News
Scientists describe ‘hidden biodiversity crisis’ as variation within species is lost
March 1, 2021
Many of the benefits people receive from nature depend on diversity within species, but this intraspecific variation is poorly understood and declining rapidly.
Massive debris flow swamps Big Creek Reserve as heavy rains follow summer wildfire
February 26, 2021
Boulders the size of vehicles and decades-old redwoods were ripped from the banks of the Big Creek drainage when an atmospheric river inundated the Landels-Hill Big Creek Natural Reserve on the Big Sur coast in late January.
Healthy oceans need healthy soundscapes, say marine scientists
February 4, 2021
A global team of researchers has documented the pervasive impacts of noise on marine animals and ecosystems and identified actions to return to the soundtrack of the healthy ocean.
Green New Deal architect Rhiana Gunn-Wright will make a virtual campus visit
February 1, 2021
Gunn-Wright previewed some of the insights she'll share on climate policy and environmental justice during her February 10th event with the Institute for Social Transformation.
Grant funding will advance aquaculture research in UCSC’s new state-of-the-art facility
January 19, 2021
Researchers won a USDA grant in support of their efforts to develop a more ocean-friendly feed formula for farm-raised rainbow trout. This work will take place in the team's new aquaculture facility at the UCSC Farm.
Press Release Home Office Assessment Challenge
December 9, 2020
The Green Office Certification Program staff is excited to announce the relaunch of the Home Office Assessment Challenge. Now that everybody who is able to work at home is doing so, we should look at ways to stay green during quarantine! Now that you are acclimated to your home office, you should make sure you are being as sustainable as you possibly can. Through this challenge, you assess your emissions, water, waste, and environmental justice impact to get a score! And as another incentive, the person with the highest score wins a $75 Patagonia gift card with two runner-up $50 cards.
National Academies report on sustainability education features UC Santa Cruz expertise
December 4, 2020
UC Santa Cruz professor Anne Kapuscinski chaired the committee that developed the report, and campus initiatives were highlighted within as examples of innovative sustainability education.
Grounds Department Embraces Sustainability and Saves One Million Gallons of Water
December 4, 2020
Josh Goldman, the Assistant Superintendent of Tree Management, Turf and Irrigation Management, Pest Control, and Equipment and Infrastructure works diligently every day to keep the lush lands of campus looking healthy. Goldman’s expertise was not mastered overnight, starting out on golf course turf management, he brings over 20 years of experience to UCSC.
AXA Chair at UC Santa Cruz funds efforts to build coastal resilience naturally
December 1, 2020
Marine scientist Michael Beck was awarded the chair to support his work on natural defenses to enhance coastal resilience to flooding, erosion, and sea level rise.
UCSC iGEM team wins gold, nominated for best environmental project
November 30, 2020
Thirteen undergraduates were recognized for their research accomplishments at the world’s largest competition in synthetic biology.
Research breakthrough achieves fish-free aquaculture feed that raises key standards
November 12, 2020
A new aquaculture feed formula eliminates conventional fish meal and fish oil ingredients and is the first to demonstrate across-the-board gains in sustainability, performance, economic viability, and human health.
UC Santa Cruz Biology Teaching Labs Wins Honorable Mention for Freezer Challenge 2020
November 4, 2020
The 2020 International Freezer Challenge has come to an end and the winners have been announced! Out of the 88 research institutions and 218 labs around the world participating, this year Dr. Julio Harvey has won the Honorable Mention for his tremendous efforts to improve cold storage management and to reduce the environmental impact of the UCSC Biology Teaching Labs.
The UC is Collecting Input on a New Carbon Offset Policy
November 4, 2020
The University of California, as a part of meeting our 2025 carbon neutrality goal, is using our exceptional research capacity to develop a portfolio of high-quality carbon offset projects aligned with UC’s mission of research, education, and public service. Learn more about how you can give feedback on the UC's draft offset policy.
Spring-run and fall-run Chinook salmon aren’t as different as they seem
October 29, 2020
Genetic analysis of Klamath River Chinook salmon finds a simple genetic variant determines the timing of migration, and seasonal runs are otherwise the same fish.
UC Santa Cruz iGEM team seeks a solution to plastic waste
October 23, 2020
Through campus shutdowns, wildfires, and a two-week quarantine, 13 UCSC students have been finding ways to research a solution to agricultural plastic pollution.
Focused on sustainability, UC Santa Cruz among Sierra's top 25 'Cool Schools'
September 29, 2020
The campus, No. 21 on Sierra's ranking, earned distinction for research, curriculum, and transportation.
UCSC engineers developing all-electric power train for future aircraft
September 15, 2020
Funding from the Department of Energy for the UCSC team is part of a major effort to develop carbon-neutral hybrid electric aviation.
High-fidelity record of Earth’s climate history puts current changes in context
September 10, 2020
A continuous record of the past 66 million years shows natural climate variability due to changes in Earth’s orbit around the sun is much smaller than projected future warming due to greenhouse gas emissions.
Cooperative research effort documents northward migration of kelp forests
September 9, 2020
From Alaska to Mexico, warming waters are driving widespread changes in these highly productive coastal ecosystems.
The Pros and Cons of Telecommuting
September 9, 2020
Mehul Kamran, UCSC Carbon Neutrality Fellow discusses the pros and cons of telecommuting
Research buildings saved as wildfire sweeps across Big Creek Natural Reserve
August 22, 2020
Fire preparedness and hard work by fast-moving fire crews and UC Santa Cruz staff is being credited for saving research and residential buildings at the Landels-Hill Big Creek Natural Reserve on the Big Sur coast.
Alaska’s salmon are getting smaller, affecting people and ecosystems
August 19, 2020
A comprehensive study of four salmon species across all regions of Alaska finds salmon are returning to rivers smaller and younger than in the past.
Report exposes rampant illegal fishing in North Korean waters
July 22, 2020
Ground-breaking study reveals hundreds of vessels fishing illegally in one of the world’s most contested ocean regions, contravening UN sanctions and fueling overfishing.
New study shows retreat of East Antarctic Ice Sheet during previous warm periods
July 22, 2020
Evidence of glacial retreat in the Wilkes Basin 400,000 years ago suggests ice loss in this region could add 10 to 13 feet (3 to 4 meters) to future global sea level rise.
Researchers honored for work in UCSC-NOAA Fisheries Collaborative Program
July 1, 2020
Three researchers affiliated with the Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) at UC Santa Cruz have received awards from the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center for their outstanding contributions to research in 2019.
NOAA funds new Cooperative Institute for Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Systems
June 3, 2020
CIMEAS supports the ongoing collaboration between UC Santa Cruz and the National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Fisheries Science Center.
Two vital buffers against climate change are just offshore
June 1, 2020
A new study underscores the need to conserve and restore mangroves and coral reefs for coastal protection.
Emerald predators: Ohlone tiger beetles reclaim territory with the help of local scientists
May 28, 2020
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists released 43 Ohlone tiger beetles to a new home in Santa Cruz County earlier this year with the help of UC Santa Cruz students and reserve managers
A YES on Measure 74 is a YES on Sustainability
May 12, 2020
Measure 74 is a small undergraduate student fee measure that allows the Sustainability Office to fund paid undergraduate student positions in the office and across campus in sustainability, to host the Annual Sustainability & Social Justice Inter-Organizational Retreat, and to support student professional development and travel to sustainability conferences.
Planting trees is no panacea for climate change, says ecologist
May 7, 2020
Restoration ecologist Karen Holl has a simple message for anyone who thinks planting 1 trillion trees will reverse the damage of climate change: "We can't plant our way out of climate change."
Bay Tree Moves to 100% Recycled Gowns
March 5, 2020
UCSC's 2020 Commencement gowns are made from 100% recycled materials as the campus continues to move toward a more sustainable event.
A Look at the 2020 Sustainability & Social Justice Inter-Organizational (InterOrg) Retreat
March 5, 2020
Reflecting on this year's 2020 Sustainability & Social Justice InterOrganizational Retreat.
Freezer Challenge
February 20, 2020
UCSC Labs Participate in the International Freezer Challenge!
Energy & Emissions Presentation
February 19, 2020
Carbon Neutrality Initiative Fellow offers an Energy & Emissions Presentation to UCSC classes and clubs.
Million LED Challenge
February 12, 2020
UCSC Affiliates Eligible for Discounted LED Bulbs Through the Million LED Challenge
UCSC Switches Fleet Diesel Use to Biofuel
February 10, 2020
2020 has began with many great news for UCSC on the transportation front. UCSC fleet vehicles switched to renewable diesel fuel and TAPS has new initiatives to reduce the impact of commuters on our environment.
People of Color Sustainability Collective Leading the Way
October 14, 2019
UCSC People of Color Sustainability Collective was recognized and was highlighted in the AASHE Sustainable Campus Index as leading the way towards environmental justice!
Air Resources District funds air pollution research and teaching at UC Santa Cruz
April 29, 2019
Partnership between UCSC and the Monterey Bay Air Resources District supports a new course on air pollution and research on high-tech sensors to detect pollutants.
Free online training and webinars through LEED
December 4, 2018
Sustainability Inter-Organizational Retreat
November 27, 2018
Showcasing our sustainability
November 13, 2018
The campus, through the Sustainability Office, is in the midst of collecting information to submit for our 2019 report to the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS).
Now Hiring: Office Manager/Events Coordinator Staff Position, Deadline 2/5
January 18, 2017
Startup Weekend Santa Cruz: Sustainability & Social Impact
November 17, 2016
Startups!
Carbon Slam Applications Due 4/10
March 21, 2016
Any student, undergraduate or graduate, in the UC system is invited to submit an application to represent their campus in either the Climate Impact or Climate Solutions competitions. Learn more about the categories of competition and entry details, including video submission guidelines.
Provost's Sustainability Internship Applications Due 4/28
April 23, 2015
Apply to the PSI program for a hands-on learning experience with sustainability projects on campus.
The sun rises as one of UC's top energy choices
September 11, 2014
Through two new agreements, UC has committed to the largest purchase of solar power by any university in the country.
UC announces new approaches to combat climate change
September 10, 2014
The University of California announces a series of measures to make UC a national leader in sustainability, efforts that range from proposals to actively use its $91 billion portfolio to invest in climate solutions to a major agreement to boost solar energy use.
Call for Your Waste Reduction Stories!
November 7, 2013
Calling all students, staff, and faculty! Have you done something innovative to reduce waste? Help us tell the whole story about waste reduction at UCSC by telling us your waste reduction story.
Impact Award: Beyond a Personal Commitment
November 7, 2013
Students are encouraged to take the Chancellor's Sustainability Challenge to the next level with the Impact Award, which includes a cash prize of up to $300.
88% of Waste Diverted from Landfill at OPERS Fall Festival
November 7, 2013
88 percent of the total pounds of waste from OPERS Fall Festival was diverted away from the landfill to be recycled or composted.
McHenry Library Goes Solar!
October 6, 2013
The library is UCSC's first on-site renewable power system and it will provide 25% of the annual electrical energy needed for the building. More importantly, it will provide 75-100% of the power needed for the building during peak times of year.
Chancellor's Sustainability Challenge
September 13, 2013
Chancellor Blumenthal is challenging UCSC students, staff, and faculty to reduce their own waste this year, in an effort to get us closer to our Zero Waste by 2020 goal.
New! Campus Sustainability Plan
September 12, 2013
The 2013 - 16 Campus Sustainability Plan, which outlines goals and objectives for making UCSC more sustainable, is complete!
The IDEASS internship program is currently accepting applications for Fall. Find out more and apply here!
May 2, 2013
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