This seemed to have disappeared…
Well, well, well…
Yeah, it’s been a while but I’ve been busy –> back at Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) teaching Environmental Health Ethics to two [2] very interesting and ethnically diverse cohorts. That is no excuse for my lack of writing to you but it is more of a reason than I might ordinarily suggest.
It has been an intriguing spring in many ways. I, once again, did a major overhaul of the course [ENVH 523] based in large part by some student feedback I received over the past couple of years. The new changes (not sure innovations would be all that appropriate) seem to be working out – at least they are igniting some new and more dynamic responses. In fact, for the first time since I introduced the Crossfire to resolving an ethical dilemma, one cohort actually did resolve it (and got complete acceptance of the resolution) in less than the seventeen [17] minutes that is allocated for the exercise.
On another exercise, we had two very vigorous conversations about very different challenges. One relates to the way PEI has addressed its landfill issues (by developing a very comprehensive waste separation system, including building an alternate energy plant). And the other focuses on the impact of religious beliefs relative to pollution of a sacred river in India (having some students originally from India certainly made that conversation vibrant and reinforced the value of the knowledge the case presented).
My faith in the curiosity of students is maintained. As is my confidence that environmental health will continue to be in brighter and brighter hands. We are heading into the home stretch now with just two Sessions left; but it would be remiss of me if I didn’t harken back to Session III when we examined the case that led to the film Dark Waters & the book Exposure (by Rob Bilott). The students really got into this story and the implications going forward for Environmental Health Officers (EHO’s). While they were more than amazed at the successful efforts by this lawyer, they also realized that one person can make a difference if they are tenacious, focused and do the research. Therefore they are taking on a career wherein such responsibilities fall directly on their shoulders.
I will have more to say once this course is finished at the end of July. For now let me simply say that in spite of what you may be hearing in the media, our immediate environment is getting healthier and is being monitored & policed evermore vigorously.
HAPPY CANADA DAY
g.w.