UCLA Sustainability

Advanced Nuclear Energy – Electricity and Beyond
2024-07-11 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Are you looking to learn more about recent developments in nuclear reactor design, demonstration, and legislation? The advanced reactors being designed and demonstrated today will be capable of doing more than just producing electricity. Hear how nuclear energy, when integrated with other generating sources, can be an enabling technology for local economic development. In this webinar, the panel will discuss new technologies and the status of demonstrations, future energy systems that include the integration of multiple generating sources, and the role of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and national laboratories in bringing these technologies to market.
Immediately following the webinar, you are invited to an optional informal networking session with the panelists, providing a chance for more Q&A, interaction, and career-path-based questions and advice. When registering for the webinar, please indicate if you are interested in the networking session to receive the separate networking session Zoom link.
REGISTER HERE

Plastics Redesign for Biorenewable Circularity
2024-07-15 10:00 - 11:00 | HYBRID: UCLA California NanoSystems Institute auditorium, 570 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Everyone is welcome to attend this Keynote address, given by Dr. Brett Helms, Senior Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The BioPACIFIC MIP Summer School offers a week-long opportunity to learn about scalable production of bio-derived building blocks and polymers.
One of the goals of a circular economy is to design-out waste by re-orienting industry around materials that can be reused and recycled. For polymers used in plastics, elastomers, and thermosets, those in use today were never designed to be recycled. As a result, they have accumulated in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems throughout the world in such alarming quantities that a global plastics treaty is under development, regulating future plastics use. If circularity is to be realized, new polymer chemistries are needed for deconstructing both simple and complex products, such that monomers, additives, fillers, and other materials may be reused without loss in performance or aesthetics. I will describe our efforts to address these challenges using polydiketoenamine resins (PDK), which undergo reversible polymerization using atom- and energy-efficient processes. I will describe how the building blocks of PDK resins can be produced from renewable feedstocks using biosynthesis using engineered proteins and microorganisms. These biorenewable PDK resins lay the groundwork for how to commodify polymers as highly valuable, renewable resources for a circular economy.
Brett A. Helms is a San Francisco-Bay Area native. He received his B.S. from Harvey Mudd College in 2000 and his Ph.D. in 2006 at the University of California, Berkeley with Jean M. J. Fréchet in designing branched polymer architectures for catalysis. His postdoctoral research was conducted at the Technische Universiteit Eindhoven with E. W. (Bert) Meijer where his focus was on supramolecular chemistry. In 2007, he began his independent career at Berkeley Lab and has since risen to the rank of Senior Scientist. His research program there is devoted to materials discovery and development to solve outstanding challenges in energy and sustainability. He is the co-founder of two deep-tech Bay Area Start-Ups: Sepion Technologies and Cyklos Materials.

Heat Relief 4 LA Community Campaign Launch 2024
2024-07-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
The City of LA’s Chief Heat Officer, Marta Segura, on behalf of the Climate Emergency Mobilization Office (CEMO) and the Board of Public Works, invites you to join the virtual launch of the 2024 Heat Relief 4 LA Community Campaign!
The panelists will be partners from non-profit organizations and the City, who together will discuss the importance of culturally-relevant and multilingual campaigns through trusted partner networks, community health educators, especially in target community languages, to reduce the risks of extreme heat in low-income areas that lack air conditioning, and awareness about how heat waves are longer in duration and more frequent.
REGISTER HERE

Open House: Towards a Carbon-Free Future from Ocean to Atmosphere
2024-07-17 10:00 - 12:30 | AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, 2451 Signal St, Los Angeles, CA, 90731, United States
Join for an exciting Open House at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles. AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles is a leader in the Blue Economy that strives towards sustainable and responsible use of ocean resources to promote economic growth, improve livelihoods, and ensure the health of ocean ecosystems to address environmental and social challenges within our communities.
REGISTER HERE
Featured Speakers:
Erika La Plante – an Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of California, Davis.
Éowyn Lucas – a Sr. Membrane and Electrodialysis Engineer at Captura
Will be presenting on TRACER: Electrochemical Removal of Carbon Dioxide from Oceanwater: Field Validation
The TRACER team plans to develop a transformative electrolytic carbon dioxide removal approach that employs the ocean-air equilibrium of CO2 and the enormous abundance of alkaline cations in seawater. These attributes are leveraged during a continuous process to permanently lock CO2 within stable carbonates and hydroxides, and/or as aqueous bicarbonates/carbonates. The team’s proposed strategy will have the potential for implementation at a global scale and will be capable of much higher rates of carbon mineralization and CO2 removal than existing negative emissions technologies. The approach can be performed cost-effectively and is not dependent on the creation of supportive policy and de-risking because it ensures permanence of CO2 storage.

Lunch & Learn: Wildfire and Public Health: Barriers and Opportunities to State Policy Implementation
2024-07-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Wildfire smoke presents a population-wide health risk in California with significant environmental justice implications. However, the policy landscape addressing the public health impacts of wildfire remains siloed, posing challenges to integrated policy development and implementation.
Join via Zoom for a discussion about the wildfire and public health policy landscape, based on the findings of a scoping report conducted by Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (CLEE) and the Climate & Wildfire Institute.
REGISTER HERE

What Does the Recent Supreme Court Ruling on the Chevron Doctrine Mean for Climate and Energy Policy?
2024-07-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
In one of its final decisions of this term, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 to overturn the Chevron Doctrine. The Chevron Doctrine, established forty years ago, stated that courts must defer to reasonable agency interpretations of ambiguous statutes. Legally, the Chevron Doctrine has been critically important and has been cited in thousands of court decisions, including seventy Supreme Court decisions. Many have written that this decision will hamper the ability for agencies to act, especially on emerging and rapidly changing issues like climate change. What will this decision mean for climate change, energy, and environmental policy in the coming years and decades?
Join the Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment (CLEE) and the Berkeley Climate Change Network to hear from two leading legal experts on what they think this decision could mean for progress on climate change, energy, and the environment.
REGISTER HERE

Third Thursdays: Twilight in the Garden
2024-07-18 17:00 - 19:00 | UCLA Mildred E Mathias Botanical Garden, La Kretz Garden Pavilion, 707 Tiverton Dr, Los Angeles, CA, 90095
See the sunset from the UCLA Botanical Garden at Third Thursdays, their summer twilight series. Meet new friends at the wine bar, then kick back and enjoy live music!
Admission for each event is $10. Purchase tickets here or at the door. Cash is not accepted. If you are paying at the door, you will need a card number that you can enter into the online storefront.
This event is all-ages, but the wine bar is 21+. Bring your government-issued photo ID if you would like to enter the wine bar.
Third Thursdays 2024:
7/18/24 from 5-7 p.m.
8/15/24 from 5-7 p.m.
9/19/24 from 5-7 p.m.

West Hollywood Free Document Shredding and Electronic and Hazardous Waste Collection
2024-07-20 09:00 - 13:00 | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 355 N. San Vicente Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA, 90048, United States
The City of West Hollywood will host a free document shredding, electronic and hazardous household waste collection event for residents and businesses. Community members are invited to bring confidential files and unwanted electronics, including hard drives, and household hazardous waste for shredding and recycling. The hazardous household waste collection is for residents only.
This is a drive-through event. All e-waste, hazardous household waste and documents must be in the trunk prior to arrival. Paperclips, paper clamps, spiral bound notebooks, ringed notebooks must not be included in documents to be shredded.
E-waste will be handled by certified electronics recycler, Homeboy Recycling, in a way that protects the planet and keeps data safe while creating jobs for people in the region facing serious barriers to employment. All electronics are accepted, with the exception of large appliances, thermostats, light bulbs, and batteries. For more information call (323) 222-3322.
Household hazardous waste collection will be handled by Clean Earth, Inc. For more information about Clean Earth, Inc., contact Luis Cortez-Mortero at (909) 634-4217, or Juan Sanchez at (213) 304-0141.
For more information, please contact Matt Magener, the City of West Hollywood’s Environmental Programs Coordinator, at (323) 848-6894 or at mmagener@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.

TreePeople Presents: FernGully - The Last Rainforest
2024-07-20 20:00 - 21:30 | S. Mark Taper Foundation Amphitheatre, 12601 Mulholland Dr, Beverly Hills, CA, 90210, United States
Summertime at TreePeople is back! All summer long, TreePeople is bringing its favorite musicians, comedians, movies and more to the S. Mark Taper Foundation Amphitheatre stage at Coldwater Canyon Park. More programming will continually be announced throughout the summer in the monthly DIG IN newsletter, as well as special email only on-sales! To see TreePeople’s full calendar of summer events, visit treepeople.org/events.
The screening of the 1992 family classic Fern Gully: The Last Rainforest will begin just after sunset. General Admission includes first-come, first-served seating. Access to the amphitheatre will begin at 7pm to give audience members time to picnic and tour the grounds of Coldwater Canyon Park. Limited ground space will be available to spread out picnic blankets along with ample stadium-style seating.
To ensure equal access to tickets for all TreePeople supporters, there is a maximum of eight (8) tickets per order. For help with ticketing and billing, email events@treepeople.org. Tickets will be held at will-call under purchaser’s name. Please bring photo ID and the card used for purchase. Tickets are non-transferrable and non-refundable.
If you require access accommodations, please reach out to events@treepeople.org.
REGISTER HERE

Understanding Recent Developments in Climate Risk Disclosure
2024-07-24 12:00 - 14:30 | HYBRID: Online and Orrick LLP, 405 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA, 94105, United States
In 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 261 (Stern) into law, requiring all companies doing business in the state with total revenues over $500 million to disclose climate-related financial risks. Earlier this year, the Security and Exchange Commission adopted long-awaited rules to strengthen and standardize climate risk disclosure by public companies in the United States. These rules join strong policies in the European Union and pending rules in several other jurisdictions around the world. The World Resources Institute estimates that once all pending rules are finalized, nearly 40 percent of the World’s economy will be subject to disclosure rules. In this lunch and learn, you will hear perspectives from leading experts in government, industry, and law on the current status of climate risk disclosure.
Join on Zoom or in person at Orrick San Francisco.
Panelists:
J.T Ho, Partner / Co-Head, Public Companies & ESG practice, Orrick
Katie Eulitt, Director of Global Outreach, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation
Dave Jones, Director, Climate Risk Initiative, Center for Law, Energy & the Environment, UC Berkeley Law School
Moderator: Louise Bedsworth, Executive Director, Center for Law, Energy & the Environment, UC Berkeley Law School
Register for in-person attendance here.
Register for virtual attendance here.

California Green Jobs - Virtual Career & Resource Fair
2024-07-24 14:30 - 16:00 | Online
Hello, green job seekers! If you’re looking for an opportunity to speak directly with hiring managers in the sustainability industry for the built environment, this is a great opportunity for you. Additionally, this event will feature workforce development partners with professional development training opportunities.
REGISTER HERE

Oceans Webinar: Impacts on Oceans
2024-07-31 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is hosting a series of webinars, Indicators of Climate Change: Bridging Science and Action, as part of its efforts to track and report on climate change and its impacts on California. Each webinar will synthesize new science and data, and showcase state, local, Tribal or community actions on a selected climate change topic. OEHHA will co-convene each webinar with one or more state agency partners with responsibilities relating to the topic.
This webinar is the fifth in the series, co-convened with the Ocean Protection Council. It will address the impacts of climate change on California’s oceans and coasts, and efforts underway to address them.
MORE INFO HERE
REGISTER HERE

Film Screening: SIGN MY NAME TO FREEDOM
2024-07-31 19:00 - 20:45 | Parks Project Discovery Center, 8540 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA, 90232, United States
This event, co-sponsored by the Parks Project and Intersectional Environmentalist, will showcase an exciting 24-minute sneak peek screening of the forthcoming documentary Sign My Name to Freedom, a feature-length film about 102-year-old Betty Reid Soskin, her lost music, and her family’s experiences confronting Jim Crow style workplace and residential housing segregation in the Bay Area.
In addition to previewing the film, audience members will have a chance to participate in a Q&A with film Director Bryan Gibel and Betty’s granddaughter Alyana Reid. Leah Thomas, founder of Intersectional Environmentalist, and Co-Founder Diandra Marizet, will also be featured at this extraordinary event. They will discuss their work and show Intersections, a film with Betty and Leah from 2022 shot by Bryan.
REGISTER HERE

Summer 2024 CDLS Research and Outreach Symposium
2024-08-02 12:00 - 16:00 | HYBRID: UCLA and Zoom
The Center for Diverse Leadership in Science at UCLA (CDLS) Research and Outreach Symposium offers an inclusive platform for individuals across all career stages within our community to showcase their research and outreach endeavors, regardless of the project’s developmental stage.
The event will feature keynote speakers and lightning talks from fellows and members showcasing their research, community-building efforts, and outreach initiatives. Lunch will be served. Masking is optional although strongly recommended indoors.
REGISTER HERE
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Camille Gaynus: Diving into a Joyous Ocean with Black in Marine Science
Originally from Philadelphia, I established a love of the water at an early age. Upon graduating from Hampton University, I started a PhD in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department at UCLA. I spent some time working at Penn State Brandywine before moving to working for the nonprofit Black in Marine Science full-time as the Chief Science Officer. There are two things I enjoy about being a marine scientist. First is the sheer amount of knowledge the ocean holds. It gives me countless opportunities to learn and explore. Second, I physically enjoy being underwater. There is something about being totally submerged in water that is calming. I got involved in #BlackinMarineScientist because I love being Black and I believe it is important that we highlight Black stories as a way to combat anti-Blackness.
Dr. Yewande Pearse: From Snails in the Garden to John Legend and Beyond: Navigating a Career in Science Communication
As a neuroscientist and passionate science communicator, Yewande blends the art of storytelling with the rigor of scientific inquiry to curate culturally resonant narratives. Her work extends beyond mere communication; it is about creating spaces where science is a shared language, enriching the tapestry of our collective experience. As a black woman in STEM and a mother, she embodies the diversity she advocates for, driving change from the intersection of her personal and professional worlds. She stands for a future where science belongs to everyone, breaking down barriers to create inclusive and accessible platforms for discovery. Her mission is to empower individuals with the transformative power of scientific knowledge, fostering a society that values curiosity, understanding, and the profound impact of science in every aspect of life.
LOCATION
UCLA Geology Building Room 3853
595 Charles E. Young Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90095
Zoom Meeting ID: 986 5239 9472
Lightning Talks
Syontoni Hattori-Chatterjee: The Migration Story of the Siakumne
Joan Chimezie: Holocene Peatland Fire Reconstruction in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, USA
Maria Winters: Coastal Dune Modeling in California: Case Studies from Southern and North-Central California
Omaia Olivas: Endangered Species Act Outreach and Education in the Salinas Valley
Daniel Sepulveda: Paleoclimate of the Cenozoic Era in Antarctica and Patagonia
Pa-Shun Hawkins & Bobby Dellinger: Quantify Acid Deposition Using Social Drivers
Ileana Callejas: Remote Sensing for Biodiversity Monitoring in the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System
Kristen Howard: Evolutionary and Ecological Dynamics of Protozoa Diversity
Armand Payne & Jason Williams: Evaluating the Dual Protection Offered by Myrothamnus flabellifolius Extracts and Their Green-Synthesized ZnO Nanoparticles
Flor Vanessa Maciel: Development of a Climate Change and Intervention Unit for High School Students
Kira Fish, Elijah Catalan, Olivia Simon: Climate Justice Collective at UCLA
Brian Brophy: Training Next Gen Scientists
Elias Jabbe: Salalah Sinkholes and Littering: The Urgency to Reduce the Environmental Impact of Tourism
Olaniyi Oluwatobi Emmanuel: Assessing Habitat Suitability for Aqua Tourism in Wetlands: A Case Study of Ekiti State, Nigeria
Angela Rose David: Buhay Ngayon: Culturally-tailored Toolkit to Improve Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Regarding Advance Care Planning in Filipino American Adults in Los Angeles County
Esmeralda E.M. Zambrano: Hiking the Path to Environmental Equity: Stories from the Field
For any questions, please contact cdls@ucla.edu.

Food and Film: Eat Drink Man Woman
2024-08-02 19:30 - 22:30 | Hammer Museum
The Hammer Museum is sharing another incredible installment of Alice Water’s Food and Film Series, “Eat Drink Man Woman.”
Admission to the event is free. Seats are assigned at the theater on a first come, first serve basis.
Food and Film is a quarterly series designed to delight the senses and inspire the mind. Curated with renowned chef, activist and cinephile Alice Waters, who will introduce the screening, each program in the series draws on Waters’ philosophy that eating, like art, is a political act and that exploring the intersections between the culinary and moving image arts can help illuminate the path toward building more sustainable, thriving communities together.
EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN (1994)
With his fourth feature, co-written with Hui-Ling Wang and James Schamus, Taiwanese director Ang Lee firmly cemented his status as a major auteur. The economy and feeling of his storytelling is evident from the opening sequence establishing the home of retired chef Chu (Hui Ling Wang) as an oasis from a bustling Taipei with his kitchen at its center. From it emanates the sights and sounds of the Sunday banquets he artfully prepares that draw his three adult daughters home. Through evocative detail, Lee builds a delicate, heartwarming portrait of a family for which food and cooking is the language they communicate with as they navigate together the ever-shifting course of love and relationships in their lives.
35mm, color, in Mandarin with English subtitles, 123 min.

Tour of LA Environmental Learning Center at Hyperion
2024-08-03 10:00 - 12:00 | Los Angeles Environmental Learning Center at Hyperion, 12000 Vista Del Mar, Los Angeles, CA, 90293, United States
Join a tour of the Los Angeles Environmental Learning Center at Hyperion in Playa del Rey, CA, and learn how sustainable water and solid resources management happens in Los Angeles!
Through hands-on, interactive exhibits, you will learn the essential role you play in the future of clean water treatment and conservation, watershed protection, and the management of our solid resources. After visiting, you will be inspired to adopt sustainable practices in your daily life and be inspired to collectively create greener, cleaner neighborhoods.
This event is hosted by the South and Central Santa Monica Bay watershed coordinators for the LA County Safe Clean Water Program, in collaboration with Los Angeles Environmental Learning Center at Hyperion.
Registration in advance is required. Participants must be 9 years of age or older.
REGISTER HERE

Professional Development Workshop: ABCs of ESG Reporting
2024-08-09 09:00 - 10:30 | Online
Join this essential professional development workshop on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Plans to gain an in-depth understanding of the evolving regulatory landscape and its implications for ESG reporting. Everyone in cleantech and sustainability needs the basics of ESG Reporting for the ‘big picture’ of an organization’s strategy and the criteria for quality and integrity of data reporting in light of SEC and
This workshop will provide a thorough overview of the purpose and process of ESG reports, guiding you through the high-level steps needed to assemble a robust and compliant report. You’ll learn about the typical timeline for report preparation, ensuring that you can plan and execute your ESG strategy effectively. We’ll also explore various report framework options, including the ISSB and other leading standards, to help you choose the best approach for your organization.
You’ll gain insights into best practices for creating transparent and impactful reports and managing stakeholder issues. By the end of this workshop, you’ll be equipped with the tools and basic knowledge to navigate the complexities of ESG reporting, ensuring your organization meets regulatory requirements and communicates its ESG performance effectively to stakeholders.
Pricing:
FREE for WCS Champion Members!
WCS Member ticket: $15
WCS Student Member ticket: $5
Non-Member ticket: $30
Student Non-Member ticket: $10
Day of event: $35
REGISTER HERE

Free L.A. City Monthly Bulky Item Drop-Off Events
2024-08-10 08:00 - 16:30 | Multiple locations
LA Sanitation will be accepting bulky items at five locations around the City each month throughout 2024. Furniture, carpet, yard trimmings, shelving, and wood will be accepted.
LOCATIONS:
East Valley District Yard
11050 Pendelton St.
Sun Valley, CA 91352
West Valley District Yard
8840 Vanalden Ave.
Northridge, CA 91234
Harbor District Yard
1400 N. Gaffey St.
San Pedro, CA 90731
West LA District Yard
2027 Stoner Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Central LA Recycling and Transfer Station
2201 E. Washington Bl.
Los Angeles, CA 90021
RULES:
-One visit per Saturday Event.
-Two ton vehicle limit (no larger than flat/stake bed struck.)
-Information provided to station staff must be true and accurate.
-Anyone who makes deliveries of unpermitted items may be liable for any penalties which the law provides under civil and/or criminal codes.
PROOF OF RESIDENCY:
Resident must be present and provide proof of residency with the most current LADWP bill and State Issued Driver’s license or State Identification or delivery will not be accepted.

L.A. RIVER FEST 2024
2024-08-11 15:00 - 21:00 | Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
River Fest is BACK! Join Friends of the LA River (FoLAR) for a free, open-air environmental arts and community festival celebrating the culture, history, and people that shape the LA River.
FoLAR’s third-annual River Fest will welcome 1,000 Angelenos to LA State Historic Park and featuring a variety of local artists with thrilling live performances, a stunning visual art gallery, and a bustling marketplace. We’ll also have some new interactive eco-activities for the whole family and delicious food from some of L.A.’s best food trucks. Invite your favorite Angelenos and join in celebrating the life stream of LA – the Los Angeles River.
REGISTER HERE

Waste, Wishcycling & Greenwashing
2024-08-11 18:30 - 19:30 | Online
Join a conversation with experts on what to do with your waste, why all those products marketed as “compostable” are not compostable, why reuse is the way to go, and a lot more, including how to encourage restaurants to be more sustainable and how to host a sustainable event. Bring (virtually!) all those items you have questions about and ask the experts!
Speakers:

Bonny Bentzin, Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer, UCLA
Dr Marcus Eriksen, Co-founder and Scientist, 5 Gyres
Daniel Meyers, LA Sanitation & Environment
Nicholas Nuchio, Environmental Engineer, Los Angeles Sanitation & Environment
Kikei Wong, Sustainability Specialist, Athens Services

Bring (virtually) the items you’ve always wondered about—can you recycle it? compost it? What bin does it go in?
REGISTER HERE

Quantum Solutions: Leveraging Technology for Sustainable Data Centers
2024-08-14 09:00 - 10:00 | Online
Data Centers have historically been considerable consumers of energy and water globally, but increasing focus on reporting and grid constraints is transforming the industry. Gain valuable insights on the latest technology and trends to design and deliver sustainable and resilient data centers in this upcoming Green Building Initiative (GBI) webinar. Owners and colocations alike can incorporate innovative management practices, low carbon, durable building materials, and energy-efficient cooling solutions to improve operational efficiency and building lifespan. Learn how Life-Cycle Assessments (LCA) can measure the impact of materials and meet certification criteria. Understand how the implementation of these sustainable features and technologies can contribute to performance and rating in GBI’s Green Globes and Journey to Net Zero certification systems.
REGISTER HERE

Emerging Leaders Then and Now: Stories of Professional Development and Growth after WaterNow’s Emerging Leader Award
2024-08-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
WaterNow’s Emerging Leader Award supports water utility staff working to transform their utilities and the water sector in support of principles of sustainability and equity. In this webinar, WaterNow brings together past Emerging Leader Award recipients to hear how their careers and their projects have developed and evolved since receiving their Awards. Join for a panel discussion touching on the professional journeys of these water leaders, the ways they’ve navigated professional development opportunities, promotions, and mentorship, and the challenges they’ve overcome to get where they are today.
REGISTER HERE

The Music Industry’s Plastic-Free Evolution
2024-08-15 14:00 - 15:30 | Online
As humanity becomes more concerned about the issues surrounding climate change, the music industry is adapting to become more sustainable, and everyone from artists and performers, to promoters, venues, and concert goers are paving the way toward a plastic-free future.
Musicians and industry leaders have a unique platform when it comes to speaking out about issues they care about. From 1960s folk, rock, and soul music to 1990s grunge, Hip Hop, and more, much music is rooted in social justice or movements. Over the years, artists have helped change the world in numerous ways: addressing issues of the times from world hunger, the Vietnam War, Civil rights, Women’s rights, and LBGTQ+ rights, to climate and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
So how do artists like Jackson Browne, Ben Harper, Bonnie Raitt, Keb’ Mo’, Jack Johnson, U2, and others reduce their single-use plastic on the road, on tour buses, backstage, and on stage? Does the music industry make the connections between the climate crisis, the petrochemical industry, fossil fuels, and plastic pollution? How do musicians demonstrate their commitment to these issues and where do they see the biggest moves being made to combat plastic pollution and our budding climate crisis?
Join us on August 15th for a special 90-minute webinar where we will tackle these questions and more with: Associate Senior Director of the Think 100% podcast for Hip Hop Caucus, Jasmine Gil; Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, musician Grace Potter; and Sustainability Coordinator for Jack Johnson Music & All at Once Max Tischler. The conversation will be co-moderated by music industry activist Annie Farman and Hip Hop Caucus Artist Relations Director and Cultural Producer Dawn Richard.
REGISTER HERE

UCLA Botanical Garden Third Thursdays
2024-08-15 17:00 - 19:00 | UCLA Mildred E Mathias Botanical Garden, La Kretz Garden Pavilion, 707 Tiverton Dr, Los Angeles, CA, 90095
See the sunset from the UCLA Botanical Garden at Third Thursdays, their summer twilight series. Meet new friends at the wine bar, then kick back and enjoy live music!
Admission for each event is $10. Purchase tickets here or at the door. Cash is not accepted. If you are paying at the door, you will need a card number that you can enter into the online storefront.
This event is all-ages, but the wine bar is 21+. Bring your government-issued photo ID if you would like to enter the wine bar.
Third Thursdays 2024:
8/15/24 from 5-7 p.m.
9/19/24 from 5-7 p.m.

Open House: Towards a Carbon-Free Future from Ocean to Atmosphere
2024-08-17 10:00 - 12:30 | AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, 2451 Signal St, Los Angeles, CA, 90731, United States
You’re invited to AltaSea to learn about how innovative technologies, from the TRACER Project to Captura, aim to achieve climate goals.
AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles is a leader in the Blue Economy that strives towards sustainable and responsible use of ocean resources to promote economic growth, improve livelihoods, and ensure the health of ocean ecosystems to address environmental and social challenges within our communities.
Featured Speakers
Erika La Plante is an Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of California, Davis. She obtained her Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences with a focus in Geochemistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago and her B.S. in Geology from the University of the Philippines. Erika’s research focuses on building materials, critical metal extraction, and carbon dioxide removal.
Éowyn Lucas has a Ph.D. in Materials Science from Caltech, where she focused on developing bipolar membranes for electrodialysis under the guidance of Captura’s co-founders, Harry Atwater and CX Xiang. As a Senior Membrane and Electrodialysis Engineer at Captura, she plays a key role in advancing and scaling the company’s proprietary membrane and electrodialysis technologies.
Delve into science, technology, engineering, business and the ocean
This is a great opportunity for students of all ages to learn about ocean based careers that turn to the ocean to develop solutions for some of the planet’s most pressing challenges, such as climate change, energy supply, and global food security.
REGISTER HERE
If you would like to start volunteering for AltaSea you can register for this Open House and other education and community engagement events by going to AltaSea’s Volunteer Opportunities page.

CicLAvia—Meet the Hollywoods presented by Metro
2024-08-18 09:00 - 16:00 | Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, 90028, United States
Join CicLAvia’s 54th Los Angeles Open Streets Event: CicLAvia—Meet the Hollywoods! This CicLAvia is presented by Metro.
Location: Connecting East and West Hollywood.
What: CicLAvia is a non-profit organization that has been opening streets throughout LA County since 2010. Come experience car-free open streets at their 54th event, CicLAvia—Meet the Hollywoods.
Enjoy the pop-up park for the day in your favorite people-powered way, whether that’s walking, jogging, biking, roller skating, skating, or simply spectating! All ages and abilities are welcome. Be sure to join their email list so you don’t miss any event news and updates. Use the CicLAvia digital map to plan which businesses, local gems, activities along the route, and Hubs to check out during the event on August 18!

New to CicLAvia?
Here are some things to know before you go:

CicLAvia is FREE!
CicLAvia lasts from 9am to 4pm.
CicLAvia closes streets to car traffic and opens them for people to walk, skate, bike, play, and explore parts of Los Angeles County.
CicLAvia is not a race! There’s no starting point or finish line—begin where you like and enjoy the day your way.
CicLAvia traffic flows in two directions, just like regular traffic. Check out more rules of the route.
As a general rule of thumb, only people-powered vehicles are allowed, with exceptions for persons with disabilities. That means we do not allow electric scooters, electric skateboards, hoverboards, electric unicycles, motorcycles and other non-people-powered vehicles, but we do allow motorized wheelchairs and related vehicles for people with disabilities. We want to make sure that everyone can enjoy our route.
Are e-bikes allowed? Class 1 e-bike pedal-assist allowed. Class 2 e-bikes allowed when throttle is powered off. Class 3 e-bikes allowed when pedal-assist is powered off. Learn more here. General rule of thumb: if you’re pedaling (and not riding), you’re clear.
As consideration for being allowed to participate in a CicLAvia, all participants are deemed to have released from liability and waived any right to sue its organizers, their employees, officers, volunteers and agents from any and all claims, including claims of negligence, resulting in any physical injury, illness (including death) or economic loss suffered as a result of participating in this CicLAvia.
By participating in a CicLAvia event, each participant understands that there are risks, such as physical and/or psychological injury, pain, suffering, illness, disfigurement, temporary or permanent disability, death or economic loss. These injuries or outcomes may arise from a participant’s or other’s actions, inactions, or negligence, or the condition of the location (s) or facility (ies). Nonetheless, participants assume all known and unknown risks of participation in CicLAvia.

Questions or Concerns
For general event information, send an email or call 213.355.8500.

Shaping Future California Energy Research
2024-08-22 09:30 - 16:00 | RAND, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90401, United States
This workshop, Shaping Future California Energy Research, seeks to connect communities with researchers to network and inform a California-based energy research agenda. At this workshop, stakeholders from California communities will share their energy research concerns with researchers and identifying areas of complementarity. Together, participants will work to identify resources, project managers, and data to address concerns and to help inform potential avenues for policy research.
Email sarick@rand.org to RSVP.

Moonlight Hike Featuring Naima Bock
2024-08-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Coldwater Canyon Park, 12601 N Mulholland Dr, Beverly Hills, CA, 90210, United States
Lace up your hiking boots and join us on the trails of our Coldwater Canyon Park for a Moonlight Hike. The event begins with a special performance by SubPop Records recording artist Naima Bock, joining us from the UK. Music begins at 7pm with the hike following at 8pm.
TreePeople’s Moonlight Hikes take night owls on a guided exploration of beautiful Coldwater Canyon Park and neighboring Wilacre Park—after hours! So grab a flashlight and join us to experience the beautiful Los Angeles evening skyline and walk under the light of the moon. Hikers of all ages and experience levels are welcome to enjoy the outdoors in either a Coyote Crawl, Silver Bear Stroll, or Night Owl Prowl.
Coyote Crawl – Slow-paced informative walk aimed at taking in all the surrounding beauty and sounds. Great for kids and kids at heart!
Silver Bear Stroll – This medium-difficulty hike is filled with fun facts and a rewarding challenge at the end with a terrific view!
Night Owl Prowl – A 2-mile power hike with incredible views that leave you breathless with a sense of accomplishment!
Through a partnership with Living Earth, there will be music before the moonlight hikes. Experience the harmony between soundscape and landscape with an inspirational outdoor musical performance. Check-in starts at 6 pm.
Born in Glastonbury to a Brazilian father and a Greek mother, Naima spent her early childhood in Brazil before eventually returning to England and various homes in South-East London. This heritage combines with more recent pursuits in Naima’s music; from the Brazilian standards that the family would listen to driving to the beach, to the European folk traditions she tapped into on her own, and the pursuits that interest her today – studies in archaeology, work as a gardener, and walking the world’s great trails – Naima’s music draws from family, the earth and the handing down of music through generations. Naima Bock’s second solo album, Below A Massive Dark Land is out September 27 via Sub Pop.
This event is open to the general public at $20 per person. Children under 15 are $10 and children under 3 are free. All children must have adult supervision. It is strongly recommended to not bring dogs to the Moonlight Hike.
REGISTER HERE

"Chinatown" Screening and Opening Reception for "What's On Tap: LA's Water Story...Source to Spigot"
2024-08-25 15:00 - 19:30 | El Tranquilo Gallery, 19 Olvera Street, El Pueblo Historical Monument, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
Even in the modern era, communities in Los Angeles and around California face a variety of water challenges, ranging from securing access to clean, affordable water, to contending with the reality of water supplies threatened by a changing climate. An art exhibit titled “What’s On Tap: LA’s Water Story…Source to Spigot” explores these issues and our region’s ever-changing water story.
The first leg of the exhibit just closed at Avenue 50 Studio in Highland Park, and it will soon reopen at El Tranquilo Gallery on Olvera Street, the birthplace of Los Angeles, at El Pueblo Historical Monument. It will be on view Aug. 24 to Sept. 29 (open Fridays through Sundays, 11am to 3pm). It’s a vibrant spot steeped in history, and the zanja madre — the Spanish-era aqueduct that moved water from the river to the pueblo between 1781 and 1904 — is located right outside of the gallery.
An opening reception on Sunday, Aug. 25, at 3pm will be followed by a screening of “Chinatown” at 5pm. This classic film noir, starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and still reveals many historical aspects of LA’s water story that are stranger than fiction. And quite appropriate given the topic of the exhibition and that LA’s Chinatown is only a block away.
REGISTER HERE
Stay tuned for more info about the closing reception, including a moderated panel discussion on local water, which will be the afternoon of September 29.
More about the exhibit: https://avenue50studio.org/whats-on-tap
With thanks to supporters and partners!
Accelerate Resilience Los Angeles
California Institute for Water Resources
El Pueblo Historical Monument
Los Angeles Center for Urban Natural Resources Sustainability
USDA Forest Service
UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation

Green Sports Alliance Case Study Webinar: Creating a Financial Blueprint for Renewable Energy Projects
2024-08-28 09:00 - 10:00 | Online
Blue Strike and Spectrum Center with Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) break down the costs, Return on Investment (ROI), and funding strategies to decarbonize energy systems.
REGISTER HERE
