Session 1: Climate Change

Water is one of our most valuable natural resources on earth—covering approximately 70% of the Earth’s surface and making up about 75% of the human body. Water has endless uses and is of great importance effecting all aspects of life, including transportation, consumption, agriculture, entertainment, electricity, religion, and more. According to the International Chamber of Shipping, 11 billion tons of products are transported by water each year. While water is a building block for all aspects of life, it can also bring harm such as floods, drownings, and water pollution. According to National Geographic, there are over 5.25 trillion pieces of trash in waters across the world. This pollution kills around 10,000 people each day, which amounts to about 3.6 million people every year. My research works to explain how water is essential for life yet can be destructive as well. While water symbolizes both life and death on Earth, water must only mean good in a perfect world like a Utopia.

Climate change is the biggest problem facing our planet. The year 2020 was tied for being the hottest year on record. Rising temperatures means increased heat, less ice, drought, formidable hurricanes, extreme wildfires, extended heat waves, and tremendous insect outbreaks. Six in ten Americans are “alarmed” or “concerned” about climate change; this number has doubled within the past five years. Currently, more than 500 global companies have decided to set climate goals based on the best available science. The Paris Climate Agreement has been working with nearly 200 countries to reduce emissions and keep temperature rise below two degrees Celsius. When the Trump Administration pulled America out of the agreement, several Governors created the Climate Alliance. The Climate Alliance set specific state goals surrounding climate change. My research will delve into the Climate Alliance and the progress participating states have made growing clean energy economies, improving public health, and building more resilient communities. My research will further examine how states can reduce greenhouse emissions, push for better energy efficiency, accelerate policies for zero emission vehicles, and more. The impacts of climate change are global and unprecedented; it is, by far, the defining issue of our time.

With the increasing anxiety surrounding global warming, it is becoming increasingly important to care for the closest thing to a utopia (in the conventional sense) that we have, our earth. In my dual roles as an Honors student and an employee at northern Kentucky’s Sanitation District #1 (SD1), I have gained a deeper understanding of the wastewater treatment process that prevents 100,000 pounds of waste from entering the Ohio River daily. I also am aware that improving efficiency within this complex system—limiting wastefulness, conserving water and energy, and cutting costs—is a constant challenge. After many shifts spent sampling and monitoring, then speaking with fellow employees, supervisors, and managers, and finally, working with my faculty/mentor at Mount St. Joseph University, I have identified process revisions utilizing various components of Lean Six Sigma that could benefit SD1 and the entire community. I am excited at the prospect of sharing my findings at the MEHA conference. Thank you for your consideration.