Sustainability stories from the greater USC community in Los Angeles, the media and other organizations.
Familiar harms, familiar terms
Since visiting the Georgia Aquarium this summer, I’ve wanted to call something in my line of work orange cup coral. The acidic orange animal is considered invasive, which means it spreads more than it should, and if permitted, overruns native plants and animals.
Trump’s words aren’t stopping China, Brazil and many other countries from setting higher climate goals, but progress is slow
The Trump administration has been pressuring countries to back away from their climate commitments, but many are still pressing ahead.
USC Price professor wins Nobel Sustainability Trust award
A global research initiative co-led by Geoff Boeing, Associate Professor at the USC Price School of Public Policy, has won a prestigious Nobel Sustainability Trust (NST) Sustainability Award.
Collaboration is the lifeblood of island fox research
It’s no understatement to say that collaboration is the lifeblood of research and survival for the island fox—for genetics researchers like myself, this is especially true.
Closed-loop recycling of wind turbine blades: Designing materials that are made to be recycled
As the number one contributor to global climate change, it’s no secret that fossil fuels are bad for the environment.
Why Environmental Data Belongs in Healthcare
Over the past 20 years, healthcare organizations have become exceedingly good at collecting, storing, and organizing information for each patient.
$5M grant strengthens USC Equity Research Institute’s mission for climate and economic justice
The Waverly Street Foundation grant — the largest in ERI’s history — will help the institute shape public understanding, support frontline advocates, and train scholars to advance climate and economic justice.
Want to save an endangered species? Start with the right DNA blueprint
Most species still lack their own sequenced genome. New research led by USC Dornsife shows that when studies rely on similar but different species, findings from genetic data can be distorted by up to 60% — putting vulnerable species at greater risk.
Price alum appointed to California Parks and Recreation Commission
David Galaviz didn’t grow up playing in parks. When he and his friends got together for baseball or football games, they usually played in the streets of Boyle Heights, a Los Angeles neighborhood where there were few parks nearby.
From Drought to DOE: Alumna Bria Jamison is Shaping National Environmental Policy
USC Viterbi alumna Bria Jamison (BS ’18, MS ’19) has dedicated her career to advancing water and energy sustainability – now, she’s influencing public policy decisions at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
Alex Robinson continues LA River revitalization with a new contract
He shared the work he and his team have been contracted to do there as part of his ongoing efforts to encourage implementation of the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan and United States Army Corps of Engineer’s LA River Ecosystem Restoration Project.
Energi Simulation Renews Research Chair in Subsurface Energy Data Science at USC Viterbi
Data science and AI-driven research optimizes the development and management of subsurface fluids and energy.
The Giant and the Bug: Kelp Restoration with Applied Microbiology
“What do you do for a living?” a woman asked, sitting across from me at a local bar.
“I’m a marine biologist,” I replied, watching her apathetic expression transform into wonder.
Symbiosis: Merging science, narrative, and cosmology to tell new stories about the environment
As a reader, a literary scholar, and a lover of history, I love following in the footsteps of my idols. Even after five years as a transplant, my eyes still twinkle when I traverse Los Angeles, home to many beloved writers and artists.
Ancient Invasions, Modern Warnings: What Fossils Tell Us About Migration in Response to Climate Change Before Human Arrival
Growing up near the ocean, I was fascinated by the small creatures I found in tide pools—slow-moving snails, tiny bivalves, and the colorful shells used by hermit crabs.
Honoring Jane Goodall’s legacy at USC Dornsife
The trailblazing primatologist helped to advance the study of great apes at the College, and left a lasting mark on its students and faculty.
Not Over Yet: War, Climate, and the Future of Vietnam
On my first-ever research trip to Vietnam, I was confronted with two extremes.
Empowering Resilience: Community Science in the Wake of the 2025 Los Angeles Fires
The smell of smoke lingered in the air for weeks, a quiet reminder of what the community had endured.
USC Architecture Unveils Jury and Awards for ShadeLA Shade Zones Competition
The USC School of Architecture is proud to announce the jury for the Shade Zones Design Competition.
AI, Climate, Housing, Olympics: Brett Steele and Other Architecture Deans Share What’s in Store this Fall Term
What’s on the minds of architecture deans this semester?
FridayFacts: Ep. 2 Rainwater Harvesting Systems
The second episode of our #FridayFacts video series features Paulina Oliva, Professor of Economics and Spatial Sciences at USC Dornsife, who is a recipient of a 2024-2026 Wrigley Institute Faculty Innovation Award.
Rachel Wang wins Merit Student Award from AIA California’s 2025 Urban Design Awards
Rachel Wang (B.Arch 2028) has received a Merit Student Award from AIA California’s 2025 Urban Design Awards for her project “The Flowscape.”
Game on: USC launches student design competition to bring shade to L.A. for 2028 and beyond
The annual competition invites students across the L.A. region to create modular shade structures that protect Angelenos from extreme heat and reimagine public spaces for a more resilient climate future.
Creating a Circular Carbon Economy: Methanol as a Liquid Hydrogen Carrier
We are on the cusp of a great energy transition.
The Global Ocean Microbiome: Studying Microbes in Southern California
The human microbiome is described as the collection of all the microorganisms in and on our bodies that contribute to our health and wellness.
Envisioning a future for Caribbean coral reefs: lessons in resilience and collaboration
It’s not always easy for scientists in my field to think about the future.