Sustainability stories from the greater USC community in Los Angeles, the media, and other organizations.
- Watching USC Trojans football has never been more sustainable
Numerous efforts at USC are underway to ensure football games are as close to zero waste as possible. - Restricting sugar before birth and in early childhood greatly reduces risk of chronic disease later in life
Researchers at USC Dornsife, UC Berkeley and McGill University take advantage of a “natural experiment” from World War II to analyze how sugar rationing influences long-term health. - Exposure to certain pollution sources harms children’s learning and memory, USC study shows
The peer-reviewed study contributes to mounting evidence that the fine particulates PM2.5 are detrimental for memory and cognition for people of all ages. - USC Sea Grant receives nearly $2 million from NOAA for novel technology to turn marine debris into laundry detergent and sustainable dyes for the fashion industry
The University of Southern California Sea Grant Program was awarded nearly $2 million to develop a disruptive and sustainable method for upcycling ocean-bound plastic waste across Southern California waterways. - During Green Week, USC celebrates sustainability successes
A host of changes are underway to make the university more sustainable. USC celebrates its fourth annual Green Week as September begins. - What is ‘blue carbon’? Inside USC’s research on carbon capture in Upper Newport Bay
Coastal wetlands — threatened by rising seas — are nature’s powerhouses for capturing and storing carbon. USC researchers are studying how to protect these essential ecosystems. - Keeping native bees buzzing requires rethinking pest control
New research adds solid evidence to the suspicion that steep declines in America’s wild bee populations stem in large part from pesticide use. Saving the crucial pollinators requires new approaches to managing pesky insects, say USC Dornsife researchers. - ‘Mercury bomb’ threatens millions as Arctic temperatures rise
With Arctic permafrost melting at a record pace, vast stores of toxic mercury put the food chain — and communities that depend on it — in grave danger. USC Dornsife scientists find a better way to assess the hazard. - Making Los Angeles More Resilient Through Inclusive Planning
By designing projects to achieve multiple goals, the funding could deliver better outcomes for Angelenos. - Revitalizing the Los Angeles River Through Community Design & Innovative Tools
Climate change is straining the ability of our aging infrastructure to withstand the impacts of floods, wildfires, heat waves, and hurricanes. - Climate Change in Unscripted Television
Building upon our research on climate change issues in scripted film/TV, this study looks at the prevalence of sustainability and climate-related topics in unscripted television. - Contemporary Architecture and the Natural Environment
Prof. Yo-ichiro Hakomori’s latest projects include the renovation of the Berkshire Museum and a sustainable residence in the Yucca Valley. - USC Dornsife Public Exchange and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) work together to advance use of nature-based solutions to tackle climate change
At USC’s Capital Campus in Washington, D.C., policymakers, researchers and practitioners from across the country explored how nature can be used to address increasingly frequent climate-associated risks, such as floods, heatwaves and fires. - Wrigley Institute Names 2024 Faculty Innovation Award Winners
The Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability (WIES) has named its 2024-2026 cohort of Faculty Innovation Award winners. - How Buildings can Improve Life — A TED Talk by Doris Sung
Faculty Doris Sung delivered a TED Talk about reimagining building facades as active contributors to urban life and public health. - Five USC Students Named Summer Sustainability Fellows
The USC Libraries have named five students as their summer 2024 sustainability fellows. - Bugs thrive in urban Los Angeles – volunteers’ traps reveal biodiversity hot spots for city insects and spiders
City life can mean lots of pavement and habitat loss. But many bug species are hanging on, especially in neighborhoods with steady temperatures near the mountains. - Price student’s big idea to cut auto emissions: mini EVs
The federal government’s plan to combat climate change largely hinges on phasing out gas powered vehicles – with transportation making up the largest source of U.S. climate emissions. - Price professor is a leading expert on economics of climate change, energy and transportation
You might wonder what Antonio Bento, an economist, is doing at a school of public policy. Answer: He wants his research to have an impact on policy. And it has. - New NSF-Funded Center Established to Lead Geologic CO2 Storage Innovation
The center will lead to new technologies and workforce development. - USC Liquid Propulsion Lab is Advancing Reusable Rocket Research
The student-run team tackles the challenge of designing regeneratively cooled reusable rocket engines. - Entrepreneurial Engineers Pitch Ideas for Social and Environmental Startups
The Das Family Innovate x LA Student Competition challenges students to develop high-impact urban solutions and compete for a $20,000 prize. - USC scientists use AI to predict a wildfire’s next move
Researchers have developed a new model that combines generative AI and satellite data to accurately forecast wildfire spread. The study comes as California and much of the western United States continues to grapple with an increasingly severe wildfire season. - Can policy lower our appetite for meat?
The City of West Hollywood has reportedly adopted an ordinance that requires plant-based food to be served at all city events, with meat available only upon request. - USC OORI Awards Seven Faculty-led Proposals under the President’s Sustainability Initiative Award
By implementing impactful sustainability initiatives across USC’s campuses, these awardees have not only enhanced our research strengths but also paved the way for a more sustainable future.