Is there something wrong in the world?

So, how do we fix it?Valerie Stephan-LeBoeuf

Concordia UniversityEDGR 502

Figure 1. Bear on Ice. (Bing Images, 2015)

Since 1907: - Sea Otter – last wild sea otter from Oregon population hunted – 19076

- Barbary lion – last wild Barbary lion shot – 1922 - Hiroshima / Nagasaki – Atomic Bombs In Japan – 1945 - Caspian tiger - last sighting - 1958 - Aral Sea – Water Diversion and subsequent loss in Central Asia - 1960s - Seveso – Dioxin Poisoning in Italy - 1976 - Three Mile Island – Nuclear Disaster In the United States – 1979 - Love Canal – Industrial Waste in New York – 1979 - Bhopal disaster – India - 1984 - Exxon Valdez – Oil Spill In Alaska - 1986 - Chernobyl – Nuclear Disaster In Russia – 1986 - Kuwait Oil Fires – Oil Fires In Kuwait - 1991 - Tokaimura – Nuclear Disaster Japan - 1999 - BP Petroleum – Oil Spill in Gulf Coast of Mexico – 2010

Note: Adapted from Croft Communications, Inc., 2012. Retrieved 2.23.15 at http://www.listofenvironmentalissues.com/, and Center for Biological Diversity: The Extinction Crisis. Retrieved 2.23.15 at http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/biodiversity/elements_of_biodiversity/extinction_crisis/.

“The top 10 environmental

disasters have all occurred in the past

100 years.”1

Kuwait

Oil FiresExxon Valdez

Figure 2. (Earth Sciences and Image Analysis Laboratory, 2015)Figure 3. (Arlis, 1989)

Consider theseecological issues:

• Habitat Loss – leads to invasive species

• Overconsumption – leads to resource depletion

• Species Extinction – most often caused by human activities such as deforestation, agricultural clearance, logging, habitat fragmentation, urbanization, hunting, poaching, industrialization, climate change, and the exotic animal body part, pet and entertainment trades

“Ecology is the study of environmental systems”2 (Hall, 2014); also known as the scientific investigation of the relationship between living beings and their environment.

Clear CuttingWild Orca Capture Bear Bile Farming

“We’re currently experiencing the worst

spate of species die-offs since the loss of

the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.”3

Figure 4. Crystal Graphics (2015)Figure 5. (Funk, 1970) Figure 6. Animals Asia. (2015)

“Sea otters are a keystone species, meaning their role in their environment has a greater effect than other species. As predators, sea otters are critical to maintaining the balance of the near-shore kelp ecosystems. Without sea otters, the undersea animals they prey on would devour the kelp forests off the coast that provide cover and food for many other marine animals. Additionally, sea otters indirectly help to reduce levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, a prevalent greenhouse gas, as kelp forests play an important role in capturing carbon in coastal ecosystems.”4 (Defenders of Wildlife, 2015).

Why does it matter?For example…

Figure 7. Sea Otter. (Bing Images, 2015)

Figure 8. Kelp Beds. (Curtsinger, 2015)

Increase Knowledge

What Can We Do?

Take Action

Care

Adapted from Thomas Lickona, 1991.5

Figure 9. Injured Bear Cub Rescue. (2015)

KNOWING

CARINGACTION

Adapted from Thomas Lickona, 1991.5

Moral Awareness

Knowing Self

Decisions

Reasoning

Values

Respect

Habit

Will

Competence

ResponsibilityCo

nscie

nce

Empathy

Humility

• Investigate the issues, learn from others, have altruistic motives, ask questions, hear answers, respect yourself, make decisions.

• Care for things outside of yourself, take responsibility, be willing to change, look at the small and big picture and find the value in both.

• Be determined, stay the course, collaborate, and have confidence that you can make a difference.

Steps for eco-success!

Good Character = Good Science = A Better Environment

As a researcher, educator, and advocate for wildlife and the environment, I support efforts that include both my and my students’ ability to understand, reflect upon, and embrace ethical values, and most critical, take personal action to better the lives of others and our environment. I strive to respect the ideas of others by collaborating to find positive solutions to conflict situations. I believe that it’s my personal responsibility to leave some portion of the world somewhat better than I found it. I have a strong sense of self-worth, and have the courage to face adversity and contrary opinion directly. Integrity is central to who I strive to be, and I regularly self-evaluate and try to correct my shortcomings. I don’t expect perfection in either myself, or others, but I do expect efforts to improve.

My strengths are perseverance and will, and the belief that I can make a positive difference. I care about the welfare of others, and make personal efforts to enhance their world by working to awaken in them, the value and power within themselves.

I hope that by my example, I can inspire students to know that they can make a positive impact on the issues that they care about. I want my students to feel valued by others, but most important, I want them to value themselves. I am still learning, and will continue to learn, how best to instill in others the concept of the power and value of one.

References

1. Croft Communications, Inc., 2012. Retrieved 2.23.15 at http://www.listofenvironmentalissues.com/.

2. Hall, C., 2014. The Encyclopedia of Earth: Ecology. Retrieved 2.23.15 at http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/151932/.

3. Center for Biological Diversity: The Extinction Crisis. Retrieved 2.23.15 at http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/biodiversity/elements_of_biodiversity/extinction_crisis/.

4. Defenders of Wildlife: Basic Facts About Sea Otters. (2015). Retrieved 2.23.15 at http://www.defenders.org/sea-otter/basic-facts.

5. Lickona, T. (p. 53, 1991). Educating for Character: How our schools can teach respect and responsibility . New York, NY. Bantam.

6. Oregon Coast Aquarium Newport. (2010-2015). Sea Otters. Retrieved 2.23.15 at http://aquarium.org/exhibits/sea-otters.

Figures1. Bear on ice. Retrieved 2.23.15 at http://www.bing.com/images/search?

q=picture+of+shrinking+polar+ice+cap&qpvt=picture+of+shrinking+polar+ice+cap&qpvt=picture+of+shrinking+polar+ice+cap&FORM=IGRE#view=detail&id=3DDC9E4B1

7B2D3787BEA373CF4F934771F49D077&selectedIndex=30.

2. Kuwait Oil Fires from Space Shuttle. Earth Sciences and Image Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center. Retrieved 2.23.15 at http://www.spaceimages.com/kuoilfifi.html.

3. Arlis, 1989. Exxon Valdez. Retrieved 2.23.15 at http://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2014/mar/24/exxon-valdez-oil-spill-in- pictures#img-5.

4. Crystal Graphics. Clear Cut Forest. Retrieved 2.23.15 at http://www.crystalgraphics.com/powerpictures/photos.results.asp?ss=clearcutting

5. Funk, W. 1970. Orca capture in Washington State for aquariums . Retrieved 2.23.15 at http://www.sanjuanorcas.com/lolita.html

6. Animals Asia. Caged Bear – Bear Bile Trade. Retrieved 2.23.15 at https://www.facebook.com/AnimalsAsia.

7. Sea Otter. Retrieved 2.23.15 at http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=picture+of+sea+otter+with+baby&id=E1733C0F743EBB7D71201ABE7C9708087B8DF508&FORM=IARRTH.

8. Curtsinger, W. Kelp Beds. Retrieved 2.23.15 at http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/photos/kelp-gardens/.

9. Injured Bear Cub Rescue. Retrieved 2.23.15 at www.bearrehab.org.