Master of Environmental Studies Capstone Projects
The interaction between humans and the environment is not a purely scientific matter. Questions of politics, economics, ethics, religion and culture also come into play. Recognizing this, the Master of Environmental Studies (MES) Program offers a multidisciplinary approach to the study of the environment. Toward the end of the program, each student undertakes a Capstone Project, an independent, one-semester research exercise that demonstrates the student's mastery of the subject matter. While less comprehensive than a traditional master's thesis, the Capstone documents the student's ability to define a research question; design a protocol to address that question; acquire the data necessary to clarify, if not resolve, that question; critically assess the quality of the data acquired; draw defensible conclusions from those data; and communicate that process and those conclusions to professional colleagues with clarity and precision. More information about the Program and Capstone Project may be found here.
MES students should complete this Author Agreement and submit it with their capstone projects. Once received, the electronic version of the capstone project will then be uploaded onto this site.
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Publication Environmental impact assessment of fabric samples: defining a low impact design standard for the textile industry(2024-05-18) Molly FlanaganPreconsumer textile waste refers to the waste generated by textile production and manufacturing processes, the quantities of which are highly undocumented and unavailable as a result of the industry’s utilization of private waste haulers. FABSCRAP, a preconsumer textile collection and recycling service, estimates the preconsumer textile waste stream to be around forty times larger than the postconsumer textile waste stream. Throughout their operations, FABSCRAP has identified fabric samples and their headers, which are the informational labels that fabric samples are affixed to, as the single largest contributor to preconsumer waste within the fashion industry. Fabric samples and headers make up 75% of the waste FABSCRAP receives from over 800 client brands. In addition to brands requesting samples during the garment design and production processes, textile mills send new samples to brands as marketing tools each season. Most of these samples are too small and lack incentive to be reused, so they end up landfilled. Variations in attachment mechanisms (i.e. stapled, sewn, glued) of the samples to their headers require different steps of disassembly, which directly impedes recycling potential. As such, there is ample opportunity for industry-level environmental impact savings in defining a low-impact design standard for fabric samples and headers that seeks to reduce waste and maximize reuse and recycling of materials and attachments. This project conducts an audit by surveying 7,987 pounds of fabric samples and headers from a striated random sample of FABSCRAP’s client base and identifies the ten most common header formats. Environmental impact analysis uncovers the raw material and end-of-life impacts of the most common headers for comparison. Raw material impacts are calculated using a streamlined Life Cycle Analysis approach with information from the IDEMAT database. End-of-life impacts are evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively based on the percentage of header materials by weight that are landfilled, recycled and reused and the extent of disassembly required for disposal. The headers are ranked in order of magnitude based on a combined score of raw material and end-of-life impacts. A final recommended design standard is developed for use in the textile and fashion industries at large - and compared to the most common headers, illustrating the potential impact savings of adoption at the singular header level, and when scaled to the project’s sample size. The design standard is based on circular economy principles, utilizing the waste hierarchy to conclude that the lowest impact design is based on: reducing the total amount of materials by type and weight, maximizing reuse potential and ease of disassembly for attachment mechanisms, and preferring paper fiber-based header materials with high recycling recovery and efficiency rates. The wide adoption of a low-impact standard header across the textile industry could be an impetus for broader transformational change within the textile and fashion industries.Publication Waste and Scope 3 Emissions: Assessment of Value Chain Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the U.S. Solid Waste and Resource Recovery Industry(2025) Higa, EricaIn calendar year 2022, five of the 45 largest waste companies in the United States (“US”) contributed over 106 billion pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions into the atmosphere. Meanwhile, as the global climate crisis nears irreversible tipping points, society at large must reduce anthropogenic, or human-caused, GHG emissions by 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030 and reach a net-zero emission rate by 2050. Achieving these reductions requires standard measurement and reporting methodologies. As of 2023, most US solid waste and resource recovery companies accurately and transparently report Scope 1 (direct and controllable) and Scope 2 (indirect from purchased utilities) emissions. However, only five of the 45 largest waste companies in the US reported on Scope 3, or indirect value chain emissions, in the 2023 reporting cycle. This report presents a comprehensive analysis of 2023 waste industry reporting and identifies areas of (dis)consensus regarding material emission sources. As of said reporting, Scope 1 accounts for on average 87 percent of companies’ combined Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, while Scope 3 accounts on average for 12 percent. Thus, it is recommended that waste companies immediately prioritize Scope 1 emission reductions, while simultaneously implementing Scope 3 monitoring programs that focus on the industry’s material Scope 3 sources: purchased goods and assets, fuel-related lifecycle emissions, and third-party transportation services. By accounting for Scope 3 alongside Scope 1 and 2 emissions, companies will be poised to meet and exceed sustainability goals and explore new business development opportunities while maintaining resiliency against climate, financial, and legal risk. Deeper emissions literacy among sustainability professionals and leadership will be key to redesigning a more efficient global value chain. Ultimately, a collaborative business sector will play a major role in solving the 21st Century’s most pressing issue: the global climate crisis.Publication ALTERNATIVE METHODS TO SYNTHETIC-BASED DYEING ON COTTON: A COMPARATIVE SUSTAINABILITY ANALYSIS(2024) Rajesh, AninditaThe fashion industry is currently one of the largest consumers and polluters of water. The most commonly used method of textile dyeing, using synthetic dyes, is extremely water- intensive, and the chemicals used in the production and application of these dyes leach into freshwater sources, posing a threat to both public and environmental health. This research aims to assess and compare two alternative dyeing techniques – plant-based and microbial dyes – by examining their color intensity and their impact on water consumption, waste and the environment. Each method was tested on both non-mordanted and mordanted cotton strips over periods of 24 hours and 72 hours. Photographs were taken of each cotton sample following each dyeing process, and the water remaining after the dye creation and application process was measured. It was found that microbial dyes, extracted from Serratia marcescens cultures, had stronger colorfastness than the plant-dyes obtained from onion peels, beet scraps, and avocado pits. The microbial dye yielded a bright pink color, that did not fade after sterilization, sunlight exposure, and washing, while the plant-based dye yielded a yellow-brown color that exhibited some fading. There was no difference seen between the mordanted and non-mordanted fabrics, so it is therefore recommended that a mordant not be used, to further reduce water and chemical usage within the dyeing process. While plant-based dyes are currently used by several fashion brands, microbial dyes have not been produced on a large scale. With sufficient upfront monetary investments and dedication towards research, companies with varying degrees of sustainability commitments can adopt the use of microbial dyes, using much of the same machinery and techniques currently employed in dyeing facilities. As clothing manufacturers begin to face increasing pressure to evaluate and improve sustainability throughout their supply chain, introducing microbial dyes can help reduce and eventually eliminate the need for synthetic dyes, allowing for a large reduction in a company’s water-consumption and overall environmental footprint. Making this switch will therefore allow for improved water quality and availability for communities surrounding clothing manufacturers.Publication NAVIGATING THE TRANSITION: STANDARDIZING ESG REPORTING FOR SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT DECISIONS(2024) Maxie Marie JohnsonOver the past few years, the corporate world has been facing a needed transition – a shift from the linear to that of a sustainable economy. Due to heightened awareness from stakeholders regarding the impacts of climate change, companies have been forced to reevaluate their business strategy. In order to satisfy the demands of their stakeholders, companies have had no choice but to report on their commitment to bettering our volatile, and efforts to sustain our human populations on the planet. Their business framework has had to be dynamic in order to meet these demands and has segmented into three discrete avenues: social, environmental, and governance reporting (ESG). From 2011 to 2018, the number of S&P 500 companies reporting on their sustainability efforts, corporate social responsibility activities, and ESG performance increased from just below 20% to 86% (Gillan et al., 2021). While this notable increase signals a stronger awareness of the need to change and be more sustainable from the richest companies on Earth, the existing framework for reporting is not sufficient to standardize their outputs, so this shift has been less consequential than it otherwise could have been. There is a gap between what is being reported, and what stakeholders are asking for, specifically for their most concerned report readers: their investors. Without standardization in how companies are reporting on their ESG related performance, companies can include whatever they want in these reports and, likewise, omit information. Furthermore, there is no requirement regarding data collection, or reporting format. As a result, investors question the validity of the reports. ESG reports have become integral to investors for their investment strategies. Right now, the material produced in the reports is questionable, and the range in style of reporting prevents the reports from being comparable. By conducting interviews and surveys with representatives from investment firms and the Nasdaq, this project aims to elucidate the role of ESG factors in the investment process, identify the constraints posed by the absence of standardized reporting, and uncover what investors seek from said reports. Specifically, this study will focus on impact investors, providing insight into their decision-making processes in selecting portfolio assets, building a sustainable business, and creating self-benefiting results through capital. The data collected in this project will allow companies to assume the role of responsible stewards of sustainability, enhancing their appeal to impact investors and ensuring their compliance with environmental standards.Publication THE WATER-ENERGY-FOOD NEXUS ASSESSMENT OF SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES IN INDONESIA(2024) Annisa NurantonoOceans are central to Indonesia’s prosperity with millions of people depending on coastal resources for their well-being as well as its function to the ecological ecosystem. Small-scale fisheries (SSF) contribute significantly to Indonesia’s economic productivity since they account for 90% of fisheries production (Halim et al., 2019). However, this small industry is characterized by high poverty rates and vulnerability due to limited access to reliable energy, climatic change, and unsustainable fishing practices. Three fundamental resources that support this small industry are water, energy, and food (WEF). The WEF in SSF are interconnected and interdependent. Changes in one system can significantly impact others, which can affect SSF and their communities. Thus, it is imperative to understand the current performance of the WEF resource management system in SSF to support their economic growth, social well-being, and environmental sustainability holistically. This study applied a WEF nexus analytical model using the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to evaluate the performance of sustainability and resource management of SSF based on the perspective of the key stakeholders. The interview and field survey were conducted to illustrate the interconnectedness of each nexus and how it is impacting the SSF. The integrated WEF nexus index was calculated at 0.166, which is lowly sustainable, and indicates the SSF’s exposure to vulnerabilities and unsustainable business practices. The WEF nexus provides better adaptation options, as it guides the decision-making process by identifying priority areas needing intervention and enhancing synergies. This research revealed a critical link between energy accessibility and food security, particularly due to the limited availability of subsidized gas stations affecting fishing operations through fuel consumption constraints. Concerns about food productivity stemming from unsustainable tools further emphasize the need for immediate action. The study underscores the imperative for a holistic approach to sustainability and resource management in Indonesia's small-scale fisheries sector, necessitating urgent interventions across technical, governance, and financial domains to support economic growth and environmental sustainability.Publication A REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM’S FINANCIAL HEALTH(2024) Claire KimStates such as Louisiana, Texas, New York, New Jersey, and others, with high exposure, have been and will continue to experience more intense flood events from hurricanes that could possibly damage residents’ and tenants’ properties. In such situations, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders will file claims for flood damages. With the current tremendous amount of debt due to a skewed balance between premiums and claims, the NFIP may encounter financial crisis in the coming future. This study analyzed the solvency of NFIP from FY 2018 to FY 2022. One part of the examination involved ascertaining the annual amount of premiums, claims, number of policies and more. In addition, four hurricanes that are known to have caused an inordinate number of claims to the NFIP were studied. While there are several alarming statements made and studies done on the program’s ongoing insolvency, research that examines the financial health of the program is scarce, and this could provide a base for further research in the future. As the NFIP is the one and only federal flood insurance program that operates in the United States, it is crucial to organize a financial framework in keeping the program solid. From 1970 to present, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Harvey, and Hurricane Ian are the four major hurricanes that were most costly to the NFIP. It has been noted that the program’s net income from the flood fund has been portraying fiscal deficit, and its available resources heavily rely on the remaining borrowing authority from the Treasury. Given the fact that the program was not originally constructed to reimburse tremendous amounts of claims as they had done post four major hurricanes, the program does not have the ability to pay off both the principal and interest amounts to the debt borrowed from the Treasury. To address the financial straits, it is imperative to cancel the current debt and reconstruct the program’s framework. This reconstruction will allow the NFIP to become more financially sustainable to be committed to provide flood insurance, floodplain management, risk mapping, and mitigation/adaptation information to its policyholders and participating communities with a reduced risk of insolvency.Publication A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION TO FOOD INSECURITY: FAMILY EXPERIENCES AT AN URBAN FOOD PHARMACY PROGRAM(2024) Nourhan S. IbrahimLow-income families in cities like Philadelphia are at increased risk for food insecurity and related health problems. The CHOP Healthy Weight Program Food Pharmacy emerged as one solution to increase access to fresh foods and alleviate this issue. However, the program has not yet engaged in quality improvement efforts to understand the impact on participating families and areas for refinement. The objective of this project is to assess how the food pharmacy program meets families’ needs and identify opportunities to enhance families’ access to healthy food options. We will make recommendations based on the analysis of semi-structured interviews with families who participated in the program. We conducted 24 semi-structured interviews with caregivers of patients enrolled in the program as part of a qualitative quality improvement project. We explored several questions, including perceived benefits and challenges of program participation for families and how patients perceive their level of self-agency in the food they receive. We created a thematic codebook and analyzed the interview data in NVivo. We observed financial constraints had a significant influence on families’ food choices before and after participating in the program, often limiting access to nutritious produce. Families reported many positive impacts of participation, including adoption of healthier eating habits and perceiving better physical health resulting from dietary changes. This project provides recommendations to CHOP for further development of the food pharmacy program, as well as contributes to a broader understanding of the role food pharmacies play in addressing systemic health issues associated with inequitable food access.Publication PUBLIC AWARENESS OF AND ATTITUDES TOWARD GREEN BURIAL: AN EXPLORATION OF MESSAGING INTERVENTIONS TO INCREASE ACCEPTANCE OF NATURAL BURIAL PRACTICES(2023) Emily G. MaroniGreen burial (or natural burial) is a method of caring for the dead that seeks to have a lower impact on the environment and human health than cremation or conventional burial, which involves an embalmed body in an ornate casket buried within an impermeable concrete or metal grave liner. The main characteristics of green burial, as defined in this study, is that it is done without embalming, in a biodegradable casket or shroud, and without a grave liner. This project aims to establish an independent baseline to inform future research and communication around green burial and determine what types of framing are most effective and among which populations. An online A/B test survey of 3 sets of educational materials (control, environmental frame, and cost frame) was conducted among 1,441 U.S. adults revealed no statistically significant effect between the different message frames. The survey did reveal a positive association between both age and previous awareness and likelihood to consider green burial, as well as a relationship between religion and willingness to consider the option, specifically among Muslim respondents. Both the quantitative and qualitative survey data highlight the many factors impacting awareness of and attitudes toward green burial and the need for advocates of the practice to carefully consider and tailor their approach.Publication COMPARING LONG-TERM SOIL CARBON CONTENT AND THERMAL STABILITY AMONG DIFFERENT AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS(2024) Hang ZhaoSoil carbon stability is vital for maintaining the global carbon cycle balance, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable agriculture. While the earth’s climate is experiencing unprecedented changes in recent years and will be more unpredictable in the future, it is urgent to determine the factors influencing soil organic matter content and its composition and stability, in order to ensure the soil health and food security. Agricultural management and treatments including organic treatments, tillage, crop rotation, and nutrients management are critical components that are closely linked with soil carbon retention, composition, and stability. Rodale Institute, located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, has established a program that compares the organic and conventional cropping systems in a field trial since 1981, called Farming System Trial (FST). Total of 72 soil samples collected from FST in 1981, 2007, and 2020 will be analyzed in this study using the simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) of Thermogravimetry (TG) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) coupled with the evolved CO2 gas analysis, to investigate and compare the long-term changes in soil organic matter and SOC thermal stability between conventional and organic agricultural systems. Statistical methods including Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were performed in R to analyze the data. Results have revealed that the soil carbon differs the most in 2020, since it is 12 years after the till and no-till separation, large variance in mean and is significantly distinct among three different treatments. Analysis of several indicators across various soil groups indicates that there is no significant difference attributable to the treatment with regard to carbon quality. Long-term observations should be conducted with consistently controlled treatment groups for tillage and systems to detect more pronounced patterns and differences.Publication MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS AS A PROMISING TECHNOLOGY FOR SIMULTANEOUS WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND BIOELECTRICITY GENERATION(2024) Clover LiuThe world's increasing energy demand and rising waste generation have made it necessary to shift towards renewable energy sources and more efficient waste treatment methods. Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) are a new but promising bioremediation technology for simultaneous wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation. Through converting the chemical energy stored in waste into electrical energy through extracellular electron transfer between microorganisms and an electrode surface, MFCs have several advantages over the conventional activated sludge method, such as elimination of the need for an external energy source, no excessive sludge production, and the ability to treat diverse wastewater streams. In addition to being an effective wastewater treatment method, MFCs offer potential benefits in electricity generation. Although facing many technical and financial challenges, MFC technology is a promising alternative to fossil fuels and conventional wastewater treatment methods, with much lower negative impacts on the environment.