Digital Commons Network^™

Water Insecurity In K-12 Schools In The U.S.: Understanding State Laws, Drinking Water Violations, And Lived Experiences, Shannon O'Donnell Fitzgerald

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Access to safe, reliable drinking water is essential for children's health, development, and academic success. This study examines water insecurity in U.S. K-12 schools, focusing on state policies, county-level violations, associated outcomes, and school staff experiences.

Methods: This mixed-methods study utilized secondary data analysis, mapping, regression analyses, and primary data collection. Secondary data from state sources were used to examine the presence of state legislation and Department of Education and Department of Health policies on school drinking water across the United States, examine associations between state legislation and policies with county drinking water violations, and investigate relationships between water …

Investigating The Environmental Impact Of Tesla’S Electric Vehicles Compared To Fossil Fuel Vehicles., Bayezid Han Kulak

Business ETD Collections

Emphasizing production techniques, emissions, and competitive strategies, this project examines the environmental effects of Tesla's electric vehicles (EVs) relative to conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) automobiles. Leading in the EV market as the automotive sector moves toward sustainable practices is Tesla. Still, evaluating the environmental advantages of Tesla cars calls for a thorough investigation going beyond zero tailpipe pollution. This paper looks at the high energy consumption and environmental effects related to the manufacturing of Tesla batteries including cobalt and lithium mining. Emphasizing less greenhouse gas emissions than ICE vehicles, it also assesses the total emissions of Tesla vehicles over …

Coalescence: A Carnivore Coexistence Curriculum That Braids Indigenous & Western Ecological Knowledge Into A Relevant And Experiential Learning Opportunity For Youth, Stephanie Anne Barron

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

As grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horriblis) begin to reoccupy more of their historic range, and as humans and large carnivore populations continue to increase, incidences of human carnivore conflict are on the rise. A decolonial curriculum designed in collaboration with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe’s wildlife biologists stands to increase awareness of Indigenous ecological knowledge and teach youth about the importance of coexistence with carnivores. Additionally, this project could greatly influence youth perceptions of grizzly bears and other large carnivores. This research project examines the development and implementation of a carnivore coexistence curriculum for youth that is guided by …

Breathing Hard In Beautiful Places, Lars Chinburg

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Chinburg, Lars, M.S., Spring 2024

Breathing Hard in Beautiful Places, Abstract

In Breathing Hard in Beautiful Places, Lars Chinburg explores his connections to the people and places that have made him who he is in a collection of personal essays. The collection is inspired by the talents of many writers–Bill Bryson’s wry travel observations, Norman Maclean’s lyricism on the interplay of nature and family, Sigurd Olson’s gorgeous descriptions of place, and David Sedaris’ knack for drawing hilarity out of the prosaic, among many others.

Many of the essays touch on the power of play as a force for good and …

Digital Seascapes: Digital Technologies For Building Resilience Of Coastal Environments: Coastal Regions And Territorial Policies: Track (7) Environment And Climate, Ashita Gupta, Katharine Willis

School of Art, Design and Architecture

No abstract provided.

Tracing Socio-Ecological Resilience In The Milpa, The Monte, And The Kitchen: Milpero And Campesino Perspectives From Tiholop, Yucatan And La Union Libertad, Oaxaca, Mexico, Marisela Chavez

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Agrobiodiversity, the diversity of crops that been co-produced through humanenvironment interactions over millennia, constitutes an important part of humanity’s cultural heritage. Agrobiodiversity is as much about the local ecosystem and biotic resources, such as soil, water, pollinators, and microbes, as it is about human processes like sociocultural and linguistic practices, including farming methods, knowledge, skills, and natural resource management. At the center of these dynamics are the smallholder farmers who engage in a range of stewardship practices that contribute to the diversification and evolution of the native crops that in turn support their food security. This research focuses on understanding …

Exploring The True Shade Of Green: A Critical Examination Of The Central Consumer Protection Authority’S Guidelines On Corporate Greenwashing, Sanya Darakhshan Kishwar, Vasatika Saraswat, Roshni Agarwal

International Journal on Consumer Law and Practice

The Central Consumer Protection Authority in India has recently released draft guidelines to address the issue of greenwashing by corporations. This paper closely examines these guidelines and how they might impact the deceptive environmental practices of some companies. The study contributes to the ongoing discussion about corporate responsibility in India, highlighting the role of regulations in tackling greenwashing and promoting consumer trust. The authors critically comment on the shortcomings of the guidelines, while suggesting recommendations for resolving the same.

The Pedagogical Value Of Clinical Amicus Advocacy, Steven J. Alagna

Scholarship@WashULaw

This Essay makes a case for why clinical appellate amicus advocacy is particularly well suited to foster valuable experiential learning in the public interest. First, the Essay explores amicus advocacy in general, including its purposes and effectiveness. The Essay then turns to a survey of the educational benefits of amicus opportunities. Importantly, the process of identifying and pursuing amicus-eligible cases is rife with pedagogical benefits, including maximizing student engagement by broadening the kinds of cases to which students can engage (especially incorporating an element of choice that empowers students to engage with legal questions that carry a personal valence), teaching …

Legal Imperialism By Other Means: The Selective Extraterritorial Application Of U.S. Law And The Denial Of Human Rights Protection, Mark Gibney

California Western International Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Research And Graduate Studies Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2024, Office Of Research And Graduate Studies, Illinois State University

Research and Graduate Studies Annual Report

No abstract provided.

Cap-And-Trade And Air Quality: Which Communities Benefit The Most?, Nicole Bobbs

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Air Quality significantly impacts public health, particularly for individuals with respiratory issues. Cap-and-trade (CAT) programs aim to mitigate emissions, focusing on greenhouse gases to improve air quality. This paper evaluated the long-run effectiveness of CAT programs, comparing multi-sector and single-sector initiatives, and their impact on air quality across counties with varying economic statuses. Using a difference-in-difference approach, comprehensive data spanning recent years up to 2023 is analyzed. The dataset includes air quality measures, population, personal income, average temperature, precipitation, and vehicle registrations enabling a thorough examination of the programs’ effects. Results reveal a complex relationship. Both programs’ initiatives create a …

A New Day For Environmental Justice At The U.S. Epa, Clifford J. Villa

University of Memphis Law Review

No abstract provided.

When Justice Destroys Cement Monsters, Abigail Fleming, Photini Kamvisseli Suarez

University of Memphis Law Review

Dusty, toxic “cement monsters”⎯cement plants⎯have plagued Black communities in the United States for decades. Spewing air pollutants while contributing to greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions, cement plants cause detrimental long-term health and environmental effects, making it impossible for Black communities to breathe. In the face of the global climate crisis, Black communities are demanding a radical shift. This Article explores the impacts of cement production on Black communities, barriers to change, and potential avenues for change. First, it provides an overview of the process of cement production in cement plants, highlighting how pollution is produced and the specific pollutants of concern. …

In Defense Of Land And Water Protectors: Environmental Justice And The Criminalization Of Environmental Activism, Mia Montoya Hammersley

University of Memphis Law Review

No abstract provided.

Permitting The Energy Transition, James W. Coleman

Case Western Reserve Law Review

No abstract provided.

The New Nepa? – A Case Study In Congressional Frustration, Victor Flatt

Case Western Reserve Law Review

No abstract provided.

Richmond Watts For Families: An Action Plan To Bring Multifamily Community Solar To The City Of Richmond, Daniel P. Rafferty

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

Seeking to advance community solar energy for multifamily residents within the City of Richmond, Virginia, the Richmond Watts for Families (WFF) is a plan to guide the city in developing robust multifamily community solar program(s). Community (shared) solar has emerged as an alternative approach to traditional rooftop solar energy by allowing customers to subscribe to a portion of a solar array that is shared among other subscribers, which has the opportunity to increase participation by marginalized communities and those currently without the financial or physical means to install solar This plan aids the city in implementing its recently adopted climate …

The Green Infrastructure Network: Mapping Hopewell's Social & Natural Assets, Derek J. Cathcart

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

This capstone plan provides a map of the network of physical green infrastructure (GI) and the actors involved in GI projects in Hopewell. Green Infrastructure is mapped spatially with GIS and distinguishes between the various forms of GI present in the city. A network map visualizes the relationships between actors and their relationships with GI in Hopewell. This plan analyzes Hopewell’s GI network of social-ecological assets and their relative interactions. While the capstone plan is not a resilience plan on its own, it fosters resilience in Hopewell by connecting actors like city departments, state agencies, residents, business owners, and local …

Msw Portfolio, Rachel Elizabeth Andrade

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

My MSW portfolio consists of my detailed journey throughout the coursework through U of M and practicum experiences.

Msw Portfolio, Courtney R. Nucito

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio encapsulates my transformative journey through the realm of social work, detailing experiences, reflections, and insights gained throughout my academic and professional endeavors. Rooted in a commitment to social justice and ethical practice, my narrative unfolds through various roles and settings, each contributing to my growth as a compassionate and effective social work practitioner.

Confronting The Wildfire Crisis: Understanding Equity And Decision-Making In Wildfire Management Strategies, Katherine Huerta Sanchez

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This study investigates how fuel managers incorporate equity and social vulnerability considerations into wildfire fuel reduction treatments on National Forest land and explores the resulting impact on the implementation of wildfire risk reduction policies. Through interviews, managers revealed differing perspectives on prioritizing social vulnerability characteristics and challenges such as insufficient information and resources to inform equitable fuel treatment decisions. These findings illuminate the complexities of integrating considerations of social vulnerability into decision-making processes for wildfire management at the wildland-urban interface, suggesting potential divergence from nationally supported policies aimed at equitably implementing wildfire risk reduction measures. The study findings underscore the …

Restoration Is Repairing Relationships: Bridging Indigenous And Western Sciences To Assess The Socio-Ecological Restoration Of Wild Rice (Zizania Palustris) On Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Homelands, Cassandra M. Reed-Vandam

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Manoomin (wild rice, Zizania palustris) is an ecologically and culturally significant plant relative for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC). Historically, manoomin was present across much of the Great Lakes, however, their presence has declined since the early 1900s and, by 1990, virtually disappeared within KBIC homelands. Employing ethnography, surveys, focus groups, and conversations with Ojibwa knowledge holders, this research defined successful manoomin restoration for KBIC and developed socio-ecological attributes and indicators to assess restoration presented in the Medicine Wheel Framework for Manoomin Restoration. Surface water, sediment, and pore water samples at six different manoomin sites were analyzed to …

The Once And Future Clean Air Act: Impacts Of The Inflation Reduction Act On Epa's Regulatory Authority, Nicholas Bryner

Journal Articles

The Clean Air Act is one of Congress's greatest success stories. The major piece of legislation, passed in the context of environmental and public health crises, has driven technological change through regulation that has dramatically improved air quality even in a prolonged period of economic growth. In the context of climate change, however, despite many efforts since the 1990s, the Clean Air Act has not proven to be a successful legislative tool. Instead, the Act has faced complex obstacles in the statutory language and a trend in Supreme Court jurisprudence-leading up to and including the June 2022 decision in West …

Environmental Justice As Environmental Human Rights, John H. Knox, Nicole Tronolone

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

For many years, the environmental justice movement in the United States and the evolution of international human rights law concerning the environment have pursued parallel but separate paths, only occasionally noting that they share common concerns. This Article seeks to build a stronger bridge between them, in three ways.

First, it presents the most detailed restatement of environmental human rights law yet published. International human rights bodies have developed a robust environmental jurisprudence setting out concrete obligations on States, including procedural obligations to provide public access to environmental information, decision-making, and remedies, substantive obligations to adopt and enforce effective environmental …

Jackson Davis's Portfolio, Jackson J. Davis

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Msw Portfolio, Kandace Mcgee

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Master Of Social Work Portfolio, Amber Thornton

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This reflection on my journey through the Master of Social Work (MSW) program highlights the transformative influence of critical self-reflection, research, policy analysis, and leadership in shaping my development as a social worker. The program has equipped me with key competencies to engage effectively with individuals, families, groups, and communities, promoting empowerment and advancing social justice. Through hands-on experiences in individual engagement, family assessment, group intervention, and organizational evaluation, I have gained a holistic understanding of social work that emphasizes empathy, tailored interventions, and systemic change. My involvement in policy practice and advocacy has underscored the importance of evidence-based research …

Msw Portfolio - 2024, Jocelyn E. Olsen

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

A Winding Path Toward Purpose, Barry Maxwell

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Becoming An Advanced, Integrated Social Work Practitioner, Lindsay Klug

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio reflects the author's journey of self-discovery and gaining real-world experience in the field of social work. It describes how the author has demonstrated mastery over the social work competencies outlined by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the University of Montana.