Project Summary:

The student research project engineered by Sebastian Espinosa, under the guidance of Dr. Deborah Huntzinger from the School of Earth & Sustainability, quantifies the scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions associated with university commuting habits. By focusing on the dramatic shifts in transportation patterns triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, this investigation evaluates how the transition to virtual learning affected Northern Arizona University’s carbon footprint. The research team deploys a comprehensive, user-friendly electronic questionnaire targeting students, faculty, and staff to gather empirical data regarding their transit routines both before and after the global health crisis. Utilizing advanced data tools like Python, Excel, and emission factors from the 2020 Climate Registry, the project computes specific carbon dioxide impacts. Furthermore, the study integrates geospatial analysis via ArcGIS Pro to build maps and visual figures that illustrate commuting behaviors and geographic trends. These rigorous empirical findings offer the Office of Sustainability an invaluable data foundation to formulate actionable transit demand management plans and design targeted carbon mitigation measures. Ultimately, this living laboratory model demonstrates how academic research directly supports university climate goals while fostering a more resilient, low-emission campus environment.

Project Lead:

Sebatian Espinoza

Project Advisor:

Dr. Deborah Huntzinger

Date:

2020-10-20

Funding Amount:

$1,550

Department:

School of Earth and Sustainbility

Supporting Documents