College of Sustainability Undergraduate Honours Theses

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10222/14622

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Open Access
A site suitability framework for small-scale cultivation of Saccharina latissima in Nova Scotia using multi-criteria decision analysis
(2024-04-22) Solomon, Michael
Open Access
Undergraduate students' climate change learning at Dalhousie University
(2024-04-24) McCallum, Kenzie
Behaviour change, influenced by a basis of climate change knowledge is an important way for individuals to mitigate climate change. This requires the presence of climate change education in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), though previous studies show that climate change education is not being thoroughly integrated into all faculties. To further investigate students’ perception of their climate change learning at Dalhousie University, a Likert scale questionnaire was sent to all undergraduate students in their final year of study. Science faculties had comparatively high scores, while health faculties had comparatively low scores. Results indicate that students in certain programs don’t believe they are learning enough about climate change and that students are not taking or are not offered many courses associated with climate change. There is a perceived inability and difficulty in scoping climate change into certain curriculums, a problem that cannot be solved individually but requires institutional change. There is a lot of growth potential in the climate change learning at Dalhousie University. Climate change is a trans-disciplinary problem and can be integrated and contextualized into any faculty. This integration must be done imminently to increase student knowledge and address these gaps.
Open Access
Dog owners and their dogs’ influence on the blue-green algae blooms at Shubie Off-Leash Dog Park, Dartmouth, NS
(Morgan, 2024-04-23) Leon, Morgan
Lake Micmac by Shubie Off-Leah Dog Park in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia has been experiencing blue-green algae blooms, a cyanobacteria that can be harmful to the environment and the health of animals, including humans. As blue-green algae blooms occur more frequently, recreational areas including Shubie-off Leash Dog Park are at risk of being closed to the public. A study looking at the sources of fecal contamination in Lake Micmac found that there was a high amount of canine fecal markers nearshore of the Shubie Off-Leash beach. Considering fecal matter contains algae-inducing nutrients, it is suspected that unattended dog waste is contributing to the increasing frequency of blue-green algae blooms in Lake Micmac. Through unobtrusive dog observations and an in-person survey, this study investigates how dog owners manage their dog waste at Shubie Off-Leash Dog Park. Findings suggest there are an insufficient number of amenities including trash bins, doggie bags, and signs stating what areas are designated as on or off-leash. Signage that is present is confusing to some. Other results revealed many dog owners disliked other dog owners and their dogs. Therefore, it is recommended that the park management look into more amenities related to facilitating proper dog waste disposal. Signage should be clear to understand, appealing, and located in popular areas such as trails and trailheads. Engaging with dog owners is needed to form collective community norms that comply with park policy. Park management should also explore fencing certain areas that are naturally ill-defined without affecting the park user’s experience. Finally, future studies need to seek out how effective educational measures like the “Canine for Clean Water Campaign” are at informing the public.
Open Access
The Curatorial Anthropocene: An Analysis of Canadian Museums’ Engagement with the Climate Crisis - Exploring Perspectives on Precedent and Barriers
(2024-04-22) Tomlinson, Lenka
Museums hold the power to influence and educate the public on accessible levels, using multimedia displays and bite-sized pieces of information for digestible intake of scientific understanding and innovation. The intergenerational, and more accessible manner of museums holds the ability to educate larger sects of the public, outside of academic and professional settings, in where understanding of the world, and fun are intertwined. Education through museum displays and exhibits is a voluntary, willing act of participation, from which individuals of all backgrounds and ages are able to learn, with museum structures considered to be trusted, sound institutions. In an evolving social climate, the Canadian museums sector must look to the unique power it holds, as pedagogical institutions of knowledge, to expand beyond traditionalist methodology, and engage with education, community, advocacy, and the climate crisis. This study thematically analyses the perspectives of Canadian professionals in the field, looking at what has happened, what is happening, what ought to happen, and what barriers stand in the way. In comparison with existing, global literature, we see the Canadian museum sector to be placed in an in-between, in where appropriate dismantling of barriers may alleviate stressors, creating the momentum for urgency with climate to be integrated on a widespread scale, through standardization of institutional frameworks, along with paradigmatic shifts within the sector.
Open Access
Tide and Seek: A Coastal Adaptation and Vulnerability Assessment (CAVA) Geographic Visualization in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
(2024-04-22) Torrealba, Alex
Sea level rise (SLR) and storm surge events (SSE) due to climate change significantly threaten the sustainability of tourism-reliant coastal communities, such as the Town of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Coastal risk assessments exist globally, but rarely address the interrelation between biophysical climate effects, socioeconomic systems, and climate perceptions of stakeholders. In Lunenburg, there is a disconnect in residents’ awareness of SLR adaptation plans despite climate-policy participatory processes. The current study uses GIS methods to create a 3D climate risk visualization to increase the understanding of risks facing Lunenburg. These methods should improve upon the accuracy of previous adaptation planning documents through up-to-date Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) elevation sources. Interactive visualization features were incorporated which allow stakeholders to visualize geospatial information relevant to their specific needs or concerns. Within the study area, Scenario 1, which investigated a water rise level of 1.75m, resulted in the inundation of 43 civic addresses, 1.207km² of land, and 2.632km of roads. Scenario 2 examined 3.25m of water rise, which resulted in the inundation of 140 civic addresses, 2.070km² of land, and 14.562km of roads. Scenario 3 evaluated 4.15m of water rise, which affected 190 civic addresses, 2.479km² of land, and 18.233km of roads. 3D climate risk visualizations can equalize and increase stakeholder awareness levels, inform policy decisions, and increase the accessibility of open-source geospatial data. Visualizing biophysical, social, and economic indicators simultaneously allows for a holistic understanding of climate risk. Awareness and preparedness of local stakeholders is a prerequisite to formulating climate-adaptation strategies. Link to visualization: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/3e01fe427a8c424893bdbaeb7e9a61f5
Open Access
Analysis of the Offshore Wind Industry with respect to Maine’s Wind Energy Act through Systematic Content Analysis
(2024-04-22)
Through systematic content analysis, this thesis explores the interplay of available technology, global environmental imperatives, and political willpower in the Gulf of Maine’s offshore wind industry. Historically, Maine has been resistant to developments, and the offshore wind industry has faced significant pushback from fishermen and coastal stakeholders alike. To track changes in sentiment over time, this study will focus on written media from public and governmental sources. The central question of this thesis requires temporal and political contextualization, thus relying on an analysis of the Maine Wind Energy Act. The progression and evolution of the MWEA serve as a timeline to chart changes in sentiment over time. By examining shifts in Maine’s state leadership within the scope of the Act, this thesis considers the fluctuations that enable or hinder offshore wind. Utilizing NVIVO software to code written media documents, this study categorizes public-facing narratives as positive, negative, neutral, or mixed. It was determined that there was a positive correlation between the democratic governor in office and the volume of media produced surrounding renewable energy, particularly offshore wind. There was a primarily positive and neutral tone from the public and government facing offshore wind that peaked in the most recent democratic political era. Similarly, the results found that the MWEA was more legally obligatory in the third era. The results of the narrative and textual analysis results underpin two things. The significance of democratic state leadership for of renewably portfolio standards, and thus offshore wind procurement. Written media is also a tool for assessing the efficacy, measured through public or governmental narrative, of legislation like the MWEA.
Open Access
Financialization, Tourism, and Community Well-Being: Situating the Regulation of Short-term Rentals Within the Halifax Housing Crisis
(2024-04-29) Agombar, Maria
On 1 September 2023, the Halifax Regional Municipality set in place a regulatory framework restricting short-term rentals to a host's primary residence only in residential zones throughout the municipality. Short-term rentals are temporary overnight accommodations rented out by hosts through online platforms such as AirBNB, offering guests a unique and desirable opportunity to experience a space in a more “authentic” manner than the conventional hotel industry. These regulations were enacted in response to growing criticisms of the commercial short-term rental industry's adverse social and economic impacts in public debate and critical scholarship amid Halifax’s unprecedented housing crisis. While they have flourished within an economic system of housing financialization, they have proliferated in cities across the world as a novel iteration of technocapitalism within the platform economy, transforming the socio-economic landscapes of metropolitan areas around the world. Informed by a growing field of critical literature within this subject, this thesis presents a qualitative thematic analysis of archived footage of a public hearing on these regulations which took place in Halifax on the 21 of February, 2023. Results largely align with existing literature, demonstrating negative impacts on housing markets while perpetuating socio-economic inequities and community disruptions. Within the context of Halifax, community well-being is presented under contrasting conceptions, calling to attention the role of the short-term rental market in the development of a socially and economically sustainable future for the city of Halifax. In keeping pace with the growth of Halifax’s population and tourism industry, navigating the regulation of this market poses a significant challenge in finding a balanced accommodation capacity for residents and tourists alike which prioritizes both housing security and a shared sense of belonging and responsibility at the community level.
Open Access
An Analysis of Placemaking and Wayfinding Initiatives on the Halifax and Dartmouth Harbourwalk for Wheelchair Users
(2024-05) Shimada, Rui
Considerations towards equitable practices in public spaces should be made to promote inclusivity and user-friendliness and reduce barriers. Halifax, Nova Scotia, has one of the highest rates of disabilities in Canada and is continuously observing growth, with urban infrastructures being built. However, there should be considerations towards improving currently existing infrastructure and whether it meets equitable considerations towards individuals with disabilities. As a result, Halifax and Dartmouth's placemaking and wayfinding infrastructures were analyzed on wheelchair accessibility, observing whether there were correlations between quality and type of infrastructure and recommendations in inclusive practices. From a placemaking perspective, the newly implemented Queen's Marque was found to be the least accessible and inclusive infrastructure due to its intended purposes and lack of universal design considerations. Many common problems were found in wayfinding infrastructure, especially within informational signage. Common problems found included characteristics such as signage angles and lack of consideration towards height and perspective. In addition, the Dartmouth Harbourwalk has overseen most vandalism on wayfinding infrastructure. It is recommended that best practices within different cities be observed, and suggestions from organizations should be made to consider the best ways towards inclusivity and equitable practices. Practices such as community engagement should be done in the future to take into consideration feedback from people who use the space frequently when determining approaches to improving the space.
Open Access
The Impact Assessment Act of 2019: Meaningful Participation of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples, or Surface Level Engagement?
(College of Sustainability, 2023-04-25) Paquin, Caroline
The aim of this thesis was to research the extent to which the Impact Assessment Act of 2019 achieves its goal of improving Indigenous involvement in the environmental assessment process across Canada. It does so by conducting an in-depth SWOT analysis focusing on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats the IAA poses to Indigenous communities. The SWOT examined projects that either had Impact Assessments completed, in the process of being completed or denied, as well as media articles discussing said projects.Overall, this thesis demonstrates that the projects that pose the greatest threat to Indigenous participation (and often environmental sustainability) are larger scale projects. However, projects under the IAA are still making significant steps to increase Indigenous participation in environmental impact assessments in Canada.
Open Access
Beyond the Implementation Gap: A Narrative Analysis of Nova Scotia’s Endangered Species Act
(2023-04-24) Mines, Sasha
Many species continue to decline in numbers in Canada, despite a complex tangle of laws related to the conservation and protection of biodiversity. Nova Scotia’s standalone legislation, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been in place since 1998, with an overarching goal to protect at-risk wildlife across the province. However, for reasons that have not yet been documented in academic literature, key recovery activities under this Act have been delayed in their delivery or remain altogether absent. Through the first known systematic content analysis of both the ESA itself as well as related government and public media publications, this research seeks to provide insight into why this legislation has not produced its intended results. Findings suggest less than half (46%) of the actions prescribed by the ESA are discretionary, meaning that no guarantee exists to ensure the actions will take place, undermining the overall efficacy of the Act. Furthermore, relative to public media narratives pertaining to the ESA, government narratives tend to offer a much more positive, less nuanced representation of the Act which disproportionately emphasizes the listing process. Thus, this study highlights the need for a critical and observant public media, capable not only of advocating for more stringent implementation of the Act, but also of enhancing public scrutiny aimed at the underlying ambition of this legislation. In reversing the negative trends in biodiversity observable in Nova Scotia, I recommend that (1) discretionary language in the ESA be removed in favour of enforceable standards, (2) public media increasingly continue to offer critical perspectives related to the implementation of the ESA as well as its conservation outcomes, and (3) both government and public news media augment their coverage of other, non-listing actions taken under the ESA. In this way, important mechanisms of public accountability for government-mandated species at risk protection can be strengthened, ultimately increasing the capacity of Nova Scotia to effectively address the biodiversity crisis at hand.
Open Access
'SUP with Nova Scotia: Characterizing Nova Scotia's Single-Use Plastic Waste within the Canadian Federal Single-Use Plastic (SUP) Ban
(2023-04-24) Hines, Kali
The use of single-use plastics (SUPs) has increased rapidly over the years, and the contribution of SUPs to global waste quantities has been rising steadily (Xanthos & Walker, 2017). In 2019 alone, Canada produced an estimated 23,587 tonnes of mismanaged plastic in 2019 (Our World in Data, n.d.). To target the most problematic SUPs, Canada implementing the Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations (SUPPR), prohibiting six SUP categories (ECCC, 2022d). This study will seek to determine how the amount of SUP waste discarded in Nova Scotia compares pre- and post-announcement of the Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations? This research conducts a secondary data analysis to gather data from managed waste sources, and mismanaged waste sources. Publicly available data is gathered from reports, online websites, and data records made available upon request. The data analysis reveals several key themes: 1) There is a lack of managed waste data; 2) SUP quantities in Nova Scotia’s waste has seen a relative decrease to other items; 3) 2020 experienced a large decrease in data availability, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper concludes by providing two key recommendations. These recommendations are to improve Nova Scotia’s managed waste tracking systems, and to conduct addition waste monitoring for an additional five years, to determine the effectiveness of the SUPPR.
Open Access
Food For Thought: An Analysis of the Relationship Between Food Deserts and Childhood Academic Performance in Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia
(2023-04-25) Johnston, Mackenzie
This study explores the relationship between geographic food deserts and sixth grade academic performance in Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), Nova Scotia. An ArcGIS Pro Network Analysis was used to map geocoded grocery stores and their service areas based on 1km, 8km, and 16 km driving distance from each store. Test scores representing the percentage of students who met or exceeded provincial learning expectations in both reading and math were gathered for each elementary school within HRM, and then assigned to each geocoded school location on a map. These scores were symbolized using ArcGIS Pro’s quantile distribution, and then spatially overlaid with the results from the grocery Network Analysis. Results were calculated by using the “Select By Location '' tool within ArcGIS Pro to observe which schools fell into a 1km, 8km, 16km, or greater than 16km driving distance from a grocery store. Schools greater than a 16 km driving distance from a grocery store consistently performed within the lowest academic score quantiles, with ~45% of observations falling within the lowest quantile and 0% within the highest quantile in both math and reading. The relationship differed between math and reading scores. Reading scores were correlated to generally decrease as the distance from a grocery store grew. Overall, math scores showed significantly less observations in the highest quantile as well as a significantly greater range of scores. This suggests that there is a correlation between how far a sixth-grade student is from a grocery store with their academic performance, but other variables must be observed to gain a better understanding.
Open Access
Seeds of Sustainability: An Analysis of Small-Scale Commercial Seed Producers in Ontario
(2023-04-21)
Food and agriculture are an important part of Ontario’s economic and social identity. Seeds are some of the most basic and important inputs of these systems, both in Ontario and globally. Despite this, there is a noticeable lack of research on seeds within Ontario that does not focus solely on their economic importance. Thus, this study aims to fill a gap in current food systems research by identifying the demographic characteristics of small-scale commercial seed producers in Ontario, their values and motivations, and areas of future concern and opportunity. Through (1) an anonymous electronic survey and (2) content analysis of the websites of 23 small-scale commercial seed producers, this study found that these producers are largely guided by relational values, or values that they hold due to their responsibilities to, and relationships with, other people and the environment. Specifically, these producers are largely motivated by a desire to promote sustainable agriculture, which they action through the production of seeds that are organic, non-genetically modified, and open-pollinated. Furthermore, this study revealed that while current challenges to seed production vary significantly, these producers overwhelmingly anticipate that environmental challenges, such as periods of drought and warming summers, will become the greatest challenge to their production within the next ten years. These findings highlight the need for further research into the unique role, values, and challenges held and experienced by small- scale commercial seed producers in Ontario; the lack of pre-existing literature on this topic makes it difficult to contextualize and understand how the experiences of small-scale commercial seed producers in Ontario differ from their larger counterparts.
Open Access
Ethics and Effectiveness in Climate Change Communication Handbooks: A Close Reading Analysis
(2023-04-24) Hanna, Elizabeth
The field of climate change communication (CCC) seeks out ways to effectively communicate climate change topics to a less scientifically expert public. To assist climate communicators in crafting messages that have high resonance, engagement, and comprehension among audiences, several best practice guides (BPGs) have been created by academics and climate organizations. While CCC research has been highly developed in terms of effective strategies for audience engagement, little literature exists about the ethical expectations for climate change communicators. This dissertation analyzes the recommendations that inform the work of climate change communicators, as seen through five BPGs. Additionally, this dissertation compiles a list of potential ethical considerations for CCC practitioners and analyzes the depth at which each BPG addresses each of the ethical considerations. Using an a priori and a posteriori approach to close reading analysis, it appears that CCC can achieve both ethics and efficacy. While ethics and effectiveness may come in tension for climate communicators, such as balancing the depth of detail in a communication and its degree of intelligibility, they are not mutually exclusive, nor do the BPGs omit reference to these ethical considerations.
Open Access
Ecotourism as A Climate Adaption Tool: Perspectives from Local Tourism Stakeholders in Lunenburg
(2022-05-02) Shi, Weiyu
Climate change has posed risks to tourism industries and many coastal communities concurrently on the Canadian east coast (Lemmen et al., 2016). Future strategic planning must incorporate environmental, social, and economic considerations to adapt. However, as one major stakeholder, local tourism stakeholders' perspectives on climate adaptation in the tourism sector remain under-researched. The problem is believed to be more prevalent in small coastal communities. The municipality of the district of Lunenburg is chosen as a case study because of: • its vulnerability to climate change impacts such as coastal erosion and storm surge. • Its vulnerability as a small coastal community is dependent on tourism. • its threats of losing its UNESCO World Heritage status due to recurring damage and inaccessibility of tourist sites or operations. Because of ecotourism's primary focus on natural areas, conservation, local communities, and culture (Fennell, 2001), this study recognizes its potential to help the local community and the tourism industry in Lunenburg enhance the town's resilience to a changing climate. Thus, this study seeks to examine the view of tourism stakeholders from Lunenburg relating to ecotourism as a climate adaptation strategy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants selected from the sector based on their organizations' relevance to ecotourism. Interview results show respondents strongly emphasize environmentally friendly when interpreting the ecotourism concept. Their understanding of the term generally conforms with literature's most recognizable ecotourism definitions, such as natural areas and education. Although ecotourism has rarely been applied in climate adaptation, key informants favor considering ecotourism as a climate adaptation strategy for the sector. They believe ecotourism possesses massive potential in providing scientific, historical, and traditional knowledge education to visitors besides its eco-friendly focus. it is commonly agreed that ecotourism development in Lunenburg would benefit from appropriate investments in the tourism industry, nature conservation, as well as promotion of the tourism sector in Nova Scotia in principle. Keywords: climate adaption, small coastal community, tourism industry, stakeholders’ perspectives, ecotourism, resilience.
Open Access
Measuring Environmental Attitudes of Undergraduate Sustainability Students
(2022-04-26) Cholette-Barr, Jessica
Since 2013, the College of Sustainability at Dalhousie University has distributed an annual survey to students enrolled in classes offered by the Environment, Sustainability and Society (ESS) program. One purpose of the survey is to measure students’ environmental attitudes using a standardized tool called the Revised New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale. This paper examines ESS students’ environmental attitudes across nine years (2013-2021) and compares students’ NEP scores between survey years, levels of education, faculties of study, and between the five dimensions of the NEP scale. ANOVA results demonstrate significantly lower NEP scores from first year students versus third year students, and significantly lower scores from Faculty of Management students in comparison to Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science students. Significant differences in NEP scores are also present in two of the five dimensions of the scale: ‘Limits to Growth’ and ‘Eco-crisis.’ The ‘Limits to Growth’ dimension displays a significant decrease in NEP scores across nine years, the ‘Eco-crisis’ dimension displays a significant increase in NEP scores across nine years. The paper concludes by highlighting outdated themes and values within the NEP scale, and posits that a different attitude measurement scale could be more useful and relevant for measuring students’ environmental attitudes in future studies.
Open Access
Reconciliation in Action: An Analysis of Canadian National Healing Forests
(2022-04-25) McLennon, Margaret
The relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada is one that is strained due to a history of cultural assimilation and genocide, fullfilled by the residential school system. Reconciliation is a non-linear, constant process in which these relationships are mended through bringing awareness to our common history, an acknowledgment of the harm that has been inflicted, atonement for the causes, and action to change behavior (Truth and Reconciliation Commission, 2015). This study aims to add to the growing literature on reconciliation, filling a gap on the impact of Indigenous and Canadian settler community partnerships. The Canadian wide National Healing Forest (NHF) initiative is analyzed to understand how the community and nature focusedproject contributes to the reconciliation process in Canada. To do this, the literature, theories and case studies detailing the reconciliation process were analyzed to understand the most prominent and frequent elements which Indigenous scholars have outlined as: awareness, relationship and restitution (Clarke, 2015; Petoukhov, 2013; Watson, 2020). These elements are compared to the significant themes that arose from relevant media sources detailing the NHFs in a framework analysis. This study revealed that the NHF initiative is one that is in line with the literature and theories outlining the reconciliation process. The National Healing Forest initiative involves fostering community collaboration and healing in nature leading to strong community connection and empowerment.
Open Access
Drawing the line: a Media Analysis of the Relationship Between Art and Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution in Colombia
(2022-04-22) Brightman, Maria
Art has been used as a means of resolving conflicts, building peace, and mitigating the aftermath of trauma and violence all over the world. This is no different in Colombia, a country that had one of the longest and most brutally violent civil conflicts in the world, which resulted in the death of thousands and the displacement of millions. Although the conflict officially ended in 2016, extreme violence and lingering trauma that stems from the conflict still persist across the country. The role of art in Colombia has not only contributed to helping citizens cope with their traumas but has also played an important role in sustainable and ethical peace building, conflict resolution, and has helped raise awareness of different conflicts and pressing social issues in the country. This study examines the role of art in Colombian society in the framework of conflict resolution and peacebuilding. A qualitative research method was used in this research, which resulted in a better understanding of the role of art and art-based initiatives in Colombia. The research includes a media analysis of 6 media sources that reported on art as a peacebuilding tool in Colombia. The objectives of this research were to garner a better understanding of how and why art is used to promote healing and social change in Colombia and to explore if art is incorporated into formal and informal conflict resolution efforts. Through the application of 3 of the 5 questions in a method known as Lasswell’s Model of Communication (Who? Said What, In Which Channel) it was found that art: 1) helps preserve memory and represent stories of victims by making a tangible visual representation 2) helps heal individuals and communities by transforming pain and trauma into power and control 3) enables any Colombians from all walks of life to participate in peacebuilding efforts 4) initiatives were also more common and impactful in communities with extreme violence and trauma, which resulted in collective healing and social rehabilitation through art and artmaking 5) serves as powerful tool for many communities to pursue peace and engage the community members, beautifies and uses walls to convey a powerful message, and bringing to the area tourism as well as domestic and international attention 6) servings as a means for reconciliation aimed at preventing violence and other atrocities, and keeps morale high for what the future holds 7) serves as an accessible and compelling tool in peaceful activism to hold the government and other actors accountable for their actions and draw attention to pressing social issues. This research is also an attempt to shed light on informal conflict resolution methods that can help conflict resolution practitioners as well as government and social leaders from all levels in their conflict resolution efforts.
Open Access
Halifax Noise Study: Resident Perceptions into Noise Annoyance
(2022-04-22) Rekowski, Kayla
As the population of Halifax, N.S. continues to grow and urbanization continues, as does the issue of urban noise. Experiencing noise at home or in urban environments is shown to have a myriad of negative health and psychological impacts. Natural species such as songbirds are especially vulnerable to the impact of increased noise due to their reliance on acoustic communication. The purpose of this study being to 1) Explore the level of annoyance associated with noise in Halifax and 2) to investigate the sources of noise residents of Halifax find to be most annoying. To provide a representative sample of the population, it was determined that 384 study participants would be sufficient, based on Halifax’s 2016 population count of 403,390, calculated with a 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error. Participants (18 years or older) were recruited via targeted ads on social media and asked to complete the anonymous online survey consisting of questions discussing levels of noise annoyance and noise sources while in their home or in their neighbourhood over the last 12 months. Sociodemographic questions were also included in the survey asking for resident postal codes for relative location, ages, and other similar indicators. The survey took 8–10-minutes to complete and was available in the early months of 2022. A total of 468 residents completed the survey. Data analysis consisted of finding measures of central tendency, counts, as well as the proportion of annoyance from scaling questions. Pattern and focused coding analysis was conducted for open-ended responses to understand the most significant source of noise annoyance. The research found that residents of Halifax were moderately to highly annoyed with noise that was outside in their neighbourhood over the last 12 months or so. Both road traffic and fireworks were found to be sources of significant noise annoyance. Road traffic was identified as the most annoying noise source at any time, and fireworks were found to be the most common nighttime noise annoyance source that interfered with residents’ ability to sleep. Keywords: Urban Noise, Noise Annoyance, Noise Pollution, Anthropogenic Noise, Noise Annoyance Scales, Built Environment, Noise Annoyance Survey, Traffic, Neighbourhood, Fireworks, Halifax Regional Municipality
Open Access
A Curriculum Analysis: Evaluating the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals within the Nova Scotia Grade 10 Curriculum
(2022-04-22) Williams, Kaia
In recent years there has been attention around levels of education for sustainable development (ESD) in school curricula. Education for sustainable development has been a term used to describe curricula that involve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There have been a plethora of studies examining how the United Nations SDGs have been incorporated into school curricula; however, this type of study has not yet been performed in Nova Scotia. This study seeks to examine the extent to which United Nations SDGs are represented in the Nova Scotia grade 10 curriculum. This study was carried out using a qualitative content analysis. The results depicted that SDG representation among the grade 10 courses was disproportionate and that certain types of classes had higher representation than other classes. The results also show that certain SDGs are covered at higher frequencies than others. The discussion examines the discrepancies in SDG coverage that students are exposed to depending on what classes they choose to take. Additionally, the discussion investigates perceived barriers to implementing ESD into curricula. Lastly, there are suggestions for future studies and how the Nova Scotia high school curricula can better incorporate ESD into the various courses.