Matching Items (859)
Description
Historically, young people have spearheaded environmental movements, demanding equitable involvement in decision-making processes that impact their future. Despite their active participation, barriers such as inadequate knowledge, lack of empowerment, and diminished hope often hinder meaningful engagement and impact. This study addresses these challenges by implementing a series of educational workshops designed to equip youth with the necessary tools to effectively influence climate policy and urban planning so that they can feel more hopeful about the future in the face of climate change. Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods, this research evaluates how different methods of arts-based educational engagement impact workshop participants' knowledge, empowerment, and optimism regarding their ability to inspire environmental change. The findings aim to contribute to the discourse on effective youth engagement in environmental justice, advocating for strategies that equip youth with the tools they need to foster sustainable community development and hope for the future.
ContributorsKarthikeyan, Amritha (Author) / Eakin, Hallie (Thesis director) / Pfeiffer, Deirdre (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor) / School of Art (Contributor) / School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
This creative project explores the design and creation of a dance studio that promotes mental and physical wellbeing for the dancers within it. This project utilizes multiple design tactics that challenge and transform the traditional ways of dance into a modernized space that is more conducive to a dancer’s physical and mental health. The challenge of tradition through the implementation of design in this light is essential and can affect an extensive range of people. This project is vital as it can benefit and improve the overall health of those using the designed space. The users can include any range of dancers and performers open to exploring an innovative space designed with their health at the center of it.
ContributorsParker, Meghan (Author) / Murff, Scott (Thesis director) / Spellman, Catherine (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / The Design School (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
In this three-episode podcast series, we delve into the layers of censorship within the American public school system. Episode one unearths the historical roots of censorship in America, tracing back to pivotal moments and decisions that shaped the landscape of what can and cannot be taught or discussed in classrooms. Moving forward, episode two navigates the complex web of policies, guidelines, and societal pressures that have dictated the boundaries of permissible content in school curricula as of recently. Finally, episode three explores strategies and initiatives aimed at fostering a more inclusive and open learning environment for the future. We examine the role of technology and the role students can take in empowering educators and learners to engage critically with information while respecting diverse viewpoints. Through in-depth analysis and compelling narratives, this podcast series sheds light on the ongoing discourse surrounding censorship in America's public schools, urging listeners to rethink conventional paradigms and advocate for a more transparent and equitable educational experience for all.
ContributorsJeter, Zoe (Author) / Powell, Danielle (Co-author) / Schmidt, Peter (Thesis director) / Voorhees, Matthew (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Department of Supply Chain Management (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The town of Visaginas, originally known as Sniečkus, is a small city in Lithuania located about a two hour drive from the country's capital of Vilnius. While Vilnius is a lively and big city of about 600,000 that draws people in and acts as the country’s hub, Visaginas is a small and quiet town. The town is a Soviet-planned city, and was fully established in 1975 almost exclusively to house workers of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. Its ties to Russia and nuclear energy give Visaginas a complex history. Almost all workers at the nuclear plant came from the Soviet Union, so the community served as an instrument for Russification. Visaginas' geographically isolated location and predominantly Russian speaking demographic effectively makes it an exclave in Lithuania. When the decommissioning of the INPP was completed, Visaginas lost its main source of economic revenue, but it was also a huge loss to the community because their sense of identity was strongly tied to the nuclear plant. Visaginas provides a one of a kind case study and a unique opportunity to examine the energy justice implications of the end of the nuclear industry.
The complex relationship between Lithuania and the Soviet Union, succeeded by Russia, has played a major role in shaping Visaginas as well as contributing to some of the ongoing struggles in the region. This thesis will aim to address the history of Visaginas in relation to the geopolitics between Russia and Lithuania and examine the lifespan of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. The decommissioning will be framed through the lens of energy justice by examining the distributive, participatory, and recognition justice implications that stemmed from the decommissioning process. Finally, the paper will address the era of post-nuclear urbanism in Visaginas, Lithuania, and explore possible future avenues for the town. This thesis is a comprehensive literature review of relevant research and studies completed relating to the topic, and elements informed by the Generator Project week-long field school, a European Humanities University energy justice fellowship.
ContributorsBussiere, Jacqueline (Author) / Richter, Jennifer (Thesis director) / Kelman, Jonathan (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
This thesis aims to understand the likelihood of meeting recently implemented federal adoption targets regarding the electrification of consumer automotive transportation in the United States (US) and the challenges that arise throughout this process. The research conducted attempts to provide a link between government, manufacturer and consumer perspectives into a cohesive argument as to why adoption targets will not be met in the US without extreme capital expenditure and reliance on non-American resources to reengineer the long standing automotive marketplace by target deadlines.
In order for the electrification of consumer transportation to become a reality, regardless of meeting federally mandated target deadlines; the federal government must invest trillions into subsidization programs for manufacturers and consumers to allow for higher priced electric vehicles (EV) to be accessible to its younger target demographic and reach a broader audience. There must also be investment into America’s power grid, charging and road infrastructure, along with solving issues related to general affordability. Manufacturers must be able to note substantial returns for the heightened cost of EV production in comparison to their gas powered counterparts, while consumers of this automotive subset must be able to purchase a vehicle with greater benefit than products currently available. Currently, the vision of EV adoption for the US market is not attainable by target deadlines without reduced government regulation and the introduction of Chinese products, who currently own the entirety of the supply chain for battery technology and are able to overcome the obstacles of EV adoption in its entirety.
ContributorsCvijanovich, Ryan (Author) / Simonson, Mark (Thesis director) / Mauer, Mark (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor) / Department of Finance (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Nitrate (NO3-) pollution in surface and groundwater, worsened by nitrogen-rich fertilizers in agriculture, poses a significant challenge. Conventional methods remove NO3- physically, yielding concentrated reject water needing further treatment. Electrochemical processes use electrons to convert NO3- into ammonia (NH3) or dinitrogen (N2). This project explores photoelectrocatalysis, enhancing selectivity for NH3 as an added-value product using a photocathode based on tri-layers.
Titanium oxide (TiO2) nanorods modified with Ag and CuOx nanoparticles that exhibit high NO3- conversion rates and exceptional NH3 selectivity. Mechanism evaluation reveals additive effects between photocatalysis and electrocatalysis, surpassing individual performances. This approach offers promising solution for NO3- pollution remediation and sustainable resource recovery in agriculture.
ContributorsButzine, Noah (Author) / Garcia-Segura, Sergi (Thesis director) / Cerron-Calle, Gabriel (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Sustainable Engineering & Built Envirnmt (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Dilia is a four song project entirely produced by me and inspired by Rick Rubin's book, The Creative Act. Through mesmerizing sounds, moving rhythms, and minimal vocals, this project serves as an exploration of my transition from a competitor to a creative with help from the genius producer himself, Rick Rubin.
ContributorsBranch, Christian (Author) / Daniel, Gregory (Thesis director) / Irvin, Cory (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
As climate change accelerates worldwide, coastal communities face escalating threats, including sea level rise, saltwater intrusion, erosion, and flooding, jeopardizing their physical, economic, and cultural integrity. In the coastal community of Charlotteville, a non-profit organization called the Environmental Research Institute of Charlotteville (ERIC) is dedicated to creating a “mutually beneficial relationship between the coastal communities and ecosystems of North East Tobago”. Their work includes the training and staffing of Community-Based Field Technicians (CBFTs) - Charlotteville residents who have been trained by ERIC in their conservation work and practices and now work for the organization within their community. This research delves into the intricate relationship between cultural narratives and community resilience in Charlotteville, Tobago. Through targeted surveys of Charlotteville residents, ERIC, and CBFTs, this research explores how cultural traditions and conservation work can impact a community’s resilience to climate change. Initial findings suggest the profound significance of the sea to Charlotteville residents and potentially echo a collective desire to safeguard marine resources for future generations. Moreover, aligning conservation projects with immediate community needs and securing additional funding could potentially bolster resilience-building initiatives. The CBFTs emerge as a potentially crucial stakeholder, as survey data suggests that they facilitate communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing between ERIC and the community. By beginning to illuminate the complex relationship between cultural heritage, environmental stewardship, and community resilience, this research offers potential insights for fostering resilience in coastal communities worldwide.
ContributorsValencia Neyra, Maria (Author) / Briggs, Georgette (Thesis director) / Martin, Thomas (Committee member) / Fanovich, Lanya (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Sustainable Engineering & Built Envirnmt (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Sustainability has become an increasingly important field over the past few decades, especially in relation to the field of urban planning and development. Sustainable communities play a pivotal role in balancing residents' current and future needs while nurturing diversity within the community. Elements such as economic diversity, mixed land use, walkability, green spaces, varying age groups, and efficient resource and service provision cultivate sustainable communities that encourage residents to age in place. Urban planning is focused on promoting the presence of these elements in communities, but the process of turning them into reality is often difficult due to existing infrastructure, lack of resources, and failure to receive government approval. When communities fail to provide residents with the facilities necessary to foster sustainability, instability often follows as residents do not favor aging in place in communities that do not meet their current needs or will not meet their future needs. Accessory dwelling units have emerged as a strategy for encouraging and allowing aging in place to occur in the United States. Some states have legalized the development of these units to increase urban density and to provide affordable housing options in cities where residents might not be able to afford other options. Accessory dwelling units are a potential solution to address the housing affordability crisis in Hawaii by encouraging aging in place and supporting multigenerational families. Encouraging aging in place allows Hawaiian communities to become more sustainable by supporting multiple generations. Hawaii is one of the states that have legalized accessory dwelling units to address issues in the state housing market, which has provided the state with a new opportunity to experiment with an affordable housing solution that aligns with the state’s cultural values. The island state of Hawaii provides a unique opportunity to dissect the importance of sustainable communities and aging in place. Native Hawaiians place tremendous cultural emphasis on the family unit, which makes the state an excellent place to encourage sustainable design in communities to facilitate aging in place. Hawaii has struggled to develop sustainable communities historically with a growing tourism industry that provides significant revenue to the state government playing a large role in the state’s housing market. This has contributed to an unsustainable situation in Hawaii where it has become more difficult to age in place over time. Given this situation, this report will address the following research question:
What factors limit the ability of Hawaiians to “age in place” and how might accessory dwelling units help promote an environment of sustainable communities in Hawaii that fosters such aging in place?
To address this question, the existing literature will be utilized to highlight areas that promote housing affordability and aging in place as well as to highlight areas that are detrimental to aging in place across the state and at the county level. This thesis seeks to provide context for the factors that have prevented sustainable community development by conducting a literature review that encompasses the current state of housing development in Hawaii. Data from the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization will be used to portray the current state of housing development in each Hawaiian county. My methods will examine how the state of Hawaii has previously utilized accessory dwelling units and discuss the potential for these developments given the statewide barriers Hawaiians face and the connection between Hawaiian culture and these units.
ContributorsStrydom, Dylan (Author) / Kelley, Jason (Thesis director) / Pfeiffer, Deirdre (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Tempe City Roots is an upcoming music festival that aims to promote sustainability and community in the City of Tempe. Accessibility has been notably absent from the ideation process for this festival, despite being essential for a sustainable and community-oriented festival. Equity and justice are core to sustainability and disabled people are important members of the Tempe community. I have undergone a thorough research and ideation process to create nine accessibility-centered ideas for Tempe City Roots based on the thoughts and experiences of the disabled community. These ideas would make Tempe City Roots more accessible and inclusive for all, and allow each attendee to have a safe and enjoyable experience.
ContributorsColucci, Melody (Author) / Reeves, James Scott (Thesis director) / Kuhn, Anthony (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor)
Created2024-05