Digital Commons Network^™

The Socioeconomic Costs Of Water Pollution In Genesee County As Reflected In Unemployment Rates, Adeline (Haining) Yuan

Master's Projects and Capstones

This study explores how water pollution and unemployment are connected in Genesee County, Michigan, after a major water crisis. On April 25, 2014, Flint switched its water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River, causing widespread pollution as old pipes released lead and other harmful substances into the water. The water source was changed back to Lake Huron in 2016, and laws like the Families of Flint Act (H.R.4479) were put in place, yet long-term worries about public health and the economy still linger.

This research looks at unemployment data from after the crisis to understand the economic costs …

Impacts Of Atmospheric Rivers On Communities In Northern California: Comparative Analysis Of Sonoma County Hazard Mitigation Plans, Cristina Vance

Master's Projects and Capstones

Climate change increases the frequency of extreme weather events and affects California’s hydroclimate, thereby increasing flood vulnerability of all communities in Sonoma County. An example of extreme weather phenomena is atmospheric rivers (ARs), which are long narrow water vapor transported by winds across the Pacific Ocean. ARs have a history of causing major flood events that have swept through Sonoma County and negatively impacted cities along the lower Russian River, such as the unincorporated town of Guerneville, California. Major floods cause detrimental impacts to the economy. Social inequalities become evident when unincorporated communities located along floodplains are more vulnerable to …

The Sustainability Of Housing Security In Lynchburg, Virginia, Kelsey Spickler

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

To understand the current challenges of housing security, both nationally and locally, it is imperative to recognize what has been done by human services professionals and community organizations in the past.

Assesing Electronic Waste Management Strategies In Ghana, Valere Daphne Ossie

Master's Theses

In an era of rapid technological innovation, managing electronic waste (E-waste) is an increasing challenge globally. African countries are increasingly becoming the key destination of electronic waste due to two primaries factors which are the emergence of unregulated private markets from international and domestic recycling loopholes and stricter regulations on E-waste import and recycling methods in Asian countries like China and India. This study focuses on the complexities surrounding electronic waste (E-waste) in Ghana and provides management recommendations to mitigate the environmental health consequences. Using a qualitative method and peer-reviewed journals, this study investigates the current state of E-waste management …

Evaluating Climate Migration Through Discourse Analysis Of International Policy Framework And “El Progreso” Community Blog, Olusola Akanni

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

Environmental changes are driven by global warming, such as rising temperatures, melting ice, and increased natural disasters which directly affect the living conditions of huma thereby driving migration. This study highlights the inadequacies of current migration management policies as the United States is seeing a significant influx of migrants from Central America. The focus of this discourse analysis is on the role of inadequate policies and the failure of international efforts like the Paris Climate Agreement in addressing the issue of climate-induced migration effectively. Despite the goals set by such international agreements to mitigate the effects of climate change …

Using Virtual Power Plants To Advance Decarbonization And Energy Equity In California, Cheri Tsoi Yu Tse

Master's Theses

To achieve 60% renewable electricity generation by 2030 and 100% zero-carbon electricity by 2045, California must rapidly electrify and decarbonize all sectors while ensuring grid stability to avoid power outages. Virtual power plants (VPPs) are an emerging solution that can help increase the percentage of renewable energy on California’s electrical grid. This research examined how VPPs can advance decarbonization, grid stability, and energy equity in California. The report begins by clarifying the definitions and components of a VPP, finding the crucial interactions among distributed energy resources (DERs), management systems, and prosumers (energy consumers who both produce and consume electricity). Next, …

Biodiversity Loss & Urban Heat: A Nature- Based Wildlife Policy For The Las Vegas Metro, Zachary Billot

Student Research

As the population of the Las Vegas Metro continues to grow, new developments expand on the periphery. As Las Vegas continues to increase in size and develop further into wildlife habitat, not only are native animals and plants endangered, but residents are at risk of increasingly dangerous urban heat given the increase in impervious cover that makes Las Vegas the 2nd fastest warming metro in the U.S. This policy brief examines current policy and practice in place to highlight the need for positive human-wildlife interaction that will address the growing threat of biodiversity loss and heat vulnerability. This policy brief …

Roger Williams University Commencement Exercises : Class Of 2024 : May 17, 2024, Roger Williams University

School of Law Commencement (1996- )

No abstract provided.

Women And Water: An Art-Based Academic-Community Partnership, Martina Angela Caretta, Bethani Turley

Geography Faculty Publications and Presentations

Women constitute most volunteer water stewards in West Virginia. After having conducted participatory research on the motivations behind women’s engagement with water preservation and restoration work we carried out two participatory art-based activities. In this Practices and Curations, we reflect on these two art-based activities to facilitate networking between researchers and participants and to communicate to the wider public the role of women water stewards. Together with community partners we first organized an icebreaker for women to share a boundary object that signified their connection with water. These boundary objects were subsequently displayed in an art exhibit highlighting women’s connection …

“We Have To Fight For Change”: Intersecting And Ongoing Crises Amongst Farmworker Families Along The Monterey Bay Central Coast, Mikayla S. Feliciano

Master's Projects and Capstones

This study examines the crises farmworkers are experiencing along the Monterey Bay Central Coast. It analyzes and reviews housing insecurity, deficit to basic needs, and the environmental impact of storms and pesticides exposure. In January of 2023, the central coast experienced an immense amount of rain, atmospheric rivers, and a levee break that the Salinas and Pajaro Valley communities' infrastructure could not handle. These storms caused even more financial and economic peril for the already struggling farmworkers and their children. This research aims to highlight the importance of farmworking families in the community and what social barriers they face. Information …

Front Matter And Table Of Contents

University of Miami Business Law Review

No abstract provided.

2024.05.16 - Academic/Student Affairs, Enrollment, And Technology Committee Meeting Miutes, Northeastern Illinois University Board Of Trustees

Board of Trustees - 2024

Meeting materials for the NEIU Academic/Student Affairs, Enrollment and Technology Committee

Fighting Climate Gentrification In The Courts, Samantha Blend

Pace Environmental Law Review

Climate gentrification, a specific type of gentrification that occurs when the impacts of climate change displace lower-income communities, will likely increase in severity as climate change worsens. While policies such as inclusionary zoning may be the most efficient way to combat climate gentrification, litigation can fill gaps that may arise in such policies. This Note examines potential causes of action for climate gentrification litigation and their likelihood of success. Based on an examination of the different causes of action and their likelihood of success, this Note concludes that climate gentrification litigation can help legitimize the issue of climate gentrification and …

Life After Coal- Opportunities And Challenges At Decommissioned Coal-Fired Power Sites, Leslie Miller, Brian Owens, Stacey Vanbelleghem

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

LIFE AFTER COAL? OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES AT DECOMMISSIONED COAL-FIRED POWER SITES Authors Ms. Leslie Miller - United States - WSP USA Mr. Brian Owens - United States - WSP USA Ms. Stacey VanBelleghem - United States - Latham & Watkins, LLP Abstract With substantial regulatory and public pressures, coal fired power plants are being retired and decommissioned at an accelerated rate. What does the future look like for these expansive sites? Many of these sites may be suited for conversion to natural gas or other renewable energy sources such as solar or battery storage by their current owners, but others …

Deforestation In Brazil’S Amazon And The Effects On Its Position In International Politics, Jeb Hinkle

Helm's School of Government Conference - 2021-2024

Latin America is a land of potential for economic growth, the expansion of democracy, and international political influence. The United States has historically had political and economic influence in the region; however, Latin American nations have long seen the United States as imperialists, only serving their own interest at the expense of smaller Latin nations. As China’s global ambitions grow, many Latin American nations have turned towards the Chinese for investment and trade. The United States needs to combat China’s influence and the nations of Latin America wish to build a better future for themselves. The solution is strategic partnership …

Front Matter And Table Of Contents

University of Miami Inter-American Law Review

No abstract provided.

Catholic Studies Newsletter 2024, Sacred Heart University

Catholic Studies Newsletter

Highlights: CS Minor Attends Summer Seminar on Integral Ecology -- Faculty Profile: Anna Ramirez -- The Center for Catholic Studies: Spring Speaker Series and Bergoglio Lectures -- Center for Catholic Studies Awarded $30K Grant for Social Justice Seminar.

Conceptualising And Enacting Pathways To Transformative Climate Justice: Examples From The Philippines, Justin See, Anne Shangrila Fuentes, Emma Porio, Brooke Wilmsen

Sociology & Anthropology Department Faculty Publications

Scholarship on climate change adaptation is increasingly moving from incremental responses to climate injustice towards transformative approaches that deliberately change systems to achieve just and equitable outcomes. A transformative understanding of climate justice is relatively new and evidence of how this could be achieved is in its infancy. In this paper, we conceptualise transformative climate justice as comprised of three subcomponents: (1) inclusive justice (seeking to ensure that no one, especially the most vulnerable, is left behind), (2) epistemological justice (drawing upon diverse knowledges and worldviews), and (3) restorative justice (healing and restoration of communities and the environment). We then …

Corrective Action Sustainability- Holistic Decision Support Tool, John Kondziolka, Ari Lewis, Bruce Hensel, Andrew Bittner

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Corrective Action Sustainability: Holistic Decision Support Tool Authors Mr. John Kondziolka - United States - Gradient Ms. Ari Lewis - United States - Gradient Mr. Bruce Hensel - United States - Electric Power Research Institute Mr. Andrew Bittner - United States - Gradient Abstract Selecting a corrective action approach to address groundwater protection standards at a coal combustion product (CCP) site requires balancing a variety of factors, including risk reduction, effectiveness, community impact, and cost. Several resources exist for conducting corrective action alternatives analyses, but these resources have not been used consistently to holistically evaluate risks and benefits inclusive of …

Access To Environmental Justice In Canadian Environmental Impact Assessment, Thomas Gilmour, Jocelyn Stacey

All Faculty Publications

Contemporaneous reforms to Canada and British Columbia’s environmental impact assessment legislation have the potential to advance Access to Environmental Justice. Access to Environmental Justice is the ability of individuals and communities who are disproportionately and negatively impacted by environmental decisions to access legal and regulatory processes and to have their concerns heard and addressed through environmental decision-making and dispute resolution. Access to Environmental Justice connects concepts of environmental justice, public participation, the rule of law, and access to justice to provide a framework for evaluating the implementation of environmental impact assessment laws. We conducted a preliminary analysis of early implementation …

Chronic Inequities: Environmental & Structural Racism During Covid-19 And Hurricane Laura Disaster Recovery, Tomeka M. Robinson, Sabrina Singh

Critical Disaster Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the realities of systemic health inequities within the United States. While the virus has severely impacted the entire country, people of color bear the brunt of this pandemic, from surges of COVID-19 cases in their communities to spikes in unemployment rates. Simultaneously, citizens are dealing with the impacts of natural disasters such as hurricanes along the Gulf Coast. The common denominator concerning these two stressors is that they can be exacerbated by institutional racism. This can be seen in the case of a small city in Southwest Louisiana, namely, Lake Charles, which has become a …

America's Next Top Ej Model: Assessing The Role Of Food Access In Environmental Justice Models, Allyson Barry

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Disruptions to weather patterns and ecosystems due to climate change are a global challenge. However, previous research has found that communities of color, traditionally underprivileged communities, and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities are disproportionately burdened with adverse health outcomes, higher propensities of exposure to weather disasters and pollution, and well-being inequalities. The field of environmental justice (EJ) seeks to eliminate such disparities through environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Published in 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) formulated the Environmental Justice Index (EJI) as a data tool to identify communities …

Black Walnut Tree Health Distribution In An Urban Landscape, Gabriel Smith

Theses - ALL

Food access and climate change are two of the greatest challenges facing an increasingly urbanized society. Within cities, trees play a critical role for people and the planet, providing solutions to food insecurity and closing the metabolic rift. Trees provide food for human and non-human communities, shelter for biodiversity, and microclimate regulation. In this context, the health of trees is paramount because of the connection between species health and the capacity to provide services. Eastern black walnut (BW) trees (Juglans nigra) are an important and underutilized native nut tree in the Northeastern US. The kernel has the highest protein content …

Does Increased Productivity Ensure Food Security And Food Sovereignty? Case Study: Productivity, Food Security, And Gender Participation Within The Framework Of The “Sustenta” Project In Nampula Province, Mozambique., Arcenia Notilija Vilanculo

Theses - ALL

When food security and sovereignty are viewed from a gendered lens, critical questions arise concerning inclusive participation in food systems. While policymaking is pivotal in ensuring gender parity in these systems, the lack of stakeholder engagement and buy-in during the policy design process hinders governmental efforts to create and implement policies that effectively ensure food and nutritional security for all. This research examines agricultural productivity, food security, land tenure, and stakeholder engagement in the context of SUSTENTA project in Nampula. The methodology adopts a qualitative approach, incorporating data from semi-structured interviews, featuring predefined questions and topics and a thorough literature …

Explaining Geographic Disparities In Cardiovascular Disease Mortality: The Roles Of Physical Environment, Industry Structures, And State Policies, Yue Sun

Dissertations - ALL

Geographic disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in the United States are significant and have grown over time. The overarching objective of this dissertation is to explain geographic disparities in CVD mortality from air pollution, counties’ industry structures, and states’ environmental policies. Understanding the associations between these physical environments and CVD mortality is important because it can help to inform strategies for reducing geographic disparities in CVD mortality and promoting population health. In the first empirical chapter, I examine the associations between air pollution and county-level CVD mortality for the years 2016 to 2018 and how these associations vary across …

Agroecology And Soil Stewardship: Values And Techniques Of Smallholder Farmers In Bernalillo County, Stephanie Olivas

Geography ETDs

Agrarian movements around the world use agroecology to build sovereignty and steward dynamic ecosystems. Research has shown that agroecological farmers steward more resilient crops, more resilient soil biomes, and greater biodiversity than conventional agriculture. GIS and remote sensing offer many tools to detect the impacts of these farmers on the environment, but it is less clear how such technologies fit into agroecological goals. This study asks: what values, experiences and knowledge do smallholder producers in Bernalillo County embody in their soil stewardship practices? Also, what experience or knowledge do smallholder producers in Bernalillo County have about remote sensing, and would …

Caring For Creation: Catholics, Justice, And Socio-Ecologies In Appalachia, Dominic Wilkins

Dissertations - ALL

Geographers have long studied the challenge of achieving holistic justice. Rather than something found wholly within human relations, in recent years these analyses have increasingly understood justice as socio-ecological. The Catholic Church is a global institution with more than 1.3 billion adherents and millions of employees operating hundreds of thousands of parishes, schools, and other institutions across the world. The Church has long centered justice through both activism and intellectual theorizing. To date, however, geographers have not rigorously engaged this work or the ongoing environmental turn within the Catholic Church and its conceptions of justice. Scholars specializing in religions and …

Three Essays On Representation, Participation, And Conflict In Environmental Justice Councils, Graham Ambrose

Dissertations - ALL

In this dissertation, representation, participation, and conflict are examined in state-mandated environmental justice councils. A novel dataset is constructed from council meeting minutes to explore patterns across these key concepts at the individual-level, meeting-level, and council level over time. The first essay examines how meeting-level factors – such as participant diversity, attributes of the meeting, and context – associate with meeting-level participation measured as different types of communication. This essay builds on participation research in collaborative governance, exploring participation through the lens of communication. Leveraging multiple OLS regressions, associations between meeting-level factors and participation through communication are explored. The results …

Climate Justice Before The Anthropocene: How Inclement Weather Shaped British And Irish Romanticism, Lauren Cooper

Dissertations - ALL

Climate Justice Before the Anthropocene examines British and Irish Romantic literature through the lens of climate. The tail end of the Little Ice Age and two volcanic eruptions halfway around the world contributed to severe and unpredictable climate patterns in the British Isles between 1790 and 1820 that exacerbated existing social inequities and economic distresses. In poems and novels that engaged with this extended climate crisis, the project argues, we encounter an emergent discourse of environmental justice that undercuts the celebrations of “nature,” the advocacy of human and animal rights, and the defenses of art that scholars so often identify …

Urban Scale Vehicle-To-Building-To-Grid Integration Leveraging Human Mobility Modeling, Yapan Liu

Dissertations - ALL

In the United States (U.S.), the buildings sector consumes about 76% of electricity use and 40% of all primary energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions. Occupant behavior, which includes the presence of people in the space, interactions between the occupant and building systems, and occupant adaptations to the built environment, has a significant impact on the energy consumption of buildings. Many researchers have investigated occupant behaviors at a single building scale, however, very few studies have been conducted at the community scale or urban scale. Our previous review study introduced human mobility modeling approach from other domains into the …