The document discusses several major environmental issues and disasters that have occurred over the past century. It notes that the top 10 environmental disasters have all happened in the last 100 years. Examples of issues mentioned include habitat loss, overconsumption, and species extinction caused by human activities such as deforestation and pollution. The document advocates increasing knowledge, caring about environmental issues, and taking action as ways to address these problems. It emphasizes cultivating good character and ethics to inspire positive change.

1. Is there something wrong in the
world?
So, how do we fix it?
Valerie Stephan-LeBoeuf
Concordia University
EDGR 502
Figure 1. Bear on Ice. (Bing Images, 2015)

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

3. Consider these
ecological 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 Cutting
Wild 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)

4. “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)

5. Increase Knowledge
What Can We Do?
Take Action
Care
Adapted from Thomas Lickona, 1991.5
Figure 9. Injured Bear Cub Rescue. (2015)

6. KNOWING
CARINGACTION
Adapted from Thomas Lickona, 1991.5

7. • 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!

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Figures
1. Bear on ice. Retrieved 2.23.15 at
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=picture+of+shrinking+polar+ice+cap&qpvt=picture+of+shrinkin
g+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=E1733C0F743EBB7D7120
1ABE7C9708087B8DF508&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.