Archive of ENVR E-599 Past Capstone Titles and Examples
- ENVR 599 Past Capstone Titles and Projects 2016-2019
- ENVR E-599 Past Capstone Symposia
- ENVR 599 Selected Capstone Titles by industry
Fall 2019
- Assessing Stream Restoration Projects in Accotink Creek Watershed, Fairfax County, VA. Fall 2019.
- Development of a Service to Increase Sustainability of HBS Students' Relocation. Fall 2019.
- Estimating Demand on the Massachusetts Electrical Grid from the Commercial Production of Cannabis. Fall 2019.
Summer 2019
- Meat Reduction: A Path to Financial Savings and Carbon Emissions Reductions for Institutions in Austin, Texas. Summer 2019.
- Monitoring Ambient Air Pollution in Dakar, Senegal: Improving Air Quality Index Reporting for Public Health Guidance. Summer 2019.
- Nothing But the Truth? Climate Risk Disclosure by US Companies. Summer 2019.
Spring 2019
- Can the Crowd Bridge the Cleantech Financing Gap? A Comparative Analysis of Portfolio Returns. Spring 2019.
- An Analysis of the Chemical Toxicity of the Top Ten Most Popular and Unique Baby Products and Toys Purchased on Amazon in 2018. Spring 2019.
- Addressing Lead in School Drinking Water in Greater Boston: Identifying Early Education and Care Facilities with Highest Risk of Lead Contamination. Spring 2019.
- Boston's Harbor Islands: Preparing to Adapt. Spring 2019.
- Building Oyster Reefs Along the Northeastern US Coastline to Decrease Sea Level Rise Impact. Spring 2019.
- Ending the Cycle of Recycling Pollution: Prohibiting the Discharge of Exhaust Gas Scrubber Emissions in Maine. Spring 2019.
- Aging Energy Infrastructure: Why We Can't Just Turn Off Leaking Pipe-type Power Cables. Spring 2019.
- Optimizing Site Selection for US Windfarms. Spring 2019.
- #Physiser Investing for a Better Future. Spring 2019.
- Pipelines to Resistance: Comparing Three Tribal Consultation Processes for Pipeline Projects. Spring 2019.
- Can Town-Based Policies Narrow the Urban-Rural Divide? Spring 2019.
- Is Your Local Honey At Risk? A Trial for Potential At-Home, Heavy Metal Testing Using Honey from Boston Area Beehives. Spring 2019.
Fall, Summer, Spring 2018
Fall 2018
- Focusing the Use of Incentives on Maximizing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions for Existing Homes in Montgomery County, Maryland. Fall 2018.
- Environmental and Economic Implications of Relocating Urban Highways Underground. Fall 2018.
- Reaping What You Sew: Evaluating the Sustainability of Natural Fiber Crop Production in the Southeastern United States. Fall 2018.
Summer 2018
- Corporate Sustainability Self-Assessment: Implementing a Potential Transition Methodology Towards a Sustainable Business Model. Summer 2018.
- Exploring The Potential of the Circular Economy between the Oil and Gas and Agricultural Sectors in Kazakhstan. Summer 2018.
- Economic and technological assessment of fuels for a sustainable transportation sector in Brazil. Summer 2018.
- How can we catalyze the adoption rate for anaerobic digesters on U.S. dairy farms? Summer 2018
- Sustainable reduction in enteric fermentation emissions at Boernview Farms. Summer 2018.
- Comparing urban compactness/sprawl indices between US and Japanese cities, with application to Toronto. Summer 2018
- Towards cultural sustainable tourism: UNESCO World Heritage sites near Madrid. Summer 2018.
- Creating a Secondary Heat Mitigation and Rooftop Transformation (S.M.A.R.T) through analysis of urban heat island mitigation methods in New York City. Summer 2018.
- Air pollution in India: Can India leverage global air regulations and best practices and improve its residents’ well-being? Summer 2018
- Drill baby still? Electric vehicles, plastics, & future policy. Summer 2018.
- Exploring the potential of the circular economy between the oil and gas and agricultural sectors in Kazakhstan. Summer 2018.
Spring 2018
- Sick Building Syndrom Re-emergence in Massachusetts: Air-tight Homes, Uninformed Occupants. Spring 2018. Final Project.
- Reducing the Strain on the Buenos Aires Electricity Grid: Rooftop Solar Potential Assessment & Peak-Shaving Analysis. Final Project.
- Environmental, Social & Governance Metrics: Impact on Investment Returns, Spring 2018.
- Costal Adaptation in Massachusetts: Streamlining Permitting for "Living Shoreline" Strategies. Spring 2018. Final Project.
- Ocean Conservation Support: Reimagining Corporate Rationale & Practice, Spring 2018.
Fall, Summer 2017 / Summer 2016
Fall 2017
- Comparative Environmental & Human Health Evaluations of Thermolysis & Solvolysis Recycling Technologies of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Waste. Fall 2017, Final Project.
- "Flattening the Duck" to Enable a More Efficient, Cleaner Grid: A Smart Home Algorithm Demonstrating Value in Utility Reform. Fall 2017, Final Project.
Summer 2017
- Light at the End of the Tunnel in Lebanon's Electricity Crisis? A Feasibility Assessment of Rooftop Solar. Summer 2017, Final Project.
- Down the Drain: Carbon Offsets Revisited. Summer 2017, Final Project.
- Solving for Zero: Proving the Business Case for Net-Zero Housing in California. Summer 2017. Proposal and Final Project.
Summer 2016
- Modeling Health Risks of Microplastics: An Uncertainty Analysis. Summer 2016. Proposal and Final Project.
Fall 2017
- Silkworm (Bombyx mori) Protein Substitution in China: Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategies. Fall 2017. Proposal and Final Project.
ENVR 599 Selected Capstone Titles by industry
Biodiversity Conservation and Reserve Planning
Is it enough to plant natives in our increasingly urban and suburban environments? A qualitative literature review analyzing one prevalent gardening recommendation
The Effect of Beachfront Development on Oak Island, N.C. Sea Turtle Nesting
Environmental Impacts of Trail Running: Ecologically Responsible Design and Management of Ultra Marathons
Quickening the Pace: Conserving New England's Forested Landscape
Wildlife Management Plan for Reptile Species in Ecologically Important Semiarid Area in Northern-Central Chile.
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
The Policy Implications of REDD+ Case Study: Guyana
Massachusetts Land Conservation: Challenges and Opportunities in the Face of Climate Change
Expanding Adoption of Carbon Reduction Projects: Focus on Funding & Partnerships for Residential Energy Conservation
Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Mexico and REDD+ Mechanism as a Tool [Mitigating] Global Climate Change
Chapel Hill Creamery Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Reduction Strategies: The background and method to creating the project deliverable
Using Carbon Dioxide-Enhanced Oilfield Recovery as a Bridge for Introducing New Carbon Capture Technology: A Feasibility Study
Methods for Carbon Sequestration and Soil Enhancement, Past Successes and Future Applications
Economic Modeling and Finance
Crowdfunding Energy Efficiency Loans: A Blueprint to Unlocking Alternative Sources of Financing for Energy Efficiency Projects
Market Outlook for Water Trading and Water Quality Trading in North America
An Investor’s Guide to the U.S. Renewable Energy Sector
Ecotourism
21st Century Tourism in the Pearl of the Caribbean: A case study Approach to the Viability of Sustainable Rural Tourism Cooperatives in Cuba
Sonora Resorts and Sea Side Rentals, Puerto Penasco, Mexico
International Ecotourism Society - in person/on-line training for Sustainable Tourism
Sustainability and Water Use in Tourist Accommodation: The case of the island of Crete, Greece
Tourism Development in Cuba: Managing Sustainable Growth to Minimize Impacts on Marine Resources
Education for Sustainable Environmental Management
Evaluating Sustainability Certification and Reporting Systems for Higher Education Institutions
University Based Peer-to-Peer Engagement Programming: A Curricular Framework for Cultivating Leadership
Developing Effective Environment Education in the Digital Age
Environmental Literacy, the Foundation of Future Education: Diversification of Education Through the Use of Adventure Storytelling
Sustainable Futures: Using Sustainability and the Environment as an Integrating Context in K-12 Public Schools to Advance Student Performance and Environmental Stewardship
Designing an Evaluative Tool for Measuring the Impacts of School-Based Gardening Programs
Sustainability Curriculum Development for Killingly High School, Danielson, ConnecticutEffecting Institutional Improvements in Sustainability
Sustainability and Prisons: Recommendations for Massachusetts Correctional Institutions
Carbon Free as Soon as Can Be: The Case for a Zero Emissions Harvard
Massachusetts Local Government Climate Action Planning
Food Cooperatives as a Method for Sustainably Addressing Food Deserts in Denver, CO
Progress Toward Creating Film Indicators for Leading and Managing Sustainability (FILMS): Development of Key Performance Indicators for the Film Production Industry
The Challenge of Reducing Department of Defense Mobility Fuel Use
Sustainable Food Supply Chain “Strategies” at Harvard Law School: An Assessment of Procurement, Wasted Food and Disposal Practices
Energy-Efficient Design & Policy
Solving for Zero: Proving the Business Case for Net-Zero Housing in California
The Keystone XL Pipeline: A Modern Issue of Environmental and Energy Security Concerns
A sustainability analysis of the American and the Brazilian biofuel programs
REVolutionizing Net Energy Metering to the Value of Distributed Energy Resources and its effect on Solar Development in New York State
Proposed Implementation of Distributed Solar Photovoltaic Systems for Residential Application in the Caribbean Region; Design, Economic, and Policy Considerations
Solar at South Bay: An exercise in project design and feasibility analysis for a rooftop solar photovoltaic project at the South Bay Shopping Center in Boston
A Comprehensive Analysis of Building Energy Performance: A Close Look at Energy Modeling vs. Actual Consumption at 90 Smith St., Boston, MA
An Exploratory Modeling Analysis of Factors Influencing Economically Competitive Wind Power Development in the United States from 2012 to 2060
A Comparative Analysis of Energy Use At Deer Island (Boston, MA) Waste Water Treatment Plant Historic Review, Comparative Analysis and Future Recommendations for Distributed Renewable Energy Management Strategies
Cost-Benefit Analysis for Retrofitting Coal-Fired Power Plants in a Financially Sustainable Manner
Apples to Apples: A Levelized Cost of Energy Model for the Economic Comparison of Renewable Energy Technologies and Fossil Fuel-Fired Generating Technologies
Rethinking Fossil Fuel Based Energy and Power Generation: A Case for Sustainable and Integrated Renewable Energy Mix Model for Nigeria
How Cities can use Data Analytics to Improve Energy System Resilience
Rooftop Photovoltaic Solar Power Case Study in Massachusetts and North Carolina: Challenges, Barriers, Policy, and Opportunities
Unearthing Geothermal Wells: A Comparative Case Study of Geothermal Heat Pump Systems at Harvard University
A Benefit-Cost Analysis of Energy Alternatives to Oil and Natural Gas as Heating Fuels for a New England Secondary School
A Comprehensive Analysis of Building Energy Performance: A Close Look at Energy Modeling vs. Actual Consumption at 90 Smith St., Boston, MA
Environmental Health and Epidemiology
Modeling Health Risks of Microplastics: an Uncertainty Analysis
A Novel Protocol for the Improvement of Mosquito Management in Massachusetts
Indoor Environmental Justice for k-12 students: Disparities in Public School Building Conditions And Health and Performance Impacts of Poor Air Quality
Monitoring of Ambient Fine Particles in Peninsula Malaysia and Southern Thailand Hotels for Indoor Air Quality Cleaning Technologies
Human Behavioral Impacts on Sustainability
Consumers' Sustainable Food Choices in Colombia: Meat Consumption Impacts, Perceptions and Prospects for Reduction
Harvesting Lessons from a Community Garden: Sustainability Curriculum for the Sussex County Drug Court Alumni
Quantifying the Impact of Behavior Change on Residential Energy Conservation
Communication Strategies for Promoting Sustainable Behavior Change
Industrial Ecology, Circular Economy, Life Cycle Assessment
Grounded in Design: A new method to connect life cycle thinking
Strategic Eco-Design Trades: LCA Integrated into Design Trades for Alternative Composites and 3-D Printed Parts for the Next Generation of Aircraft
Impact of Public Disclosure of Internal Sustainable Product Designation Programs on Corporate Sustainable Brand Value for Multi-Industry Global Conglomerates
Moving Sustainability Forward in the Business World: The Role of Professional Services Firms
Fixing Chicago’s Residential Recycling: Outreach Case Study Lessons From Leaders
Life Cycle Assessment of Waste Management Scenarios for Monaco
Developing Sustainable Wastewater Management in Affordable Housing on Martha's Vineyard
Green Teams: A Case Study Analysis of Grassroots Employee-Driven Corporate Sustainability Strategies
Timberland’s Use of Closed-Loop Manufacturing Methods: Opportunities and Risks
Sustainable Business Networks in Local Self-Reliant Communities: A Risk Reduction Strategy for Small Firms
Environmental Impacts of an E-reader and Print Books from a Life Cycle Perspective
Integ Planning at Site, Comm & Regional Scales; Green Bldg
Re-Imagining Detroit
Cost Benefit (Financial and Environmental) Analysis of the LEED-EB v4 Certification
Massachusetts Stretch Code: Residential New Construction, Barriers, and Benefits
Recovering Efficiencies from the Historic Built Environment: A Cost/Benefit Analysis for Sustainable Preservation in Tarrytown, New York
Shoreland protection in Vermont: Regulatory context and policy options
The Green Scene: An Environmental Newsletter for Brookline, Massachusetts
A Critical Review and Evaluation of International Green Building Standards on Health, Wellness and Climate Change
Addressing the Sustainability Transportation Strategies of FIFA's World Cup Tournament with Recommendations for the Future
Sustainable Community Planning Tools: A Comparative Analysis of Planning Frameworks available to Colorado Communities
Comparative Cost Analysis of Green Building Energy Sources to Conventional Building Norm
Non-Green Adoption Strategies for Residential Solar Panels in Ontario
Collaborative Resource Management Across Spatial and Political Scales:
A Case Study of Two Northeastern Illinois Watersheds
Green Roofs/Walls/Vertical Farms
Replacement of Horse Drawn Carriages with Electric Vehicles in Central Park:
An Information-Based Approach to Assess the Environmental and Social Implications
Land Use/ Land Use Change
Sustainable Land Management and Energy Generation for Non-Profit Scouting Camp Properties
Too Much Trash in Arlington; A Case Examination of the Possibilities for a green solid waste management solution
Sustainability in the Commercial Real Estate Sector: Roadblocks and Remedies
An Analysis of Transmission Right-of-Way Vegetation Management
The Impact of Demographic Change on Ecological Footprints in the United States
Wetlands Protection: Recommendations for Massachusetts Towns - Based on an Analysis of Local Bylaws and Regulations
Addressing Land Use Change as a Critical Sustainability Factor for Palm Oil: An Analysis of the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil’s Certification Criteria
Deep Roots and Shallow Taps: Optimizing Location for Maple Syrup Production in Vermont
Natural Resource Mngt - Aquatic Ecosystems, Fisheries, Water
Aquaponics in California: Challenges and Opportunities
The Water Debate: Public versus Private Sector Management
Ecosystem Performance Implications of a Natural Infrastructure Investment:
Ecosystem Services Quantification at the Alewife Stormwater Wetland
Energy - Water Nexus
Of Fish Tanks and Floating Plants: Can We Feed the World with Aquaponics?
From Fishing to Farming: Using an Algae Farm to Produce Omega-3 Fatty Acid in a New England Fishing Port
Lobster Gear & Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) Entanglement in the Northwest Atlantic
Environmental Best Practices in Seawater Reverse Osmosis Desalinations Plants
Environmental Effects on Squid (Doryteuthis pealeii) Embryonic Development: Implications for Spawning Ground Management
Critical Challenges Facing Residential Distributed Wind: Assessing Feasibility and Potential
Anthropogenic Stressors and the Restoration Management of the Peconic Bay Scallop
Providing Mexico City Metropolitan Area with a Sustainable Supply of Water: A Possibility?
Swimming Upstream: Stormwater Pollution Reduction Efforts for the Upper Charles River, Massachusetts
Climate Change Vulnerability: Detritivore and Filter Feeder Communities Within the Charles River, MA
Natural Resource Mngt - Agroecosystems
Beyond the Hive: Exploring the Challenges Facing the Western Honeybee and the American Beekeeping Industry
Palliative or Permanent: Urban Agriculture in the City of Boston
A framework for sustainable charcoal production in Haiti: The social, environmental, and economic context for introducing Bamboo as a Source Material for Charcoal and Bio-char
Adoption of Green Infrastructure Practices by Municipalities: Lessons from Watertown, Massachusetts for Kennebunk, Maine
A Risk Assessment and Environmental Impact Analysis of the Argentinean Soybean Model
An Integrated Observational Approach Using Satellite -Derived Vegetation Data (MODIS) and Honeybee Nectar Flow Data (HBNF) to Determine the Impacts of Phenological Shifts on Honey Bee Health
Sustainably Improving Crop Yields in Rainfed Lowland Rice Ecosystems
Analysis of the Implications of Japanese Knotweed Use in the United States
Natural Resource Mngt - Forest Ecosystems
Rethinking Reforestation in Haiti: Tree Nurseries and the Three Pillars of Sustainability
Watching Forests Breathe: Benefits and Risks of Carbon Sequestration in Pacific Northwest Old-Growth Forests
Guidebook for Sustainable Forest Management of Properties Less Than 9 Acres in Walpole, Massachusetts
Mountain Pine Beetle: A Comparison of Management Techniques
Natural Resource Mngt - Minerals
Conflict Minerals Supply Chain Strategies: The case for going “beyond-compliance”
Preparing for the Peak: Approaches for Managing Phosphorus Resources
Natural Resource Mngt - Petroleum
Evaluation of Remote Sensing, GIS, and Autonomous or Remotely Operated Technologies for Spilled Oil Detection and Tracking using the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill as a Case Study
Commercial Aviation and Sustainability: How rising fuel costs have driven sustainability in the aviation sector
Past Capstone Symposia:
- Capstone Symposium, ENVR 599, 5-5-2019.
- Independent Research Capstone Symposium (599), May 5th, 2018
- Capstone Symposium, ENVR 599, 12-9-2017
- Collective list of all titles, 2017-2018