Tag: Galen Martin

Culpability of France, the United States, and Belgium in the Rwandan Genocide

Presenter: Keaton Kell

Mentor: Galen Martin

Oral Presentation

Major: International Studies/Romance

The Rwandan genocide tends to be seen as the product of an isolated racial conflict that happened too quickly and too suddenly for anyone to do anything about it: however, much research shows that the violence occurring in Rwanda was well known. Because of this knowledge and the power of powerful nations in the UN, inaction is sometimes equated with culpability. More concretely, the Rwandan Mucyo report, among others, names France as culpable in the Rwandan genocide. By examining UN convention on Genocide, French commissions on the genocide from l’Assemblée Nationale, and documentaries and news from France and Rwanda, I demonstrate the relative innocence of the United States and Belgium, and the murky and possible culpability of France. The hope of this research is less an effort to render certain powerful nations vulnerable to the international criminal court, and more to push individuals to question where the bounds of culpability lie and to what moral standards should apply to the United Nations, and how the United Nations, and citizens of countries in the United Nations, should respond when they fail to uphold those standards and protect humanity from the repetition of genocide as the international community failed to do in Rwanda, and is failing currently to do in the Central African Republic.

The Implementation of Organic, Industrial-Scale Fertilizer Production

Presenter: Josephine Kinney

Faculty Mentor: Galen Martin

Presentation Type: Poster 18

Primary Research Area: Social Science

Major: Environmental Studies, Spanish

Large-scale industrial mono-cropping is currently the primary form of agriculture to feed our growing global population of 7.4 billion people. Nonetheless, over 25% of the world population is undernourished and 48.1 million Americans live in food-insecure households. My research began with the goal of creating a more sustainable agricultural system that can reduce global hunger and improve environmental and human health by switching from synthetic fertilizer

to organic fertilizer application. Synthetic fertilizers are more commonly used but are petroleum-based and are associated with a variety of long-term problems such as soil erosion, acidification, and animal and human health effects. Furthermore, there is a 93.6% correlation between oil and food prices, signifying that rising oil prices drive food prices higher and will increase food insecurity. In this study I found that organic fertilizer can actually produce higher crop yields than synthetic fertilizer, both immediately and long-term, and are not affiliated with oil prices. The primary challenge to implementing organic fertilizer on an industrial scale is simply the lack of infrastructure, planning, and demand, not level of productivity. Although I did not conduct field research myself, I looked at a case study by Edwards et. al conducted in 2010 which compared crop yields from harvests treated with compost, synthetic fertilizer, and a control group treated with nothing. My research shows how transforming our agricultural system into an organic farming operation would actually be cheaper for farmers and consumers, be more efficient, and improve human, animal, and environmental health.

Quantitative Study of Beach Debris in Northern Madagascar

Presenter: Emma Gjerdseth

Faculty Mentor: Kathryn Lynch, Galen Martin

Presentation Type: Oral

Primary Research Area: Science

Major: Economics, Environmental Studies

Marine pollution, with the majority originating from land based sources, poses a significant threat to species depending on marine and coastal ecosystems. By understanding the make-up of the beach debris, more effective and targeted education and awareness programs can be developed to reduce marine pollution originating from land based sources. In this study beach debris was recorded, quantified and classified, on three mostly sandy beaches in the northern Diana Region of Madagascar. At the time of study there were no published reports on debris on Malagasy beaches, thus this paper provides insight to its composition and distribution in the region. The debris was observed and classified using CSIRO transect methods and charts complimented by visual observations. CSIRO has performed similar studies before and using their methods made for easier data comparisons. The abundance of debris per square metre varied between the beaches, showing, as predicted, an increasing trend with usage, whilst plastic debris density remained relatively stable. A total of 1216 pieces of debris was recorded, with 758 pieces of plastic, distributed at an average of 0.158 pieces of debris per square metre, and 0.109 pieces of plastic per square metre. The highest total quantity of debris and plastic litter was found at Ramena followed by Ampasindava, and Baïe de Sakalava.

A Comparative Analysis of Preventive and Post Conflict Action in Refugee Crises

Presenter(s): Maria Pervova − Economics, International Studies

Faculty Mentor(s): Galen Martin

Oral Session 4M

Research Area: Social Science

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there are currently more than 65 million refugees in the world, a number that does not include internally displaced people, asylum seekers, and stateless persons. This massive and inhumane displacement of people is largely caused by war and political tensions that unjustly affect non-combattants. Not only does this harm individuals and families, but this unnervingly trickles down to limit human potential in terms of educational achievement and economic growth for future generations. Countries not directly involved in these conflicts complain that the influx of refugees and migrants is straining their resources and overall production capacity. As of now, there are not enough successful, preventative measures taken to halt the eruption of refugee crises in their tracks or even before they begin. The United Nations and individual countries alike are hesitant to spend time and energy on building upon preventive methods such as diplomacy and peace building. It is understandable that countries do not want to pay upfront costs for even likely events, especially when they are apt to occur outside their borders. However, conflict resolution costs and refugee services are only a tiny fraction of the military and post-conflict spending needed to end crises. My comparative analysis aims to demonstrate that a greater upfront investment in conflict prevention is more cost effective in terms of human life and economic measures than post conflict expenditures. This will be evaluated through a cost-benefit analysis of recent refugee crises in the Middle East.

Apple’s Impact: Life Cycle Assessment of an iPhone 6

Presenter(s): Katarina Hilton − Environmental Studies

Faculty Mentor(s): Galen Martin

Poster 117

Research Area: Environmental Studies

Apple iPhones have been transforming over 11 generations since becoming a breakthrough technology in 2007. This product has led to mass amounts of electronic waste, as older devices are traded in for the newest phone. As part of a life cycle assessment, this study focuses on the raw materials that comprise an iPhone 6. My research considers the countries of origin as well as the human and environmental impact of the extraction and production processes of the device’s components.

I conclude by promoting consumer action, policy changes and design elements that could, if adopted, reduce the overall environmental impact of this popular electronic product.