Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

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 …

Our Failing Food System: Productivity Versus Sustainability, Alyson Murphy

Student Theses 2001-2013

The United States food system is a complex intersection of the activities, people and resources that are involved in feeding the American population. Americans’ relationship with food includes our perception, consumption, and production of it—all of which are aspects that affect the quality of our overall food system. However, our current food system is by no means perfect; rather, it is crucially flawed and requires vast improvements in order to become a healthy and truly nourishing organism. With significant changes in the direction of sustainability, the American food system can become beneficial to the American people, land, and economy by …

Trash Talk: Solid Waste Disposal In New York City, Alexander Williams

Student Theses 2001-2013

In 2010, Americans produced 250 million tons of solid waste. Where does this massive amount of waste go after we throw it out? The majority of the waste is disposed of in landfills where it does not break down, produces poisonous leachate which can contaminate soil and groundwater supplies, and contributes twenty-five percent of America’s methane emissions. The challenges and hazards of solid waste disposal are no more evident than in New York City. New York City residents produce over 50,000 tons of solid waste and recyclables every day. With the closing of the Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island …

Assessment Of Impact Of Socioeconomic Factors On Conservation Awareness In The Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem, Karianne Rivera

Student Theses 2001-2013

This study was conducted in the Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem in the towns of Mto Wa Mbu, Kilimamoja, Esilalei, Losilwa, and Baraka. The purpose of the study was to see what the wildlife and environmental conservation awareness levels were among people in local communities, and to determine what socioeconomic factors affected awareness levels among people. The relevance of this study was to determine what factors influence, hinder, and encourage conservation awareness among people. With this information, communities may be able to spread conservation education more effectively. The study also examined what factors increased or decreased awareness levels among people. The study was …

Giving Back To The Community: Addressing The Environmental Literacy Gap Through Socially And Environmentally Responsible Business Practices, David Garcia

Student Theses 2001-2013

The following paper was inspired by my passion for environmental education and environmental justice. The problem being addressed herein is the environmental literacy gap in the United States caused by the environmental education deficit. After an extensive review of literature and research regarding the issue of environmental education in America, I propose that the environmental and social responsibility movement in business can help augment the environmental education deficit in our country. In order to fully grasp the issues at hand and to understand the full scope of environmental education, I first discuss three disciplines essential to the process of integrating …

Composting Food Waste: A Method That Can Improve Soil Quality And Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Gentiana Quni

Student Theses 2001-2013

Greenhouse gas emissions and the loss of soil fertility worldwide are two important environmental issues that we are facing today as part of global climate change. As the human population continues to rise and harmful environmental practices persist, environmental degradation is sure to worsen. Landfills are a major source of the potent greenhouse gas, methane. The food waste we sent to landfills is the reason that landfills emit methane and carbon dioxide. Through poor soil management, soils are increasingly becoming degraded and unable to support plant life and the synthetic fertilizers used to enhance soils contribute to environmental issues. One …

Exploring The Drivers Of Csr And Creating A Sustainable Corporate Institution: Environmental Education, Politics, And Business Practices, Eric Osuna

Student Theses 2001-2013

Corporations represent one of the greatest threats to modern society. Their impacts on the natural systems and communities have brought about irreparable harm, and finding ways to address this is of paramount importance. Corporate Social Responsibility programs have been largely ineffective at producing institutional change, largely because the underlying framework for success has been neglected. By working to increase environmental education among students as well as consumers, and implementing more uniform national and international policies governing corporate activity, businesses can enter into a new era of sustainability.

Wasting Plates: Addressing Food Waste In The United States, Sarah Geuss

Student Theses 2001-2013

It is estimated that Americans waste over half of their food, depleting natural resources and destroying native ecosystems. Food is wasted daily through a variety of methods, whether through the picking practiced on farms, the selectivity of grocery stores for the best looking produce, and the over-consumption of food by consumers who are unaware of the effects of uneaten food. With the industrial revolution and the “eat more” agricultural tactics pushed post- WWII onto society, the American relationship with food has quickly declined. Urbanization has lent itself to the power of the food industry in transforming farming into another transnational …

Too Pig To Fail: Considering Regulatory Solutions To The Environmental Damages Caused By Industrial Hog Farms In North Carolina, Samir Hafez

Student Theses 2001-2013

Arguably one of the most important innovations in all of human history has been the shift from hunting-and gathering towards agriculture. Many American states hold a rich agricultural tradition and have relied on the domestication of plants and animals for economic sustenance. Since the 17th century, the land of North Carolina has been utilized for the farming of a multitude of different crops. After World War II, America saw a dramatic shift in the nature of agricultural practices. Operations shifted from small-scale diversified production towards industrialized largescale facilities that rely heavily on innovative technology and an increase in fossil fuel …

A Vicious Cercla, Or The Twilight Of The Superfund, Donald Borenstein

Student Theses 2001-2013

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act –commonly known as the Superfund act-- was passed by Congress in 1980, in the aftermath of toxic waste disasters such as that in Love Canal, NY. CERCLA not only required that major corporations take responsibility for cleaning up their dangerous disposal or accidental release of toxic waste into the public, but it also created a trust fund to cover instances where a responsible party could not be found or went bankrupt. This “superfund” was financed by taxes on pollutant-producing companies.

However, these taxes expired in 1995, and the Republican controlled congress blocked …

The Pedestrianization Of New York City: An Environmental History And Critique Of Urban Motorization And A Look At New York City’S New Era Of Planning, Anna Kobara

Student Theses 2001-2013

Streets were once the foundation for urban life and provided intimacy for the community. The birth of the automobile and the age of motorization has drastically changed the outlook on urban development while it has also created public health problems. This topic involves everything from people’s personal choices to city and federal government. In this paper, I will explore the history of motorization in New York City and critique it from an environmental and health perspective as well as provide answers to the problem of public health through design. I will look at present day projects that are incorporating smart …

The Sustainable Future Of The Metropolis: Greening New York City Building By Building, Lizbeth Sanchez

Student Theses 2001-2013

Due to growth, technology and economic expansion, Western culture has gradually become detached from the natural environment. Industrialism and a culture of consumption have dragged us through a medley of environmental problems, all culminating to our current problem: climate change. The causes and effects of global warming overshadow all of our environmental issues. These problems threaten our way of life, our very existence, and future generations. How can we save the planet without compromising economic growth? Sustainability. In my research I have focused and reported on sustainability pertaining to America’s greatest urban center, New York City, with a spotlight on …

Hurricane Sandy: A Chance To Identify Vulnerabilities, Learn From The Past, And Increase Future Resiliency, Julianne Yee

Student Theses 2001-2013

Hurricane Sandy was an eye-opening event for the New York City area. It revealed many vulnerabilities, especially flaws in zoning and infrastructure designs. Natural science data helps to determine that rising sea levels and increased intensity of storms due to climate change will make this area even more vulnerable. Other impacts of climate change may pose even more threats to this area. Three disciplines, environmental history, ecological design, and governmental policy, will be used to best approach these future issues. It is important to have a better understanding of the past environmental history of the area, where ecological design can …

Drilling For Arctic Oil: Is It Worth The Risk?, Emily Kain

Student Theses 2001-2013

For many decades, Americans have been relying on fossil fuels to run our cars and to heat our houses. It has come to a point where our apparent need for this oil is more important than the environment and the natural world that we have tried so hard to preserve. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, commonly know as ANWR, in Alaska is the center of much debate surrounding potential drillings in order to lessen Americas dependence on foreign oil. This paper will refute this idea and prove that by not drilling in the Arctic we will not only lessen our …

Sandy And The City: The Need For Coastal Policy Reform, Jonathan Hilburg

Student Theses 2001-2013

After tropical storm Sandy battered the East Coast in October 2012, New York City was damaged extensively by flooding, high-intensity winds and the resultant flames. The resultant flooding rendered many underground subway lines unusable along the southern coasts for an extended period of time, as well as damaging buried electrical wiring. These outages were compounded by the hi-strength winds in the upper areas that also brought down above ground wiring. The lack of electricity for use in traffic lights, care facilities, emergency services and mass transit had a staggeringly adverse impact on public health.

In the upcoming effort to rebuild …

The Centrality Of Ecological Design: Achieving Sustainability In An Era Of Free-Market Capitalist Framework, Eddy Andrade

Student Theses 2001-2013

Sustainability has become a key word in describing the role of the environmental movement in society today. Capitalism makes it difficult to achieve environmental goals because the priority of a capitalist system is achieving wealth through limitless economic growth. The goals set forth by sustainability aim to make cities function more like natural ecosystems through sustainable design practices such as bio mimicry. Capitalism and sustainability are at odds with each other and their ultimate goals are in direct conflict with their own respective frameworks. In the following paper I will discuss how design can be used to mitigate many of …

Hurricane Sandy: Using Environmental History, Economics, Politics And Urban Planning To Prepare For The Next One, Julia Maguire

Student Theses 2001-2013

Hurricane Sandy, a category 1 storm by the time it reached the North East coast of the United States, was a disaster that devastated all of those in its path. The physical effects of the hurricane, which hit the East coast of the United States on October 29, 2012, were felt by 15 states. The most devastating outcome in the aftermath of the storm was the death toll that numbered over 100 people. The shock from the disturbing effects of this storm was extremely unsettling, and unfortunately those who were affected by it will continue to suffer from these consequences …

New York City’S Water Challenges: History, Politics, And Design, Jessica Crowley

Student Theses 2001-2013

New York City is one of the largest and busiest cities in the world. It is an old city that grew exponentially in size and population since founded and has since needed constant restructuring and construction. Like any large city, water was soon a resource that needed to be harnessed and brought in for health, hygiene, and many other reasons. Considering the geography of the small rocky island, water reservoirs from surrounding areas were an attractive option. Luckily this was a successful plan as the few and small reservoirs on Manhattan were not enough to maintain the enormous city that …

Saving The World’S Remaining Tigers: Panthera’S Work And The Role Of Non-Profits In Wildlife Conservation, John Byrne

Student Theses 2001-2013

This report will examine the conservation status of the tiger and measures that have been taken to protect wild populations. A discussion of its ecology and behavior is included to convey the variety of needs that are associated with establishing areas that can sustain viable populations. A look at the main threats that tigers face is crucial to understanding the conservation strategies that should be employed, and so these points will also be addressed. Focal to the report, however, will be the efforts of Panthera and its emergence onto the conservation scene as an organization that can be considered the …

Internship Report: Earthjustice & The Fracking Battle In New York's Marcellus Shale, John Byrne

Student Theses 2001-2013

Through conversations with the attorneys, the work I did in the office and research of my own, I have learned the ongoing story of fracking in the Marcellus Shale. For this report, I will be approaching the problem of hydrofracking from a few different disciplines. Since I will be covering the stories of the legal battles that have been occurring over the last few years, environmental law will be a large focus of my research. Secondly, because many of the cases involve issues with local and federal legislation, environmental politics will also be widely incorporated. The mechanics of fracking, its …

Internship Report Unep: The Effects Of Climate Change In Arctic Zones, Diana Cartaya-Acosta

Student Theses 2001-2013

Climate change or the significant alteration of major weather pattern distributions around the planet over long time periods, is one of the most significant phenomena currently affecting our planet.Arctic as one of the most sensitive zones in terms of damaged it is by climate change effects.The consequences of the many representations of climate change are distributed in a geographically unequal manner, therefore it is a global major concern to target and mitigate related issues that are already directly affecting several populations.

Even tough geographically distinct and distant populations are likely to face climate change related catastrophes at different rates, many …

Recycling Furniture: The Ecological, Economic And Social Benefits, Michele Calabrese

Student Theses 2001-2013

This summer, two of my friends and I begun the Recycle Furniture organization. Our organization collects donations of furniture from various individuals in our surrounding area (Suffolk County on Long Island). We are partnered with Habitat for Humanity and tried to pick up certain pieces that the Habitat families have requested. After collecting the donations, we stored them at our local school, Islip High School, with the blessing of Principal Eileen Rossman. After we had all of the pieces we want, we refinished and restored the furniture with the help of volunteers from Islip High School. Once we completed refinishing …

Going Green At New York-Presbyterian: Hospitals As Sustainable Businesses, Samantha Allegro

Student Theses 2001-2013

Throughout the past two decades, the reality of environmental degradation has come to the forefront. The health of the environment is most definitely deteriorating. Scientists and scholars have provided and continue to provide growing evidence of environmental problems associated with issues such as climate change, water scarcity, natural resource depletion, energy use, altered landscapes and species loss. It is certain that the creation and escalation of these environmental problems has been heavily influenced by human activity.

Focusing on knowledge in the areas of natural science, public health, and sustainable
business, this paper will address environmentally harmful human activity associated with …

The Bronx, Beavers And Birthrights: The Case For Urban Wildlife, Richard Day

Student Theses 2001-2013

The subject of animals’ rights has received a fair amount of attention over the years. Philosophers and activists alike have set out to ensure that animals in the wild and in other settings such as factory farms enjoy at least a bare minimum of rights and protections. While these are undoubtedly noble causes, they do leave a great deal to be desired. Almost always left out of these philosophical and moral debates are animals such as squirrels, pigeons, raccoons and the like – urban wildlife, if you will. Because of our constant exposure to them, or perhaps because they …

Simulating Climate Risk Into Markets And Policies: A New Approach To Financial Analysis And Policy Formation, Miguel Bantigue

Student Theses 2001-2013

Widely considered to be the next big industry boom, the sustainability trend and the multiplier effect it will carry to other industry sectors are being compared to the significance and impact of the industrialization age. To list a few categories under the main framework of sustainability are renewable energy, energy storage, waste management, and water conservation. Of these, renewable energy and water conservation are the most important. Energy is the backbone of any economy, and water is the most important commodity – not only does water sustain life, there is also no known alternative. Although effort has been made to …

A Stronger Role For The United States President In Environmental Policy, Elizabeth Anderson

Student Theses 2001-2013

"The golden era of environmental lawmaking, in which 22 major federal laws were passed between 1964 and 1980, has been followed by a long period of legislative gridlock, increased partisan contention over environmental policy, and growing frustration on the part of environmentalists." These golden-era laws do not significantly address many issues that are prevalent in today's globalized environment, and federal statutes remain silent on the paramount issue of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These issues did not fall within the ambit of the laws adopted in the 1960s and 1970s, and in the era of legislative gridlock, it has been difficult …