[Title]
Haley Adolf - Undergraduate - NSU

[Abstract]

[Title] 
​Susan Avena– Undergraduate - NSU

[Abstract]

A hydrosocial critique of water scarcity indices: case studies from the Arabian Peninsula
Tyler Caldwell – Undergraduate - UNR​

This study addresses the limitations of quantitative water scarcity metrics, specifically focusing on the Water Poverty Index (WPI) and its variations . By examining and contrasting the socio-political and economic conditions of Saudi Arabia and Yemen, the utility of this metric will be called into question. Both of these countries are characterized by extreme physical water scarcity; however, a hydrosocial approach is necessary in order to provide a more holistic evaluation of water scarcity in these two countries. Saudi Arabia has leveraged its enormous oil wealth and energy production into water resource allocation via large-scale desalination and unsustainable groundwater extraction to support domestic economic expansion . In contrast, Yemen’s current water situation is characterized not only by extreme physical water scarcity, but also by access issues due to political unrest, armed conflict exacerbated by neighboring states, displacement of large numbers of the population, and destruction of key water and energy infrastructure. Proper contextualization of the water issues of these nation-states emphasizes the importance of the adoption of a hydrosocial framework that accounts for the relationality and dialectical nature of water issues, taking into account social and political contexts, but also power relations. This paper argues for the adoption of a hydrosocial framework for evaluating water issues on a regional scale over reliance on arbitrary quantitative metrics.

The Aral Sea: A Timeline of Devestation 
​Samuel Huthmaker – Undergraduate - UNR

In this paper I examine how Soviet era resource policies unleashed cascading environmental consequences for the Aral Sea, leaving a stark legacy of ecological overreach. The desiccation of the Aral Sea remains one of the most striking man-made environmental disasters of the twentieth century. Beginning in the 1960s with Soviet agricultural expansion, heavy irrigation demands were made for new fields, primarily consisting of cotton plants. The subsequent diversions of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya, primary tributaries of the Aral, saw drastic reductions in inflows to the Sea, setting off a chain reaction. Water receded, salinity levels spiked, habitats fragmented and concentrated contaminants further destabilized the local ecology. Coupled with this was the abandonment of various defense industry sites leading to further contamination of the region with various chemical and biological compounds with major negative effects. As the water level continued to drop, the now exposed seabed, a dusty expanse riddled with salts, minerals, and chemical residues quickly became a source of airborne toxins, further spreading the ecological damage to the surrounding areas beyond the immediate shores, contaminating soils, stressing nearby freshwater systems and harming human health. A place that once supported generations of fishermen and their prey vanished within a generation, leaving behind a landscape of toxic salt flats and carcinogenic dust storms. 

Climate Change and Cocoa: How Ecuador's Downfalls has the United States Looking into the Future
Amiee Sestrich – Undergraduate - NSU​

Ecuador is the third largest production of cocoa in South America, with an annual output of about 454,000 tons per year. Most of the cocoa that is produced is exported and only about 2% is consumed domestically. The climate is warm, humid and tropical, and the Amazon region has the most consistent high temperatures, and their annual rainfall which helps the cocoa trees grow. Climate change is now impacting the growth of cocoa with increased pest and disease prevalence, and as these changes occur it is now threatening the existing farms, reducing the crop quality and higher prices for all chocolate consumers. Strategies to produce cocoa in the United States and Ecuador is to produce controlled environments like greenhouses to mimic the tropical conditions that are needed. Strategies to produce cocoa in the United States so that we don’t have to import cocoa from Ecuador is the next step. With the demand for cocoa continuing to increase, the supply is decreasing, and by using a different method is the way to increase the supply, won’t increase costs and won’t cause environmental harm.  Improving the soil quality and nutrient retention by adding in manure or compost to make the soil healthier. Create a watering managing system that include trenches and humps to make sure adequate water is distributed for the cocoa trees. And having accessible resources for all farmers to help them have better farming practices and help them increase and have more sustainable production.