Research related to Environmental or Natural Sciences
Boba-Licious
Group Member(s): Amee Pham, Evelyn Grijalva Martinez, Camille Lu & Anakaren Gonzalez
The purpose of this study was to create an innovative healthy drink for children ages ten to fifteen and to develop a product with a positive effect on health by decreasing the risk of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). A healthy and nutrient-dense mango boba flavored carbonated drink was formulated based on the USDA Smart Snacks for Kids Guidelines. In the making of Boba-Licious, any food waste gathered was decomposed; Polylactide Acid (PLA) plastic was used for packaging, and drinks were stored in a refrigerator run by solar panels. Overall, Boba-Licious is environmentally friendly and safe for consumers.
Recycled Clothing
Group Member(s): Mariana Mendoza
Professor Name & Course: Dr. Mary Caputi | POSC 401: Women in Western Political Thought
I decided to do my project on how recycling clothes can be beneficial both for the environment and people. One can donate clothes because there are many people in need whether it is to shelters or thrift stores. It can help reduce greenhouse gases and conserve energy. It can also help make better use of the city's budget. Adding clothing recycling bins around campus, especially near dorms, may help push students to do the right thing and recycle their clothes instead of just throwing it in the trash.
Plane Travel Least Climate Friendly Travel
Group Member(s): Timothy James
Professor Name & Course: Dr. Mary Caputi | POSC 401: Women in Western Political Thought
A simple poster that contains a chart and quotes that demonstrate plane travel as the most economically destructive mode of common transportation.
Sustainable Hotel
Group Member(s): Jasmine Alvarez
Professor Name & Course: Dr. Mary Caputi | WGSS 402: Women in Western Political Thought
My project is on sustainable or eco-friendly hotels. My presentation informs people how hotels can be built in an eco-friendly way; it provides a 10 step guide for current hotels to follow. Audiences will learn how these hotels are driven towards helping the environment and the surrounding communities.
10 Sustainability Indicators for GAP, Inc.
Group Member(s): Jasmin Chanquin, Naranjo Xochitl, Alvarez Kaitlynn, Chavez Kira & Clutter Lauren Louise
Professor Name & Course: Dr. Mary McKinley | MKTG 405: Green Marketing & Sustainability
Our plan for GAP Inc. is to focus on sustainability in all aspects of the business, from the physical brick and mortar stores to the materials used to create the clothing products. The ten indicators presented cover multiple aspects of corporate social responsibility with philanthropy and environmentally friendly policies for employees at all levels of the organization. By bringing in environmental specialists and altering unsustainable business practices, GAP Inc. has the opportunity to move from fast fashion into an ecologically sustainable fashion brand.
Oceans: Invasive Species from the Aquarium Trade
Group Member(s): Chelsea Inthavong, Kevin Bartelheim, Shaun Gross, Rachel Biller, Nicole Angel, Exequiel Castillo & Jonathan Lau
Professor Name & Course: Dr. Lily House-Peters | GEOG/ESP 450: Sustainability & Social Justice
Invasive species are non-native species that harm ecosystems, they fight for space and resources thereby decreasing native species populations. They do not encounter any predators that control their population. The aquarium trade entices people to smuggle, and purchase exotic species for recreational purposes as well as edible delicacies. When people lose interest in exotic pets, people can release these species into the oceans. Plants and algae have also entered into waterways and invaded different ecosystems. Due to the harmful nature towards aquatic ecosystems, there are considerations to reduce invasive species and measure the amount of impact to their new environment.
Recycling
Group Member(s): Jesse Hawk
Professor Name & Course: Dr. Mary Caputi | POSC 401: Women in Western Political Thought
Recycling is pivotal for the next generation as well as sustaining our society today.
NVIDIA
Group Member(s): Valerie Gomez, Carlo Alberto DiPaola, Christina Fandino Kurtis Neeld
Professor Name & Course: Dr. Mary McKinley | MKTG 405: Green Marketing & Sustainability
Aiming to demonstrate to customers, clients and the general public on how Nvidia can ‘do well by doing good through 10 indicators.
Feeding Your Soil 101
Group Member(s): Karyn Castillo
Professor Name & Course: Dr. Mary Caputi | POSC 401: Women in Western Political Thought
Since ancient times, composting has been a staple in organic gardening. Composting is a simple process that anybody can do with their food trimmings. The benefits that come with composting contribute to helping mother nature.
LA River Master Plan Evaluation
Group Member(s): Hugo Chi, Sofia Cunningham, Sailé Gutierrez, & Perla Rios Munoz
Professor Name & Course: Dr. Christine Jocoy | GEOG 464: Urban Geography - Sustainable Cities
Our goal for this project was to evaluation the LA River Master Plan and review whether or not the master plan addresses the concerns of community members who attended meetings regarding the project and its potential effects on green gentrification.
Green Space and Environmental Gentrification
Group Member(s): Summer Kubba, Isabel Silva, Diana Baldovinos, Tammy Nguyen & Clarissa Lagunas
Professor Name & Course: Dr. Lily House-Peters | GEOG/ESP 450: Sustainability & Social Justice
Our project involves green space, health, and inequity. Our purpose was to determine the benefits of green space on both physical and mental health. We were also interested in who benefits and who does not benefits from green space. For findings relating to health: We found that green space has a direct correlation on both physical and mental health. Overall, park access leads to better emotional well-being, increased physical activity, and a decrease in obesity, heart disease, and stress. We also found that inequity does exist when it comes to green space. Those who are most vulnerable to health issues are often the ones who have the least access to green space. Low-income areas have far less green space and therefore are more vulnerable to health issues.
Biodiversity Conservation
Group Member(s): Edgar Alvarez, Amanda Torres, Phoebe Evans, Andrew Pham & Brendan Schultheis
Professor Name & Course: Dr. Lily House-Peters | GEOG/ESP 450: Sustainability & Social Justice
The natural variety of plants and animals within the Earth steward biodiversity. Each species works in tandem with its counterparts to drive natural carbon, terrestrial, and hydrological cycles. Climate change threatens these systems but are conservation efforts the complete solution for preservation? Why is biodiversity important? Why should we care about preserving biodiversity? How can governments conserve biodiversity in forests? Climate change drives biodiversity loss worldwide. Despite the recognized importance of diversity in support well-functioning ecosystems and for human health it is not a primary problem in politics.
Biking Is Not Only For Health But Also For the Environment
Group Member(s): Marissa Onopa
Professor Name & Course: Dr. Mary Caputi | POSC 401: Women in Western Political Thought
When most people think about biking, they think for health reason, but for most people such as myself who cannot afford an electric vehicle to help the environment, I decided to change my commute by using a bike. Cycling requires no gasoline which is the main benefit for the environment because no harmful vehicle emissions or smog are released into the air. Bikes also do not require any other kind of fluids that cars may need which helps to ensure that any other sort of fluid is does not find its way into local waterways or the environment itself.
Environmental Education and Civic Engagement
Group Member(s): Juliet Agtang, Deanna Ochi & Teodora Custodio
Professor Name & Course: Dr. Lily House-Peters | GEOG/ESP 450: Sustainability & Social Justice
This research examines how environmental education programs may advance student awareness of environmental challenges in their communities. We conducted a literature review to evaluate an environmental education organization, Generation Earth. Several studies found that hands-on learning experiences common in environmental education increases students’ awareness of environmental challenges, helps them retain environmental knowledge and skills, and encourages them to participate in improving their community. The implications of this study may be used to promote more accessible environmental education programs to students.
3 Easy Ways To Be Sustainable
Group Member(s): Abi Hernandez
Professor Name & Course: Dr. Mary Caputi | POSC 401: Women in Western Political Thought
This presentation addressed three different ways to be more sustainable at home. The Fast Fashion industry harms workers as well as our environment and we talk about different ways we can avoid adding to that. Toothpaste tubes and shampoo bottles are everyday items that are necessities but contribute to landfill waste in huge numbers. We can substitute these products with waste free versions and reduce our carbon footprint this way.
Eco-Friendly Tips For Everyday Life
Group Member(s): Andrew Escobar
Professor Name & Course: Dr. Mary Caputi | POSC 401: Women in Western Political Thought
To teach people simple and cheap eco friendly tips.
Vegetarianism for the Environment
Group Member(s): Maryam Vielmas
Professor Name & Course: Dr. Mary Caputi | POSC 401: Women in Western Political Thought
In this quick presentation, I emphasize the need for a vegetarian diet in order to create a change in the climate crisis.
LA River Revitalization & Green Gentrification
Group Member(s): Jessica Ramos-Guerra, Jose Rios & Erick Estrada
Professor Name & Course: Dr. Christine Jocoy | GEOG 464: Urban Geography - Sustainable Cities
Using public comment records from community meetings, this study aims to investigate how the Los Angeles River revitalization can improve the LA basin’s ecosystem function without compromising equitable housing, and uplift the disenfranchised communities that have a collective memory of displacement in Los Angeles’ history. Findings reveal that anti-displacement policies and community stakeholders’ involvement must be at the forefront of this endeavor in order to protect marginalized communities and ensure profits are not prioritized over sustainability in a time when climate crisis induced disasters threaten the livability of the Golden State we love and call home.
Saying No to Styrofoam in Food Service
Group Member(s): Cindy Guardado
This sustainability idea is to create more conscious awareness among both the food industry and consumers about the dangers of using polystyrene, best known as Styrofoam. Polystyrene is a non-biodegradable material making it almost impossible to decompose. It is a danger for the environment and those that live in it. Marine and land life are some of the most affected by polystyrene. Polystyrene can easily be substituted with other eco-friendly products such as biodegradable food containers and by using reusable cups and bottles.
