Digital Commons Network^™

Expanding A Fixed Route Bus System With The Lower Anthracite Transit System, Devin T. Johnson, Ben R. Shimer, Kyle R. Crichton

Final Reports in ENST 411: Environmental Community Projects

We worked in partnership with the Lower Anthracite Transit System (LATS) to develop a proposed bus route in the town of Sunbury, PA, expanding their system to include more of Northumberland County. This bus route is predicated upon community-based feedback through surveys, where we designed and implemented a survey analyzing general transportation desires and interest in the route. We collected 207 total responses, where community feedback in these responses informed decisions about stop locations along the route. Survey responses are hugely beneficial for LATS, allowing them to understand what aspects of their transportation services work well and what can be …

Spring 2024 Enst 411 Sos Final Report, Ben Fink, Juliette Gaggini, Charlie Moderelli, Kate Gottwald

Final Reports in ENST 411: Environmental Community Projects

Save Our Susquehanna (SOS), is a campaign against Encina, a manufacturing company based in Texas that plans to build a “chemical recycling” plant in Point Township, Pennsylvania. As stated on the SOS website, SOS is a “group of local citizens who are concerned about the health and environmental impacts of a plastics processing facility being proposed for Point Township in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.” SOS is made up of local residents who live near the proposed site in Northumberland, Danville, Sunbury, Lewisburg, and Selinsgrove. Additionally, SOS is partnered with people from state and national groups who are similarly concerned about the …

Last Footprints Green Burial Final Report, Madeline Liebegott, Kelley Schutte, Nathan Peot

Final Reports in ENST 411: Environmental Community Projects

Green burial, an environmentally conscious approach to the interment of human remains, has gained traction globally as a sustainable alternative to conventional burial practices. Traditional burials, characterized by embalming and the use of non-biodegradable materials, contribute to resource consumption and environmental degradation. In response, green burial promotes practices that prioritize ecological conservation, such as refraining from embalming, using biodegradable caskets or shrouds, and minimizing land disturbance. This report details the work of three Bucknell University ENST 411 students researching green burial opportunities and awareness in Central Pennsylvania, and their work with a community partner, Farida Zaid, to lay the foundations …

An Anthropogenic Mass Extinction: Speculation About The Future Of Humanity And Other Species, Grace M. Nelson

Student Theses 2015-Present

This thesis will address the possibility of a sixth mass extinction at the hands of humanity and the adaptations ecosystems may undertake in recovery. Today, the world is witnessing incredibly fast changes in climate conditions that are causing severe biodiversity loss. Haiti is a region that encompasses the impacts of both environmental degradation and humanity’s social influences on the environment. Haiti will be examined throughout this thesis to provide an understanding of how climate change impacts people and the natural world today. Non-anthropogenic rapid climate change is the root of most past mass extinctions. However, after these events, ecosystems have …

Revitalizing New York City Food Deserts: On Addressing, Examining, And Solving Food Insecurity In New York City, Eleanor Ann Rodde

Student Theses 2015-Present

This paper aims to expose the food deserts of New York City and present ways that the government and non-governmental organizations can combat food insecurity in the urban environment. Food deserts are the product of insufficient access, availability, utilization, and stability of food in a particular area due to environmental racism. Food insecurity in New York City will rise with the increased impacts of climate change on our agricultural system. To that end, disadvantaged neighborhoods will bear the burden of environmental costs. The first chapter of this paper considers the failing agricultural system to prove that massive reform to protect …

Bees In The Big City: The History, Politics, And Infrastructure Of Colony Collapse Disorder And Potential Solutions, Anthony Lekakis

Student Theses 2015-Present

This paper discusses the phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD, the causes of CCD, and how to mitigate the causes of the phenomenon while increasing the population of pollinators in cities, specifically in NYC. Chapter 1 analyzes the reasons behind the issue of pollination decline, examining well-established theories such as habitat loss and climate change, as well as other theories such as the prevalence of radio waves and how they interfere with the internal navigation of pollinators. Case studies of other nations and their situations are also included. Chapter 2 examines the history of New York City’s pollinators …

Stepping Towards Sustainability: Analyzing Walkability In Urban Environments, Elli Lewis

Student Theses 2015-Present

This paper examines path walkability in the urban environment and its various impact levels on different neighborhoods. One of the most accessible forms of sustainability is walking, as it produces zero carbon emissions and can harvest a greater sense of care for the human environment. In a growing urbanized world, providing citizens easy access to clean and safe sidewalks, parks, grocery stores, local restaurants, and religious organizations is essential. Accessible walking routes are vital in large, urban cities. The first chapter analyzes the need for walkable cities concerning ecosystem services and their functions. A brief history of New York’s urban …

Unnatural Climate Solutions: The Naturalizing Practice Of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ryan Chen Mx.

Student Theses 2015-Present

Can we really save the world with trees, solar panels, and ‘net zero’ sustainable business? These are the mainstream solutions proposed by powerful actors–however these are largely false ‘Natural’ solutions that embrace greenwashing and ignore environmental justice. The rhetoric of ‘Nature’ has led to the violation of indigenous sovereignty and urban green gentrification in the name of ‘Conservation’ and carbon offsets. But what does ‘Natural’ truly mean, what is at stake when we use the word, and what does it mean for humanity? Through interviews and public observations in Flushing, Queens I learned how the Chinese diaspora naturalizes the city …

Breaches In The Levee: Increasing Sea Level Rise And Hurricane Activity In New Orleans, Ian A. Gere

Student Theses 2015-Present

No abstract provided.

Confessions Of A Contemporary Consumer: Environmental And Humanitarian Impacts Of Fast Fashion, Maria Jose Salume

Student Theses 2015-Present

This paper addresses the impacts fast fashion has on the environment and people, drawing from the reality in South Asia and the Shein factory located there, while also addressing global consequences. Today’s consumer culture has incited a behavior of purchasing clothing at a rate that has never been seen before. Trends go in and out, and along with them, the clothing items that are created to fit the current styles. Fast fashion has become an environmental issue due to the amount of fabrics that are being incinerated and discarded daily that pollute the oceans and land. Additionally, it is a …

Urban Agriculture: Sowing Seeds Of Sustainability In New York City, Taylor K. Takahashi

Student Theses 2015-Present

This paper critically examines urban agriculture as a vital strategy for addressing the interconnected challenges of food insecurity and climate resilience in New York City. Chapter 1 employs quantitative data to illuminate the complex interplay between climate change and food injustice in New York City, highlighting reciprocal impacts and underscoring the urgency of intervention. Chapter 2 traces the historical trajectory of urban agriculture in New York City, emphasizing its anticipated contributions to the city's food security and climate resilience. This section also explores the diverse forms urban agriculture takes and assesses their suitability for the contexts of New York City. …

Reef Ecosystem Conservation For The Hawaiian Islands: The Impacts Of Ocean Warming And Acidification On Benthic Reef Populations, Samantha Roberts

Student Theses 2015-Present

This paper explores the anthropogenic effects of rapid climate change and ocean acidification on benthic coral populations along the Hawaiian archipelago. Moreover, the reliance of Hawaiian coastal communities on coral reefs for sustenance and economic prosperity is evaluated to determine the importance of reef ecosystem conservation for the prosperity of Hawaii. Chapter 1 introduces the importance of coral and supplies quantitative data on declining coral populations traditional to Hawaii, as a result of ocean warming and acidification. Empirical data from prior, prominent studies, combined with my own, will be discussed. Chapter 2 outlines the ecology of Hawaiian reef ecosystems, the …

Pandemic Pandemonium: The Interconnectedness Of Environmental And Public Health Through The Lens Of Covid-19, Hanna Giedraitis

Student Theses 2015-Present

In 2020, the world was launched into a global pandemic it was completely unprepared to fight. This pandemic began in the midst of tragic environmental disasters, including the largest wildfire recorded in California history. Once the global lockdown began, many long-standing environmental problems began to remedy themselves due to the sudden halt of human interaction. However, there were major environmental setbacks in the healthcare industry as increased medical waste and single-use items became a necessity. This thesis addresses how the pandemic impacted the environment through a lens of sustainability and public health, and how healthcare industries can be more prepared …

Ancient Wisdom, Modern Prosperity: Harnessing Traditional Ecological Knowledge To Revitalize Australia's Economy, Environment, And Human Wellbeing, Annabelle L. Baulch

Student Theses 2015-Present

This paper explores the traditional knowledge of Australia’s Indigenous people and how it can improve Australia's environment, health, and economic prosperity to shape a more sustainable future. Indigenous Australians managed the land for thousands of years; however, being forced off the land following European colonization resulted in terrible cultural, social, and environmental disruption for Aboriginal Australians and made conservation efforts difficult. Wildfires, imported species, mining, and agriculture is steadily destroying the Australian ecosystem, contributing to climate change, species extinction, and gaps in our cultural and ancestral knowledge. Chapter One overviews Australia's environmental issues; it uses quantitative data to explore the …

An Environmental Justice Framework For Transportation Equity, Alex Kay Depinho

Student Theses 2015-Present

In 2021, transportation accounted for 29% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, making it the largest contributor by sector, and 58% of these emissions came from the use of passenger cars and light-duty trucks. Electrification of personal vehicles and promotion of sustainable transit options is often centered in environmental discourse and policymaking, but many discussions neglect pertinent issues of social inequity at play. The transit-reliant urban poor, isolated in city centers by suburban sprawl, live in communities with not only a reduced access to jobs, healthcare, education and public resources, but an increased exposure to pollution, especially …

A Just, Sustainable Transition At Fordham University, Ethan Shepard

Student Theses 2015-Present

This paper takes a deeper look at Fordham University’s environmental impact and concludes with a strategy outline that works towards a just, sustainable future on the university campus and surrounding areas. New York City is an area already facing the adverse effects of climate change, and there are several threats that have the potential to cause grave consequences moving forward. Prior to constructing a climate action plan, it is integral to understand the past and present status of The Bronx under a socio-environmental lens. Chapter One focuses on the current status of Fordham’s Rose Hill Campus from a sustainability perspective …

Climate Change And Environmental Crises In Coastal Cities: Charleston Vs New York City, Nolan Rodriguez

Student Theses 2015-Present

This paper addresses the increasing vulnerability that coastal communities face regarding climate crises and rising sea levels. Specifically, this paper investigates the environmental crises facing Charleston, South Carolina, and New York City. The geographical location of these cities places a more severe threat upon their environment, as opposed to urban collectives removed from the immediate effect of rising sea levels. A cross-examination of politics and economics is discussed in order to determine the causal relationship of each city’s engagement with its surrounding environment. This paper examines how each city is affected by climate change, what measures are in place to …

Beyond The Tap: The Flint, Michigan Water Crisis As An Issue Of Environmental Racism, Vincent J. Vitanza

Student Theses 2015-Present

The following paper provides insight into the Flint, Michigan water crisis of 2014 through the lens of environmental racism. The Flint, Michigan water crisis saw the contamination of the municipal water supply of the town of Flint as a result of the decision to switch the main water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River as a temporary measure as the town of Flint switched to the Karegnondi Water Authority contract to supply their municipal water. Flint is a majority minority community, and the facets of race and socioeconomic status played a significant role in how the crisis was …

Sustainable Urban Design In New York City: The Case Study Of Manhattan’S Chinatown, Tiffany Wu

Student Theses 2015-Present

How should urban cities like New York City adapt with climate change? Can sustainability and cities co-exist? This paper addresses the environmental challenges New York City faces due to its geographical location and design plans of sustainable urban cities with a case study of Manhattan’s Chinatown. While there is existing discourse on ways to develop sustainably amid a grim environmental outlook, analyzing similar issues through racial and social perspectives are extremely critical particularly in a multi-culturally diverse city like NYC. This city offers rich architectural histories that intertwine with burgeoning immigrant communities during the 20th century. Chinatown, located in the …

University Employees Honored For Milestones, Retirements, University Communications, Illinois Wesleyan University

News and Events (Discontinued Series)

No abstract provided.

The Air We Breathe: Understanding Individual Exposure To Air Pollution, Claire Culliton

Student Theses 2015-Present

Every day, people are exposed to air pollution. But not all people experience the same levels of exposure. Human exposure to ambient air pollution is commonly represented by the concentration of pollutants in the air outside, but this is not accurate in revealing the complex and individual experience that is pollution exposure. This paper reevaluates how we represent exposure to ambient pollution and presents data from an ongoing study to broaden our understanding of the role of indoor air quality. Chapter one uses quantitative data to describe the relationship between humans and ambient air pollution and explain why the current …

From Pasture To Pavement: Urban Expansion And Its Environmental Consequences In Perth, Anastasia Charelishvili

Student Theses 2015-Present

This thesis addresses the pressing issue of ecological problems of urban sprawl and its intricate impacts on urban health, with a particular focus on vulnerable communities in Perth, Australia. Chapter 1 presents the city's historical background and emphasizes the depletion of ecosystem services, underscoring the need for environmental justice. It also introduces the causes and effects of the sprawl in Perth and draws upon a diverse range of environmental problems created by suburbia, such as air pollution, biodiversity loss, water pollution, and runoff. As these threats translate into urban health declines, such as respiratory problems and increased healthcare issues, Chapter …

The Dark Side Of Power: Shortcomings Of America’S Energy Grid And How To Fix Them, John Ashton

Student Theses 2015-Present

This paper examines the current state of the United States’ electric grid and how constantly increasing energy demand requires an overhaul of the current system into one that is more interconnected, sustainable, and resilient. Chapter One uses quantitative data to explain the current problems with the United States’ energy production, distribution, and usage. Chapter Two discusses the history of the electric grid and how consistently increasing energy demands have led to rapid innovation and expansion. This chapter will discuss changes the American energy industry over time and how key takeaways can be applied to proposed future advancements. Chapter Three addresses …

Greening Urban Spaces: Harnessing Houseplants To Reclaim Ecosystem Services, Alana Snyder

Student Theses 2015-Present

This paper addresses how there is a lack of green spaces and access to nature within big cities, and thus, we lose the ecosystem services provided naturally by plants, such as clean air and mental well-being. By filling an interior space with houseplants, some of these ecosystem services can be brought and utilized indoors. Chapter one describes the benefits of plant ecosystem services on human life and how human alteration, such as urbanization and the creation of large cities, diminishes the availability and accessibility of these natural systems. Chapter two examines the environmental history of human relationships with plants. For …

New York City’S Rising Sea Level And Coastal Erosion: Approaches To Resiliency, Ryder D. Isidro

Student Theses 2015-Present

No abstract provided.

Major Axes Of Variation In Tree Demography Across Global Forests, Melina De Souza Leite, Sean M. Mcmahon, Paulo Inácio Prado, Stuart J. Davies, Alexandre Adalardo De Oliveira, Hannes P. De Deurwaerder, Salomón Aguilar, Kristina J. Anderson-Teixeira, Nurfarah Aqilah, Norman A. Bourg, Warren Y. Brockelman, Nicolas Castaño, Chia-Hao Chang-Yang, Yu-Yun Chen, George Chuyong, Keith Clay, Álvaro Duque, Sisira Ediriweera, Corneille E. N. Ewango, Gregory Gilbert, I. A. U. N. Gunatilleke, C. V. S. Gunatilleke, Robert Howe, Walter Huaraca Huasco, Akira Itoh, Daniel J. Johnson, David Kenfack, Kamil Král, Yao Tze Leong, James A. Lutz, Jean-Remy Makana, Yadvinder Malhi, William J. Mcshea, Mohizah Mohamad, Musalmah Nasardin, Anuttara Nathalang, Geoffrey Parker, Renan Parmigiani, Rolando Pérez, Richard P. Phillips, Pavel Šamonil, I-Fang Sun, Sylvester Tan, Duncan Thomas, Jill Thompson, María Uriarte, Amy Wolf, Jess Zimmerman, Daniel Zuleta, Marco D. Visser, Lisa Hülsmann

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

The future trajectory of global forests is closely intertwined with tree demography, and a major fundamental goal in ecology is to understand the key mechanisms governing spatio-temporal patterns in tree population dynamics. While previous research has made substantial progress in identifying the mechanisms individually, their relative importance among forests remains unclear mainly due to practical limitations. One approach to overcome these limitations is to group mechanisms according to their shared effects on the variability of tree vital rates and quantify patterns therein. We developed a conceptual and statistical framework (variance partitioning of Bayesian multilevel models) that attributes the variability in …

We Are What We Eat: Unsustainable Food And Diet In America, Azzurra Bertelli Pisetti

Student Theses 2015-Present

The following paper addresses the issue of unsustainable food and diet in the United States, specifically, the problems related to the US industrial food system that lead to the exploitation of ecosystem services, public health burdens with social inequalities, and economic costs. Possible solutions may include an increased awareness of nutrition through education and policies, as well as urban agricultural technologies like the vertical farm. Chapter 1 analyzes the quantitative data on today's industrial food problem and its degradation of ecosystem services, with concerns for social injustice and ecological instability, including the global over-consumption of beef and its negative effects …

Navigating Towards Sustainability: Tackling Eu Transportation Carbon Emissions, Michael Andre Barajas

Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Mobility plays an essential role in our daily lives, yet the consequences of transportation are often overlooked or misunderstood. Most people take transportation for granted, not considering the opportunity cost of our easy accessibility, namely carbon emissions. These emissions cause significant environmental damage, threatening the ability of future generations to enjoy what we have now unless we reduce and stop them.

The European Union has been a leader in sustainability over the past decade, expressing concerns about carbon emissions and exploring various ways to address the issue. To understand the EU's future plans, it is crucial to grasp the scale …

Cloud Server's Impact: The Environment And Supply Chain, Jeremy Silvis

Sustainable Supply Chain Management

In our data-driven society, the exponential growth of data generation presents both opportunities and challenges. Each day, 328.77 million terabytes of data are produced, necessitating vast storage solutions. Traditional data storage methods, such as HDDs and SSDs, have given way to the revolutionary Cloud, which offers scalable and accessible storage options. However, the environmental impact of Cloud servers, characterized by significant energy and water consumption, raises concerns. This chapter examines the evolution of data storage, the environmental ramifications of Cloud servers, and the sustainability efforts of Cloud companies. The chapter also explores the transformative effects of the Cloud on global …

Commencement 2024 (Program And Video), Illinois Wesleyan University

Commencement Ceremonies

No abstract provided.