Introduction
The Philippines is one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change, with its rich ecosystems—from coral reefs to rainforests to mangroves—facing severe threats like rising sea levels, stronger typhoons, and prolonged droughts. As young Filipinos, you have the power to understand these impacts and propose actionable solutions. In this webquest, you will explore how climate change affects local ecosystems, research successful mitigation efforts, and design a campaign to raise awareness in your community.
Task
You will work in groups of 4 to complete three main tasks:
1. Research climate change impacts on one Philippine ecosystem (coral reefs, mangroves, or tropical rainforests).
2. Analyze existing local and international mitigation projects.
3. Create a 5-minute multimedia campaign (video, infographic series, or website) that educates others and outlines practical steps to protect the chosen ecosystem.
Your group will also submit a 2-page written report summarizing your findings and campaign plan.
Process
STEP 1: CHOOSE YOUR ECOSYSTEM & DIVIDE ROLES
Each group picks one focus ecosystem:
- Coral Reefs (e.g., Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park)
- Mangroves (e.g., Palawan’s Puerto Princesa Bay)
- Tropical Rainforests (e.g., Sierra Madre Mountain Range)
Assign roles:
- Research Lead: Find and verify information from reliable sources
- Analysis Lead: Evaluate mitigation projects and their effectiveness
- Campaign Lead: Design and coordinate the multimedia output
- Documentation Lead: Compile the written report
STEP 2: CONDUCT RESEARCH (USE THESE CURATED LINKS)
General Climate Change Context:
- Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) – Climate Change Portal
- [UNEP – Philippines Climate Change Profile](https://www.unep.org/regions/asia-and-pacific/countries/philippines/cli…)
Ecosystem-Specific Resources:
- Coral Reefs: [WWF Philippines – Coral Reef Conservation](https://www.worldwildlife.org/places/philippines)
- Mangroves: [Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Mangrove Rehabilitation Program](https://denr.gov.ph/programs/mangrove-management/)
- Rainforests: [Haribon Foundation – Sierra Madre Conservation](https://haribon.org.ph/our-work/forests/sierra-madre/)
Research Questions to Answer:
1. How is climate change specifically affecting your chosen ecosystem in the Philippines?
2. What are the direct consequences for local communities that depend on it?
3. What natural adaptations are the ecosystem and its species showing?
STEP 3: ANALYZE MITIGATION PROJECTS
Review these examples and find 1 more local initiative:
- Coral Reefs: Reef Restore Philippines – Coral Gardening Project
- Mangroves: [Community-Based Mangrove Reforestation in Bohol](https://www.ci-philippines.org/project/mangrove-reforestation-bohol/)
- Rainforests: REDD+ Philippines – Forest Protection Program
Analysis Questions:
1. What strategies do these projects use?
2. What were their successes and challenges?
3. How can these models be adapted for your local area?
STEP 4: DESIGN YOUR CAMPAIGN
Your campaign must include:
- A clear message about the ecosystem’s importance and climate threats
- 3 practical actions individuals or communities can take
- Visual elements (photos, charts, or animations) using free tools like Canva, CapCut, or Wix
- A call to action (e.g., joining a local clean-up, supporting a conservation group, or advocating for policy changes)
STEP 5: PREPARE YOUR REPORT
The written report should have:
- An introduction to the ecosystem and climate impacts
- A summary of your research findings
- An analysis of mitigation projects
- A detailed description of your campaign and its goals
Evaluation
Your work will be graded based on:
Table
| Criteria Points | |
|
Accuracy and depth research 30 |
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Quality of Analysis and Critical Thinking 25 |
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Creativity and effectiveness of campaign 25 |
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Clarity and organization of Report 15 |
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| Collaboration and teamwork 5 |
Rubric Link: DepEd Grade 10 Science Performance Rubric (pages 124-126)
Conclusion
By completing this webquest, you will not only gain a deeper understanding of climate change’s impact on our country but also develop skills to become environmental advocates. Your campaign can help inspire others to protect the Philippines’ unique ecosystems for future generations.
Credits
WEBQUEST: "GUARDIANS OF OUR LANDS AND SEAS – HOW CAN WE MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS ON PHILIPPINE ECOSYSTEMS?"
Unit of Study: Climate Change Impacts on Philippine Ecosystems
Intended Learners: Grade 10 Science Students
Teacher Page
OVERVIEW FOR EDUCATORS
This webquest is designed to meet Grade 10 Science learning competencies under the "Climate Change and Its Impacts" topic (DepEd MELC: S10ES-IIf-31 to S10ES-IIg-32). It integrates research, critical thinking, collaboration, and digital literacy skills while emphasizing local context to make learning relevant for Filipino students.