Climate Change

Climate change touches every part of the world and increasingly affects daily lives in profound and challenging ways. We’re exploring numerous aspects of this existential threat, including projecting future realities, public policy and adaptation.

Magazine

Labor for the Hive cover. Illustrated by Stefan Grosse Halbuer.

Story

To Labor for the Hive

Jamie Liu

A beekeeper finds a new sense of purpose and community after helping to develop a warning system for floods.

In the News

Headline

Deepak Rajagopal for WalletHub—Greenest States (2024)

WalletHub compared America’s 50 states to identify the most environmentally friendly ones, ranking them based on three categories: environmental quality, eco-friendly behaviors and climate-change contributions. California took the top spot,…


Headline

Downtown S.F.’s office buildings are guzzling tons of energy no one is using

Building experts say it’s no surprise that empty offices are burning so much energy. Electrical infrastructure like elevators consumes energy even when not in use, as do the pumps that maintain water pressure for faucets and toilets, said Eric Fournier, research director at UCLA’s California Center for Sustainable Communities. Turning these off would make it hard for buildings to “maintain a posture of openness.” A building is “kind of a living thing,” he said. “You can’t just cut the cord on it and expect it to carry on in good health for a long period of time.” Air conditioning systems are also kept on in empty buildings to avoid structural problems, mold and water-borne illnesses. The design of these large offices, many of which were built over a century ago, typically assumes a certain range of temperatures, Fournier explained. “If you deviate from that for a prolonged period, weird things happen that could be very expensive to fix.”

Salesforce West at 50 Fremont St. is among the office buildings in San Francisco using lots of energy.

Awards

UCLA Assistant Professor Liz Koslov Receives NSF Award for Research on Managed Retreat in Wildfire Zones

Discover how UCLA asst. professor Liz Koslov is advancing research on managed retreat in wildfire zones with her NSF Award.


Blog

Give Back to the Bruin Community at UCLA’s Surplus Stop

In the vibrant atmosphere of a university campus like UCLA, sustainability is a vital aspect of reducing waste and fostering an eco-friendly environment. At UCLA, sustainability isn’t just a concept—it’s…


Blog

UCLA Decarbonization Study Paves the Way for a Greener Campus

UCLA is leading the charge in combating climate change with its yearlong decarbonization study, showcasing its commitment to sustainability. This proactive initiative aims to reduce or eliminate carbon emissions, aligning…

Videos

UCLA’s Comprehensive Sustainability Plan

UCLA has a long history of sustainability leadership — from early energy efficiency efforts and the formation of the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability in the 1990s, to the establishment of…

Governor’s Climate and Forest Task Force: Remote Sensing Workshop at UCLA

The Governors’ Climate and Forests Task Force (GCF Task Force) held its first Remote Sensing Workshop at the University of California Los Angeles in June, 2023. The workshop was designed…

Publications

Advancing a Net Zero Urban Water Future in the United StatesSouthwest: Governance and Policy Challenges and Future Needs

Courtney Crosson*, Stephanie Pincetl, Caroline Scruggs, Neha Gupta, Rashi Bhushan, Sybil Sharvelle, Erik Porse, Andrea Achilli, Adriana Zuniga-Teran, Gregory Pierce, Dominic L. Boccelli, Charles P. Gerba, Melinda Morgan, Tzahi Y. Cath, Bruce Thomson, Steve Baule, Steve Glass, Mark Gold, James MacAdam, Luke Cole, Mead Mier, Catlow Shipek, and Thomas Meixner

Published Work | 2024 | ACS EST Water

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LADWP LA100 Equity Strategies Chapter 13. Energy Affordability and Policy Solutions Analysis

Pierce, Gregory; Coffee, Daniel; Sheinberg, Rachel; Patterson, Shona; Trumbull, Kelly ;Dunlap, Lauren; Sundar, Shweta; Pugh, Carolyn; Murillo, Alberto

Working Paper | 2023

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