Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Social and Behavioral Sciences

College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University

Environmental Studies Student Work

Series

2022

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Oak Savanna Restoration And Climate Change Mitigation Through Silvopasture In Minnesota, James Siems Dec 2022

Oak Savanna Restoration And Climate Change Mitigation Through Silvopasture In Minnesota, James Siems

Environmental Studies Student Work

Reducing emissions of world food systems will be critical to combatting climate change. Silvopasture systems, which integrate managed forests with pastureland, have been shown to be a more sustainable alternative to traditional livestock production and have the ancillary benefit of diversifying the sources of income for farmers. Silvopasture may also have the capacity to serve as a mechanism for ecological restoration. This paper combines existing literature with an interview of a farmer who is engaging in silvopasture to evaluate the potential of silvopasture as means to restore Minnesota’s disappearing oak savanna ecosystem, while improving the sustainability of food production within …


What Technologies And Barriers Are Present In Sustainable Heating And Cooling, Mason D. Nibbe Dec 2022

What Technologies And Barriers Are Present In Sustainable Heating And Cooling, Mason D. Nibbe

Environmental Studies Student Work

Sustainable heating and cooling practices can save homeowners money and reduce their carbon emissions. In the cold upper Midwest, Minnesota specifically, there are ways houses can be more efficient in terms of heating. The most efficient and practical are heat pumps systems, passive solar designs, and proper insulation of the building. This study is targeted at both existing buildings and the construction of new buildings. This project focuses on what sustainable heating and cooling practices, technologies, and barriers are present in the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) industry. I find that using any sustainable solution is helpful, but multiple solutions …