Category: 2018

Role of the Media in Micronesia’s Climate Change Activism

Presenter(s): Lauralei Singsank − Political Science, General Music

Faculty Mentor(s): Mark Carey

Poster 185

Research Area: Natural Science

Climate refugees are those who have been displaced from their homes for reasons relating to climate (floods, rising sea levels, etc.). This presentation focuses on climate refugees in Micronesia and their media presence. Micronesians have utilized the political atmospheres of other countries to further their causes. An important example is Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner, a Marshallese poet activist who presented a spoken poem to the 2014 United Nations Climate Summit. By utilizing her platform to increase empathy rather than using statistics or facts, Jetnil-Kijiner furthered her cause of raising awareness of climate change’s effects in Micronesia. The sources used in this presentation include scientific studies on climate change, scholarly articles addressing its effects in Micronesia, and media sources from Micronesian advocates. Videos by Jetnil-Kijiner and other activists will serve as primary sources. By examining how Micronesian citizens and those of Micronesian descent present their causes in the media, this presentation emphasizes the importance of increasing empathy to the effects of climate change alongside scientific facts. Audiences react more strongly to emotional pleas than scientific when presented by those suffering the effects of climate change. By appealing to audience’s pathos rather than logos, Micronesian climate activists raise awareness about their challenges with climate change.

Impacts of Climate Change on Indigenous Languages of the Arctic Region

Presenter(s): Ally Shaw − Asian Studies, Linguistics

Faculty Mentor(s): Mark Carey

Poster 184

Research Area: Environmental Studies

This study investigates the impacts of Arctic climate change on indigenous language sustainability. I argue that: climate change leads to a loss of biodiversity and ecosystem functions necessary to support human survival; reductions in ecosystem services can or may trigger community upheavals, human migrations, and cultural change; and community and cultural changes – most often for small, dispersed indigenous populations – lead to documented language changes that historically have included linguistic shifts, language attrition, and language loss. This investigation focuses primarily on North American and northern European Arctic regions, where climate change is affecting the predominant ecosystems at some of the fastest rates on the planet. I synthesize available scientific evidence from the fields of linguistics, climate science, wildlife studies, and anthropology to evaluate climate-induced language change in several indigenous, subsistence-based communities. Study results suggest that anthropogenic climate change and consequent impacts to ecosystem services coincide with language change, and, therefore, that sustainability of one (i.e., language) must involve sustainability of the other (i.e., ecosystem functions) in order for indigenous communities to persist physically and culturally. Language is tied to cultural identity; when languages change, ways of interpreting the world also change, inter-generational communication pathways are challenged, and a vast abundance of cultural knowledge cannot be passed on to the next generations without a shared common vocabulary. It is vital, therefore, that language sustainability be considered when assessing climate-change prevention and mitigation strategies.

Placing the Burden: Obligations of Fast-Developing States to Adopt Climate Mitigation Policies

Presenter(s): Lauren Scott − Political Science

Faculty Mentor(s): Ronald Mitchell, Sarah Crown

Poster 183

Research Area: Social Science

As demonstrated by the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord, one of the most adversarial issues in international climate change politics is whether developed countries have the responsibility to assume the global burden of mitigating climate impacts. Without an authoritative body to enforce international law, negotiations have devolved into developing states demanding that developed states reduce their emissions first, whilst refusing to set limits on their own emissions. However, quickly developing states, like China, India, and Brazil, now diverge substantially from their developing peers in their emissions levels and their increasing capacity to lower them. Therefore, the international community must question when a developing country should assume responsibility for its emissions. A dissonance exists between prioritizing fast development and making an effort to mitigate driving factors of climate change. By temporally examining the policies and stances of these quickly developing states versus other developing and developed states involved in climate talks, it becomes increasingly clear that the international community lacks a consensus on a clear responsibility that these states should assume.

The Great Deluge: Are Heavier Rains and Greater Temperatures Responsible for The Sierra Nevada Snowpack Retreat?

Presenter(s): Carson Schmittle − English

Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland

Poster 182

Research Area: Natural Science

Mountain snowpack acts as an important natural reservoir for much of California. In the Sierra Nevada mountain range, it builds primarily through snow, accumulated in winter storms. We measure the amount of water stored in a snowpack as the snow water equivalent (SWE), which is dependent on both the density of the snow and the thickness of snow. In recent years, the mean peak measurement of SWE in the Sierra Nevada has declined dramatically. Here, I demonstrate that decreased precipitation, in conjunction with greater surface temperatures, is the primary factor in the downtrend of snowpack in this mountain range. The accumulation of soot and dust also contributes to snowpack depletion (by reducing average albedo and increasing melt rates), but I predict that lesser precipitation correlates most strongly to the observed retreat of snowpack. This is evidenced by comparing available climate data with trends in peak annual SWE. Precipitation in a cold climate collects as snow, while precipitation in a warmer climate falls as rain and actually does more to melt snow. Therefore, the heavier and more infrequent precipitation predicted for the coming century will translate to less snow accumulated in the winter and more snow melted in the spring and summer. Snowpack provides a tremendous amount of water to California for agricultural, industrial, and recreational purposes, so future infrastructure development must prepare for snowpack depletion.

Causes and Hazards of Thaw Settlement in Central and Coastal Alaska

Presenter(s): Ellen Scharff − English

Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland

Poster 181

Research Area: Natural Science

Much of the ground in polar areas such as Alaska consists of permafrost, a subsurface layer of soil that remains frozen throughout most of the year. Alaskan tundra vegetation, wildlife, and infrastructure rely on the preservation of permafrost, which is made of frozen soil, rock, and water. Rising global temperatures have resulted in thaw settlement: the compression of ground due to thawing. Typically, thaw settlement is a seasonal occurrence, but several studies have observed an abrupt uptick in the extent of permafrost thaw and subsequent ground compression. This research compiles and synthesises the results of various studies of permafrost degradation and thaw settlement in central and coastal Alaska. Data from these studies shows a significant increase in permafrost active layer depth and clear compression of thawed soil. The implications of settlement on carbon dioxide release, vegetation, and infrastructure are outlined by the studies, as well as a consensus on climatic and ecological changes as the cause. By cultivating an awareness of the sources and hazards of permafrost settlement, measures can be enacted on vulnerable areas in order to mitigate degradation.

Collaboration and Conflict: Exploring Contemporary Relationships of Indigenous Peoples and the Government in Oregon

Presenter(s): Doug Sam − Environmental Studies, Geography

Faculty Mentor(s): Sarah Wald, Paul Guernsey

Poster 180

Research Area: Humanities

When constructing a history of public lands and examining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts on public lands, it’s important to recognize that all lands in the United States have an Indigenous history and that Indigenous peoples have a distinct relationship to both the land and to government entities. This study examines the nature of this relationship. Using case studies from around the state of Oregon, which contains nine federally-recognized tribes and various non-recognized peoples, it explores conflicts and collaborations between Indigenous nations and government agencies across space and time. These case studies range widely, including wars and reservations, the cancelled sale of the Elliot State Forest to a coalition including the landless Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribes of Indians, and traditional use of land in of the Mount Hood National Forest. As part of a greater project to illustrate the relationship between Indigenous peoples and public lands, this work hopes to show the conditions in which Indigenous nations and the government can build convivial relationships and the conditions which create disagreements and conflicts. In a time when tribal sovereignty is being again being actively eroded, this work also makes the case that the relationship between government agencies and Indigenous nations in the United States is a distinct one and one that resists merely recategorizing Indigenous issues as merely one of race.

Gender Identity and Location Barriers to Engaging with Bark: A Mt. Hood Preservation and Restoration Organization

Presenter(s): Taylor Reichert − Environmental Studies

Faculty Mentor(s): Sarah Wald

Poster 179

Research Area: Humanities

Individuals from sexually marginalized groups along with differing urban and rural communities experience a wide variety of barriers when it comes to accessing the outdoors. Oppression, safety and discomfort are major concerns for women and members of the LGBTQ community if they ever desire to partake in national park services or environmental spaces. Transportation and economic barriers face the differing groups from rural and urban communities striving to enjoy these public spaces as well. As an Oregon based environmental protection organization, Bark has expressed a pressing need for a more inclusive environment for community engagement. What are the barriers that have historically restricted individuals from diverse gender identities and varying locations from accessing and enjoying US national parks and how have these trickled into the present society? I will conduct a literature review on the relationship between LGBTQ-identified individuals and outdoor recreation, along with the relationship between individuals from urban/rural communities and outdoor recreation. I hope to develop a better understanding of existing barriers and practices that might combat those barriers. The findings I hope to come across will lead to alternative solutions to a more inclusive outdoor recreation environment for all genders and rural/urban communities to create a more diverse society that utilizes its public spaces. Alternative programs and policies must be implemented for public outdoor spaces in order to increase its diversity and utilization so that all groups of individuals may partake in a physically and mentally healthy lifestyle with the environment.

Does A Country’s Level of Development Affect or Determine Their Commitment to Climate Change Mitigation Efforts?

Presenter(s): Valeska Ramirez − General Social Science: Globalization, Environment And Policy

Faculty Mentor(s): Ronald Mitchell, Sarah Crown

Poster 178

Research Area: Social Science

It is known that climate change is an ever pressing issue, and that countries around the world face different levels of vulnerability associated with their abilities to mitigate climate change issues. The research will analyze if a country’s level of development affects or determines their commitment to climate change mitigation. I will be researching this question by analyzing theory in relevant literature that allows us to quantify level of development of different countries being researched. The theory in turn will allow us to categorize a country as developed or developing. There will be control for variation by researching four countries, two developing and two developed, that are a part of the Cartagena Dialogue, a negotiating group of alliances that were formed at the Paris climate conference. Countries within the Cartagena Dialogue are working towards an ambitious, legally binding agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention. Mitigation levels will be researched and measured for each country, with the Cartagena Dialogue serving as a baseline year for each of the four countries researched. Levels of mitigation will be looked at before and after to conclude if the countries joining the dialogue have taken initiative in climate change mitigation efforts. People should have the opportunity to mitigate and adapt to climate change regardless of where in the world it is happening. There are interests to investigate how environmental impacts vary across a country’s level of development and who bares the cost of climate change. Possible implications or conclusions I hope to find based on analysis is whether or not a country’s level of development motivates climate change mitigation efforts through policy.

Effects of Climate Change on Subsistence Fisheries Communities in the Coral Triangle

Presenter(s): Erin Parker − Marine Biology

Faculty Mentor(s): Mark Carey

Poster 177

Research Area: Social Science

Coral reefs provide critical habitat for over one-third of all marine fish species, including many commercially valuable species. They also provide humans with a wide variety resources and services, including coastline protection, food and drugs, and the bases for booming tourism economies. Unfortunately, these valuable ecosystems are in decline worldwide due to the effects of both human caused global climate change and localized threats that include pollution and overfishing. Many coastal populations in the Coral Triangle, a biodiversity hotspot in the Indo-Pacific, rely heavily on subsistence reef fisheries for their livelihoods and for most of the protein in their diets. Without the reef, they likely would not be able to get enough food for themselves and their families, in addition to losing a job that provides both a steady source of income and a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyment. The importance of reef fish to these communities means that falling fish stocks encourage increased fishing effort, which depletes stocks even further, creating a positive feedback loop of overfishing and reef destruction. This research will explore the negative impacts experienced by coastal subsistence-based fishing communities in the developing nations of the Coral Triangle when reefs are degraded or destroyed by human actions and climate change. I will evaluate impacts in terms of fishers’ ability to provide for themselves and to maintain their cultural identities, and argue that climate-caused reef degradation is contributing to the positive feedback loop of reef destruction by adding stress to reefs and preventing their recovery.

Individualistic countries lack of commitment to Climate Change Mitigation

Presenter(s): Emma Palen − Earth Sciences – Environmental Geoscience Track

Faculty Mentor(s): Ronald Mitchell, Sarah Crown

Poster 176

Research Area: Social and Natural Science

Climate Change mitigation is discussed globally by groups of countries that have chosen to bond together. Preliminary research was conducted to identify which countries were considered individualistic and which were considered to be more community-based. For the purposes of this research, the Geert Hofstede model was used to categorize these countries into one or the other. The question that is addressed in this paper is are countries with individualistic culture less committed to climate change mitigation efforts? Policy makers are interested in this question because Climate change is an imperative issue that should be taken seriously and one of the first steps is identifying why certain countries have less commitment. The methods used to analyze this question included looking at the countries CO2 emissions 10 years before and 10 years after the Kyoto climate change agreement. It is expected that those countries who are identified as individualistic will be less committed to mitigating Climate change and this will be shown with no change or an increase in their CO2 after the Kyoto agreement. Those who demonstrate a more community-centered culture will have lower CO2 emissions after the agreement displaying their commitment to mitigating the issue. The primary results indicate that individualistic countries are less committed to climate change mitigation.