The WWF is a leading conservation organization; our half-century of conservation success is rooted firmly in science. WWF has worked in Markets and Food for over a decade with the acknowledgement that the biggest threat to our mission has long been where and how we produce food. Now those impacts are being exacerbated by increased populations, increasing income, shifts in consumption patterns, and climate change.
This internship provides an opportunity for a graduate student with expertise in supply chain logistics to contribute to research at the intersection of environmental and financial sustainability. WWF is examining the indoor and vertical soil-less farming industry. At scale, this method of farming could reduce pressures on land, biodiversity, natural habitat, and climate, but to get there it has to overcome several key hurdles that prevent it from moving beyond its current specialization in high-end leafy greens. We want to help farms overcome those hurdles, such as ones related to energy and labor, and move the industry forward. Before we can do that, we need to better understand the current baseline and environmental drivers. This internship will be part of a small team working to conduct a life-cycle analysis of current systems (hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics, in greenhouse or vertical settings), allowing us to establish a baseline for GHG and carbon emissions, water use, pesticides, fertilizer/nutrients, land, and costs.
This internship is flexible on location and can start in early September 2019 or sooner.
- Identify gaps in life cycle inventory data for six pre-selected alternative agriculture systems and research to fill using academic literature or raw data
- Perform modeling and analysis using SimaPro software for the six alternative systems and compare against conventional agriculture
- Assist with drafting a written LCA report presenting findings of analysis
- Experience conducting life cycle analyses
- Previous experience using SimaPro software preferred
- Experience with indoor or vertical farms a plus
- Part-time or full-time
- Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills, as well as attention to detail
- Ability to work productively on both independent research assignments and as part of a team
- Proactive problem-solving and effective communication skills (written and verbal)