Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Climate Change: Threats To Social Welfare And Social Justice Requiring Social Work Intervention, Lauren Caroline Achstatter

21st Century Social Justice

The article looks at climate change though a social development framework, with emphasis on social justice and social welfare. It evaluates how market-based capitalism continues to contribute to the problem while ignoring the warnings from the scientific community. The article goes on to report that despite the devastation of climate change, concerns – mainly financial in nature - continue to hinder progress towards reform. The article then argues that given the evidence, climate change qualifies as a topic of interest for social workers. The article goes on to advocate for social work involvement highlighting some suggested areas for action.

California Drought: A Need For Agricultural Revolution In The Golden State, Benjamin Clinkinbeard

2014 Student Theses

California is in a drought State of Emergency, which is fueling negative social and economic consequences. After multiple years of below average rainfall, California has arrived at one of the most severe droughts in recorded history. Climate change is upon the Golden State, and the ugly consequences need to encourage citizens to spur green movements combating environmental destruction. The agriculture industry is in need of drastic change in order to secure a future that includes clean water, and fresh food for a growing population. Currently, the agricultural techniques practiced are far from sustainable. Adopting a new ideal on what it …

Eating Misery: The Moral Question Of Factory Farming And The Struggle With Affected Ignorance, Victoria Elizabeth Oh

2014 Student Theses

What moral responsibility do we have to the suffering that we cause to animals? Should we reconsider our socially accepted treatment of animals in agriculture? In this essay I attempt to explore those moral questions by comparing new agriculture to the past; quantitative data linking environmental concerns to animal agriculture; and the current policy and law relating to factory farming. Using this information I try to unpack our moral obligation to these animals in factory farms and our affected ignorance to the entire subject of the unethical treatment of animals in factory farms. I recommend that we need to transform …

No Parking But Parks: Sustainable Urban Planning Of Open Space In New York City, Jenny Kun

2014 Student Theses

Parks are keys to create a sustainable urban living environment. They are particularly important today as they ameliorate of one of the most urgent problem—global climate change. Parks has been New Yorkers’ most cherished public infrastructure. This thesis takes a close look on New York City and examines how open space planning affect the development of a metropolis. To investigate the topic, I applied three disciplines in environmental policy: environmental planning and design, history, and politics. These disciplines are intertwined. This thesis first digs in to the history of how the city’s iconic Central Park is created and evaluates how …

Green Infrastructure: A New Way Of Addressing Water Quality Issues Within A Growing Population., Marlin Martes

2014 Student Theses

Abstract

Beneath the great metropolis known as New York City, underlies an intricate system of water networks linking all of New York City’s five boroughs. In the same manner that veins function as vessels for the transportation of blood in the circulatory system, NYC’s water system interconnects all of the diverse communities found at multiple levels of society within the city. Regardless of origin or background, today all NYC residents and visitors share NYC’s tap water as a natural resource without fearing water scarcity tomorrow. However, as the estimated population in New York City is expected to rise above 9 …

The Unknown Puppet Masters Of The Modern Day American Diet And How To Cut To The Strings: A Look Into Parasites And Applied Kinesiology, Kirstie E. Carrizales

2014 Student Theses

Many Americans suffer recurring health problems that are accepted as "normal" in American society. From panic attacks to digestive problems, Americans have been getting sicker and sicker. At the same time, we find ourselves craving more processed foods and sweets. And how could we not, it's very hard to find food that has not been contaminated with processed parts. Western medicine provides multiple pills both prescription and non-prescription to "ease" our pains. But what is the underlying cause? And what is a real cure? To understand what is really going on with our bodies, we must scale ourselves down and …

The Answer Is Blowin' In The Wind: The History And Practical Future Of Wind Power, Lillian Flynn

2014 Student Theses

Our energy practices have caused damage to the ecosystems of our planet. It is important that we move away from our current practices and towards more renewable and clean energy sources. Oil and coal both have incredibly harmful effects on the environment, including the emission of chemicals into the atmosphere leading to climate change and rising temperatures. Wind power may be the path that we need to take; it is a technology that has been around for thousands of years. In the recent years, technology has jumped forward in the turbine field. That being said, wind farms still face opposition …

The Atlantic Bluefin Tuna: A Tragedy Of The Commons On The High Seas, Janice G. Boswell

2014 Student Theses

Considered the biggest threat to marine ecosystems today, it is estimated that three fourths of the world’s fish stocks are being harvested faster than they can reproduce. Because the ocean is not subject to defined property rights, there exists a “race to the bottom” encouraged by the rise of industrial fishing, as well as a voracious global demand. The Atlantic bluefin tuna provides a glaring example of an overfished species on the brink of extinction due to its popularity in the Japanese market. Its rarity and esteem have made it the most expensive fish in the sea and policy has …

Got Milk?: Exploring The Truth Behind America’S Drink And Nature’S Perfect Food, Andora Leung

2014 Student Theses

The product of milk is a staple to American culture and diet. Described as the “perfect food,” this notion has been ingrained through decades of misleading information as well as persuasive marketing and advertisement implemented by government officials and industry leaders. However as health risk rise, questions concerning the validity of milk calorie and nutritional value, the use of bovine growth hormone (rBGH) and subtherapeutic antibiotics rise as well. In my thesis paper, I will study the history of the dairy industry and how their agenda quickly transitioned from the benefit of the customer to the benefit of the industry. …

Want All, Waste All: Exploring Food Waste In The United States, Ani Esenyan

2014 Student Theses

This thesis examines food waste within the United States as an environmental and social problem. It is estimated that 40% of food in the United States is thrown out every year, and the disciplines highlighted in this thesis explains why food waste exists. First, the amount of food wasted and the reasons behind the waste is explored. Second, the history of food production and consumption within the United States is analyzed to give further explain the waste epidemic. Third, the agricultural policies which have contributed to food waste are explained in detail. Fourth, the economic and environmental impacts of food …

Growing Roots: Gardening As A Means To Mitigate Urban Poverty And Its Symptoms, Maeve Bassett

2014 Student Theses

Urban gardening has become a very popular trend in the last few years in both affluent neighborhoods as a form of relaxation and in impoverished areas as a form of hunger relief. In impoverished areas, urban gardens are usually exclusively advertised as a solution to limited food access; however, there is a naïve belief that these gardens are effective forms of mass food production. Presently, these gardens are not productive enough to globally effect food production and the environment. However, to the communities surrounding the gardens, the effects are immense. Urban gardens are cheap and effective solutions for many of …

Environmental Disasters And Policy: Fear Prompts Awareness, Ashley K. Dunn

2014 Student Theses

The affect that environmental disasters have on public attitudes directly affects policy-making. This paper explores the implications and results of disasters on environmental policy-making. Various disciplines shed light as to why a disaster can spur awareness. Disasters directly threaten peoples lives and way of living. These threats result in a higher level of public awareness. The use of environmental psychology explains why people tend to ignore environmental problems until they become imminent and personal. Environmental history sheds light upon particular instances of environmental disasters. The three major environmental disasters covered are the Exxon ValdezOil Spill in Prince William Sound, …

Feeding Fordham: How Fordham University Students And Local Bronx Residents Are Affected By Their Location In An Urban Food Desert, Jane Wynne

2014 Student Theses

Abstract

My thesis examines the health and nutrition conditions in the Bronx, New York and the extent to which this location changes the diet and well-being of Fordham University students who live on or around Rose Hill’s campus. Upon entering college, there are undoubtedly social and personal changes as young adults gain independence from their parents and forge their own path. Once parents stop stocking the fridge and students are forced to make their own choices when it comes to food and diet, there are often drastic changes made. In addition, many students’ activities levels will vary in college as …

Colony Collapse Disorder In North American Honey Bees: History, Economics And Policy, Lauren Marra

2014 Student Theses

In recent years, millions of bees have died in North America as part of a phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder. This thesis analyzes the importance of productive bee colonies and how their act of pollination is a vital ecosystem service to many of our economies. It identifies the major crops reliant on bee pollination and the many ecological threats that declining bee populations pose. Using data from the USDA, university studies, and other scientific research, this thesis evaluates the many reasons for the decline of honeybees as a result of the gradual decline of the nation’s current agricultural system. …

A Decrepit New York: Synthesizing New York’S Infrastructure Problems, Connor Farrell

2014 Student Theses

Coastal living has become a very popular, often fantasized, way of life. This lifestyle is easy, relaxing, and, above all, it soothes the stress. However, mankind’s innate desire to live near America’s oceans, rivers, and other bodies of water have allowed its population to become vulnerable to super storms. Super storms, such as Hurricane Sandy, have become more prevalent over recent years, and America needs to take into account the massive population whom call the East coast home. Focusing in on the New York area, I will be able to show how our thoughtless designs and locations of towns/cities have …

If Slaughterhouses Had Glass Walls: The Truth Behind The History, Economics, And Ethics Of Factory Farming, Deanna Ripley

2014 Student Theses

In recent years, the awareness of factory farming has raised many questions regarding the treatment of animals, the health risks towards humans, and the affects it has on the environment. In the United States today, factory farming is the largest form of food production, where it is estimated that over a billion animals each year are killed to meet the high demand in the meat industry. The goal of factory farming is to maximize the amount of meat and dairy in a given amount of time through the cheapest forms of production. Thus, animals continuously live in inhumane conditions and …

Bioplastics: Reinventing Conventional Plastic Production And The Future Of Biodegradable Materials, Ruby Roca

2014 Student Theses

The use of plastic is prevalent in our society due to the increasing amount of new products entering the market that need some form of packaging that is solid enough yet disposable. From everything to yogurt containers to diapers, plastic containers are a large part of our society’s consumption culture and often goes unnoticed. However, people point to plastic water bottles and containers as the only culprit, and often times forget that almost all packaging contains some form of plastic. For my thesis I want to examine how the use of plastics has increased waste material, considering that it takes …

A Flaw In The Design: American Sprawl And Climate Change, Gregory Behl

2014 Student Theses

The physical landscape of the United States has developed to a point that it has become detrimental to the health of its citizens and the natural environment. Designed around abundant fossil fuels, the sprawling panorama Americans call home has significantly contributed to a decline in global ecosystem services. Using historical precedence as a guide for the constant improvement of surrounding environs has led to the nation’s exorbitant resource use and beyond sustainable emissions rates required by the physical design of the man-made landscape. These mandates, embodied in a physical design, further reinforce isolation and contribute to the psychological denial about …

The Global Effects Of Rising Sea Levels On Cities: Venice, Houston, Nyc, Alexa N. Fuller

2014 Student Theses

No abstract provided.

From Arrows To Bullets: Sustainable Hunting, Fishing, And Trapping, George S. Apostolopoulos

2014 Student Theses

My thesis paper is on hunting, fishing, and trapping in the state of New York. In this thesis I will go over months of my own personal research and experience on the topic. I will provide information on wildlife populations and biodiversity, as I have recorded it over the last two years.

When discussing the topics of hunting, fishing, and trapping in New York State the focus of conversation is often on the moral wrongness and negative impacts on wildlife that these disciplines have. However, those who oppose hunting, fishing, and trapping not only overlook their environmental educational value, environmental …

Water Water Everywhere: Analyzing Long Island's Water Issues And Finding Solutions For A Sustainable Future, Anthony T. Becker

2014 Student Theses

Over three million people call Long Island their home. With access to beautiful landscapes, world-renowned beaches, and proximity to New York City, it is no wonder that so many proudly call this geographic stretch of glacial till their home. However, throughout the years our actions do not necessarily reflect this affection we have to our home. Years of sprawl and human infestation across the island have resulted in widespread environmental degradation. Specifically, the water we drink and the beaches we enjoy have become endangered. I plan on studying the urban ecology of how intensified population growth led to the eutrophication …