Environmental Studies Commons^™

Color-Blind Resilience: How Uniform Climate Standards Reproduce Environmental Inequality In The Rockaways, Aaryan M. Nair

Publications and Research

This paper examines how ostensibly uniform climate resilience standards can reproduce environmental inequality in socially uneven landscapes, using the Rockaway Peninsula in New York City as a critical case study. While flood-resistant building codes, zoning regulations, and insurance frameworks are designed to provide equal protection across flood-prone areas, this analysis argues that their “color-blind” application obscures and intensifies underlying disparities in financial capacity, housing conditions, and tenure. Drawing on environmental justice (EJ) theory, the paper identifies two key mechanisms through which inequality is reproduced. First, “code without capacity” demonstrates how uniform technical standards—such as elevation requirements under NYC Building Code …

Climate Change In An Educational Context: A Model Addressing Psychological Distance, Hope, And Concern, Brooke E. Kasl-Godley

Scripps Senior Theses

As the threat of climate change becomes more urgent, educators should focus on fostering climate concern and action instead of simply providing climate information. These studies present a novel model of climate education where locally-framed and action-oriented curriculum increases students’ environmental concern through the mechanisms of psychological distance and hope. This curriculum was taught over two years to sixth-grade students at a school in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. Study 1 examines students’ environmental concern and sense of responsibility before and after delivery of the curriculum. Study 2 is a proposed follow-up study, that will address limitations of Study 1 …

Cycling For All: Designing With The "Invisible Cyclist" As A Pathway Towards Urban Sustainability And Citizenship, Eloise Heimert

Scripps Senior Theses

This thesis explores the role of “invisible cyclists” in cycling networks and practices. Through an application of the “right to the city,” spatial production, and mobility justice frameworks, this paper investigates the experiences of women and disabled cyclists in London, England. By examining a city with an emerging cycling network, this thesis offers insight into measures for increasing the inclusivity and resilience of them. The argument establishes that these lines of analysis reveal important lessons in urban design and planning for a more sustainable future. Firstly, this thesis examines social barriers to cycling participation, and thus urban citizenship. In the …

Doikayt And The Ethics Of Belonging: Lessons In Place-Making From The Jewish Labor Bund, Zoë L. Jacobs

Scripps Senior Theses

This thesis traces the evolution of doikayt—the Bundist principle of hereness—from its origins in the Jewish Labor Bund to contemporary applications in North America. Rooted in a refusal of both assimilation and nationalist escape, doikayt emphasizes cultivating safety, solidarity, and belonging through collective responsibility rather than territorial claims.

Building on this foundation, the exploration situates hereness within a settler-colonial context, where ethical dwelling is complicated by Indigenous dispossession. Drawing on Alexis Shotwell alongside Indigenous thinkers Vanessa Watts and Kyle Whyte, I examine how inhabiting place requires confronting historical injustices and ongoing relational responsibilities. Chapter 3 analyzes Linke Fligl (2016–2022) as …

Improving Flood Risk Mapping By Incorporating Local-Scale Calibration Data Derived From Stakeholder Input, Jennifer M. Holifield, Wei Wu, Patrick D. Biber, Margo Posten, Dennis Mcgrury, Stephen C. Deal, Alexandria Hancock

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Globally, flooding is the most frequent and costly natural hazards, disproportionately affecting populations based on environmental, social, and economic factors. Understanding the spatial variability of flood risk as well as the respective flood drivers is essential for informing cost-effective mitigation strategies and enhancing community resilience. Here we mapped flood risk that combines flood hazards and vulnerability in an under-resourced coastal community prone to compound flooding. Our approach integrates stakeholder engagement with GIS-based analysis using open-access datasets.

We first developed an initial flood hazard map using an equal-weight combination of factors commonly associated with flood occurrence/prevention, including upslope area, impervious surface …

Exploring Community Engagement Strategies In Shellfish Aquaculture: Insights From Growers In Rhode Island And Massachusetts, Megan Hensel

Open Access Master's Theses

Shellfish aquaculture is a rapidly growing industry in North America in response to the increased demand for sustainable protein. This trend holds true for Southern New England as well, where shellfish cultivation and consumption have long been embedded in the culture. However, there is a growing disconnect between shellfish growers and the communities in which they live, which has led many researchers to explore ways that growers can enhance relationships with their local communities through community engagement. The purpose of this study is to expand upon the existing literature to understand how shellfish growers in Rhode Island and Massachusetts perceive …

Covering The Coast: Local News Frames And Journalist Perspectives On Sea Level Rise In Rhode Island, Mackensie Dupont Crowley

Open Access Master's Theses

Local news outlets are well positioned to communicate and localize sea level rise for communities facing significant risk, yet coverage of the issue remains understudied. This thesis examines coverage of sea level rise in local Rhode Island news and the factors shaping it. A mixed-methods approach was used following the collection of nearly 1,000 articles published between 2014 and 2024, including a content analysis of issue-level frames and semi-structured interviews with local journalists to contextualize coverage patterns. The analysis revealed that stories focusing on infrastructure and property, politics, governance, and law, and natural hazards dominated coverage, while stories about recreation …

How Vermont’S Composting Laws Can Be Used To Inform Similar Policies In New Hampshire, Felix Prigge

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

This presentation seeks to analyze how policy makers can use the success' and failures of another state's policies to inform their own measures in order to not repeat the same mistakes. It also discusses the importance of using public feedback as a baseline for improvement.

Applied Textile Innovation In Sustainable Design: Evaluating Soy-Based Materials And Embroidery Techniques For Circular Apparel Applications, Jasmine Williams

2026 Research Poster Competition

Applied Textile Innovation in Sustainable Design:Evaluating Soy-Based Materials and Embroidery Techniques for Circular Apparel Applications  AbstractThe global apparel industry is recognized as one of the most environmentally intensive manufacturing sectors, driven by high resource consumption, chemically intensive processing, and linear production systems that generate significant textile waste. In response to these challenges, sustainable fashion research increasingly emphasizes the exploration of bio-based materials and circular design strategies that reduce environmental impact while maintaining functional and aesthetic value. This applied design research project investigates the potential of soy-based textiles combined with embroidery and applique techniques as sustainable strategies for circular apparel applications.Grounded …

Professional Wear For Women Aged 30 And Under Post Double Mastectomy Without Reconstruction, Lilly Davis

2026 Research Poster Competition

This study explores the fit, functionality, and style preferences of professional wear for women aged 30 and under who have undergone double mastectomy surgery and have not had reconstruction, often referred to as ‘living flat’. While there have been advancements to make adaptive post mastectomy clothing that prioritizes recovery or traditional prosthetic solutions, there still remains a gap in professional wear for younger women that encourages confidence and comfort in the workplace. This research aims to bridge that gap in the apparel industry by providing inclusive, adaptive, and empowering options for the professional setting. A mixed-methods design approach will be …

Adaptive Leggings For Crohn’S/Colitis/Isbs Patients With A Colostomy/Ileostomy Bag, Evie Liebbe

2026 Research Poster Competition

Individuals living with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and related gastrointestinal conditions often face significant physical and emotional challenges following colostomy or ileostomy surgery. While ostomy bags are essential medical devices that support health and survival, they frequently create difficulties related to clothing fit, comfort, discretion, and self-expression. Despite growing conversations around inclusivity and adaptive apparel, the contemporary fashion market offers limited stylish, affordable, and functional clothing options for individuals with ostomies, particularly younger consumers who value both comfort and personal style. This lack of inclusive design can negatively impact confidence, body image, and overall quality of …

Historical Comparison Of Fashion Symbolism: Evaluating Queen Elizabeth Ii, Princess Diana, And Princess Catherine Of Wales, Rebecca O'Dea

2026 Research Poster Competition

It is no secret that appearance is a determining factor of how one is perceived by others. One of the most significant elements of image is the clothes that one wears. Through dress people reveal aspects about themselves; a person’s attire serves as an expression of their intentions, values, and feelings in relation to their surroundings before any actual interaction takes place. The purpose of this study is to explore the phenomenon of the influential element of dress, specifically within royal costume. Within the public spotlight, the reach and impact of appearance accumulate more attraction and influence. This research focuses …

Quantifying Amendment Impact On Microbial Respiration Rate, Qwynn Starrwalker

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Wetlands play a critical role in the global carbon cycle by acting as carbon sinks, where the flooded anaerobic conditions cause slow microbial respiration compared to other soils. Comparatively more carbon is stored in the soil as organic matter than is released as carbon dioxide (CO₂). Making wetland pools of soil organic matter less available to microbes for respiration could reduce overall atmospheric CO₂ and slow global warming. This study examined the effect of kaolinite, goethite, and lime on microbial respiration rates in wetland soils under alternating hydrologic conditions. Homogenized soil from a cypress dome was separated …

An Institutional And Policy Analysis Of Climate Adaptation In Dhaka, Bangladesh: An Examination Of Urban Heat Island Mitigation Strategies, Tamanna Binte Mesbah

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This thesis examines the institutional capacity for Urban Heat Island (UHI) mitigation in Dhaka, Bangladesh, focusing on governance structures, institutional arrangements, and implementation effectiveness. An analytical framework is applied to assess the capacity of key urban institutions including Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), and the Department of Environment (DoE) across dimensions of leadership, resources, coordination, and learning capacity. The study also examines governance dynamics such as inter-agency coordination, knowledge exchange, and mobilization capacity as they relate to the planning and implementation of heat mitigation strategies. Through semi-structured expert interviews the research …

An Indigenous Sovereign Approach: Developmental Strategies And Guidelines For The Berger-Patawomeck Preserve Trail Network, Lauren N. Usher

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

This planning document serves the Patawomeck Tribe's cultural, environmental, and sovereign needs by providing research and recommendations to sustainably steward ancestral lands through integrated Indigenous and Western practices. The plan adapts sustainable design strategies to guide trail maintenance and activities within the Berger-Patawomeck Preserve, examining Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) alongside Western practices. A decolonized, sovereign lens guided the mixed research methods drawing on legal, regulatory, planning, and ethical frameworks to strengthen tribal health, education, and sovereignty. The research explores local ecology, Indigenous culture, and implementational strategies. The ecological findings document the Preserve's sensitive resources, including the Coastal Piedmont transition zone, …

Act Thompson Garden Project: Proposal And Accessibility Recommendations, Craig A. Condella, María Barragan, Olivia Costa, Kate Markowski, Sophiabella Nebroski

ENV 334 Environmental Justice

As a community oriented environmental justice project, the authors researched community gardens in school settings to make recommendations regarding the building of a community/school garden at Thompson Middle School in Newport, RI.

Decomposing Carbon Intensity In U.S. Imports: Trade Composition Vs. Technological Change From 2000-2019, Alyssa K. Wong

CMC Senior Theses

This paper examines whether the increasing share of U.S. manufactured imports from China between 2000 and 2019 affected the carbon intensity of U.S. consumption. Bilateral trade data from BACI are combined with emissions data from the OECD Inter-Country Input-Output framework to construct a measure of carbon intensity defined as emissions embodied per dollar of imports at a country level. Changes over time are decomposed into composition effects, driven by shifts in import shares, and technique effects, driven by changes in emissions intensity within exporting countries. Carbon intensity declines substantially over the period. While increased imports from China would have raised …

The Zoom Town Effect Of Remote Work On Rural Housing Markets, Luc R. Fabing

CMC Senior Theses

I study the impact of remote work on rural housing markets, highlighting the moderating role of outdoor recreation amenities. Using panel data from the American Community Survey and Zillow (2010–2024), I employ a Two-Way Fixed Effects model and a shift-share instrumental variable strategy to estimate the effect of work-from-home (WFH) rates on home prices. I find that higher WFH rates are strongly associated with higher home prices in high-recreation counties, but that the association is weak or negative in counties lacking significant recreation amenities. These findings point to amenity migration as a key mechanism through which remote work impacts rural …

Climate Change In Gilgit-Baltistan: Satellite-Based Land Use/Land Cover Change Detection, Socio-Economic Dimensions, And Adaptation Strategies, Ali Muhammad

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Climate change is increasingly transforming the cryosphere, hydrology, and human landscape of Gilgit-Baltistan, a highly climate-sensitive mountain region in northern Pakistan. This thesis investigates these transformations through satellite-based land use/land cover (LULC) change detection in four representative tehsils of Gilgit-Baltistan—Ali Abad, Gilgit, Nagar, and Sikander Abad—selected to span a gradient of human pressure and cryospheric exposure within the region. Using summer, cloud-free (< 10%) imagery from USGS Landsat 7 (2000) and Landsat 8 (2025), it conducts a multi-temporal comparison of environmental and socio-spatial change. After atmospheric correction and band compositing, the imagery is classified in ArcGIS Pro into six classes—Water, Barren land, Vegetation, Snow, Glacier, and Built-up—using a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier, with Maximum Likelihood Classification and Random Forest also tested but found less suitable for the final workflow. The analysis detects a pronounced reduction in mapped glacier-class area alongside a comparatively stable snow class, together with built-up expansion, while examining how temperature, precipitation, tourism, and population dynamics relate to observed LULC transitions. The results reveal a pattern of cryospheric decline and urban growth, with implications for water availability, ecological stability, hazard exposure, and settlement pressure. By integrating geospatial change detection with climatic and socio-economic interpretation, the thesis moves beyond mapping to explain interacting environmental and human drivers of landscape transformation and provides a reproducible remote-sensing baseline for monitoring land-surface change in heterogeneous mountainous terrain. It recommends integrated water-resource management, climate-resilient land-use planning, watershed and glacier monitoring, and sustainable tourism governance, supporting evidence-based decision-making by the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan and organizations working on climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable regional development.

Complexity Theory And Environmental Conservation Management: A Case Study With Coyote And Red Wolf Hybridization, Gretchen E. Mahalic

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Conservation biology and invasion biology are value-led scientific disciplines founded on environmental advocacy, operating at the intersection of research and action. Though these disciplines are known for their scientific veracity, unexamined values are often promulgated without scrutiny and drive decisions that work against good ecological outcomes. A case in point is that coyotes migrating into southeastern territory are framed as the greatest threat to the conservation of the endangered red wolf because hybridization is seen as diminishing their species integrity. Applying Val Plumwood’s ecofeminist account of dualistic frameworks, I will use this case to show how the vilification of the …

Manatee Dock Sign Distribution And Its Influence On Publicly-Sourced Sighting Reports In Alabama, Daniela Payán Arias, Sophia C. Corde, Ruth H. Carmichael

Gulf and Caribbean Research

No abstract provided.

Tourism And Local Access On The Public Beaches Of Paros, Greece, Maria Kouidi

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This thesis examines how tourism development affects public beach access on the island of Paros, Greece. In recent years, Paros has experienced significant tourism growth, which has contributed to economic development while also placing pressure on natural resources, infrastructure, and coastal spaces. Beaches are protected as public goods under the Greek constitution; however, there are concerns regarding commercialization, overcrowding, and the illegal privatization of these public spaces. This thesis uses a qualitative research approach to explore how these changes are experienced and understood by different stakeholder groups. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted in Paros in July 2025. Participants …

Growing Agroecology: Two Case Studies From The U.S. Student Farm Movement, Amelia B. Armstrong

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Scholars and activists identify agroecology as a crucial science, practice, and movement to move towards more just, equitable, and sustainable agriculture and food systems. Yet, the exploitative industrial food system, that deepens inequalities like food insecurity (Clapp et al., 2025), reduces farmer autonomy (Rotz, 2015), and contributes to increased carbon emissions (Lin et al., 2011) and biodiversity decline (Rotz, 2015), still dominates. Understanding and mobilizing the different spaces that teach agroecology, then, is a crucial step in challenging the dominant industrial food system. Agroecology education in university settings is an important domain to investigate as potential contributors to this movement, …

Addressing Eco-Ableism In Richmond, Virginia's Urban Master Plan, Ren Hollis

UROP Posters

As Richmond, Virginia, approaches its 300th anniversary in 2037 and continues implementing Richmond 300: A Guide for Growth, questions remain about whether individuals with disabilities are equitably represented in the city’s future planning. Richmond 300 is the comprehensive plan guiding Richmond’s policies, programs, zoning changes, and redevelopment. This master plan is a “living document” that will evolve as the city grows, meaning revisions and improvements are possible before its full implementation. This study asks: Is eco-ableism present in Richmond 300: A Guide for Growth, and how could the City of Richmond address this issue?

Ableism refers to discrimination against individuals …

Land Use And Land Cover Simulation Via Integrated Modelling With Gis Techniques For Sustainable Land Utilization Development In The Northeast Khong Subwatershed Of Thailand, ฺBanchongsak Faksomboon, Thipphaphone Keoviyavong

Applied Environmental Research

Land utilization is an important indicator of socioeconomic and environmental changes caused by both natural and man-made factors. Land use and land cover (LULC) simulation is a critical tool for monitoring and predicting LULC and is essential for sustainable development, land resource management and planning. The cellular automata (CA) Markov model is the basis for the current study’s prediction of LULC changes in the Northeast Khong Sub Watershed (NKSW). Landsat data from 2013 to 2023 were used to investigate LULC classification and determine the spatiotemporal distributions of LULC. In addition, LULC data from 2013 and 2023 were used to generate …

Reduction Of Cr(Vi) With Infrared Light And Chemical Adsorption Of Cr(Iii) By A God-Crown/Bentonite Composite For Electroplating Waste Remediation, Andre Taufik Kurniawan, Muhammad Djoni Bustan, Sri Haryati

Applied Environmental Research

Heavy metal pollution, particularly chromium (Cr) from electroplating industrial waste, has severely threatened environmental quality and human health. This study aims to develop a composite adsorbent material based on bentonite and god crown biomass capable of removing chromium ions from liquid waste through a combination of reduction and adsorption mechanisms. The god crown/bentonite (GC/Bt) composite was synthesized at a mass ratio of 2:1 and calcined at 900°C. FTIR characterization revealed active functional groups (–OH, C=O, Si–O, and Al–O–Si), whereas BET analysis revealed a mesoporous structure (surface area 31.12 m2 g-1, pore diameter 4.37 nm) suitable for ion diffusion. The reduction …

Fabrication Of Urea With Amorphous Silica To Increase Rice Growth In Saline Soils, Thi Ha Chi Nguyen, Thi Hang Thuc Ha, Minh Phuong Nguyen, Ngoc Chuc Pham, Quang Bac Nguyen, Nguyen Huy Tuan Do, Ngoc Nhiem Dao, Trung Kien Nguyen

Applied Environmental Research

In recent decades, the decrease in rice cultivation areas in Vietnam, particularly in the Mekong River Delta, caused by climate change and soil salinization, has posed serious challenges for sustainable development. In addition to irrigation and agronomic practices, fertilizers that sustain rice growth under saline conditions play a crucial role in improving crop productivity. Amorphous silica has been reported to increase plant tolerance to drought, salinity, and heavy metal stress. In this study, nanosilica-coated urea (UCS) fertilizers were synthesized by coating urea granules with 1–5 wt% amorphous silica. The products were characterized by SEM, XRD, FTIR, TG‒DSC, and EDX to …

Heavy Metals And Organic Carbon In Sediments Of Seagrass Sediments Of Trang Province, Thailand, Siriporn Pradit, Pornthep Wirachwong, Thongchai Nitiratsuwan, Sujaree Bureekul, Supraewpan Lohalaksanadech, Thawanrat Kobkeatthawin, Monticha Jirajaras, Prakrit Noppradit, Sanya Sirivithayapakorn

Applied Environmental Research

In this study, the accumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, and Pb) in water, suspended sediments, sediments, and seagrass in Kalase Bay, Trang Province, Thailand, during the 2024 dry season was investigated. These findings indicate that the enrichment factor (EF) for all the metals was less than 1, suggesting that anthropogenic contamination is not a significant concern in the area. The translocation factor (TF) values were less than 1 for all the metals except Cu, whose TF was greater than 1; however, these values were not statistically significant, indicating limited phytoextraction capacity. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) values for …

Spatial Modeling Of Natural Disaster Risk By Integrating Hazard, Vulnerability, And Exposure Factors Using Geospatial Techniques : Evidence From Mueang Tak District, Thailand, Suphatphong Ruthamnong

Applied Environmental Research

This study presents a comprehensive multihazard risk assessment for Mueang Tak District, Thailand, that integrates hazard, vulnerability, and exposure (H-V-E) dimensions. By utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was employed to prioritize critical risk factors. GIS analysis integrated multisource spatial data, including Landsat 9 and Sentinel-2 imagery, CHIRPS precipitation, and SRTM-derived topography, while AHP weights were established on the basis of expert judgment and socioeconomic indices such as the relative wealth index (RWI) and population statistics. The results delineate distinct spatial risk clusters: high landslide potential is concentrated in the steep terrain of …

Carbon Stock Assessment In Sonneratia Apetala Afforested Mangroves : A Case Study From Cox’S Bazar, Bangladesh, Mohammad Ismail, Sayed Abu Johany, Tanmoy Dey, Zakia Sultana Teasa, Trishna Das, Prabal Barua, Tonima Hossain, Sajib Ahmed

Applied Environmental Research

Sonneratia apetala is a key species for mangrove afforestation projects in Bangladesh and plays a crucial role in ecosystem restoration and carbon sequestration. The research on how the total carbon stock (TCS) varies across S. apetala plantations in Cox’s Bazar remains limited. Thus, in this study, the biomass and soil carbon stock were quantified across nine S. apetala afforested sites in Cox’s Bazar to assess spatial variation and influencing factors. The total biomass carbon (TBC) was calculated by summing the aboveground (AGBC) and belowground (BGBC) biomass carbon, while the soil organic carbon stock (SOCS) was determined from the 0–40 cm …