Browsing by Author "Dhillon, Carla May"

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    "Can I get a cup of coffee with that sustainability?" An Analysis of the Environmental, Ethical, and Economic Aspects of the Coffee Industry
    (2020) Jaycobs, Jolie; Dhillon, Carla May
    This paper aims to accomplish three main objectives; the first is to evaluate the coffee industry using the triple bottom line theory. This theory uses the social, environmental, and economic components of business to analyze sustainability and it emphasizes the inherent tensions between each component. The second objective is to make the coffee industry more transparent for the general public. A significant disconnect exists between the consumers and producers of coffee, resulting in a lack of awareness around environmental and social injustices. The last objective is to educate consumers on how to purchase coffee ethically, diswayding consumers from solely relying on certifications. In order to achieve these objectives, we conducted three case studies. We consulted three roasters in Philadelphia: La Colombe, ReAnimator, and Elixr, focusing on a single origin coffee from each shop; one from Costa Rica, Ethiopia, and El Salvador, respectively. Using the triple bottom line framework, we analyzed the roaster and the coffee industry in each of these countries to highlight the main environmental, economic, and social dynamics that the consumer should be aware of. The trade-offs vary between each country, but often involve an economic component due to the power of capital. When purchasing coffee we recommend consumers identify the country of origin, look for transparency, start a dialogue with the roaster to learn about buying practices, and support shade-grown coffee.
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    From the Reservoir: A Feasibility Report for Migratory Bird Habitats and Educational Materials for the Philadelphia Discovery Center
    (2020) Luu, Michelle; Dhillon, Carla May
    The Discovery Center is a nature and education center operated by the Audubon Society and Outward Bound. It is located in Philadelphia's East Fairmount Park, one of the largest and only green spaces in the urban area. It consists of a bird-friendly building, a climbing structure, and a nature trail, all situated around the Strawberry Mansion reservoir. The Center is only one year old and is in the process of diversifying its current ecosystems while continuing to serve the surrounding community to fulfill its mission of conservation and environmental justice. Our project combined dialogue with members of the center, observation of bird and plant species, and several rounds of water testing to establish background data for the report. This paper is divided into ecological and educational components. The ecology section includes a review of biodiversity and artificial habitats, an analysis of our water testing and observational data, and proposals and information for construction of an artificial floating habitat. By constructing this habitat, the Center will increase and preserve the biodiversity of the reservoir, which will encourage migration and provide resiliency against climate change. The educational component begins with a review of land-based education, accessibility, and informal learning, then provides some sample didactic materials for visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Ultimately, the goal of this project is to gather comprehensive baseline data and provide feasible recommendations and materials that the Discovery Center will be able to implement in years to come.
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    Valuing Sustainable Change: a case study of the integration of sustainable business practices in a small-scale juice bar
    (2020) Reese, Kaitlin; Dhillon, Carla May
    While sustainable business development is one viable approach for mitigating environmental crises, there are many questions of how realistic this approach is and whether or not sustainable development is a substantial enough solution. One of the obstacles that the success of sustainable development faces is getting businesses to adopt and invest in sustainable practices. This paper examines how businesses can become more sustainable and how the effect of these changes can be measured. A comparative study of the existing certifications surrounding sustainable practices in businesses highlights the variety between the certifications, the intensity of the certification processes, and other details such as associated fees. The knowledge gained from our review of certification systems was applied to the case study of a small-scale juice bar, The Juice Laundry, which has taken steps towards integrating sustainable practices into their business model. Investigating the extent of The Juice Laundry's sustainable choices, as well as the way that they communicate their values and practices to consumers, revealed that the company is very transparent about their business model but does not typically produce data that explains the positive impact of their practices. Further research is warranted on how sustainable business endeavors collect and distribute information to consumers.