion of the population to migrate. A historical example is when a plant disease
known as potato blight devastated Europe’s agriculture in the 1840’s. This caused a famine in Ireland,
where potato was the staple food. What came to be known as the Great Famine or the Irish Potato
Famine forced a lot of Irish people to immigrate to different countries particularly in England, Australia
and the United States. In the United States alone, about half a million Irish immigrants arrived in the
1840’s.

PULL FACTORS ARE THE OPPOSITE OF PUSH FACTORS. THEY ARE THE POSITIVE
CONDITIONS THAT ATTRACT PEOPLE TO A PARTICULAR LOCATION.
a. Economics

As opposed to its push counterpart, economic pull factors are opportunities for employment and
livelihood that draw people to a certain area. Today, a lot of people from underdeveloped countries go
to more developed countries either to work temporarily or to stay permanently as naturalized citizens.
Some opportunities are so great that they cause an unprecedented influx in migration. One such
opportunity is the discovery of gold in California in 1848. The news of this discovery inspired a lot of
people from overseas and other areas of the United States to migrate to California in what came to be
known as the California Gold Rush. The number of migrants was so great that in San Francisco alone,
population grew from 1000 to 20,000 in just two years.
b. Cultural

People who flee their countries because of ethnic or religious reasons would consequently want
to migrate to a place where people are tolerant of their culture. For example, the state of Israel
encourages Jews from all over the world to relocate in Israel, which they believe is the historical
homeland of the Jewish people.
c. Political
Countries with more liberal and favourable political systems and beliefs attract a lot of immigrants
especially those who are being oppressed in their home countries. Throughout the Cold War, (late
1940’s to early 90’s) many citizens from communist countries tried to escape to Western countries. For
example, thousands of citizens from communist-occupied East Germany attempted to escape to West
Germany by jumping above, or tunnelling under the Berlin Wall which divided the capital city.
d. Environmental

Places with attractive climates and safer conditions attract migrants. Many people from places
with harsh climates choose to migrate to places with better climate conditions. Also, people tend to
migrate to places that are not usually affected by natural disasters such as typhoons, floods, and
earthquakes.
Refugees: Forced Migration

Sometimes, people leave their homes because of immediate danger. These people are called
refugees. A refugee is a person who has been forced to leave his or her country because of
human conflict, natural disasters, or political persecution. The main difference between a refugee
and an immigrant is that an immigrant is someone who chose to leave his or her country while a refugee
did not have a choice. In most cases, it is dangerous for refugees to return home.
Top 10 destinations for OFW’s:
1. Saudi Arabia
2. United Arab Emirates
3. Singapore
4. Qatar
5. Kuwait
6. Hong Kong
7. Taiwan
8. Malaysia
9. Oman
10. Bahrain

OFW Remittance Overseas

Filipino Workers are a valuable asset to the Philippine economy because they send home money
from other countries, contributing to the growth of the local economy. According to Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas, (Central Bank of the Philippines) Overseas Filipino Workers or OFW’s received a total of
26.88 million dollars in payment during the period of January to November 2016. That is about 1.3
trillion pesos. Out of that total amount, 24.34 billion dollars, or 1.2 trillion pesos were sent home to the
Philippines through banks. The Philippines is the third country in the world in terms of remittance
received. The first is India, and second is China.

LESSON 15: GLOBALIZATION

Globalization is the international exchange of products, knowledge, and culture.
Economic Globalization

Is the increasing interdependence of world economies as a result of the growing scale of cross
border trade of commodities and services, flow of international capital and wide and rapid spread of
technologies.

International Trade is the exchange of capital, goods, and services between

entities from different countries. Technically, people have been engaging on international trade for
thousands of years.
BENEFITS OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE
1. Lower prices
2. Better quality
3. More employment
4. Specialization

Political Globalization

The traditional outlook towards politics is that sovereign states are supposed to handle their own
affairs. The task of creating and upholding laws, as well as guaranteeing and protecting the rights of
citizens falls upon the national governments. While this still holds true in local settings, international
affairs require a different approach in politics.
Cultural Globalization

can be defined as the transmission of cultural elements from one culture to another. These
cultural elements are carried over and absorbed from one culture to another, contributing to the
constant evolution of world cultures. To better understand cultural globalization let’s take a look at some
cultural elements and how they are affected by globalization:
1. Social Organization
2. Customs and Traditions
3. Religion
4. Language
5. Art
LESSON 16: INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
1. UNITED NATIONS

The United Nations or UN was founded in October 24 1945, immediately after World War
2. The UN had 51 founding members including the Philippines which was then known as the Philippine
Commonwealth. Today, the UN is composed of 51 member states.
The UN’s legal and political power comes from the Charter of the United Nations, a treaty
which was created and signed by its founding members. This charter gives the UN the power to “take
action on the issues confronting humanity in the 21st century, such as peace and security, climate
change, sustainable development, human rights, disarmament, terrorism, humanitarian and health
emergencies, gender equality, governance, food production, and more.”

Other than its main responsibilities, the UN also serves as a forum where member states can
host negotiations, settle political disputes and work towards solving international problems.
Furthermore, under the United Nations are specialized agencies that carry out different functions that
are considered important on an international level. These agencies include:
World Bank – an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries

World Health Organization (WHO) – an international agency concerned with global public
health.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) – a

specialized agency which is “responsible for coordinating international cooperation in education,
science, culture and communication.

2. World Trade Organization or WTO is an intergovernmental organization that regulates international

trade. According to their website, WTO is “the only international organization dealing with the global
rules of trade between nations. Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably
and freely as possible.” The WTO was established in January 1, 1995. It currently has 164 member
countries and its headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland.
3. ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH EAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN)

ASEAN is an intergovernmental organization composed of countries in Southeast Asia. It was founded

with the signing of ASEAN Declaration or Bangkok Declaration in Bangkok, Thailand in 8 August 1967.
The ASEAN motto is “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”.
The following are the current members of ASEAN:

Brunei
Cambodia
Indonesia (Founding Member)
Laos
Malaysia (Founding Member)
Myanmar
Philippines (Founding Member)
Singapore (Founding Member)
Thailand (Founding Member)
Vietnam
4. EUROPEAN UNION

The European Union or EU is an international organization composed of 28 member countries

which was officially created when the Treaty on European Union, which was signed in Maastricht,
Netherlands, took effect in November 1, 1993. The EU’s motto is "United in diversity"
LESSON 17: DEMOCRACY
It is a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them
directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections.
 The word democracy itself is derived from the Ancient Greek word demos meaning “the
people” and kratos which means “power” or “strength”. Perhaps the most enduring definition of
democracy is that it is a “government of the people, by the people, for the people”.
A Brief History of Democracy
Athenian Democracy

The city-state of Athens in Ancient Greece is believed to be the first sovereign state to officially
have a democratic system of government. From 508 BCE to 322 BCE*, Athens governed itself through
a direct democracy (to be discussed later) where adult male citizens took part in “the assembly” or
ekklesia which was held at least once a month. Any member can speak or address the assembly and
cast a vote by raising his hand.
The Roman Republic

In 509 BCE, the last Roman king was overthrown and the monarchy (government ruled by a
monarch like a king, emperor, sultan, etc), that ruled Ancient Rome in the first 200 years of its existence
was replaced by the Roman Republic. The Roman Republic introduced many political concepts that
we are familiar with today. There was the Roman Senate and The Assembly which is a lot like a
Congress. The consul was the highest political position. Two consuls were elected at the same time
and their term would last for a year.
The Magna Carta

King John of England was forced to negotiate with a group of barons (lowest rank in British
nobility) who rebelled and ended up capturing London. The results of the negotiations were written in
a document that came to be known as the Magna Carta (Medieval Latin for “the Great Charter”), which
was signed in 1215 by the king and other concerned parties.

The Magna Carta is composed of 63 clauses which mostly addressed important issues of the
time such as debt and land ownership. More importantly, it established the principles that everyone,
even the rulers of the land, are subject to the law and that no one should be imprisoned and punished
without the due process of law.
These principles of universal human rights and equality under the law eventually became
foundations of modern democratic systems, making the Magna Carta one of the most important
documents in history.

Types of Democracy

Basically, there are two main types of democracy; direct democracy and representative
democracy.
1. Direct Democracy is a type of democracy where members can directly or personally participate in
dialogue and decision making.
2. Representative democracy is a type of democracy where officials are elected by the citizens to act
in their behalf. For example, the House of Representatives of the Philippines is composed of 297
representatives, of which 238 are representatives from legislative districts and 59 are party list
representatives.

3. Parliamentary system, citizens elect members of the parliament, which is the main legislative (law-
making) body. The members of the political party (groups of politicians with the same political beliefs)
with the highest number of elected representatives select a prime minister, which is the highest political
position. The prime minister assumes leadership responsibilities while still acting as a member of the
parliament.
4. Presidential Democracy, citizens elect a president who serves as head of state AND leader of the
government. The government itself is usually divided into three branches namely the executive branch,
the legislative branch, and the judicial branch.
LESSON 18: RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CITIZEN IN A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY
RIGHTS OF THE CITIZEN
1. Freedom of expression

Also known as freedom of speech, freedom of expression is the right of every citizen to express
his opinions without being censored or suppressed by others. This right is essential in a democracy
because public opinion is a major deciding factor in almost every issue.
2. Freedom of religion

freedom of belief is the right of every person to choose which religion or belief system to follow.
This right also guarantees the freedom to worship or conduct religious practices. At the same time, the
freedom of religion also protects any person from being forced to follow any religion or belief system
against his or her will.
3. Freedom of assembly

Also known as freedom of association, freedom of assembly is the right of citizens to come
together with the goal of expressing, promoting and defending their ideas. This right also gives citizens
the freedom to peacefully protest and express their grievances.
4. Right to equal protection of the law

states that every citizen is considered equal under the law. This means that laws should not
discriminate people based on gender, religion, wealth, ethnicity, etc.
5. Right to due process and fair trial

states that the government cannot take away a person’s life, freedom, or property without the
due process of law. This right also gives anyone who is accused of a crime the right to a fair trial in the
court of law. Basically, the government cannot imprison, punish, or kill anyone without proper legal
basis.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CITIZEN
1. Obeying laws

No country can exist without laws and laws are useless if they are not followed by everyone. It
is mandatory for every citizen to follow the law. As a matter of fact, you have to follow the laws
everywhere you go, even if you are not a citizen of that country.
2. Paying taxes

Tax money is used to fund the services that are provided by the government such as public
schools education and health care. It also pays for the salaries of everyone who works for the
government including teachers, firemen, policemen, soldiers, and even the president. Therefore, it is
important that citizens continue to pay taxes.
3. Voting

Democracy will not be possible if citizens do not vote. Voting is the primary way for a citizen to
take part in democratic decision-making. Most of the time, citizens vote to elect government leaders
and representatives. In some cases, citizens need to vote in referendums in order to settle important
issues. While voting is not mandatory or required by law, not doing so would mean that your opinion is
not considered and not represented in democracy.

LESSON 19: CLIMATE CHANGE

NASA defines climate change as “a change in the typical or average weather of a region or city”
or “a change in Earth's overall climate”
NATURAL CLIMATE CHANGE
1. Energy output of the sun

Most of the heat that we experience here on Earth comes from the sun. The amount of solar
heat that a particular place gets directly determines if that place has a warm or cold weather. However,
the amount of energy that is released by the sun changes from time to time. This has a major effect in
the overall climate of our planet.
2. Earth’s orbit

You may imagine that the earth revolves around the sun in a circle. In reality, however, this is
not the case. The earth’s orbit is an ellipse but even this ellipse is not permanent. The shape of the
earth’s orbit changes through time. If the earth orbits closer to the sun, then the climate gets warmer.
If the orbit takes it farther to the sun, the weather will become colder.
3. Earth's axis

While revolving around the sun, the earth also rotates in its own axis which is tilted. Today, the
earth’s axis has a 23.5 degree tilt but like our orbit around the sun, the tilt of our axis is also not
permanent. Increase or decrease in this tilt would cause changes in our climate patterns. Basically, if
the tilt increases, we would have hotter summers and colder winters.
4. Plate tectonics

The Plate Tectonics Theory essentially states that the land masses in our planet are moving in
different directions. This movement is very slow; about 2 to 5 centimeters per year amounting to 20 to
50 kilometers in a million years. It’s not much but it can bring a land mass closer to the equator, where
the climate is warmer or father from it, where it’s colder. This movement can also create land formations
such as mountains which can affect the flow of ocean current and wind direction, causing further
changes in the climate of a particular area.
Man-made Climate Change

The problem is that Earth’s climate is currently changing at an unusually fast pace. This is called
global warming or the increase in the Earth’s overall atmospheric temperature. This is due to an
intensified greenhouse effect.

Basically, the greenhouse effect is what happens when more heat from the sun is retained inside
the Earth’s atmosphere instead of being reflected back to space. This is caused by an increase of
greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are gases that absorb and emit
thermal radiation or heat from the sun. Greenhouse gases are actually useful. Within ideal levels, they
allow most of the sun’s radiation to escape the atmosphere so the Earth’s surface doesn’t get too hot
but they also trap just enough heat to keep us from freezing.
1. Deforestation

One of the biggest and most evident environmental issues has always been deforestation or the
act of removing trees from large areas of land. While it also happens due to natural causes such as
land slides and natural forest fires, human action is still one of the main causes of deforestation. Around
46 to 58 thousand square miles of forest are lost each year. To put it in perspective, that’s about half
the land area of the Philippines (115,831 sq. miles).

Aside from providing us with various raw materials, forests also consume excess Carbon
Dioxide (chemical symbol CO2) which is exhaled by animals and inhaled by plants. Carbon dioxide is
a greenhouse gas.
2. Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are combustible (flammable) organic materials that come from the decayed remains
of prehistoric plants and animals. This includes coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Fossil fuels are an
essential resource. We use them as fuel to power our vehicles and provide electricity to our homes.
When burned, fossil fuels release different types of gases including carbon dioxide.
3. Overpopulation

Overpopulation has several consequences that affect the climate. The increased consumption
of resources and energy needed to support a growing population will cause further increase in the
production of greenhouse gases. Furthermore, overpopulation increases the demand for living spaces.
This can result to deforestation when human settlements expand and take over forested lands.
4. Agriculture

Many agricultural practices have been proven to contribute to the greenhouse effect. Methane,
a greenhouse gas is produced in the digestive system of animals. This means that animal farming
results in large amounts of methane. Nitrous oxide, another greenhouse gas is a byproduct of fertilizer
use. Also, large amounts of fossil fuels are required to transport agricultural products to the consumers.