During the first year of operation ECI awarded $125,000 in seed grants for research meeting the interdisciplinary criteria as defined within the Request for Proposals. $25,000 was awarded for the development of new courses related to a domain within ECI.
Development of a Renewable Energy Law Course Instructor: Dr. Jay Kesan, Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Economics and Business Administration. Co-I: Dr. Bryan Endress, ACE
Global Warming, Biofuels and Food; Plants and Global Change Instructor: Dr. Andrew Leakey, Department of Plant Biology and Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB). Co-I: Dr. Elizabeth Ainsworth, Department of Plant Biology and IGB.
Climate and Social Vulnerability: Concepts and Policy Approaches Instructor: Dr. Jesse Ribot, Beckman Institute
Environmental Sustainability - A Global Perpsective Instructor: Dr. William Sullivan, Department of Landscape Architecture
Design and Evaluation of Green Roof Systems at the University of Illinois Instructor: Dr. David Kovacic, Department of Landscape Architecture
ECI Student Ambassadors for Global Change Research - $25,000 PI: Dr. Elizabeth Ainsworth, Department of Crop Sciences and Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB). Co-PIs: Dr. Carl Bernacchi, Department of Plant Biology, Dr. Evan Delucia, Department of Plant Biology, Dr. Don Ort, Department of Crop Sciences
The Role of Local Public Policy in Building Green - $23,000 PI: Dr. Julie Cidell, Department of Geography.
Farm-Level Carbon Footprint Assessment of Agricultural Production Practices - $5,000 PI: Dr. Bryan Endres, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Economics (ACE) and Institute for Genomic Biology. Co-PIs: Dr. Nick Paulson, Department of ACE and Dr. Jay Kesan, College of Law
Role of Microbial Community Dynamics in Sequestration of Carbon in Soil Columns - $24,965 PI: Dr. Luis Rodriguez, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES). Co-PI: Dr. Angela Kent, Department of NRES
Impacts of Climate Change on Coastal Marine Ecosystems - $25,000 PI: Dr. Don Wuebbles, Department of Atmospheric Sciences. Co-PIs: Katharine Hayhoe, RA, Department of Atmospheric Sciences and Dr. Momcillo Markus, Illinois State Water Survey
The Role of Phosphorous in the TMDL - Total Maximum Daily Loads - Process Initiated for the Tualatin River Investigator Investigator: Jennifer Nelson, grad student, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES).
This research will examine the role of phospnorous in the TMDL--Total Maximum Daily Loads--process initiated for the Tualatin River (Oregon) over the last twenty years. In response to algae problems within the river basin, a TMDL was written in respect of its designated uses--consumption, recreation, fishing, swimming, and aesthetics. Howecer, the writers of the TMDL did not account for ongoing land uses in the area or future demands on the river. Although the enforcement of the TMDL in the area has expanded since, this study aims to determine whether the TMDL is on course for failure and what role its original designation has played in that.
Assessment of Total Soil Carbon Using Advanced Technologies Investigator: Dr. Willie K. Dong, and Dr. Nick G. Glumac
Due to a lack of one reliable, consistent method for soil organic carbon (SOC) measurement, large-scale (SOC) analysis, which they are confident will play a critical role in providing the data necessary to validate current and future SOC models. SOC analysis is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of land use and management practices that sequester soil carbon and to verify the total SOC available as a tradable commodity in carbon exchange markets.
Predicting Human Behavior in Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change: A Basis for Policy Design. Investigators: Dr. Steven Seitz, Department of Political Science and Computer Science; Dr. Don Wuebbles, Department of Atmospheric Sciences; and Dr. Praveen Kumar, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
The study seeks to showcase the use of both computational models and behavioral models in social science approaches to global warming policy. These models are used to examine global warming as a collective action policy problem.
The Tambora Project: An Historical Case-Studey in Abrupt Climate Change. Investigator: Dr. Gillen Wood, Department of English
Approaching the 200th anniversary of the massive 1815 eruption of Mt. Tambora, the Tambora Project reconstructs on a global scale the most destructive multi-year epsidode--1815 to 1817--of worldwide climate change in modern history. Components of the project include a highly sophisticated computer simulation of the eruption, an economic assessment of the damages incurred by the disaster on a current scale, an online digital visualization and interactive website, a video documentary, and a book.
Illini Carbon Registry. Faculty Leads: Drs. Anton Endress and Wesley Jarrell, Department of NRES
THe Illini Carbon Registry is a University of Illinois student-run carbon registry, and was born out of a new class--NRES 199. The program aims to promote a culture of sustainability on campus and in the community by encouraging local investment in carbon-offsetting projects to reduce the University's carbon footprint. This year's projects include a sensor-based lighting system for public classrooms; a miniature, energy efficient computer (Thin Client PC); and a student-run farm that produces food for dining hall consumption.
Change in the Heartland- Climate, ENvironment, Energy and Food. Lead: Dr. Michelle Wander, and Project Assistant: Mr. John Marlin, Jr., Department of NRES.
This publication explores 'key terms' and concepts utilized in describing environmental change. ECI and partner organizations will develop a primer by pairing key terms, such as 'Carbon Credits' or 'Sequestration,' with a representative collection of stories written by UIUC faculty and experts.
Student Organic Farm and Composting Projects. Dr. Wesley Jarrell, Department of NRES; Dr. Todd Rusk, Illinois Sustainability Technology Center; and Mr. Matt Luettdke.
