Browsing by Author "Hunt, Samantha"

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    Biochar as a Soil Amendment in Minnesota: Findings from Literature and Interviews
    (2023-05) Hunt, Samantha
    The Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota (SFA) Central Chapter initiated an effort to research biochar production as an alternative to burning wood waste, and to understand the potential benefits of utilizing biochar as a soil amendment to improve soil function and sequester carbon. With support from the University of Minnesota Extension Sustainable Development Partnerships, a graduate student was hired to review the research literature on biochar and interview subject matter experts. In partnership with representatives from the Minnesota Composting Council, Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Management, United States Department of Agriculture, the University of Minnesota Extension Sustainable Development Partnerships, and SFA Central Chapter, U of M graduate student Samantha Hunt produced this report. Biochar, a stable carbon created via pyrolysis (heating without the presence of oxygen), can be produced from the massive amounts of woody debris generated by tree removal and trimming, brush removal, woodlands management, and storm damage. Biomass that is currently burned or left to decompose releases most of the carbon back into the atmosphere. Conversion of woody biomass into biochar could provide an alternative to burning and therefore reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Biochar is also a valuable soil amendment that can improve soil health and productivity. There is a high interest from local produce growers and regenerative farmers in Central Minnesota to utilize biochar as a soil amendment.
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    Does Community Air Monitoring Lead to Better Environmental Policy? Evaluating AB 617 in Richmond, California
    (2024-05-01) Hunt, Samantha
    Community air monitoring, publicly-operated low-cost air monitors to gather local, real-time pollution data, is one method to potentially improve air quality. Regulatory agencies are increasingly funding community monitoring to complement sparse networks of regulatory monitors. However, data from low-cost monitors often faces challenges about data quality, contributing to monitoring data seldom leading to policy change. If community air monitoring is truly an avenue for improving air quality rather than increasing awareness, I argue this data must drive regulatory change. In California, Assembly Bill (AB) 617 created a comprehensive program of public involvement in designing plans to install additional air monitors and subsequently reduce emissions. Here, I analyze key AB 617 documents from Richmond, California to trace whether new air monitoring data is linked to strategies to reduce emissions. I find most monitoring data is not used and rarely connected to regulatory change. I also classify the types of actions within Richmond’s emissions reduction plan, finding relatively few new policies that are enforceable and ready for near-term implementation. Since community monitoring data is largely unused, changes in environmental regulation may be more likely if new regulatory monitors are installed instead. Regulators should also make it clear to community members from the outset that low-cost monitoring data will not lead to new regulation at this point. An alternative, potentially more effective method to improving air quality may be using new monitoring data to pursue change through media advocacy and direct pressure on industry rather than going through state institutions.