http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/topic/22/environmental-studies Inquiries Journal provides undergraduate and graduate students around the world a platform for the wide dissemination of academic work over a range of core disciplines. en-us Tue, 26 May 2026 03:53:50 -0400 Tue, 26 May 2026 03:53:50 -0400 http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1960/against-eco-camp-analyzing-the-flaws-of-the-modern-climate-movement By Matthew Quintos - This interdisciplinary paper investigates the shortfalls and obstacles to success currently facing the climate movement, examining issues represented by the disconnect between policy and electoral politics, the hypocrisy and blatant indifference of nations and leaders, and the repeated exclusion of indigenous communities. These challenges are explored through the lens of camp, as defined by Susan Sontag in her seminal essay “Notes on Camp.” Susan Sontag’s descriptions in her essay were designed to more clearly articulate the behaviors, practices, ideas, and sentiments associated... Mon, 19 Sep 2022 03:11 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1960/against-eco-camp-analyzing-the-flaws-of-the-modern-climate-movement http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1905/how-humans-will-end-the-world-a-cautionary-history-of-environmental-and-civilizational-instability By Natalie Novella - After thousands of years of innovation, humankind has shaped the modern world into a new planetary epoch: the Anthropocene. This paper connects the human propensity to carve our comfortable, convenient civilizations into our local environments with the reactionary forthcoming global instability of Earth’s ecosystems. By following the classic theory of civilizational decadence, it is evident human civilization has entered the final phase, the decline and fall. This is due to a paradox, wherein the products of our perceived prosperity, consumerism and wastefulness, hasten advancement towards... Thu, 16 Sep 2021 07:18 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1905/how-humans-will-end-the-world-a-cautionary-history-of-environmental-and-civilizational-instability http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1878/commodifying-nature-reflections-of-hegemony-in-ecotourism By Amna Abudyak - This paper will attempt to link fundamental ideas and terms of environmental sociology in the context of ecotourism relating to human society and conceptions of nature. Furthermore, connections to neo-Marxist and neo-Gramscian theories will be made. As humans’ urban “habitats” grow exponentially, the relationship between tourism (i.e. ecotourism) and the naturework associated with the industry becomes increasingly important on the environmental, political, and cultural levels. As the tourists flows primarily from the Global North to the Global South are investigated sociologically... Thu, 18 Feb 2021 08:58 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1878/commodifying-nature-reflections-of-hegemony-in-ecotourism http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1856/problems-and-solutions-in-factory-farming-the-role-of-institutions-capital-and-rhetoric By Cael Jones - This paper examines the intricacies of factory farming by analyzing its social, political, economic, and environmental impacts in an age of capitalist consumption. Factory farming has become a pervasive institution with which most Americans engage on a daily basis by consuming meat and other animal derivatives. This mode of food production has vastly exacerbated the effects of climate change while creating a plethora of health, ecological and social problems. My research utilizes sentiment analysis to reveal the nature of factory farm discourse. Understanding the use of rhetoric is important because... Mon, 04 Jan 2021 01:25 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1856/problems-and-solutions-in-factory-farming-the-role-of-institutions-capital-and-rhetoric http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1797/cobalt-computation-and-the-congo-making-corporations-pay-for-their-transnational-terrors By Isabel G. Padalecki - Though electronic products are ubiquitous in the modern Western world, most people are not aware of the origins of the batteries that power devices such as laptop computers and mobile phones. Lithium-ion batteries, though used primarily in wealthy and affluent nations like the United States, include the element cobalt, a mineral mined primarily out of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Lenntech). Despite the fact that the technologies supported by cobalt have greatly enhanced the lives of affluent Western technological consumers, the mining of cobalt has wreaked havoc on many Congolese communities... Tue, 15 Sep 2020 07:33 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1797/cobalt-computation-and-the-congo-making-corporations-pay-for-their-transnational-terrors http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1786/combating-xenophobia-in-the-covid-19-pandemic-the-importance-of-health-literacy By Sunshine Joyce A. Batasin - A global pandemic is often characterized by an abundance of information, the race for a vaccine, and a focus on preventing others from contracting the disease. However, the socio-cultural ramifications of such an event are oftentimes overlooked. Groups become stigmatized and targeted due to the spread of xenophobia –– the fear and dislike of foreign others –– and the ability to interpret information to make accurate health choices becomes difficult. An increase in health literacy –– the ability to understand and apply health information –– can help... Tue, 14 Jul 2020 09:05 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1786/combating-xenophobia-in-the-covid-19-pandemic-the-importance-of-health-literacy http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1759/climate-change-as-a-security-issue-in-the-indo-pacific-region-borders-environmental-phenomena-and-preexisting-vulnerabilities By Billie R. Trinder - In recent years, climate change has been increasingly framed as a security issue, with some theorists going so far as to call it the most important security issue of the 21st century. This paper will examine the relationship between climate change and human security through the lens of environmental possibilism (Sprout, 1965), recognizing related environmental phenomena as risk intensifiers. It is recognized that climate change acts as a risk multiplier to violent conflict rather than a direct cause, where the vulnerability and ability or inability of populations to adapt to environmental change... Fri, 15 Feb 2019 09:38 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1759/climate-change-as-a-security-issue-in-the-indo-pacific-region-borders-environmental-phenomena-and-preexisting-vulnerabilities http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1714/narratives-binaries-and-framing-in-the-cultural-contest-over-climate-change By Scott B. Remer - The above texts have been selected because they are iconic and authoritative. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is authorized by the United Nations and is the world’s foremost source of expertise on climate change.[1] The United States’ 2014 National Climate Assessment was produced by over 300 scientific experts and subject to an open review process and National Academy of Sciences oversight.[2] Laudato Si received extensive media coverage and has been lauded by numerous environmental groups.[3] 350.org, Greenpeace, and the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC... Wed, 13 Dec 2017 11:45 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1714/narratives-binaries-and-framing-in-the-cultural-contest-over-climate-change http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1643/nature-or-culture-the-anthropocene-as-social-narrative By Kelly Power - Is it possible to objectively define the Anthropocene? This essay argues that whether or not it is precisely definable as a geological epoch, its true value, as a concept grounded in futurity, lies within the social realm. The origins of the term are discussed and several hypotheses for defining the Anthropocene are considered. These are linked to earlier accounts of human influence over the environment. Next, the universality of the Anthropocene narrative is challenged, with an emphasis on its cultural and social dimensions. This critique does not seek to diminish its value but refocus it, stressing... Mon, 22 May 2017 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1643/nature-or-culture-the-anthropocene-as-social-narrative http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1649/remote-sensing-satellites-as-a-solution-towards-anticipating-food-and-water-wars By David C. Harary - In December 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognized the universal human right to food. Most recently in July 2010, the U.N. General Assembly adopted resolution 64/292 that recognized the human right to water as well. While food and water are of vital importance to the security of individual nations, over 700 million people lack adequate access to these basic resources.2 Alarmingly, anthropogenic induced climate change is expected to further undermine human security3 through a reduction of available food and water across particular geographic... Mon, 22 May 2017 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1649/remote-sensing-satellites-as-a-solution-towards-anticipating-food-and-water-wars http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1589/the-inequalities-of-climate-change-and-poverty-impact-analysis-and-potential-solutions By Christopher T. Jackson - In Gallup’s 2016 environment poll, 64 percent of U.S. adults are now worried a “great deal” or “fair amount” about global warming, with a record 65 percent attributing warming primarily to human activities (1). These poll results come several months after the pivotal Paris Agreement taking place at COP 21, the 21st Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In an unprecedented consensus of the participating 195 countries, on December 12, 2015, the Paris Agreement set global standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions... Wed, 22 Mar 2017 03:09 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1589/the-inequalities-of-climate-change-and-poverty-impact-analysis-and-potential-solutions http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1551/carbon-capture-and-storage-as-a-method-to-mitigate-climate-change By Sabina Hyseni - Through increased industry practices, land degradation, and burning of fossil fuels the anthropogenic sources of CO2 have increased creating global concern due to the adverse impacts of climate change. Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) technologies have been widely studied as a viable method to reduce carbon emissions. This paper portrays a holistic overview of the physical methods as well as the biological methods of carbon sequestration in order to transition towards a net carbon neutral economy. The physical processes discussed are carbon capture, separation and storage, whereas the... Mon, 06 Mar 2017 09:56 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1551/carbon-capture-and-storage-as-a-method-to-mitigate-climate-change http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1537/the-economic-argument-for-expanding-gmo-regulation-in-america By Daniel M. Weinzapfel - The necessity to grow crops faster and more efficiently has long been a goal for the agriculture industry. Now, through the development of GMOs, this goal is being achieved. However, many critics doubt the reputation of GMOs, instead arguing that we must be more wary of the relatively new science. Overall, the general trend among scholarly authors is that GMOs should be regulated more strictly, as the benefits of increased GMO regulation outweigh the state of the current system. Most scholarly discussions have moved past the perspective that GMOs should be regulated because of health concerns... Thu, 09 Feb 2017 11:38 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1537/the-economic-argument-for-expanding-gmo-regulation-in-america http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1509/commercialization-of-biochar-and-the-benefits-for-climate-change-and-agriculture By Nate D. Van Beilen - Biochar is biomass that has been converted into charcoal through the pyrolysis process. Biochar is applied into soils for carbon sequestration or for improving soil fertility. The carbon bonds in biochar are very stable and do not break down easily which makes biochar a long term carbon storage solution. The physical structure of biochar improves soil fertility by decreasing soil tensile strength and bulk density. Biochar also acts as a soil aggregate which provides habitat for microorganisms. Additionally, the porosity of biochar improves nutrient and water retention in soils thereby improving... Wed, 21 Dec 2016 11:58 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1509/commercialization-of-biochar-and-the-benefits-for-climate-change-and-agriculture http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1505/joint-value-creation-between-marine-protected-areas-and-the-private-sector By David C. Harary - Officially, the primary objective of the sanctuary system is to protect marine resources, such as coral reefs, sunken historical vessels, or unique habitats (Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, 2013). Recently, however, ONMS has explored the economic earnings that could come out of the system through many different industries, such as recreation and tourism. Meanwhile, the concept of ‘sustainability’ has become increasingly utilized in ecotourism settings (Wight, 1993). Research in this area has shown that recreation and tourism can help promote public awareness and understanding... Thu, 08 Dec 2016 12:49 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1505/joint-value-creation-between-marine-protected-areas-and-the-private-sector http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1535/an-analysis-of-the-threat-of-ontarios-hydroelectric-dams-on-its-river-ecosystems By Nicholas Scrivens - Dams have been used for centuries to assist with the development of human civilization. Access to drinking water, flood control and agricultural irrigation are historical reasons for the development of dams and river impoundments. The abundance of large rivers in Ontario has enabled 22% of the province's power generation to be based on renewable hydroelectric power. The composition of Ontario's energy portfolio is shifting away from carbon intensive energy production and towards hydroelectric power, which presents a threat to Ontario's rivers. What is the extent of the threat of storage and hydroelectric... Wed, 30 Nov 2016 12:00 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1535/an-analysis-of-the-threat-of-ontarios-hydroelectric-dams-on-its-river-ecosystems http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1536/environmental-decisions-in-the-context-of-war-bombing-isils-oil By David C. Harary - This paper evaluates the ethical dilemma coalition forces had to face when deciding to target and take out ISIL's primary source of revenue – oil. By gathering the impacts ISIL has had on the globe as well as the impacts aerial attacks could have on the MENA region; this paper was able to create a decision matrix that quantitatively weighs the options decision-makers had to limit further harm done on the region's society, environment, and economy. This paper serves as a baseline tool by which policymakers can quickly process the plusses and minuses of initiating attacks. Future research... Wed, 30 Nov 2016 12:00 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1536/environmental-decisions-in-the-context-of-war-bombing-isils-oil http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1555/sweden-the-worlds-most-sustainable-country-political-statements-and-goals-for-a-sustainable-society By Maria Mänsson - Sweden, a small country with almost 10 million inhabitants, is the world's most sustainable country according to some reports that compare environmental, social, and governance components between nations. Sweden plays a significant role in the European Union's work for a sustainable society in the European Union. Strict environmental policies and governmental initiatives that encourage all members of the society to invest in climate change projects are among the reasons that put Sweden on top of sustainable ranking lists. During the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, a number... Sun, 30 Oct 2016 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1555/sweden-the-worlds-most-sustainable-country-political-statements-and-goals-for-a-sustainable-society http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1556/applying-the-centrifugal-organizational-model-for-pastoralists-and-other-competing-communities-on-the-ethiopian-landscape-and-the-shift-to-agriculture-after-1975 By EliSabeth Noe - For the past four decades, pastoralist activities have been pushed to marginal areas in several regions of Ethiopia. This change was initiated by the Agrarian Land Reform Proclamation of 1974. Pastoralist activities prior to the agrarian reforms were strongly connected to the Earth and developed symbiotically. A connection to the Earth through symbiotic relationships has been shown to foster sustainability. This paper applies the centrifugal organizational model, originally synthesized in the field of plant community ecology, to the changing environment and pastoralism in Ethiopia, demonstrates... Sun, 30 Oct 2016 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1556/applying-the-centrifugal-organizational-model-for-pastoralists-and-other-competing-communities-on-the-ethiopian-landscape-and-the-shift-to-agriculture-after-1975 http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1557/responding-to-environmental-challenges-in-alberta By Peter Brown - Climate change and the myriad of challenges that come with it are a reality the entire world must face. However, for Canadian province, Alberta, the stakes are especially high. Oil and gas mining made up 18.3% of Alberta's GDP in 2015 and therefore plays a significant role in its economy. Alberta has also been subject to degrading air quality and natural disasters like the recent Fort McMurray Fire. Provincial and municipal governments have, however, taken many steps to addressing the array of environmental challenges Alberta faces including releasing its Climate Leadership Report to Environment... Sun, 30 Oct 2016 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1557/responding-to-environmental-challenges-in-alberta http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1558/species-conservation-in-a-globalized-world By Sharlene Engel - "The fundamental purpose of the US Endangered Species Act (ESA)," Wolf, Hartl, Carroll, Neel, and Greenwald (2015) say, "is not only to prevent extinction, but also to recover species to the point that they are no longer threatened or endangered" (p. 200). The ESA (1973) defines endangered species as "any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range", while a species is understood to be "any species which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range" (3.6; 3.19). As... Sun, 30 Oct 2016 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1558/species-conservation-in-a-globalized-world http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1559/the-technological-abyss-heideggerian-ontology-and-climate-change By Aaron Mazo - Whenever a decision is made in a social, political, or economic context, it is implicitly grounded in an ethical outlook. But where do these outlooks come from? To investigate this query, I examine the basis for ethical decisions regarding technology, focusing specifically on geoengineering responses to climate change. Subsequently, I argue that ethical considerations concerning climate change, and their corresponding practical decisions, cannot be reliably made without sufficient intelligibility regarding the objects and entities these decisions pertain to. To achieve this, I employ a Heideggerian... Sun, 30 Oct 2016 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1559/the-technological-abyss-heideggerian-ontology-and-climate-change http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1560/omega-playing-for-change By A. Rachelle Foss - But Verdigo, a social enterprise comprised of a group of volunteers, all with full-time careers, has created OMEGA with change in mind. Utilizing the smaller community model, Verdigo is looking to affect change, using fun to motivate people instead of proclamations of doom. Notwithstanding their self-professed laid-back personalities, the passion of those involved with this venture is evident: "OMEGA is our first endeavour—a game to get people to continue or introduce ‘green' actions in daily life and to stretch the boundaries of their environmentalism" (S. Gangel, personal communication... Sun, 30 Oct 2016 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1560/omega-playing-for-change http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1405/does-trade-liberalization-lead-to-declining-fish-stock-health-analyzing-the-causality By Erin K. Glenn - ... Tue, 03 May 2016 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1405/does-trade-liberalization-lead-to-declining-fish-stock-health-analyzing-the-causality http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1355/challenges-to-mammal-migratory-route-conservation-in-north-america By Cyrene Krey - Mammal migration between seasonal ranges can consist of relatively short distance migrations of a single individual as well as massive migrations involving thousands of individuals in a population. Understanding the varying migratory habits among species requires detailed information of specific routes and stopover sites. Studying and preserving this behavior is vital but challenging, as both natural and anthropogenic threats exist to migrants. Disjointed management prevents comprehensive solutions from being implemented to protect migratory species in North America. Additional research that takes... Tue, 16 Feb 2016 10:35 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1355/challenges-to-mammal-migratory-route-conservation-in-north-america http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1528/clear-cutting-of-the-coastal-temperate-rainforest-a-brief-analysis-of-clayoquot-sound By Claire Brownlie - Using Clayoquot Sound as a reference, the consequences clear-cut logging has on the coastal temperate rainforest ecosystems was examined. Social and political outcomes from extensive protests in 1993, which opposed the destruction of the natural habitats, were also assessed. Additionally, First Nations' rights were investigated through the Interim Measures Agreement between the Government of British Columbia and the Nuu-chah-nulth community, as well as their co-management of the natural resources in Clayoquot Sound. In 2000 Clayoquot Sound was designated as a UNESCO site. The designation brought... Sun, 31 Jan 2016 12:00 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1528/clear-cutting-of-the-coastal-temperate-rainforest-a-brief-analysis-of-clayoquot-sound http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1529/effects-of-conventional-and-organic-agricultural-techniques-on-soil-ecology By Nate Van Beilen - This paper explores the differing effects that conventional and organic agriculture have on soil ecosystems. The findings are primarily based on a review of published literature found in journal articles and government reports. Conventional agriculture is found to generally have higher yields than organic agriculture. However, the monetary benefits of high yielding conventional agriculture systems use monoculture cropping, tilling, pesticides, and fertilizers that have a significant negative effect on the natural processes soil ecosystems. As a result, these natural process need to be replaced... Sun, 31 Jan 2016 12:00 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1529/effects-of-conventional-and-organic-agricultural-techniques-on-soil-ecology http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1530/toxicological-effects-of-nanomaterials-on-aqueous-and-terrestrial-ecosystems By Sabina Hyseni - This paper provides a holistic overview of the effects of engineered and natural nanomaterials (ENMs and NNMs) in the environment. Through increasing production and technology, NMs are contaminating the air, soil, and water with large toxicological implications. The proposed pathways of nanomaterials in the environment suggest that they accumulate in terrestrial and aquatic environment due to emissions, surface runoff and effluent from wastewater treatment facilities. Nanomaterial toxicological studies have also shown large bactericidal and mutagenic effects due to the metal ion properties, stabilizing... Sun, 31 Jan 2016 12:00 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1530/toxicological-effects-of-nanomaterials-on-aqueous-and-terrestrial-ecosystems http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1531/costs-and-benefits-of-nitrogen-and-phosphate-fertilizer-use-in-the-lake-erie-basin By David C. Harary - This paper explores both the positive and negative externalities associated with nitrogen and phosphate-based fertilizer use. Using 57 scholarly journal articles, government reports, manuscripts, and news articles; a comprehensive review was made on the effects fertilizer use and eutrophication has on ecological, environmental, human health, and economic systems in the western Lake Erie Basin. Negative externalities associated with fertilizer use included species population decline; environmental degradation; increased risks on public health; increased water treatment and maintenance spending;... Sun, 31 Jan 2016 12:00 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1531/costs-and-benefits-of-nitrogen-and-phosphate-fertilizer-use-in-the-lake-erie-basin http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1532/ecosystems-as-stakeholders-to-urban-air-pollution-mitigation-decisions-in-toronto By Conner Tidd - This paper explores the role that ecosystems can have in the decision making framework for urban air pollution mitigation in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The focus is on management planning of green roof implementation to mitigate the effects of urban air pollution. The importance of Toronto's impact on surrounding ecosystems, conservation areas and their fragile habitats is often overlooked. Through a literature analysis of primary sources, the need for consideration of these nearby ecosystems in management planning is shown. Toronto's proximity to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems causes the dual... Sun, 31 Jan 2016 12:00 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1532/ecosystems-as-stakeholders-to-urban-air-pollution-mitigation-decisions-in-toronto