UCLA Impact - Blue and Gold Goes Green (February 2008)

· UC is #4 on Sierra Magazine’s list of the nation's 10 most environmentally friendly and sustainable schools — and the #1 ranked public institution.

· The Committee on Sustainability helps UCLA advance sustainability through operations, education, research and service.

Blue and Gold Goes Green

Universities have a dual role when it comes to the environment — to create knowledge about the Earth and to develop solutions to problems.

Here are seven things UCLA is doing for the environment that will affect your everyday
life — from checking the weather report to your morning commute. Plus, learn what you can do to make a big difference for UCLA and the Earth.

Peter Friebe and Professor Vasilios Manousiouthakis with one of UCLA's hydrogen fuel cell cars. Learn more about the campus' hydrogen fuel car here

1. Greening Your
Commute

By improving the efficiency of air hybrid cars and hydrogen cars, researchers from UCLA will make your commute cleaner and greener.

Biofuels are produced from agricultural products such as corn.

2. Producing Next-
Generation Biofuels

UCLA developed a new method for producing next-generation biofuels. The secret ingredient? Genetically modified E. coli bacteria.
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3. Building Better
Climate Models

By plane and by ship, UCLA will lead a global team of scientists in improving the accuracy of computer weather models — ultimately providing better global warming and El Niño predictions.
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Students learning about the environment

4. Education

UCLA is training the next generation of environmental stewards:

· UCLA School of Law receives gifts and pledges to create a $10 million Emmett Center on Climate Change and the Environment.

· "The Business of Green: What's the Payoff?" conference is just one of UCLA Extension’s Earth-friendly offerings.

· UCLA’s Anderson School’s "Leaders in Sustainability" is a multidisciplinary emphasis for graduate students.

· Joined by departments across campus, the Institute of the Environment offers an undergraduate degree program in environmental science.

View previous issues of Impact:

Panel from “Changing Climate / Changing Lives: A Summit on the Public Health Effects of Climate Change.”

5. Climate Change and
Health

Now’s the time to prepare for the potential impact of climate change on people’s
health — and UCLA is leading the discussion.
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Yang Yang, Ph.D., UCLA professor of Materials Science and Engineering

6. Solar Power
Innovations

Solar-powered curtains that cool and light your room? Solar technologies discovered in UCLA labs are making their way to market.
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7. Desalinated Water

UCLA researchers created a membrane, structured at the nanoscale, that promises to reduce the cost of turning seawater into drinking water.
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Focus The Nation

Focus the Nation

UCLA joins campuses nationwide in a discussion about global warming solutions. On January 31, 2008, support thousands of students in rallying support for environmental advocacy and political change.
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Be The Change

Simple actions can make a big difference in the environment. UCLA’s Sustainable Resource Center shares tips on leading a more sustainable life.
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Take A Stand

Through persistent innovation in health care and education, business and the arts, applied science and pure scholarship, UCLA continues to define what a university can be.

To keep it that way, join Bruin Caucus. Help build bridges between UCLA, the greater Los Angeles community and government entities by providing ideas, information, counsel and assistance.

Join Bruin Caucus and advocate on behalf of UCLA.

1. Greening Your Commute

2. Producing Next- Generation Biofuels

3. Building Better Climate Models