Student White Papers
Green Investing – A Beginners Guide
By Peyton Lindogan | Environmental Science; Quantitative Energy Track major and Statistics and Analytics minor in the Class of 2023
Green investing holds integral importance to the future of clean technology and a greener future. Without investment from governments, corporations, and individuals, projects to propel us into the future are less capable of being developed and reaching their potential. It is important for all parties to understand what green investing can be defined as, what the potential and meanings of those definitions are, and what investing can do for the future of industry and technology. Especially in a time when the economy is at a turning point due to COVID-19, being informed to make financial decisions that benefit the future is of the utmost significance. Read more
American Food Systems Lack Resiliency, Agropark Projects Can Help
By Sascha Medina | Environmental Science, Geography, and Media & Journalism, Class of 2021
As COVID-19 ravaged across the nation and sickened workers in the food industry, the food supply chain showed signs of strains and weaknesses. The crisis has made cities and communities across the nation realize how fragile the United States’ food supply chains are, showing the complexities and vulnerabilities of them. As a result, the U.S. food supply chain and system needs to change. Food production of the future must meet several conditions: it must be healthy, fair, localized and regional, affordable, and of good quality. The transition will have to involve simpler food chains with shorter distances and closer connections between producers and consumers. Read more
How a Pandemic Stimulus Can Accelerate the Transition to Clean Energy in a Divided Government
By Emily Galvin | Environmental Science, Class of 2021
America is at a critical juncture—employment is down, the economy is suffering, and the pandemic has shaken the certainty of our day-to-day lives. Amidst this uncertainty, however, the U.S. has an opportunity to tackle one certainty: If unhampered, climate change will continue to compromise human health, disrupt the economy, and spur ecological crises. The pandemic provides an opportunity to restructure the norms of American life, policy, and business. As the government provides a framework for moving forward, managing climate change must be at its foundation. Negotiations are underway in the Capitol surrounding pandemic stimulus bills. Lawmakers should look to clean energy, innovation, and infrastructure to act on climate change and provide valuable jobs to the economy. Read more
Community Solar, Best Practices in North Carolina
By Sascha Medina | Environmental Science, Geography, and Media & Journalism, Class of 2021
The growth in the solar industry has sparked an interest in solar for many North Carolinians. But in a lot of cases, residents can’t install solar systems at their own homes or property due to housing structural limitations or shading from trees and other fixtures. Over three out of four residential rooftops are unable to accommodate solar panels, preventing the majority of the population from using solar energy, a clean and reliable energy source (Denholm & Margolis, 2008). Community solar solves this problem by allowing residents to still receive solar energy even if their homes are not suitable, and is also much more affordable than traditional rooftop solar. Read more
What can we learn about climate change from the COVID-19 pandemic?
By Iris Chien | Environmental Science and Computer Science, Class of 2022
With the novel COVID-19 forcing the globe to come to a world-wide stop, there is an opportunity to understand what the world could look like if humans continued to manage their behavior. In the last few months, oil prices have plummeted, pollution severely reduced and various wildlife have returned to cleaner ecosystems. This pandemic has shown a green new reality and taught the world lessons that can be applicable to tackling climate change. Read more
A Smarter American Grid: What is Stopping Us?
By Grace Elliot | Environmental Studies & Public Policy, Class of 2022
Terms like “smart grid” and “modern grid” are unavoidable in conversations about the future of the American electrical grid; but what do these umbrella words mean for the future of utility companies and energy consumers? Cleantech intern, Grace Elliot interviewed Jonas Monast, Assistant Professor at UNC School of Law and former Director of the Climate & Energy Program at the Duke University Institute for Environmental Policy to explore why a modern grid needs a multi-faceted approach. Read more