News
Letourneau's datasets propel research that shows biodiversity improves crop production
October 31, 2019
When Environmental Studies Professor Deborah Letourneau was getting ready to retire, she gave several of her datasets to younger researchers so they could make use of them. And did they ever.
Mangroves reduce flood damages during hurricanes, saving billions of dollars in property losses
October 29, 2019
A new report finds that mangroves provide valuable flood risk benefits and play a critical role in protecting coastal communities in Florida.
Climate report describes escalating impacts on oceans, ice, and snow
September 25, 2019
UCSC ocean scientist Raphael Kudela is a lead author of the IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, which provides new evidence for the benefits of limiting global warming.
Alumna Stacy Jupiter wins coveted MacArthur Fellowship
September 25, 2019
Stacy Jupiter, a marine scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society who earned her Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz in 2006, is among the 26 new MacArthur Fellows for 2019.
New website highlights UCSC's "living labs"
September 24, 2019
A new website provides easy access to programs offering opportunities for hands-on learning at UCSC.
Sustainable aquaculture initiative lands $245,000 federal grant
September 19, 2019
Anne Kapuscinski, professor of environmental studies and director of the Coastal Science and Policy Program, has received a $245,000 federal grant that will support her team’s work driving efforts to make aquaculture more sustainable.
Farm hosts organic ag research tour for Congressman Jimmy Panetta
September 4, 2019
It was a beautiful September morning when Congressman Jimmy Panetta visited the UCSC Farm to hear from leading researchers in the field of organic agriculture.
Strawberries: The tasty fruit with a tainted environmental legacy and an uncertain future
August 26, 2019
Are the glory days of California's strawberry industry gone for good? That's the conclusion of Julie Guthman, author of the new book, Wilted: Pathogens, Chemicals, and the Fragile Future of the Strawberry Industry.
Master gardener Orin Martin authors new book, Fruit Trees for Every Garden
August 22, 2019
The beautifully illustrated and lovingly written new book Fruit Trees for Every Garden is not your standard how-to book.
Conservation biologists find new applications for AI tools
July 30, 2019
Deep learning algorithms can be trained to recognize anything from the types of vegetation in a coastal wetland to the sound of a bird hitting a power line.
Alumni Excursion: Sea change, up close and personal
May 30, 2019
A curated trip called "The Effects of Climate Change on Marine Life" offered attendees a detailed look into how UC Santa Cruz researchers are contributing to the discussion of climate change and its direct impact on marine ecosystems.
Campus community eligible to buy discounted LED bulbs
May 20, 2019
Under the Million Light Bulb Challenge community buy program supported by UC's Carbon Neutrality Initiative, all UC students, staff, faculty and alumni can purchase light bulbs at nearly half the price of online competitors.
UC Cooperative Extension hires first organic specialist
May 13, 2019
For the first time, the University of California has hired a Cooperative Extension specialist dedicated to organic agriculture: Joji Muramoto, a longtime research associate with the University of California Santa Cruz, will coordinate a statewide program focused on the organic production of strawberries and vegetables.
Anne Kapuscinski receives 2019 Ocean Award for innovation
May 9, 2019
Anne Kapuscinski, professor of environmental studies and director of the Coastal Science and Policy Program, has received a 2019 Ocean Award for innovation from Boat International magazine and the Blue Marine Foundation.
U.S. coral reefs provide flood protection worth $1.8 billion annually
April 30, 2019
New report finds coral reef barriers provide flood protection for more than 18,000 people and $1.8 billion worth of coastal buildings, infrastructure, and economic activity yearly.
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.
Coral study traces excess nitrogen to Maui wastewater treatment facility
April 3, 2019
Nutrient pollution has been blamed for algal blooms and degradation of coral reefs along Maui's west coast.
UC Santa Cruz to compete in Cool Campus Challenge
March 28, 2019
The goal of this friendly online competition is for the university community to engage in a culture of sustainability and environment-friendly practices.
Climate change and drought threaten small mountain streams in the Sierra Nevada
March 21, 2019
Aquatic life in small headwater streams is especially vulnerable to the effects of prolonged drought, according to a study of mid-elevation streams in the Sierra Nevada.
Deforestation in Brazil could significantly increase local surface temperatures
March 20, 2019
New model quantifies how forests influence reflected sunlight and evapotranspiration, leading to changes in local surface temperature with deforestation.
Leading the charge for change
March 10, 2019
Alumna Amita Kuttner, a current graduate student in the Physics Department, is running as a Green Party candidate for a seat in Canada’s House of Commons in order to make policy around climate change—a quest sparked by a devastating loss
Novel electrocatalyst outperforms platinum in alkaline hydrogen production
February 7, 2019
A ruthenium-based catalyst developed at UC Santa Cruz has potential applications in sustainable hydrogen production for clean energy and in industrial processes.
Study of brine discharge from desalination plant finds good news and bad news
January 31, 2019
Brine discharged from the Carlsbad Desalination Plant raises offshore salinity levels more than permitted, but researchers found no direct local impacts on sea life.
Idled farmland presents habitat restoration opportunities in San Joaquin Desert
January 15, 2019
Land no longer suitable for agriculture could be reclaimed as habitat for dozens of endangered species, according to a new analysis.
Upper-ocean warming is changing the global wave climate, making waves stronger
January 14, 2019
The energy in ocean waves has been increasing as a consequence of climate change, according to a new study.
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!
Impact Designs: Engineering and Sustainability through Student Service
August 04, 2013
