Environmental Sciences Commons^™

Internship Report: Earthjustice & The Fracking Battle In New York's Marcellus Shale, John Byrne

Student Theses 2001-2013

Through conversations with the attorneys, the work I did in the office and research of my own, I have learned the ongoing story of fracking in the Marcellus Shale. For this report, I will be approaching the problem of hydrofracking from a few different disciplines. Since I will be covering the stories of the legal battles that have been occurring over the last few years, environmental law will be a large focus of my research. Secondly, because many of the cases involve issues with local and federal legislation, environmental politics will also be widely incorporated. The mechanics of fracking, its …

Internship Report Unep: The Effects Of Climate Change In Arctic Zones, Diana Cartaya-Acosta

Student Theses 2001-2013

Climate change or the significant alteration of major weather pattern distributions around the planet over long time periods, is one of the most significant phenomena currently affecting our planet.Arctic as one of the most sensitive zones in terms of damaged it is by climate change effects.The consequences of the many representations of climate change are distributed in a geographically unequal manner, therefore it is a global major concern to target and mitigate related issues that are already directly affecting several populations.

Even tough geographically distinct and distant populations are likely to face climate change related catastrophes at different rates, many …

Recycling Furniture: The Ecological, Economic And Social Benefits, Michele Calabrese

Student Theses 2001-2013

This summer, two of my friends and I begun the Recycle Furniture organization. Our organization collects donations of furniture from various individuals in our surrounding area (Suffolk County on Long Island). We are partnered with Habitat for Humanity and tried to pick up certain pieces that the Habitat families have requested. After collecting the donations, we stored them at our local school, Islip High School, with the blessing of Principal Eileen Rossman. After we had all of the pieces we want, we refinished and restored the furniture with the help of volunteers from Islip High School. Once we completed refinishing …

Going Green At New York-Presbyterian: Hospitals As Sustainable Businesses, Samantha Allegro

Student Theses 2001-2013

Throughout the past two decades, the reality of environmental degradation has come to the forefront. The health of the environment is most definitely deteriorating. Scientists and scholars have provided and continue to provide growing evidence of environmental problems associated with issues such as climate change, water scarcity, natural resource depletion, energy use, altered landscapes and species loss. It is certain that the creation and escalation of these environmental problems has been heavily influenced by human activity.

Focusing on knowledge in the areas of natural science, public health, and sustainable
business, this paper will address environmentally harmful human activity associated with …

The Bronx, Beavers And Birthrights: The Case For Urban Wildlife, Richard Day

Student Theses 2001-2013

The subject of animals’ rights has received a fair amount of attention over the years. Philosophers and activists alike have set out to ensure that animals in the wild and in other settings such as factory farms enjoy at least a bare minimum of rights and protections. While these are undoubtedly noble causes, they do leave a great deal to be desired. Almost always left out of these philosophical and moral debates are animals such as squirrels, pigeons, raccoons and the like – urban wildlife, if you will. Because of our constant exposure to them, or perhaps because they …

Simulating Climate Risk Into Markets And Policies: A New Approach To Financial Analysis And Policy Formation, Miguel Bantigue

Student Theses 2001-2013

Widely considered to be the next big industry boom, the sustainability trend and the multiplier effect it will carry to other industry sectors are being compared to the significance and impact of the industrialization age. To list a few categories under the main framework of sustainability are renewable energy, energy storage, waste management, and water conservation. Of these, renewable energy and water conservation are the most important. Energy is the backbone of any economy, and water is the most important commodity – not only does water sustain life, there is also no known alternative. Although effort has been made to …

A Stronger Role For The United States President In Environmental Policy, Elizabeth Anderson

Student Theses 2001-2013

"The golden era of environmental lawmaking, in which 22 major federal laws were passed between 1964 and 1980, has been followed by a long period of legislative gridlock, increased partisan contention over environmental policy, and growing frustration on the part of environmentalists." These golden-era laws do not significantly address many issues that are prevalent in today's globalized environment, and federal statutes remain silent on the paramount issue of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These issues did not fall within the ambit of the laws adopted in the 1960s and 1970s, and in the era of legislative gridlock, it has been difficult …

The Economic And Environmental Justice Implications Of Hydraulic Fracturing In 21st Century North America, Katie Medved

Student Theses 2001-2013

The term “energy crisis” has been a circulating topic in societal discourse recently as the political, economic, and environmental future of the United States is considered. As a result of the Industrial Revolution, the country’s dependency on energy has been increasing exponentially as we rely on it as a means for societal and international advancement. For decades America has primarily used coal and oil to run our country – individuals, businesses, homes, companies, industrial sites, stores, restaurants, etc. etc. cannot function without them. Lights, laptops, toasters, heaters, cars, movies, everything from menial everyday tasks to multi-national investments utilize and rely …

Not A Walk In The Park: Environmental Justice In New York City, Lindsey Grier

Student Theses 2001-2013

Where a person lives dictates how that person lives. The environment plays a unique and critically important role in the day-to-day behavior of individuals. It also impacts peoples’ health. And in an urban environment, the affect of a person’s surroundings is further intensified by density, traffic, and congestion. Health disparities and environmental hazards throughout New York City are functions of environmental justice.

Parks make up approximately 14 percent of the New York City. Their placement is both practical and symbolic. Environmental justice issues are deeply embedded in park access, and these issues are especially evident in an urban setting such …

Lost In Translation: Environmental Communication Issues In Media And Politics, Carolyn Wegemann

Student Theses 2001-2013

Organizations such as the Sierra Club, the Audubon Society, the Boone and Crockett club, women's clubs throughout the nation, and individuals like Theodore Roosevelt, Rachel Carson, John Muir, and Richard Nixon understood the idea that human life negatively affects the environment, and used their talents and connections to solve numerous major environmental concerns. From Roosevelt's role in the creation of National Parks, to Muir's involvement in the preservation of Yosemite Valley among other notable efforts, to Rachel Carson's groundbreaking book Silent Spring that singlehandedly led to the ban of the DDT pesticide, environmentalism in the 19th and 20th centuries was …

Group For The East End: The Role Of Childhood Environmental Education In Improving Learning Behaviors And The Health Of Humans And The Environment, Brian Riley

Student Theses 2001-2013

As far back as I can remember the east end of Long Island has been a favorite vacation destination for my family. Taking a ride “out east” in the spring to pick strawberries and in the fall to fill the trunk with pumpkins were annual events for our family. In the summer months we would visit friends of mine, fortunate enough to own vacation homes on the North Fork, to enjoy a multitude of water sports and beach activities on and alongside the Great Peconic Bay. Yet, beyond these lifelong memories, the aspect which truly amazes me has been the …

The Bottling Craze: Exposing The Environmental Effects Of Bottled Vs. Tap Water, Michele Paccagnini

Student Theses 2001-2013

Americans take water for granted on a daily basis when they can go to the vending machine or grocery store and pick up a cold bottle of water to enjoy. What people do not normally consider is where this water comes from or what chemicals are used to make the plastic bottle. Some may believe that they are doing something noteworthy when choosing a brand like Poland Spring that boasts “30% less plastic” used in their product, along with choosing a brand that uses smaller labels to save paper. The Poland Spring website claims that they are “drop by drop…one …

Global Climate Change Vs. Global Warming: What Is The Difference "Global Climate Change" And "Global Warming"?, Nadia Seeteram

Student Theses 2001-2013

The terms "global climate change" and "global warming" describe the same phenomena, but are not perceived as being synonymous. Both terms are used as overarching phrases to address the dramatic environmental changes that result from human interaction with natural systems. Many studies have concluded that subjects do not perceive global climate change and global warming in a similar fashion. These studies show that people are more likely to believe in the environmental issues facing the world when these problems are described under the term "global climate change." However, the media and politicians frequently use the term “global warming,” which makes …

The Role Of Modern Zoos In Wildlife Conservation: From The Wcs To The Wild, John Scott

Student Theses 2001-2013

The reality of the modern world is that humanity is increasing its population rapidly, and demanding more resources than the earth can provide. Humans are utilizing resources like water and fossil fuels, and are in turn polluting and causing a shift in the global climate. Most importantly, humans are taking previously untouched land and utilizing it for living space or agriculture. Therefore there is very little “wild” left after human consumption, and this rapid consumption is adversely affecting all other animal species on this planet. With little food of their own or territory to roam, many species begin their dramatic …

How The United States Will Find A Sustainable Future Through Increased Nuclear Productivity, Ian Pruitt

Student Theses 2001-2013

In producing my senior thesis I wanted to solve the problem of green house gas emissions. My research focused on finding and examining a sustainable energy source that made sense in present day terms, an energy source that would not be extremely disruptive but would hopefully be part of the solution for the United States in reducing its carbon footprint.

I’m sure many of you know about the different forms of sustainable energy that exist today. Wind power, hydro electric power, tidal power, geothermal power, solar power, and biomass/waste power. For some reason nuclear power is often overlooked when discussing …

Environmental Communications: Case Study Of New York City's Double Crested Cormorant, Marisa Galdi

Student Theses 2001-2013

The process of raising environmental awareness and connecting citizens to their environment by use of communications and the media has developed in recent years. More specifically, using media such as radio to paint a picture or image through words of the environmental problems we face on a daily basis has grown increasingly popular. One of the rewarding aspects of working in radio as a reporter is being able to successfully act as the listener’s eyes using a single, yet powerful tool, creative speech. If successful, the radio feature story written over the course of my internship should make the listener …

The Economics Of Biodiversity, Paige Doyle

Student Theses 2001-2013

Throughout history there has often been a blatant separation between environmental preservation and economic growth, suggesting that the two cannot possibly flourish simultaneously. This idea is not only detrimental to both causes, but prevents their cooperation and coexistence to create a sustainable world. In this paper I will address one of the greatest threats to environmental and economic well-being: the loss of biodiversity. In understanding what biodiversity is and its immeasurable value to society, I hope to exemplify the importance in its preservation. While I will touch on the ecological and ethical reasoning for this, my argument will be mainly …

Environmental Racism In South Africa: A Sustainable Green Solution, Danielle Darmofal

Student Theses 2001-2013

Environmental racism and environmental justice are relatively new terms used to describe inequalities that have existed for centuries. Environmental racism is a pervasive problem that can be identified in many countries, even the world’s leading nations. The acknowledgement of the prejudice began with the Civil Rights Movement. Greater attention to equality caused citizens and policy makers to consider the relationship between human rights and environmental rights. The Environmental Protection Agency formulated a definition of environmental justice that states, “no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or …

Coal: How We Achieved Our Dependency And Its True Cost, Kelly Caggiano

Student Theses 2001-2013

In February 2011 Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent environmental lawyer, came to Fordham University’s Rose Hill campus and spoke to an auditorium full of students. During his lecture, Mr. Kennedy mentioned that very little research had been done on the true cost of coal and that it would make an excellent thesis paper for a student. Mr. Kennedy piqued my interest and I began to seriously consider taking his suggestion for my thesis.

As I began researching the true cost of coal I decided to use three primary disciplines to approach the problem: environmental history, environmental politics and law, …

Environmental Education Reform: Using Experiential Learning To Influence Environmental Policy-Making By Fostering A Sense Of Environmental Citizenship And Eco-Literacy, Nicol Belletiere

Student Theses 2001-2013

This paper argues on behalf of environmental education reform in order to improve America’s ailing environmental politics. It does so by emphasizing the overlap between environmental education, the history of education and American conservation, and environmental politics. It first discusses the core differences in varying styles of education in order to provide a context for the terminology and theories used to discuss education reform. More specifically, I compare and contrast the differences in the thought processes each style of education encourages. Divergent thinking, which results from what is known as informal education, is necessary in order to be an ecologically …