Yellowstone flooding underscores environmental pressures facing U.S. national parks
USC researcher Douglas Noble discusses the impact of climate change on Old Faithful, shrinking glaciers and desert oases.
USC Children’s Health Study, now 30 years old, raises nationwide awareness of pollution’s harms
The research helped establish clean-air norms and inspired dozens of spinoff studies on air quality.
Throwing shade at L.A.: USC researcher measures impact of trees, or the lack of them
USC spatial scientist John Wilson discusses the benefits of more trees in the urban core, the differences between Beverly Hills and Boyle Heights, and how trees will shape L.A.’s future.
Becoming an ‘eco-minimalist’: USC experts show how you can help the planet
EARTH WEEK: No one can solve environmental problems alone, but these actionable ideas can reduce your environmental footprint.
Plastic is overwhelming our world, but USC Dornsife students and alumni aim to cut off the strangle-hold
EARTH WEEK: Plastic pollution is killing wildlife, clogging our waterways and even contaminating our blood. Meet some of the USC Dornsife students and alumni finding innovative ways to stem the plastic tsunami.
Sustainable shelter: How these USC experts are living green at home
EARTH WEEK: Installing low-flow shower heads and LED lightbulbs and adjusting the thermostat are just a few things you can do to live more sustainably. Find out how USC experts are making a difference where they live.
If we lose ‘America’s best idea,’ we lose our tie to the Earth, President Folt tells national parks class
EARTH WEEK: The president — an environmental scientist — shares her love of the national treasures that sparked her love of science and discovery during the runup to USC’s Earth Week observance.
Scientists can predict transfer of carbon — including pollution from cars — in the ocean
Tiny organisms that go deep are key to a natural cycle that helps mitigate global warming. A USC-led team of scientists has discovered why and built a computer model that predicts the rate of carbon transfer.
Trojans clear the harbor during 40th annual Avalon Underwater Cleanup
Volunteers from USC Dornsife’s Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies help pull tons of damaging garbage from Santa Catalina Island’s historic tourist location.
How much is the L.A. ports’ shipping backlog hurting Southern California’s environment?
James Fawcett of the USC Sea Grant program at USC Dornsife explains how the line of ships floating off the coast waiting to offload goods is fouling our air and water.
New research reveals optimism and obstacles as California strives for sustainable groundwater use
Groundwater provides nearly 40% of water used in California in normal years and up to 60% in drought years like this one. The state needs to prevent overdraft, when groundwater is repeatedly pumped at a faster rate than it can be replaced.
Professor brings academic research to life in L.A.’s underserved communities
John Wilson is working to improve the well-being of Angelenos through two USC Dornsife Public Exchange projects — one involving urban trees, the other ensuring people have enough to eat.
Rushing oil through pipes: The risks, consequences and role of human error in spills
In the wake of the pipeline rupture off the coast of Southern California, the director of the USC Wrigley Institute discusses the dangers of transporting oil through miles of pipes.
Data from the USC Wrigley Institute helps guide the response to the recent Orange County oil spill
A network of Southern California radar stations, including six maintained by the institute, provide information critical to the cleanup.
Enlisting the power of AI to fight California wildfires
USC Viterbi artificial intelligence experts are helping firefighters strategize how best to plan controlled burns and manage unexpected blazes.
Summer at an island lab has undergraduates tackling questions about our oceans
Students scuba dive, snorkel and collect samples from the sea to solve problems such as how kelp’s circadian rhythm works and where sea cucumbers thrive best.
Citywide sensor network aims to measure carbon dioxide and pollutant levels across L.A.
The devices installed by USC’s William Berelson will help create a detailed map of greenhouse gases and other noxious emissions in various Los Angeles neighborhoods.
Study of nature preserve turns up more than 1,000 species and signs of changing oceans
To create a comprehensive inventory of marine species in Santa Catalina Island’s Blue Cavern Point nature preserve, USC scholars dived into kelp forests and came face-to-face with a great white shark.
Water dispute on the Nile River could destabilize the region
The rapid filling of a giant dam at the source of the world’s longest river could reduce the water supplies going to Egypt and increase tensions with Ethiopia, a new USC study finds.
USC Sea Grant program helps L.A. kids become young scientists and engineers
“Storytime with a Scientist” is just one of many university initiatives that teach local students about the wonders of the scientific world.
Nature and music come together unexpectedly for this 2021 grad
Cameron Audras has discovered how to mix his passion for conservation and his skill with the viola, interests that will culminate with degrees in environmental sciences and music.
Former USC Viterbi professor making his mark on EPA’s leadership team
Philip Fine has parlayed his prowess at monitoring air quality and interpreting hard science for diverse stakeholders into influencing rules and regulations at the highest levels.
USC experts say tree planting could double shade across L.A.’s Eastside
University scientists, working with the city of Los Angeles, have developed a plan to grow an urban forest in communities vulnerable to heat waves and air pollution.
Environmental scholars guide students telling stories of ecology and conservation
Scientists at the USC Wrigley Institute are collaborating with students at the USC School of Cinematic Arts to convey scientific research through creative outlets like video games, animation and screenplays.