Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Our Failing Food System: Productivity Versus Sustainability, Alyson Murphy

Student Theses 2001-2013

The United States food system is a complex intersection of the activities, people and resources that are involved in feeding the American population. Americans’ relationship with food includes our perception, consumption, and production of it—all of which are aspects that affect the quality of our overall food system. However, our current food system is by no means perfect; rather, it is crucially flawed and requires vast improvements in order to become a healthy and truly nourishing organism. With significant changes in the direction of sustainability, the American food system can become beneficial to the American people, land, and economy by …

Trash Talk: Solid Waste Disposal In New York City, Alexander Williams

Student Theses 2001-2013

In 2010, Americans produced 250 million tons of solid waste. Where does this massive amount of waste go after we throw it out? The majority of the waste is disposed of in landfills where it does not break down, produces poisonous leachate which can contaminate soil and groundwater supplies, and contributes twenty-five percent of America’s methane emissions. The challenges and hazards of solid waste disposal are no more evident than in New York City. New York City residents produce over 50,000 tons of solid waste and recyclables every day. With the closing of the Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island …

Assessment Of Impact Of Socioeconomic Factors On Conservation Awareness In The Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem, Karianne Rivera

Student Theses 2001-2013

This study was conducted in the Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem in the towns of Mto Wa Mbu, Kilimamoja, Esilalei, Losilwa, and Baraka. The purpose of the study was to see what the wildlife and environmental conservation awareness levels were among people in local communities, and to determine what socioeconomic factors affected awareness levels among people. The relevance of this study was to determine what factors influence, hinder, and encourage conservation awareness among people. With this information, communities may be able to spread conservation education more effectively. The study also examined what factors increased or decreased awareness levels among people. The study was …

Giving Back To The Community: Addressing The Environmental Literacy Gap Through Socially And Environmentally Responsible Business Practices, David Garcia

Student Theses 2001-2013

The following paper was inspired by my passion for environmental education and environmental justice. The problem being addressed herein is the environmental literacy gap in the United States caused by the environmental education deficit. After an extensive review of literature and research regarding the issue of environmental education in America, I propose that the environmental and social responsibility movement in business can help augment the environmental education deficit in our country. In order to fully grasp the issues at hand and to understand the full scope of environmental education, I first discuss three disciplines essential to the process of integrating …

Composting Food Waste: A Method That Can Improve Soil Quality And Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Gentiana Quni

Student Theses 2001-2013

Greenhouse gas emissions and the loss of soil fertility worldwide are two important environmental issues that we are facing today as part of global climate change. As the human population continues to rise and harmful environmental practices persist, environmental degradation is sure to worsen. Landfills are a major source of the potent greenhouse gas, methane. The food waste we sent to landfills is the reason that landfills emit methane and carbon dioxide. Through poor soil management, soils are increasingly becoming degraded and unable to support plant life and the synthetic fertilizers used to enhance soils contribute to environmental issues. One …

Exploring The Drivers Of Csr And Creating A Sustainable Corporate Institution: Environmental Education, Politics, And Business Practices, Eric Osuna

Student Theses 2001-2013

Corporations represent one of the greatest threats to modern society. Their impacts on the natural systems and communities have brought about irreparable harm, and finding ways to address this is of paramount importance. Corporate Social Responsibility programs have been largely ineffective at producing institutional change, largely because the underlying framework for success has been neglected. By working to increase environmental education among students as well as consumers, and implementing more uniform national and international policies governing corporate activity, businesses can enter into a new era of sustainability.

Wasting Plates: Addressing Food Waste In The United States, Sarah Geuss

Student Theses 2001-2013

It is estimated that Americans waste over half of their food, depleting natural resources and destroying native ecosystems. Food is wasted daily through a variety of methods, whether through the picking practiced on farms, the selectivity of grocery stores for the best looking produce, and the over-consumption of food by consumers who are unaware of the effects of uneaten food. With the industrial revolution and the “eat more” agricultural tactics pushed post- WWII onto society, the American relationship with food has quickly declined. Urbanization has lent itself to the power of the food industry in transforming farming into another transnational …

Too Pig To Fail: Considering Regulatory Solutions To The Environmental Damages Caused By Industrial Hog Farms In North Carolina, Samir Hafez

Student Theses 2001-2013

Arguably one of the most important innovations in all of human history has been the shift from hunting-and gathering towards agriculture. Many American states hold a rich agricultural tradition and have relied on the domestication of plants and animals for economic sustenance. Since the 17th century, the land of North Carolina has been utilized for the farming of a multitude of different crops. After World War II, America saw a dramatic shift in the nature of agricultural practices. Operations shifted from small-scale diversified production towards industrialized largescale facilities that rely heavily on innovative technology and an increase in fossil fuel …

A Vicious Cercla, Or The Twilight Of The Superfund, Donald Borenstein

Student Theses 2001-2013

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act –commonly known as the Superfund act-- was passed by Congress in 1980, in the aftermath of toxic waste disasters such as that in Love Canal, NY. CERCLA not only required that major corporations take responsibility for cleaning up their dangerous disposal or accidental release of toxic waste into the public, but it also created a trust fund to cover instances where a responsible party could not be found or went bankrupt. This “superfund” was financed by taxes on pollutant-producing companies.

However, these taxes expired in 1995, and the Republican controlled congress blocked …

The Pedestrianization Of New York City: An Environmental History And Critique Of Urban Motorization And A Look At New York City’S New Era Of Planning, Anna Kobara

Student Theses 2001-2013

Streets were once the foundation for urban life and provided intimacy for the community. The birth of the automobile and the age of motorization has drastically changed the outlook on urban development while it has also created public health problems. This topic involves everything from people’s personal choices to city and federal government. In this paper, I will explore the history of motorization in New York City and critique it from an environmental and health perspective as well as provide answers to the problem of public health through design. I will look at present day projects that are incorporating smart …

The Sustainable Future Of The Metropolis: Greening New York City Building By Building, Lizbeth Sanchez

Student Theses 2001-2013

Due to growth, technology and economic expansion, Western culture has gradually become detached from the natural environment. Industrialism and a culture of consumption have dragged us through a medley of environmental problems, all culminating to our current problem: climate change. The causes and effects of global warming overshadow all of our environmental issues. These problems threaten our way of life, our very existence, and future generations. How can we save the planet without compromising economic growth? Sustainability. In my research I have focused and reported on sustainability pertaining to America’s greatest urban center, New York City, with a spotlight on …

Hurricane Sandy: A Chance To Identify Vulnerabilities, Learn From The Past, And Increase Future Resiliency, Julianne Yee

Student Theses 2001-2013

Hurricane Sandy was an eye-opening event for the New York City area. It revealed many vulnerabilities, especially flaws in zoning and infrastructure designs. Natural science data helps to determine that rising sea levels and increased intensity of storms due to climate change will make this area even more vulnerable. Other impacts of climate change may pose even more threats to this area. Three disciplines, environmental history, ecological design, and governmental policy, will be used to best approach these future issues. It is important to have a better understanding of the past environmental history of the area, where ecological design can …

Drilling For Arctic Oil: Is It Worth The Risk?, Emily Kain

Student Theses 2001-2013

For many decades, Americans have been relying on fossil fuels to run our cars and to heat our houses. It has come to a point where our apparent need for this oil is more important than the environment and the natural world that we have tried so hard to preserve. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, commonly know as ANWR, in Alaska is the center of much debate surrounding potential drillings in order to lessen Americas dependence on foreign oil. This paper will refute this idea and prove that by not drilling in the Arctic we will not only lessen our …

Sandy And The City: The Need For Coastal Policy Reform, Jonathan Hilburg

Student Theses 2001-2013

After tropical storm Sandy battered the East Coast in October 2012, New York City was damaged extensively by flooding, high-intensity winds and the resultant flames. The resultant flooding rendered many underground subway lines unusable along the southern coasts for an extended period of time, as well as damaging buried electrical wiring. These outages were compounded by the hi-strength winds in the upper areas that also brought down above ground wiring. The lack of electricity for use in traffic lights, care facilities, emergency services and mass transit had a staggeringly adverse impact on public health.

In the upcoming effort to rebuild …

The Centrality Of Ecological Design: Achieving Sustainability In An Era Of Free-Market Capitalist Framework, Eddy Andrade

Student Theses 2001-2013

Sustainability has become a key word in describing the role of the environmental movement in society today. Capitalism makes it difficult to achieve environmental goals because the priority of a capitalist system is achieving wealth through limitless economic growth. The goals set forth by sustainability aim to make cities function more like natural ecosystems through sustainable design practices such as bio mimicry. Capitalism and sustainability are at odds with each other and their ultimate goals are in direct conflict with their own respective frameworks. In the following paper I will discuss how design can be used to mitigate many of …

Hurricane Sandy: Using Environmental History, Economics, Politics And Urban Planning To Prepare For The Next One, Julia Maguire

Student Theses 2001-2013

Hurricane Sandy, a category 1 storm by the time it reached the North East coast of the United States, was a disaster that devastated all of those in its path. The physical effects of the hurricane, which hit the East coast of the United States on October 29, 2012, were felt by 15 states. The most devastating outcome in the aftermath of the storm was the death toll that numbered over 100 people. The shock from the disturbing effects of this storm was extremely unsettling, and unfortunately those who were affected by it will continue to suffer from these consequences …

New York City’S Water Challenges: History, Politics, And Design, Jessica Crowley

Student Theses 2001-2013

New York City is one of the largest and busiest cities in the world. It is an old city that grew exponentially in size and population since founded and has since needed constant restructuring and construction. Like any large city, water was soon a resource that needed to be harnessed and brought in for health, hygiene, and many other reasons. Considering the geography of the small rocky island, water reservoirs from surrounding areas were an attractive option. Luckily this was a successful plan as the few and small reservoirs on Manhattan were not enough to maintain the enormous city that …

Saving The World’S Remaining Tigers: Panthera’S Work And The Role Of Non-Profits In Wildlife Conservation, John Byrne

Student Theses 2001-2013

This report will examine the conservation status of the tiger and measures that have been taken to protect wild populations. A discussion of its ecology and behavior is included to convey the variety of needs that are associated with establishing areas that can sustain viable populations. A look at the main threats that tigers face is crucial to understanding the conservation strategies that should be employed, and so these points will also be addressed. Focal to the report, however, will be the efforts of Panthera and its emergence onto the conservation scene as an organization that can be considered the …