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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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Environmental Studies

College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University

Environmental Studies Student Work

Publication Year

Articles 1 - 6 of 6

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Frontline Insights On Climate Resilience And Adaptations In Sids, Jervon Sands Apr 2023

Frontline Insights On Climate Resilience And Adaptations In Sids, Jervon Sands

Environmental Studies Student Work

Climate resilience and adaptation in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have been global models since the earliest signals of the climate emergency yet the tools needed for SIDS to overcome this growing crisis have not been sufficiently provided. This deficiency is a common problem among SIDS which is becoming more severe in proportion to the climate crisis. According to the report Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, launched by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): “Small islands present the most urgent need for investment in capacity building and adaptation strategies (high confidence) but face barriers and constraints which …


Oak Savanna Restoration And Climate Change Mitigation Through Silvopasture In Minnesota, James Siems Dec 2022

Oak Savanna Restoration And Climate Change Mitigation Through Silvopasture In Minnesota, James Siems

Environmental Studies Student Work

Reducing emissions of world food systems will be critical to combatting climate change. Silvopasture systems, which integrate managed forests with pastureland, have been shown to be a more sustainable alternative to traditional livestock production and have the ancillary benefit of diversifying the sources of income for farmers. Silvopasture may also have the capacity to serve as a mechanism for ecological restoration. This paper combines existing literature with an interview of a farmer who is engaging in silvopasture to evaluate the potential of silvopasture as means to restore Minnesota’s disappearing oak savanna ecosystem, while improving the sustainability of food production within …


What Technologies And Barriers Are Present In Sustainable Heating And Cooling, Mason D. Nibbe Dec 2022

What Technologies And Barriers Are Present In Sustainable Heating And Cooling, Mason D. Nibbe

Environmental Studies Student Work

Sustainable heating and cooling practices can save homeowners money and reduce their carbon emissions. In the cold upper Midwest, Minnesota specifically, there are ways houses can be more efficient in terms of heating. The most efficient and practical are heat pumps systems, passive solar designs, and proper insulation of the building. This study is targeted at both existing buildings and the construction of new buildings. This project focuses on what sustainable heating and cooling practices, technologies, and barriers are present in the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) industry. I find that using any sustainable solution is helpful, but multiple solutions …


Tomorrow’S Stewards: Engaging Youth With Environmental Volunteerism, Miriam Nelson Dec 2022

Tomorrow’S Stewards: Engaging Youth With Environmental Volunteerism, Miriam Nelson

Environmental Studies Student Work

Environmental volunteers are of great value to their host organizations, the environment, the economy, and civil society. The Friends of Acadia (FOA) Drop-In Stewardship Volunteer Program hosts volunteers who complete an assortment of tasks in Acadia National Park. However, this program has no regular youth volunteers. Engaging youth volunteers is critical for program effectiveness, civic engagement, generativity, and increasing personal development. Drawing on survey data collected from FOA volunteers and College of the Atlantic students, this paper analyzes volunteer motivations and interests, and barriers to participation. I conclude with suggestions for how FOA can recruit more youth volunteers.


Changing Course: Increasing Sustainability Of Mn Golf Courses, Jake Vandermeeden Nov 2022

Changing Course: Increasing Sustainability Of Mn Golf Courses, Jake Vandermeeden

Environmental Studies Student Work

No abstract provided.


Queering Disaster Response: Best Practices For Intentional And Inclusive Disaster Response, Sean Fisher Nov 2022

Queering Disaster Response: Best Practices For Intentional And Inclusive Disaster Response, Sean Fisher

Environmental Studies Student Work

Climate change is causing an increase in the severity and frequency of extreme weather and climatic disasters. Indigenous, Persons of Color, Women, Queer, Trans, Two Spirit, and Disabled communities will be most impacted by the adverse impacts of these disasters. This disproportionate impact is being examined through vulnerability to adverse impacts. Vulnerability is accrued though pre-existing social, political, and or economic marginalization. Overton comments, “Disaster can thus be seen as social events that reveal the inequalities, vulnerabilities, and coping mechanisms that inform how people negotiate the ‘permanent disaster’ of daily life.” However, current methods of disaster relief and aid don’t …