UCLA Sustainability

April Affinity Talk: Lifestyle Psychiatry with Dr. Gia Merlo and Dr. Melissa Sundermann
2025-04-22 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | HYBRID: Semel B8-225 and Online, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Lifestyle Psychiatry – Harnessing the Therapeutic Benefits of the Great Outdoors explores how nature serves as a powerful tool for mental health and well-being. Lifestyle psychiatry is an emerging field that integrates evidence-based lifestyle interventions—such as physical activity, nutrition, sleep, stress management, and social connection—into psychiatric care to prevent and treat mental illness while optimizing overall health. A growing body of research highlights the profound impact of nature exposure in reducing stress, alleviating anxiety and depression, and enhancing cognitive function. This session examines the mental health benefits of green and blue spaces, innovative strategies to increase nature access in urban environments, and the growing practice of Nature Prescriptions—personalized recommendations for engaging with nature as a therapeutic tool. Attendees will gain practical insights into integrating nature-based interventions into clinical care, empowering both patients and providers to harness the healing power of the outdoors.
Dr. Merlo is a clinical professor of psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, associate editor of the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), past chair of the Mental and Behavioral Health Member Interest Group, and contributing author to ACLM’s board review course. She recently published a general-audience book, Restack: A New Approach to Dismantle the Blocks Holding You Back. In Restack, Merlo urges us to embrace our humanness with our imperfections and provides tools and practical suggestions to restack yourself in a way that is psychologically freeing.
Dr. Melissa Sundermann is a double board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine and has practiced medicine for over 25 years. She also has training in Integrative Medicine through the University of Michigan and has completed a Professional Training Program in Mind Body Medicine.
REGISTER HERE

Lunch & Learn: Earth Day with Gerald Clarke
2025-04-22 12:30 - 13:30 | Fowler Museum
This Earth Day, Cahuilla artist Gerald Clarke, featured in the Fire Kinship exhibition, will discuss traditional ecological knowledge as the foundation for an Indigenous understanding of the world, our relationship to fire, and his artistic practice.
Gerald Clarke is a visual artist, educator, tribal leader, and cultural practitioner whose family has lived in the Anza Valley for time immemorial. An enrolled citizen of the Cahuilla Band of Indians, Clarke lives in the home built by his grandfather (c. 1940) on the Cahuilla Indian Reservation and oversees the Clarke family cattle ranch. He also is a professor of ethnic studies at the University of California, Riverside, where he teaches classes in Native American art, history, and culture. As a visual artist, he has exhibited extensively and can be seen in numerous shows and major museum collections.
REGISTER HERE

One Bus, One Cause - Earth Fest '25: Volunteer for a Day of Fun, Learning, and Making a Difference
2025-04-19 09:00 - 14:00 | El Rincon Elementary School, 11177 Overland Ave, Culver City, CA, 90230, United States
Through One Bus, One Cause, the Volunteer Center aims to introduce the UCLA community to a wide variety of needs that Los Angeles faces and to the ongoing service organizations that address those needs. This program involves sending one bus of about 50 volunteers out to do community service work with a non-profit organization in the Greater Los Angeles Area. The purpose of this initiative is to introduce the UCLA Community to the local organizations that are leading these efforts, learn of the causes they support, and provide a way for volunteers to engage in similar projects that support these causes on an ongoing basis.
Get ready for an exciting and impactful day at Earth Fest ’25, the 4th Annual Earth Day Festival at El Rincon Elementary School in Culver City! Hosted by the Culver City Education Foundation, this FREE community event is the perfect opportunity to give back, meet amazing people, and make lasting memories while helping spread environmental awareness.
As a volunteer, you’ll:

Interact with rescue animals and educate kids about wildlife and animal care
Lead hands-on activities like pedal-powered smoothie making, teaching kids about sustainable energy
Support engaging eco-friendly crafts that promote sustainability in everyday life
Be a part of the change by helping families learn about ways they can protect the planet

Whether you’re passionate about the environment, love working with kids, or just want to contribute to a great cause, Earth Fest ’25 is the perfect place to volunteer!
Sign up today and help make this Earth Day celebration unforgettable!
Please note that volunteers are asked to show up by 9am to account for travel time.
REGISTER HERE

Free Food from UCLA Dining Halls!
2025-04-17 22:00, 2025-04-16 22:00, 2025-04-10 22:00, 2025-04-09 22:00 | Conference Room 1 in the Student Activities Center Basement, 220 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Join Bruin Dine for our food recovery events every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 10PM in the SAC Basement! Bring your utensils, containers, and appetite!
Hit the follow button (https://www.instagram.com/uclabruindine/) to see what we’re serving up each week!

AI LA Earth Summit 2025
2025-04-17 10:00 - 18:00 | BLANKSPACES Venice, 606 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90291, United States
​Join AI LA for its landmark 6th annual Earth Summit, dedicated this year to building resilient communities in the wake of Los Angeles’ devastating fires.
​We envision a Los Angeles that rebuilds faster, stronger, and more sustainably in the face of disaster—where foundations, NGOs, tech innovators, investors, and government agencies collaborate to implement innovative solutions.
​The Earth Summit is a vibrant gathering point for LA’s leading sustainability champions, technologists, startups, policy makers, and investors, all committed to forging pathways toward resilient urban futures. Participants will experience a day rich with education, inspiration, and opportunities for meaningful connection.
REGISTER HERE

Luskin Summit 2025: Guiding an Equitable Recovery in L.A.
2025-04-16 07:30 - 14:30 | UCLA Luskin Conference Center, 425 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
The seventh annual UCLA Luskin Summit will focus on the rebuilding and recovery of the Los Angeles region following the devastation caused by the wildfires in January 2025. UCLA Luskin experts, in collaboration with community groups and government agencies, will share their research intended to guide the effort to expedite equitable recovery.
The Summit is not just about recovery; it will share the expertise and experience of leaders in Los Angeles and researchers at UCLA so we can restore communities and make them more resilient than before. Eight sessions over four tracks intended to inform equitable recovery and resilience, and opening and closing plenary sessions, will cover updates on the rebuilding efforts and how philanthropy can support collective recovery.
REGISTER HERE

Kelp Kulture Talk: Salty Gold: Kelp Forest Stewardship via Sea Urchin Butter
2025-04-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
featuring Max Diamond – Sea urchin (uni) butter is a blueprint forward to innovate how seafood can be consumed and produced more sustainably with the American end consumer in mind. Salty Gold sources purple sea urchins that threaten kelp forests – a key combatant of climate change. A healthy purple urchin full of roe, known as uni, just so happens to be a gourmet delicacy beloved by chefs and foodies. Eating purple urchins is an act of restorative consumption. The more we eat, the healthier our ocean and planet will be.
REGISTER HERE

Family Flicks screening - Earth
2025-04-13 11:00 - 12:30 | Billy Wilder Theater, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, United States
All Family Flicks screenings are free admission. Seating is first come, first served. The Billy Wilder Theater opens 15 minutes before each Family Flicks program. Earth revels in the beauty of the natural world while examining how climate change impacts species as far-flung as the Arctic polar bear, the African bush elephant and the humpback whale.

FOR ADMITTED UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS - UCLA Campus Sustainability Tour #2
2025-04-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Wilson Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
https://bruinday.ucla.edu/first-years/home
Find out everything you need to know about life at UCLA, take campus tours, connect with current and future Bruins, and get your questions answered. Bruin Day has no set agenda so you can choose which events you’d like to attend! Events take place throughout the day across campus.
REGISTER HERE

FOR ADMITTED UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS - UCLA Campus Sustainability Tour #1
2025-04-12 11:00 - 12:00 | Wilson Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States

AltaSea Open House: Urban Renewable Energy Summit and Conference
2025-04-12 10:30 - 14:30 | AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, 2451 Signal St, Los Angeles, CA, 90731, United States
Join AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles for a day filled with insightful discussions, innovative ideas, and networking opportunities. Held in honor of Earth Day 2025, the Urban Renewable Energy Summit is a unique event dedicated to advancing climate resilience, energy equity, and sustainable innovation within Los Angeles County’s urban marketplace.
The Summit’s theme is “Reclaiming Our Sun and Water,” which will celebrate the historic and current contributions of leaders of color in environmental advocacy and renewable energy, while also emphasizing the importance of advocating for an equitable and “just transition” to sustainable practices for all Angelenos.
Through engaging discussions and a community expo, the Summit will bring together industry leaders, government representatives, educators, small businesses, and passionate community-based organizations that are all dedicated to making real-world impact in LA County’s emerging Green and Blue economic sectors.
This free in-person community event will feature engaging panel discussions, and an interactive clean energy expo of resource organizations, businesses, and educational programs centered around three key themes:

Sustainable Development & Advocacy: Strategies for building and financing resilient communities, as well as the importance of policy, public awareness, and equitable access to clean energy solutions.
Innovations & Entrepreneurship: Emerging technologies, business opportunities, and renewable energy trends within the green and blue economies.
Workforce Development & Career Pathways: Expanding minority job training opportunities in renewable energy, offshore wind, EV infrastructure, and more.

Don’t miss this chance to be a part of the conversation and contribute to shaping a sustainable future.
REGISTER HERE

Grow LA Victory Garden Workshop 1: Planning Your Garden
2025-04-12 10:00 - 11:00 | jane b semel Healthy Campus Initiative Community Garden, Sunset Canyon Recreation Center, 111 Easton Dr, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, United States
Led by Master Gardener James Bassett, learn all about how to plan your garden, perfect for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
Explore the best plant choices for your space and growing conditions. Discover how to maximize productivity and sustainability in an urban setting. Get started on creating a garden that fits your lifestyle and goals.
Part of a 4-part workshop program on the basics of urban gardening, this session offers the chance to learn from Master Gardner Dr. James Bassett. Attend individual workshops that interest you, or attend all 4 and receive UC Victory Gardener Certification!
REGISTER HERE

Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Eudaimonia 2025 Award presentation
2025-04-10 16:30 - 18:30 | UCLA’s Semel Institute, B-floor Deck, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, United States
The Semel Healthy Campus Initiative (HCI) Center at UCLA & the MindWell team invite you to its annual Eudaimonia Awards 2025 Ceremony! The HCI Eudaimonia Award is an annual recognition award given to a member of the UCLA community past or present who exemplifies a life full of purpose and meaning.
This year, the theme is: “Gift of Giving” which is to acknowledge UCLA community members who exemplify this theme, have committed to bringing good to society, and who build up community members through care, service and advocacy.
Youlonda Copeland-Morgan is a nationally recognized leader in higher education and President and CEO of The CopelandMorgan Group, LLC. Copeland-Morgan’s 44-year career is a testament to her lifelong commitment to access, equity, diversity, and inclusion in K-12 and higher education. She has been honored by the United States Congress, the California State Legislature, and the City of Los Angeles.
The event reception starts at 4:30pm, and the program starts at 5pm. Food and refreshments will be served!
REGISTER HERE

IoES seminar series 2024-25 Focus on the Environment and Sustainability - "Managing the Mid-Transition from Fossil to Clean Energy," Prof. Emily Grubert, University of Notre Dame
2025-04-10 14:00 - 16:00 | James West Alumni Center Founder’s Room, 325 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Emily Grubert
Associate Professor of Sustainable Energy Policy in the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame.
Emily Grubert is a civil engineer and environmental sociologist who studies how we can make better decisions about large infrastructure systems, particularly related to justice-centering decarbonization of the US energy system.
Prof. Emily Grubert from the University of Notre Dame will discuss just energy transitions, and decarbonization, especially as related to energy, water, and infrastructure systems.
Key Discussion Topics

The industrial transformation needed to phase out fossil fuels
How to restructure energy systems to deliver services without greenhouse gas emissions
The “mid-transition” period — where neither old nor new systems fully sustain energy needs
Challenges in safety, reliability, flexibility and planning
The role of justice-centered decarbonization in reshaping the U.S. energy system

2:00 — 2:30 pm | Refreshments
2:30 — 3:30 pm | Seminar
3:30 — 4:00 pm | Q&A
For inquiries, contact Claire Griffiths at cgriffiths@ioes.ucla.edu.
REGISTER HERE
Abstract
Responding to climate change requires rapid and deep industrial transformation, particularly related to phasing out fossil fuels and restructuring energy systems to deliver services without greenhouse gas emissions. This transformation presents a critical opportunity not only to decarbonize, but to remake the way we provide energy services with emphasis on justice.
The period of remaking is a multi-decade effort that requires both phasing out the majority of the existing energy system and phasing in a new system — all while continuing to provide energy services effectively, despite the growing challenges of climate change and deep inequality.
The “mid-transition” period during which existing and new systems are each too small to provide all services on their own, but too large to avoid constraining the other, poses special challenges of safety, reliability, flexibility, measurement, and other considerations. A successful transition will require extensive coordination and planning, especially due to the dynamism imposed by both technology and climate changes.

From Origin to Opportunity: The Watch Duty Story
2025-04-09 16:00 - 17:00 | UCLA Anderson, Korn Convocation Hall, 110 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
In an era where climate change drives increasingly frequent and devastating wildfires, access to reliable, real-time information can mean the difference between safety and disaster for communities on the frontlines. Watch Duty is a non-profit, non-partisan, and non-government organization focused on disseminating public safety information about nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts in real-time from verified sources.
Join an insightful conversation with John Mills, CEO and Cofounder of Watch Duty, as we dive into the critical intersections between technology, public safety, and mission-driven innovation.
We will explore key topics including:

Watch Duty’s Origin Story: Discover the inspiration behind the app and the journey from concept to reality.
Delivering Real-Time Wildfire Information: Understand the challenges, lessons learned, and future steps in providing critical updates.
Business and Operational Strategies for Growth: Learn about the strategies that fuel Watch Duty’s expansion and impact.
Watch Duty’s Role in LA Wildfires: Gain insights into the app’s crucial role during recent wildfires and the team’s key takeaways.
Future Vision and Public-Private Partnerships: Explore Watch Duty’s vision for the future and the potential for strategic collaborations.
Philanthropy and Sustainable Funding: Discuss innovative funding models and solutions for supporting impactful initiatives.
The Role of Future Business Leaders: Understand how business acumen, technology, and entrepreneurial thinking can address critical social and environmental challenges.

Whether you’re a student passionate about social entrepreneurship, a future founder with a vision for tech for good, or a corporate professional exploring mission-driven innovation, this conversation will provide valuable insights, inspiration, and opportunities to engage!
REGISTER HERE
*Please bring your ID to check in to the event for security purposes*
About John Mills, Watch Duty’s CEO and Cofounder
John has changed the way we live with fire through his 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Watch Duty. John spent many years in Silicon Valley focusing on underserved markets that had been overlooked by technologists. In 2012 he founded Zenput as CTO, focused on retail food services operations which was acquired in 2022. After living in San Francisco for 16 years, he moved off-the-grid to Sonoma County in 2020 where he was faced with the terrifying reality of life in the wildlands without the information needed to make informed decisions. Having developed software for over 30 years beginning at age 8, John found himself with a life or death problem he had to solve not only for himself, but for his community. He spent more than a year understanding the problems and then together, with his team, created Watch Duty in just 80 days. Today Watch Duty has a team of over 200 active and retired wildland firefighters, dispatchers, first responders, and reporters supporting millions of citizens and first responders who rely on the Watch Duty App across the American West to stay safe.

Emmett Institute Symposium - Charging Ahead: Cutting Vehicle Pollution in the New Trump Years
2025-04-09 09:00 - 17:00 | UCLA School of Law, Room 1347, 385 Charles E Young Dr E, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
9am-4pm, reception to follow
This is an in-person event.
There’s no going back. Federal climate policies face deep uncertainty, but California remains committed to cutting air pollution and climate emissions from transportation and is obligated to do so by statutes like the Clean Air Act. States and localities are once again at the forefront of transportation and electric vehicle strategies. California has unique authority to create more ambitious motor vehicle emissions standards than the federal government, but even those powers are under attack. Given all this, what are the most promising — and durable — state and local strategies to focus on?
This all-day symposium will explore a range of creative approaches available to cities, counties, and states to cut pollution from cars, trucks, and other transportation sources in light of threats to tailpipe emission standards. The event will also examine ways to ensure that the transition to cleaner vehicles benefits disadvantaged communities. This symposium is co-sponsored by the Environmental Law Section of the California Lawyers Association and is part of the 2nd Annual LA Climate Week.
A keynote speaker will set the table for the day’s discussions and rally our spirits for what’s to come. Three expert panels will look beyond traditional emission standards and include a wide range of innovative policies aimed at vehicles, infrastructure, and pricing mechanisms. This day-long event at the UCLA School of Law is free and open to the public. The event is FREE but you must RSVP.
REGISTER HERE
Check back soon for the day-of schedule and details about all the speakers and panels.

Building the Future: A Live Inevitable Podcast with Patrick Maloney
2025-04-08 17:00 - 19:00 | Crown Family Auditorium, Marion Anderson Hall 3rd level, UCLA Anderson School of Management, 110 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, 90095, United States
Join My Climate Journey (MCJ) Managing Partner and Host, Cody Simms, for a live recording of the Inevitable podcast. Cody will share the stage with Patrick Maloney, the Co-founder and CEO of CIV.
​This event offers a deep dive into climate tech from a seasoned entrepreneur, exploring the future of critical infrastructure, nuclear energy, and the evolving landscape of climate innovation. Expect candid insights, bold ideas, and a thought-provoking discussion on what it takes to build and scale transformative companies in this space. Stick around after the recording for a networking happy hour.
4:45pm – Doors open, check-in
5:00pm – Recording starts (at Crown Auditorium)
5:45pm – Q&A with the guest
6:00pm – 7:00pm – Networking reception (in D Atrium)
Please arrive early!
Best parking to access UCLA Anderson is at Parking Structure 4, off of Sunset blvd
REGISTER HERE
​

Habitability and Multispecies Flourishing: From Local to Planetary
2025-04-08 15:00 - 17:00 | La Kretz Garden Pavilion, 707 Tiverton Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Join an enlightening panel discussion on the harmonious coexistence of humans and non-human species, with a special focus on Los Angeles, urban biodiversity, and the concept of rewilding.
Explore how our local environment in Los Angeles can support thriving ecosystems and enhance habitat diversity. Our expert panel will delve into the importance of urban biodiversity, strategies for rewilding urban spaces, and the ethical dimensions of human-non-human interactions in a planetary perspective.
​Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in discussions that are crucial for the future of our planet and the well-being of all species. Whether you’re passionate about environmental sustainability, urban planning, or simply curious about our interconnected world, this event promises to inspire and inform.
REGISTER HERE
​Organized by Better Earth Productions with the support of LA Climate Week, Re:wild your Campus and Berggruen Institute.

Climate Case Study Workshop: "Fact or Fiction? Evaluating Corporate Sustainability Through Disclosed Data"
2025-04-08 15:00 - 17:00 | Marion Anderson Hall Grand Salon, 110 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
As California moves forward with mandatory corporate climate disclosures (SB 253 & SB 261), how can we tell which companies are truly leading on sustainability — and which are just greenwashing?
​Join an interactive workshop hosted by the Center for Impact at UCLA Anderson, and UCLA Open for Good Initiative, to explore real corporate sustainability data and tackle key challenges in evaluating environmental performance and transparency. Using actual S&P 500 disclosure data, participants will examine how companies report on climate risks, GHG emissions, and net-zero targets — and what these disclosures reveal about corporate climate action.
​What you will do:

Analyze real sustainability data using an interactive dashboard
Discuss challenges in evaluating data quality, comparability, and credibility
Consider how selective disclosure and greenwashing complicate sustainability assessments
Work in small groups to develop and debate rankings of company performance

​Who should attend:
This workshop is ideal for industry practitioners, investors, MBA students, and anyone interested in climate strategy, sustainability reporting, and corporate accountability — especially as California’s new climate disclosure laws take effect.
​Workshop lead: Tyson Timmer, Case Writer and Corporate Sustainability Researcher, UCLA Open for Good Initiative
​Join us to be part of the conversation shaping the future of corporate sustainability in California!
REGISTER HERE
We encourage you to bring:

your laptop
reusable water bottle

An exciting speaker event to follow at UCLA Anderson directly after this event – to be announced soon!

Food Day - LA Climate Week
2025-04-07 10:00 - 18:30 | Fiesta Hall, West Hollywood, 1166 North Vista Street, West Hollywood, CA, 90046, United States
Join LA Climate Week Food Day, a full day of networking, expert panels, and delicious plant-based meals, all focused on how food can drive climate action. This event, held at Fiesta Hall in West Hollywood, is part of LA Climate Week, a series of dozens of events promoting sustainability across the region.
What to Expect:
• Three Impactful Panels: Explore youth advocacy, public policy, and cultural shifts in plant-based food with council members, nonprofit leaders, and celebrities leading the charge for a sustainable future.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with city leaders, ESG professionals, sustainability experts, activists, business leaders, and influencers.
• Free Plant-Based Meals: Enjoy complementary breakfast, lunch, and refreshments throughout the day.
Whether you’re a climate advocate, policymaker, or simply curious, this event is your chance to engage with the growing movement for sustainable, plant-based food—right in the heart of Los Angeles.
REGISTER HERE

Botanical Art Class with Konstanze Rausch
2025-04-05 13:00 - 15:00 | UCLA Mildred E Mathias Botanical Garden, La Kretz Garden Pavilion, 707 Tiverton Dr, Los Angeles, CA, 90095
Dive into the world of botanical-inspired art with this workshop led by artist and instructor Konstanze Rausch!
Join the Garden for this hands-on experience to explore a variety of captivating mediums and innovative techniques. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to unleash your inner artist!
This event is free. Supplies are not provided.
REGISTER HERE

Guided Botanical Garden Drop-in Tour – April 5
2025-04-05 10:00 - 11:00 | UCLA Mildred E Mathias Botanical Garden, La Kretz Garden Pavilion, 707 Tiverton Dr, Los Angeles, CA, 90095
Join a Garden Guide for a tour of a living museum featuring collections of plants from around the globe!
You’ll hear the stories of selected plants in the Garden and their relevance to human society. All ages are welcome. Tours meet at the La Kretz Garden Pavilion at the northern end of the Garden and are given a grace period of 5 minutes.
Tours are free.

Future Food Symposium
2025-04-04 13:00 - 17:00 | Hershey Hall Salon, 801 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
The Future Food Symposium will explore the opportunities and challenges of sustainable novel proteins, from perspectives of science and engineering to regulatory and policy. Our speakers span the private and public sectors, with experts from academia, non-profits, and California leaders in the cultivated meat industry, as well as our first inaugural cohort of UCLA Future Food Graduate Fellows. The future of food systems – especially in the state of California—is a critical issue for the health of Californians, and to ensure nutritious food is accessible for all, especially in the face of extreme events that disrupt food supply chains. The symposium will celebrate our research achievements and Future Food Fellows training program that launched with state funding support.
Join the UCLA community for a critical dive in to novel proteins research, developments in the field, and its role in the future of local, national, and global food systems with Jimmy Fremgen, Director of Policy at Food Solutions Action; David Welch, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder at Synthesis Capital; Sanah Baig, Former White House Senior Policy Advisor and USDA Deputy Under Secretary; Eric Schulze, Founder of GoodHumans; and UCLA ‘s Future Food Fellows: Corinne Smith, Rebecca (Ceci) Cohen, Maria Trubetskaya, Erika López-Lara, and Justine Kim. The symposium will be moderated by Amy Rowat, UCLA Professor and RFI Faculty Director, with closing remarks by Jack Bobo, RFI Executive Director.
Everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be served.
REGISTER HERE
Parking is encouraged in UCLA’s Parking Structure 2 located at 719 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024. Visitor parking is located on the first and second floors.
Please note you will be attending an event where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. The Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies will highlight this event, which means your name, image or video (video and/or audio) may appear on our website, social media, or other media formats. By attending the event, you consent to the Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies photographing, filming and using your image and likeness.

Climate Equity LA Series: Advancing Shade Equity for a Cool, Healthy LA
2025-04-03 15:30 - 17:00 | Online
The City of Los Angeles’ Climate Emergency Mobilization Office (CEMO), Board of Public Works, invites you to join its next Climate Equity LA (CELA) Series virtual event: Advancing Shade Equity for a Cool, Healthy LA!
The event speakers are Edith de Guzman, PhD, Cooperative Extension Specialist, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources / UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation; Monica Dean, Climate and Sustainability Practice Director, USC Dornsife Public Exchange; Rachel Malarich, City Forest Officer, Office of Forest Management, Board of Public Works, City of Los Angeles; and Marta Segura, MPH, Chief Heat Officer and Director of CEMO, Board of Public Works, City of Los Angeles.
Submit any questions in advance via the Zoom registration form. Spanish, Korean, and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be available during the event. The webinar recording will be shared following the event on YouTube and the CEMO website.
REGISTER HERE

Climate Forward Conference 2025
2025-04-03 12:00 - 16:00 | University of Southern California, Town & Gown, 665 W Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, United States
In celebration of Earth Month, the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability and the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future are hosting a series of conversations around advancing climate change issues.
Please join the sixth annual Climate Forward conference, which focuses on finding practical solutions to climate change and identifying the political obstacles to implementing those changes.
The conference is FREE. You can participate in person, via Zoom, or via livestream. Lunch is provided. Space is limited. Registration is required.
IN PERSON – REGISTER HERE
ZOOM – REGISTER HERE
Schedule:
12:00PM – 1:00PM: Lunch Buffet, Climate Fair, and USC Student Art Exhibit, “A Sea Change” by Callianne Jones (Artist) and Allison Agsten (Curator)
1:00PM – 1:20PM: Welcome Remarks from CPF Director Bob Shrum, Wrigley Institute Director Joe Árvai, Dornsife Divisional Dean for the Social Sciences Bill Deverell, and USC President Carol Folt
1:20PM – 2:25PM: “Boom, Not Gloom: A Battle Plan for the Next Four Years of Climate (In)Action” Panel
Jennifer Granholm: Former U.S. Secretary of Energy and First Female Governor of Michigan; One of Time’s Most Influential People 2024
Joe Árvai: Director, USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability
2:30PM – 3:00PM: “The Politics of Electric Vehicles: Red State and Blue State Trends” Panel
David Hill: Director of Hill Research Consultants; Republican Pollster
Mike Murphy: Co-Director, USC Center for the Political Future
3:00PM – 4:00PM: “Climate Policy and the Two Parties: The Search for Common Ground” Panel
Barbara Boxer: Former U.S. Senator (D-CA)
Garret Graves: Former U.S. Representative (R-LA)
Bob Shrum (Moderator): Director, USC Center for the Political Future
The mission at the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future is to advance civil dialogue and research that transcends partisan divisions and finds solutions to pressing national and global challenges. The mission at the USC Dornsife Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies and Sustainability is to work toward sparking meaningful, nonpartisan change to save our planet.

Kelp Kulture seminar: Learning and Living among California's Kelp Forests
2025-04-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Marco Mazza is a UCSB graduate who specializes in underwater photography and cinematography. With a truly comprehensive understanding of the ocean and its ever-changing waters, Marco has established himself among top watermen (and women) in the rough seas of Northern California. With a camera in hand and passion at heart, Marco aims to document the natural beauty of our world in ways that inspire others and help to promote environmental awareness and conservation.
Please RSVP to receive the Zoom link. We’ll see you there!
RSVP HERE

LA Foodscapes: Tech-Powered Solutions for an Inclusive & Resilient Food System
2025-04-03 10:00 - 12:00 | LACI, 525 S Hewitt St, Los Angeles, CA, 90013
As food insecurity rises, climate change accelerates, and the retail food economy shifts, how can technology be leveraged to expand food access, support small food businesses, and build climate resilience? This panel conversation will explore the intersection of food justice, innovation, and climate adaptation. The event will feature entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and community leaders discussing ethical tech solutions—from digital food assistance platforms to data-driven urban agriculture, climate-smart logistics, and worker-centered automation. Discussions will also focus on how inclusive, community-centered innovations can better serve historically marginalized communities and ensure equitable access to food and economic opportunity. Join to discover how technology can be a force for equity and resilience in Los Angeles’ evolving food landscape.
REGISTER HERE
