News
New study dives deep into the sustainability of an alternative aquaculture feed ingredient
July 12, 2022
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz developed a new life cycle sustainability assessment documenting the environmental benefits and impacts of using the marine microalga Schizochytrium sp. to replace fish oil as an ingredient in aquaculture feed.
Narwhals show physiological disruption in response to seismic survey ship noise
July 8, 2022
Scientists deployed monitoring devices on narwhals to record heart rates, breathing, and diving behavior during seismic air gun pulses from a ship in the fjords of Greenland.
The Carbon Fund Celebrates 10 Years
June 23, 2022
UCSC’s Carbon Fund has officially been sponsoring sustainability and innovation projects for over ten years!
Reefense project aims to meld biology and engineering in novel structures for coastal protection
June 22, 2022
UCSC scientists are part of a DARPA-funded team to develop innovative solutions for coral reef restoration in Florida and the Caribbean to protect coastal infrastructure.
Study shows mangrove and reef restoration yield positive returns on investment for flood protection
June 17, 2022
A robust analysis demonstrates that nature-based solutions to reduce the damage caused by coastal flooding are cost-effective.
100,000-year-old polar bear genome reveals ancient hybridization with brown bears
June 16, 2022
Scientists found that all brown bears today have some polar bear ancestry due to genetic admixture that occurred during a warm interglacial period more than 100,000 years ago.
Free public beach tours of Younger Lagoon Reserve have resumed
June 1, 2022
Tours of the reserve, which were suspended due to COVID-19 precautions, are again being offered through UCSC’s Seymour Marine Discovery Center.
UCSC renews its AASHE-STARS Gold rating!
May 12, 2022
This year, UCSC achieved a GOLD rating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), for the third time in a row.
As climate shifts, species will need to relocate, and people may have to help them
May 2, 2022
A new survey summarizes scientific recommendations for conservationists and land managers tasked with managing biodiversity in a changing climate.
New global forecasts of marine heatwaves foretell ecological and economic impacts
April 20, 2022
The forecasts could help fishing fleets, ocean managers, and coastal communities anticipate the effects of marine heatwaves.
Kelp restoration project is finalist in LaunchPad pitch competition
April 14, 2022
Andrea Paz-Lacavex, a graduate student in UCSC’s Coastal Science & Policy Program, leads SPORA, a kelp restoration project in Baja California.
Less Single Use Cups at UCSC
April 12, 2022
BYO is the way to go! This past month, UCSC Dining is charging $ 0.25 for each single-use cup across campus.
Vote YES on Fee Measure 76
April 8, 2022
This year, the election runs from April 18th to April 25th and the Sustainability Office has placed a fee measure on the ballot: Fee Measure 76. Also known as the Sustainability Office Fee, it provides around 25 students the opportunity to work in the Sustainability Office annually.
Annual Confronting Climate Change Conference focuses on local impacts and solutions
March 24, 2022
UC Santa Cruz offers a weekend of free events at the Seymour Center to spark conversation and inspire action.
Ocean scientist Claudie Beaulieu wins NSF CAREER Award
February 24, 2022
Claudie Beaulieu, assistant professor of ocean sciences, has received a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support her work using data science to study climate variability and climate change.
A surprising heat source is melting the Greenland Ice Sheet from the bottom up
February 21, 2022
Researchers have observed extremely high rates of melting at the bottom of the Greenland Ice Sheet, caused by huge quantities of meltwater descending from the surface to the base.
Easy aluminum nanoparticles for rapid, efficient hydrogen generation from water
February 18, 2022
UCSC chemists developed a simple method to make aluminum nanoparticles that split water and generate hydrogen gas rapidly under ambient conditions.
Climate action planning misses equity opportunities in many California cities
January 31, 2022
A new study led by UC Santa Cruz analyzed 170 climate action plans across California to find out how cities are incorporating equity into their efforts to curb emissions and address climate change impacts.
Economics professor takes deep dive into challenges and opportunities of climate change
January 13, 2022
The widespread impacts of climate change raise urgent and critical questions.
Optimizing coastal wetland restoration for carbon capture and storage
December 15, 2021
UCSC leads a large collaborative effort to develop guidelines for maximizing the effectiveness of coastal wetlands as a climate mitigation solution with multiple benefits.
New study shows plants struggle to keep pace with climate change in human-dominated landscapes
December 6, 2021
A new global-scale analysis found a mismatch between plant phenology and rising temperatures that was more pronounced in the most human-dominated landscapes, especially crop lands.
UC Santa Cruz ranked No. 3 green college
November 24, 2021
Princeton Review evaluates schools based on institutional data as well as a 10-question student survey.
Reviving deep-rooted knowledge
November 23, 2021
The Amah Mutsun Relearning Program at the Arboretum & Botanic Garden aims to assist the tribe's efforts in cultural revitalization, recuperation and relearning of dormant cultural knowledge, and environmental justice.
Incubator Replacement Projects Hatch Great Savings
November 5, 2021
Incubator replacement efforts lead to up to 93% energy savings, in addition to greenhouse gas and financial savings at UCSC. Learn more about this great initiative lead by Julio Harvey, Biology Teaching Laboratories Manager.
Survivor salmon that withstand drought and ocean warming provide a lifeline for California Chinook
October 28, 2021
Late migration of outgoing juvenile fish is a crucial life history strategy for survival of spring-run Chinook salmon during drought years.
Wonderfil Refill Stations Are Coming to Campus
October 7, 2021
Wonderfil will be on our campus soon, thanks to Banana Slug Alumnus and Carbon Fund grant.
Wild, wild life
September 28, 2021
Alumnus Sebastian Kennerknecht cares so deeply about animals that he built a career in wildlife conservation photography to help fight for their survival.
2019-2020 Carbon Fund Projects Show Their Impact
September 24, 2021
Throughout 2019-2020 the UCSC Carbon Fund awarding nearly $140k in sustainable projects.
Anthropology Teaching Labs Embrace Sustainability to the “Bone”
June 24, 2021
The Green Labs team has recently had the opportunity to meet with the Anthropology Labs Manager, Richard Baldwin, whose sustainable practices have found their way into his lab space. The Anthropology department has had a good track record of being resourceful on campus as much as they can.
Santa Cruz Student Mehul Kamran Leaves Big Impact on Campus
June 14, 2021
Mehul Kamran (he/him) is a senior studying environmental studies and economics at UCSC. While at Santa Cruz, he's been part of a few huge decisions being implemented on campus. After graduation, he hopes to work in corporate sustainability, and in his spare time loves hiking, climbing, playing basketball, listening to music, and watching Netflix.
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.
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.
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.
The Pros and Cons of Telecommuting
September 9, 2020
Mehul Kamran, UCSC Carbon Neutrality Fellow discusses the pros and cons of telecommuting
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.
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!
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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