Gemstone Team Research

Permanent URI for this communityhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/9069

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Maryland

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    Trash: a local solution to a global problem
    (2012) Albrecht, Jessica; Broser, Blair; George, Brendan; Hii, Caleb; Nguyen, Vy; Patel, Rachana; Waseem, Najeff; Chen, Alex
    Waste management is a major concern for our world today. Landfills are unsustainable and have serious environmental, social, and economic consequences. To address the issue of waste, cities must design and implement sustainable waste management practices. Our research focuses on the city of Hyattsville, Maryland and the pilot program implemented in January 2010. We used a mixed methods approach to assess the effectiveness of Hyattsville's pilot program in reducing waste, promoting recycling, and changing residents' attitudes towards waste management. We also explored whether trash output is related to income level. Based on data collected on waste and recycling, we found that the pilot program was effective in reducing waste but had no effect on recycling and trash output does not seem to be correlated with income level. Based on an analysis of data from surveys, focus groups, and interviews, we conclude that residents are generally satisfied with the pilot program, but the program can be improved. We provide recommendations for the city of Hyattsville to increase the efficacy of the pilot program.
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    Identification and assessment of potential wind energy project sites in the State of Maryland
    (2009-06) Conroy, Erin M.; Green, David A.; Hannam, Phillip M.; Kosmer, Matthew R.; Meiseles, Alexander S.; Roach, Emma K.; Singhania, Sumegha K.; Zhang, Amy D.; Kim, Jungho
    The international scientific community has reached consensus that greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to minimize global climate change impacts on the environment, economy, and public health. In 2007, the University of Maryland's Climate Action Plan Workgroup was tasked with charting the University’s path toward carbon neutrality. To aid in this effort, this report identifies the best sites in Western Maryland for wind development. Geographic information systems data on wind speed, land protections, and transmission infrastructure were used to assign scores for physical, social and environmental characteristics of prospective sites. Attribute scores were entered into a systematic weighting system to determine overall site suitability. A financial analysis was conducted for the highest ranked sites using RETScreen software, which generated projections for payback periods and return on investment. The list of suitable sites produced through this research provides the University with a starting point for exploration of off-site wind power production.