Post 3.4:

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RESEARCH QUESTION:
“What initiatives can be taken to deal with the issue of air pollution in Queens and what are the
challenges that may be faced while implementing them?”

ANNOTATION OF NEW SOURCE:

I found a new source by Robert Paehlke entitled “Bucolic Myths: Towards a More Urbanist
Environmentalism”. This source argues that the ideology of environmentalism can be applied in
urban development so as to mitigate the issue of air pollution. He further adds that air pollution
can be reduced through less travel and installment of pollution control devices. The source is
valid since the author points out the benefits that could be reaped by urban environmentalism. I could borrow his valid idea as an initiative that could be taken in Queens to help combat air pollution. One major that could be faced while implementing this initiative is a lack of support from the relevant authorities but this can always be resolved by explaining the concept to them in detail.

Paehlke, R. (1986). Bucolic Myths: Towards a More Urbanist Environmentalism. Centre for
Urban and Community Studies, University of Toronto.

WORKING THESIS:

Application of environmentalism in urban development is one of the initiatives that can help
reduce air pollution in Queens.

ANYTHING ELSE:

So far, I’m still struggling with finding more sources since I changed my research question in
accordance with the instructor’s suggestions. I found one already and I believe I’ll be able to find
more along the way. I feel that there are definitely more initiatives to be considered in combating air pollution and hence may decide to change my working theses sometime later.

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1 thought on “Post 3.4:”

  1. Eric D Wilson

    Fascinating, really ambitious research question Raj. A few things:

    * This is a pretty expansive question, so don’t worry if you feel like you can’t answer it completely in the next two weeks. Think of this as a work in progress.
    * The source you found looks terrific! This is definitely a lens source.
    * Your working thesis is strong already. Do some work on the keyword—for Paehlke, what does “environmentalism” mean? What does “urban environmentalism” look like? Some of your sources can help you define these keywords.
    * Use the Paehlke source to find *more* sources! What does Paehlke cite?
    * Also, use the source to generate new keywords? What are some terms that Paehlke uses that you can plug back into the databases?
    * Specify “air pollution,” too—what molecules are we talking about here? Maybe focus on one? What generates them?
    * You could do some legal research—what regulations are already in place? You might check out the EPA’s Clean Air Act or writings about it.

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