School of Sustainability Graduate Culminating Experiences

Domestic energy is an important component of our day to day lives and is something we cannot live without. Imagine how life would be without a means to cook our food, to warm our house, life would be unbearable. As we enjoy these comforts rarely do we stop to think what the opportunity cost is. For those using renewable sources, it is not a big issue, but for those who rely on wood fuel, they have to strike a delicate balance between need for fuel and the need to conserve the greatest support systems of their livelihoods, the forests. The main source of energy for households in many developing countries is biomass, mainly from forests and woodlands. The continued use of firewood and charcoal fuel puts a strain on forests, resulting in adverse effects on the environment such as prolonged droughts, loss of biodiversity, dwindling water resources, changing weather patterns among other sustainability challenges. An alternative to firewood to charcoal lies in biochar briquettes. This paper discusses the role of biochar briquettes in mitigating climate change and serves as a step by step guide on how biochar briquettes may be produced.

Electric vehicles (EV’s) are quickly expanding in California. Improved battery technology, range, more competitive cost compared to gas cars, incentives and legislation have all led EV’s into the mainstream car market. Recently, Governor Newsom signed an executive order to require that all new passenger cars sold in California be zero-emission vehicles by 2035 making it the first state in the U.S. to do so. However, many cities are not ready for this massive shift to electric vehicles yet play a crucial role in helping to expand EV infrastructure and support policies that help the transition. While the state of California has made tremendous strides reducing CO2 from power plants with a major pivot to renewable energy, the same can’t be said for the transportation sector which represents approximately 40% of California’s overall emissions. California will be unable to meet its state climate and air quality goals without a major shift to zero emission vehicles. Although deploying EV chargers can be a complex process with many different stakeholders, the Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan (EVRP) provides California city planners with information to assist them in expanding critically needed EV infrastructure. EVRP serves as a guide to understanding the EV market, basics of EV charging, incentives, legislation, potential project partners, and also makes specific recommendations for cities to expand EV infrastructure to make EV charging more accessible now and for future EV drivers in cities across California.