with JUAN CAMILO OSORIO

This course taught mapping and analysis for sustainability, environmental justice and resiliency with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). GIS is a computer-based technology to aid in the collection, analysis and communication of spatial information for research using multi- layered maps. I learned how spatial information is used to document the characteristics of the built social and natural environments, through the use of GIS tools and processes to find, create, clean, visualize and quantify spatial data. The course explored and critiqued mainstream approaches to measuring socio-environmental relationships. Tools learned were applications such as ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Pro to complete a neighborhood environmental assessment.

with SAMARA SWANSTON

Environmental Law is a survey course and a general introduction to the field of environmental law and focuses on issues of Environmental Justice and major environmental statutes. These include topics such as Administrative Law and remedies; Environmental Quality Review statutes including the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) and State Environmental Quality Review Act, ("SEQRA"); Biodiversity law and policy; the Clean Air Act (“CAA”), Climate Change Law and Policy—the Race to Mitigate and Adapt; Protecting Our Nations’ Waters, the Clean Water Act (“CWA”); Solid Waste and Toxic Substances, The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA”); The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act ("CERCLA"), recent Brownfields Laws; the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (“FIFRA”) and the Toxic Substances Control Act (“TSCA”). It includes a brief overview of enforcement-ensuring compliance with Environmental Laws.

with DAMON CHAKY

The Brundtland Commission in 1987 defined "sustainability" as "meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." The Science of Sustainability course explores some of the major scientific issues behind our understanding of sustainability. Through lectures, readings, and discussions, the class explores such issues as biodiversity, population, food and water resources, climate change, energy, public health, and the overall forecast for the environment and the human condition for the next several decades. We gained a greater appreciation of how science can inform the policies and practices that will shape a more sustainable future.

with RICHARD LEIGH

This course examined the unique nature of energy use and planning in urban areas. It introduced key issues associated with local energy planning: how cities use energy; the sources of this energy; what alternatives exist; the delivery systems that get energy to cities; the institutional, market and regulatory environment in which urban energy planners operate; and what steps cities can and do take to lower greenhouse gas emissions and pursue greater equity and climate justice.

with BENJAMIN COHEN

This course examined economic theory while considering contemporary environmental economics and applying principles of equity, efficiency and effectiveness to environmental issues. Analytical tools are addressed, such as marginal analysis of markets, cost-benefit analysis, externalities, full-cost pricing, incentives, public goods, and risk and alternatives. The course also studied when markets work and when they don’t. We considered various policies that the public sector can use to make markets work, before exploring real-world applications of how economics play a driving role across a range of different environmental issue areas and markets.

with CAROLYN SHAFER

This course explored the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a key tool in environmental decision-making. Life Cycle Assessment is a particular tool to assist in environmental decision-making, particularly as it relates to product design. We gained understanding of LCA theory, structure, application and available software. We conducted a simple LCA using Sustainable Minds software to understand the core concepts so as to apply the theory in urban systems management.