Sustainability stories from the greater USC community in Los Angeles, the media, and other organizations.
- Wrigley Marine Science Center is part of Mission Blue’s newest Hope Spot
“This new Hope Spot is more than a place, it’s an experience. Students and researchers create core memories of their time at USC during their visits to Catalina Island.” - How ‘Dune’ became a beacon for the fledgling environmental movement − and a rallying cry for the new science of ecology
When Frank Herbert sat down in 1963 to start writing ‘Dune,’ he wasn’t thinking about how to leave Earth behind. He was thinking about how to save it. - $4 million gift launches new climate and carbon management initiative
“This generous gift will enable innovative research to accelerate decarbonization strategies,” says Dornsife College Dean Amber D. Miller. - Q&A with actress and activist Jane Fonda: Environmental issues, her childhood and the best hikes in L.A.
Fonda reflects on the past and offers advice for the future in an exclusive with Annenberg Media. - Master of Building Science Alumnus’ Wind Energy System Launches Pilot Program this Summer in L.A.
Casey Castor ’19 is on mission to harvest sustainable energy with a unique leaf-like wind module for the ‘skin’ of buildings, and will launch a pilot program with Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator. - Price student’s big idea to cut auto emissions: mini EVs
Dylan Qichen Di, a Master of Urban Planning student from the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, has a big idea to solve the electric car cost problem: mini EVs. - Slippery situation: Microbes in oil spills could shed light on ecosystem recovery
Earth sciences researcher hopes a long-term study of a 2021 oil spill in Southern California will help guide future decisions about how to repair affected ecosystems. - From wood fossils to plant-based burgers with an Earth sciences degree
Alumna Hyejung “Hazel” Lee honed her lab skills at USC Dornsife, and now she uses them at Beyond Meat, a maker of meat substitutes. - April’s eclipse will mean interruptions in solar power generation, which could strain electrical grids
When the Moon blocks the Sun during an eclipse, utility suppliers have to pull power from the grid to make up for gaps in solar energy. - USC Dornsife celebrates Tyler Prize winner for defining Earth’s vital limits
Johan Rockström joins the ranks of environmental visionaries honored by the Tyler Prize, administered by USC Dornsife, for his pioneering work on the “Planetary Boundaries” framework. - USC researchers uncover biological circuit that protects plants from extreme conditions
A new study shows that plants use their circadian clocks to regulate responses to changes in water and salinity, offering a new avenue for creating drought-resistant crops. - Two USC Dornsife scientists elected senior members of the National Academy of Inventors
Travis Williams of chemistry and Peter Kuhn of biological sciences join a select list of innovators who “have brought or aspire to bring, real impact on the welfare of society.” - Evelyn Tickle’s Firm Grow Oyster Reefs Is Building Self-Healing Coastal Defense Infrastructures
The firm was awarded U.S. National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research funding. - USC’s sustainability efforts receive gold rating
The rating is part of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s STARS system, and comes a year earlier than planned. - USC Sea Grant research, community outreach show approval of aquaculture can be earned
People across all demographics could change their minds when they learned about the environmental benefits of seafood farming, USC research suggests. - Three USC Schools Collaborate to Reimagine the LA River
Researchers in landscape architecture, fluid mechanics and augmented reality have created an interactive hydraulic model installed alongside the Los Angeles River. - USC launches first-of-its-kind podcast series and research focused on energy transition
The USC Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication (CCJC) announced the launch of Electric Futures. - Behind the Scenes at a National Renewable Energy Laboratory Internship
Mechanical Engineering PhD student Morgan Jones reports on his experience at the leading government research lab. - Are bugs bugging humans or the other way around? Study reveals surprises
Researchers uncover factors in urban areas that affect diversity in insects and spiders. The study could help ensure the health of these crucial ecosystem contributors. - USC Wrigley Institute, School of Architecture collaborate to test sustainable landscape design methods
Test Plot is a community land-care initiative under the Landscape Architecture + Urbanism program at the USC School of Architecture. - Landscape Justice Initiative addresses pressing environmental challenges in Los Angeles and beyond
The LJI is a platform for graduate students to position and implement work in areas of environmental, spatial and climate justice. - Electric Futures, Podcast Series on Lithium Extraction in Imperial Valley, Launches
The USC Annenberg CCJC announced the launch of Electric Futures, a podcast series exploring lesser known stories of the energy transition. - USC’s New Sustainability Hub: A Beacon of Environmental Innovation
USC’s new Sustainability Hub marks a significant stride in its commitment to the environment. - Marshall Launches First University-Wide Sustainability Fellowship Program
Rising sophomores across all USC schools are invited to apply to new Hayes Barnard Sustainability Fellowship. - Tackling Climate Change with the Help of “Coffee Filters for Molecules”
Luis Francisco Villalobos joins USC Viterbi, bringing expertise in separation technology for energy transition and water filtration.