Digital Commons Network^™

Cultivating Hope: The Influence Of Positive Outlooks In K-12 Climate Change Education, Agnes Brown

Student Theses 2015-Present

Abstract

Students studying the environment know and feel the emotional toll that it can take. This can easily contribute to mental health issues and utter defeat. This paper addresses the exclusion of optimism from environmental education and the impacts this has on childhood development and students as they advance to higher levels of education. Through this analysis, the goal is to find a role for hope in a topic typically framed in an apocalyptic manner. The shift from denying the existence of climate change to denying that it can be addressed, particularly through the usage of “doomsday language,” has created …

Land Surface Temperature Change In New York City, 1985-2023: A Historical Analysis, Andrew Kittredge

Theses and Dissertations

Intra-urban land surface temperature change is not well studied outside of a land use land cover change perspective. To address this research gap, this thesis studied the effect of biophysical change and recent development on land surface temperature (LST) change in New York City from 1985 to 2023. Mean summer values of land surface temperature, transformed difference vegetation index (TDVI), and albedo were computed for New York City census tracts during 1985 – 1994 and 2015 – 2023, along with measures of development activity since 2015. A spatial Durbin error model (R²: 0.939, RMSE: 0.538°C) significantly related TDVI …

In-Service Science Teacher’S Pedagogical Content Knowledge In The Examination Of Socioscientific Issues And Implementation Of Social Justice Science Pedagogy: Perspectives On The Impact Of Science And Engineering Practices, Charu Varma

Graduate Theses & Dissertations

The current science vision positions students as knowledge co-creators and science-doers. Teachers support students in phenomenon sensemaking and explaining in the context of socioscientific issues relevant to their daily lives. Students connect classroom learning to their communities and gain an understanding of how to affect change for the better.

This qualitative case study sought to understand the pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) of an in-service high-school science teacher who participated in a long-term professional development program and connected the socioscientific issue of personal safety in school speed zone to science and engineering practices, thereby promoting scientific literacy and student agency.

The …

Addressing Air Quality Mitigation As A Key Factor In Asthma Management And Prevention, Julia Buckles, Jewel Radford

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Asthma is the most prevalent disease in childhood and disproportionately affects African American (AA) populations in terms of prevalence and frequency of exacerbations. Air quality and environmental factors are strongly associated with the diagnosis and management of asthma and AA children are more likely to live in areas with poor air quality. An air quality flag program was implemented in a daycare located in a county with a predominantly AA population with a high prevalence of asthma diagnoses. The goal of the intervention was to increase staff awareness of air quality and the impact it can have on asthma diagnosis …

Toxicological Impacts Of River Chemical Spills In Affected West Virginia Counties, Janice Lorraine Taylor Peters

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Factors such as geographical location/proximity and exposure to external environmental events, as well as poor regulatory processes, are known to increase the risk for cancers among affected populations. There is still a gap in the literature related to the incidence of cancers in specific regions with heavy industrialization and environmental health hazards. In West Virginia, chemical contamination events have occurred in or near water systems. The goal of this quantitative, retrospective study was to discover whether there were any differences in the incidence of disease or adverse health effects and cancers due to chemical contamination in four counties (Kanawha, Mingo, …

Equity And Sustainable Development Under Climate Regime Of Bangladesh, Mahatab Uddin

San Diego International Law Journal

Equity and Sustainable Development are two important guiding principles of the international climate regime formed under the umbrella of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 1992. All international legal instruments concluded under the climate regime, including the recently adopted Paris Agreement, have acknowledged these two principles as their guiding principles. Consequently, all countries or parties to the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement require integrating these two principles with their national level climate change related laws and policies. Bangladesh, as a party to the UNFCCC and all other subsequent instruments including the Paris Agreement, is also required to incorporate …

The Activist Corner - Ecojustice Insights From The Field, Coralie Boulard, Lucas Zabotin

Green Humanities: A Journal of Ecological Thought in Literature, Philosophy & the Arts

No abstract provided.

Diverse Voices, Sticky Maps And Wicked Patterns. Using Creative Methods To Explore Environmental Justice, Clare Saunders, Daksha Patel

Green Humanities: A Journal of Ecological Thought in Literature, Philosophy & the Arts

Environmental justice is multi-faceted. It is distributional, procedural and context inter-dependent. Achieving environmental justice therefore requires transdisciplinary thinking and collaborative practice with participants holding a variety of experiences and knowledges. This paper explores the different meanings of environmental justice in theory, and through artistic practices. It introduces and evaluates a series of creative workshops designed to enhance understanding of environmental justice. The workshops consisted of 1) image-informed co-created cross-national Zoom conversations; 2) using colours and shapes to tease out meanings of environmental justice; and 3) mapping local environmental injustices while centring more-than-humans. It proposes that these creative methods are useful …

Powering Justice: Sketches For A New Ethos In Energy Policy, Erin Rizzato Devlin

Green Humanities: A Journal of Ecological Thought in Literature, Philosophy & the Arts

Energy politics lie at the heart of human activity. In a time of ecological and energy crisis, it is fundamental to realise that our reality systems are always open to change and that, in order to respond to the challenges of a changing energy landscape, we must explore the full possibilities of technology in a radical way. This research aims to consider the ethical implications of energy and technology, presenting an urgent case for cosmotechnical pluralism, that is the diversification of world-views, knowledges, technologies in the pursuit of energy justice in global politics. To reconstruct the world and its politics …

Editors' Note

Green Humanities: A Journal of Ecological Thought in Literature, Philosophy & the Arts

No abstract provided.

Vol.51 N.41 May 2nd 2024, Voice Media Ventures

Black Voice News

No abstract provided.

Towards A Sustainable Planet: Review Of ‘Global Environmental Politics’ By Kütting And Herman (2018), Mona Safizadeh

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

Global Environmental Politics by Kütting and Herman (2018) explores our planet's complex challenges, urging collective action for sustainability. Across 13 chapters, the book explores sustainable consumption, the role of technology, and the impact of evolving economies on global politics. This comprehensive guide emphasizes the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic factors, offering insights for stakeholders to navigate toward a healthier future.

Understanding The Public Reaction To Major United States Environmental Policies Through Twitter, Ryan Giammarco

Honors Projects in Data Science

An increased focus on access to general data as well as a continued lack of usable environmental data have resulted in an odd phenomenon where the public does not have the opportunity to understand their environment on a deep level. The goal of this research is to understand, as a result, how people both talk and feel about certain environmental changes, particularly those in the realm of politics. Through word clouds and sentiment analysis performed with historical Twitter data collected between 2010 and 2022, we can identify the general trends in both conversation and feeling as they relate to a …

Cotl 2024 Conference Program, S. Raj Chaudhury, Lisa Lacross, Hannah Wilson

CoTL 2024 Conference Program

The program for the 2024 Conference on Teaching and Learning.

Review Of Bioprotopia: Designing The Built Environment With Living Organisms, Gozde Damla Turhan-Haskara

Book Reviews

No abstract provided.

The Port Of San Diego's Maritime Clean Air Strategy: Enhancing Public Health With Innovative Clean Air Strategies, San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative, Gabriela Yamhure, Alexis Padilla

San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative

The Port of San Diego (The Port), established in 1962 under the Port act, is the Maritime agency that manages and stewards the thirty-four miles of coastal working waterfront along the San Diego Bay. The Port develops and promotes commerce, navigation, recreation, a healthy environment and fisheries around the San Diego Bay, contributes billions to San Diego’s economy, and is home to international cargo and trade operations. In a concerted effort to lessen greenhouse gas emissions impact of operations on local, often underserved communities, the Port developed and is implementing a Maritime Clean Air Strategy (MCAS), an update to the …

How Communities Respond To Industrial Pollution, Jacqueline Jergensen, Sara Velardi

Sustainable Communities

Industrial pollution is a growing environmental issue in the United States, having health, economic, and social consequences on the surrounding communities. This study explores how communities respond to industrial pollution by examining two case studies in New York: the Navy/Grumman Plume of Bethpage and the IBM Plume of Endicott. Document analysis provided information to create complete timelines of the pollution and remediation in each community. Interviews were also conducted to provide personal insight from residents, employees of polluting industries, or those involved with remediation efforts. Ultimately, the research suggests that industrial actors should take a proactive stance in addressing contamination. …

The Disproportionate Burden On Vulnerable Communities In The Trade Of Plastic Waste: How Environmental Justice Should Be Integrated Into The United Nations Treaty On Plastic Pollution, Jackson Moffett

UC Law Environmental Journal

The United Nations Environment Assembly passed a resolution to end plastic pollution with a legally binding treaty in response to growing international concern over the destruction of the environment and human health from plastic pollution. Plastic waste disposal is currently regulated under the Plastic Waste Amendments of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (Basel Convention), which subjects it to prior informed consent (PIC) and the environmentally sound management of waste (ESM). Unfortunately, the increasing amount of plastic production and limited number of recycling facilities around the world have rendered the Basel …

Impact Of Pollution On Marginalized Communities: Case Study Of Omaha, Nebraska, Miqaela Davis

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Environmental justice has been a struggle within our country for years. The goal of Environmental justice is for the fair treatment and equal voice for every single individual regardless of race, income, gender, etc. There has been environmental injustice and racism in many cities, but this study focuses on Omaha, Nebraska. Key questions include: What are some specific pollutants that are prevalent in areas with differing racial majorities in Omaha? What are some of the health patterns in these areas and does it relate to environmental racism? How has Omaha reinforced environmental racism through city planning? Using the Climate and …

Green At Eye Level: From Measurement Approaches To Simulated Models And Inequality Assessments In U.S. Major Cities, Jingjing Yan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation delves into the multifaceted dynamics of urban greenness, addressing critical aspects of sustainable urban development. Providing urban green spaces has been widely acknowledged to offer numerous benefits to individuals and communities. Recently, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of evaluating urban greenness from a human-centered perspective, partly due to the rapid development of eye-level greenness measurement. First, to provide a comprehensive overview of measurement approaches and topics related to eye-level urban greenness, a systematic review of 77 papers was conducted in this research. This review revealed that street view images are the primarily utilized data …

Ethnic Studies: 2023-2024, Department Of Ethnic Studies

Ethnic Studies Department Newsletters

Kumeyaay Land Acknowledgement, Course Descriptions, Message from the Chair, Faculty, Staff & Student Support, ES @ 20 Celebration, ES @ 20 Lecture Series, ETHN Student Spotlight, ETHN Senior Spotlight, ETHN Alumni Spotlight, Scholar Recognition, Diversity Banquet, Congratulations Class of 2024, The Turning Wheel Project, USD Copley Library, News Center, Support Yermo Aranda Mural at USD, USD Resources, Scholarship Opportunities, Volunteer/Employment, Explore San Diego,

Investigation Of The Impact Of Neighborhood Environments On Alzheimer’S Disease And Alzheimer’S Disease-Related Dementias (Ad/Adrd), Darashagam Nahal

2024 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

There is an increased interest in understanding the impact of neighborhood environments on cognitive functioning, cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD). Surprisingly, there has yet to be a comprehensive review that consolidates the findings from studies conducted in this specific field. The purpose of this study is to comprehensively investigate the influence of eight neighborhood environments on AD/ADRD. The seven key neighborhood environments that are investigated in this study include: i) socioeconomic status, ii) food environments, iii) physical activity resources, iv) social cohesion, v) crime, vi) non-crime safety, and vii) healthcare services. This research conducts a …

The Utilization Of Grassroots Organizing By Black Women Pioneers To Achieve Reproductive Justice., Madison Ruth Ellsworth

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since enslavement in the United States Black women have cultivated different ways to fight for their Reproductive Justice. After emancipation Black women have continued to utilize the practices learned from our ancestors to obtain Reproductive Justice. Despite the women’s movement becoming mainstream in the 1960s many Black women continued to grassroots organize to adequately address the issues that were unique to them. The efforts of various Black women organizers tend to go unacknowledged because the mainstream women’s movement attracts the attention of most. In my research I focused on Byllye Avery, Loretta Ross, and Toni Bond to explore and showcase …

Anthropogenic Litter In Urban Waterways: An Analysis Of Litter, Urbanization, And The Emerging Role Of Citizen Science In Beargrass Creek, Louisville, Ky., Ella Swigler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis addressed the ever growing presence and persistence of anthropogenic litter (AL) in urban waterways. AL has been studied in marine environments, but research gaps exist in riverine ecosystems. Most of the AL that reaches the Earth’s oceans is carried by urban rivers, so understanding the relationship between these waterways and AL is critical in effectively fighting AL accumulation, especially for legacy plastic pollutants. The study explored fifteen sites throughout Beargrass Creek and recorded the quantity and type of AL present throughout the summer and fall of 2023. The National Geographic Marine Debris Tracker App was employed to successfully …

Incorporating Equity Into Sea-Level Rise Planning: Perspectives From Practitioners Across California, Nayré Herrera

Local Reports and Publications

Scholars along with national and state governments have increasingly made calls to incorporate an equity lens into climate adaptation processes and into sea-level rise planning specifically. However, the language used in these high-level policies remains vague. There remains a need to learn from practitioners on the ground about the challenges and opportunities for effectively incorporating an equity lens into sea-level rise adaptation and planning efforts. I conducted interviews with 17 individuals who are working within their agencies or organizations to advance equity across the California coast along with a review of 17 California coastal policy documents to gain insights into …

Editors’ Foreword, Ivan Ditmars, Gaby Salazar Kitner

UC Law Environmental Journal

No abstract provided.

Charging Forward: A Comparative Analysis Of Facilitators To Electric Vehicle Adoption In Three U.S. States, Abigail Schroeder

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Electric vehicles (EVs) are a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, but low consumer adoption rates present a challenge. In order to understand what factors may facilitate EV adoption, a comparative analysis of three U.S. states was performed. These states have the highest rates of EV adoption in the country. Thus, studying them provided insights into what may make EV adoption successful. California, Hawaii, and Washington are the states with the highest EV adoption rates. Based on previous research, a list of 12 characteristics that may influence EV adoption was compiled and applied to each state, focusing on …

Educational Influences On Environmental Perception: A Semester Analysis Of The New Ecological Paradigm Scale In Undergraduates, Zoe Zingler

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

This study evaluated the impact of a geography course, GEOG 181: Global Environmental Issues, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on students’ endorsement of the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) using a pre-course and post-course NEP scale survey. Analyzing paired responses (n = 40) through t-tests and z-scores, only four of 15 statements had statistically significant shifts observed for the entire sample. However, a targeted analysis of students initially possessing lower endorsement of the NEP—early deniers—revealed significant paradigm shifts post-course. While women initially showed stronger NEP endorsement, men demonstrated notable changes following the course towards endorsement of the NEP. Academic majors, whether …

Spatial Justice: Deductions, Demonstrations, And Derivations, Fabio Capra-Ribeiro

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Environmental Justice And Water Quality In The United States, Paige M. Jewell

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

My thesis explores the comparisons of water quality and environmental justice. A survey was conducted that allowed for demographics, hometown information, and opinions on hometown water quality to be gathered from the Butler community. Based on the findings in the survey and current events found within an extensive literature review, three states were chosen to receive further analysis on their current water quality and environmental justice standards. For these three states, current water pollutants, current solution implementations, population impacted, and community involvement were all looked into and analyzed.