Our time in Wyoming culminates in an independent research project that we design around any topic we are interested in: geology, ecology, climate science, anthropology, urban design, art, economics, and more. The project simply has to focus on the natural or human environment in Wyoming.
For my project, I wanted to answer questions I had about the economic future of Wyoming, a state that is deeply entrenched in coal mining, fracking, and the fossil fuel industry as a whole. I asked, “How can Wyoming transition its economy from a fossil fuel-based one to a green and sustainable future? How can green energy practices in Wyoming be improved and expanded?” As an environmental studies major, I am very interested in sustainable development and green technology, and I have experience in climate action planning through a past internship. I wanted to use this background to create a project that would be relevant to both my other academic pursuits and to my future career goals.
To find answers, I arranged interviews to cover a range of perspectives and did a lot of online research. I spoke to a rancher who has wind turbines on her land, to learn about her experience of leasing to an energy company and the positive and negative effects of the turbines. I spoke to a biologist and longterm resident of the southeast Wyoming area to learn about the changes he has seen in the energy industry over time and its effect on wildlife. I am also arranging to speak to a member of the Alliance for Renewable Energy of Laramie to hear about this organization’s goals and progress. I will synthesize these sources, as well as information on the economic background of Wyoming, greenhouse gas emission data, major fossil fuel operations in the state, and the changes that corporate and educational sectors have already made.
My final product will be a presentation (cowboy-themed for Wyoming, of course!) on my assessment for the potential of Wyoming’s economic transition and a recommendation for a sustainable economic plan for the state. So far, this has been an enlightening exploration, and I’ve really enjoyed getting to talk to residents of the state and hear their stories.
