Recent sio_csp items

How are the impacts of climate change on pesticide use incorporated into policy and regulation? A case of almond production in Fresno, California.

Mon, 8 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

How are the impacts of climate change on pesticide use incorporated into policy and regulation? A case of almond production in Fresno, California.

Nighttime-Accentuated Heatwaves in California: An Application of Spatial Epidemiology to Inform Policy

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Extreme heat events (EHEs) are the deadliest climate-related hazard in the United States, with California bearing the highest burden of heat-related hospitalizations. While daytime heat is dangerous, climate change is increasingly driving extreme nighttime temperatures, with minimum temperatures rising more rapidly than maximums. Yet most adaptation policies focus solely on daytime conditions, overlooking the distinct health risks of sustained overnight heat. This mixed-methods study integrates spatial epidemiological mapping with stakeholder interviews to assess the health impacts and policy challenges associated with nighttime-accentuated EHEs in California. Quantitative findings show that hospitalizations linked to minimum temperature EHEs were spatially diffuse but concentrated in marginalized communities, particularly in the Southern Deserts and coastal urban areas. Interviews with state, county, and NGO stakeholders highlighted systemic gaps in policy attention, infrastructure...

Atmospheric Rivers and West Antarctic Sea Ice Variations

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are intense, narrow corridors of water vapor transport that play a critical role in the exchange of heat and moisture between the atmosphere and the ocean. In the Antarctic, ARs are capable of carrying large amounts of latent and sensible heat to otherwise cold and dry environments, with immense impacts on surface energy budgets and sea ice dynamics. This study investigates the relationship between extreme turbulent heat flux events defined as the top 5% of latent and sensible heat flux anomalies and sea ice variability in the West Antarctic Peninsula during January and June, representing austral summer and winter, respectively. Events are classified as “AR” and “non-AR” using the tARget version 4 AR catalog. Using ERA5 reanalysis data, we analyze sea ice concentration alongside surface temperature, wind speed, and integrated vapor transport (IVT). Our findings aim to clarify the distinct roles that ARs play in modulating Antarctic sea ice, especially...

Identifying a Spectral Signature of Untreated Wastewater from the Tijuana River

Tue, 8 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Persistent cross-border flow of untreated sewage in the U.S.-Mexico border region from two main point sources, the Tijuana River and Punta Bandera, has resulted in an environmental and public health crisis for coastal residents on both sides of the border. Satellite remote sensing has the potential to be a cost-effective approach for filling spatial and temporal gaps in field sampling campaigns which seek to identify environmental contaminants and wastewater indicators. However, more research is needed to validate satellite-based estimates of water quality parameters like CDOM (chromophoric dissolved organic matter), tryptophan, and fecal indiciator bacteria (ie. E. coli, enterococcus). Identifying spectral signatures of water quality parameters associated with untreated wastewater could allow for the direct detection of wastewater from remote sensing technologies, but has been historically difficult, and it is still unclear whether a direct spectral signature even exists. This...

Universal Baseline Electricity: Climate Change, Electricity Consumption, and How California’s Rates Must Evolve

Tue, 8 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The relationship between electricity consumption and temperature has generally been modeled as U-shaped. At higher temperatures, customers use more electricity for cooling, and at lower temperatures, customers use more electricity for heating. Climate change is exacerbating heat stress and heat waves, with California expected to warm by as much as 4-7⁰C by the end of the century (Pierce et al., 2018) and heat waves increasing in frequency, duration, season length, and intensity (US EPA, 2021). Thus, electricity consumption is likely to increase by a similar margin by the end of the century in response to rising heat stress. California is also experiencing an affordability crisis for electricity, with the second-highest electricity rates in the country and growth outpacing the national average (Petek, 2025). Customers will need to use an increasing amount of electricity to deal with climate change, yet prices are too high for low-income and vulnerable customers to afford to use...

Climate Change and Music Festivals: A Study of Miami's Ultra Music Festival

Wed, 2 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates festival-goer attitudes, behaviors, and willingness to pay for sustainability initiatives at a large-scale electronic dance music event, addressing a critical gap in the literature on “sustainable festivals.” This research is a Qualtrics-administered survey of 158 attendees at Ultra Music Festival 2025 in Miami, the research explores (1) concern about climate change, (2) willingness to engage in climate-positive behaviors, (3) willingness to pay an optional “eco fee,” (4) demographic differences in attitudes and behaviors, and (5) perceived feasibility of various environmental initiatives. The survey instrument, developed in collaboration with Ultra’s Mission: Home sustainability team and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, captured demographic data, travel plans, climate attitudes, behavioral intentions, and eco-fee preferences. Analyses combined descriptive statistics with nonparametric inferential tests (two-proportion Z-tests, Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis)...

Agricultural Adaptation in the Colorado River Basin: A Case Study on the Upper Yampa Watershed

Tue, 1 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Agricultural producers across the Colorado River Basin face mounting pressure to adapt to growing water scarcity driven by anthropogenic climate change and overuse. This study investigates how snowpack trends and adaptive capacity are developing in the Upper Yampa Watershed (HUC8 ID: 14050001). The Yampa River is a critical tributary of the Colorado River with limited water storage in a predominantly agricultural water use regime. Analysis of 12 USDA SNOTEL stations in the watershed reveals spatially heterogeneous changes to April 1 SWE magnitude and annual SWE peak timing. Qualitative interviews with eight agricultural producers reveal clear impacts from subtle changes, indicating that even modest changes in snowpack have exacerbated operational strain. While regional adaptation thus far remains largely reactive, producers expressed a willingness to pursue proactive, resilience-building strategies when supported by adequate funding. Feedback toward water conservation programming...

Improving Climate Literacy in the Classroom Using Place-Based Education - An Evaluation of the Climate Safe Neighborhood Redesign Unit at Millennial Tech Middle School

Tue, 1 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Improving Climate Literacy in the Classroom Using Place-Based Education - An Evaluation of the Climate Safe Neighborhood Redesign Unit at Millennial Tech Middle School

Scaling American Sustainable Aviation Fuel: An Investigation into Effective Policy

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) industry in the U.S., like the global SAF industry, is still in its infantile stages. But unlike the E.U. which has established a long-term SAF strategy with its mandates under ReFuelEU (requiring 70% of all fuel uplifted at EU airports be SAF by 2050)2, U.S. SAF policy remains in a state of limbo especially as the H.R. 1 bill (President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill”) headed for a Senate vote seeks to hamper the ability of the country’s leading SAF policy - the 45z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit - to truly encourage sustainable SAF production. This paper provides an overview of the technological options available to the U.S. based on its available resources, finding that despite the early success of the HEFA (Hydrotreated Esters and Fatty Acids) pathway, domestic SAF will have to be carried forward by Alcohol-to-Jet, Gasification, and e-SAF pathways. Policy improvements are then recommended to ensure the environmental and economic sustainability...

Exploring the Cultural Impacts of Faunal Loss Resulting from Climate-Induced Deforestation: A Study of the Spatial Relationships of Fauna and their Physical Habitats in Los Angeles County and the Northwestern Region of the Amazon Rainforest

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Deforestation is a major cause of the loss of biodiversity and decline of ecosystems crucial for all living creatures in expansive sections of the world. It is the scarcity of life, a sign of living organisms in an environment with desolate grounds. Ranging from the Amazon Rainforest to the scattered tropical island rainforests of Indonesia in the eastern hemisphere, forested areas such as these impacted by deforestation provide critical ecosystem services along with massive carbon absorption. The entire planet relies on both areas for resources aiding in fauna necessities. The main components of this project examine deforestation with concerns aimed at the causes of deforestation, as well as its effects on fauna of the Amazon Rainforest, both humans and animals alike. There are maps to highlight the main factors that contribute to deforestation in addition to interviews with the residents of the Amazon Basin to understand their perspective on habitat and fauna loss as a response...

Geological Sequestration Of CO2 On The San Andreas Fault: Physics Of A Complex System

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Since 2001, after decades of a steady rate of magnitude ≥ 3 earthquakes in the United States, the annual number of earthquakes has increased exponentially from approximately 20 events per year in 2001 to up to 188 events per year in 2011. This increase is suspected to be human-induced. Modern physics tools, such as Bayesian Data Analysis, can elucidate processes that trigger seismicity, both anthropogenic and otherwise. This study introduces analytical methods and examines anthropogenic processes, such as Oil-Gas operations and CO2 injections, which can trigger seismicity. In recent years, statistical modeling of fluid injection and extraction has been enabled using Bayesian inference. Provided the well established interaction between San Andreas Fault (SAF) and nearby lake fillings (e.g., Salton Sea), recently proposed CO2 injection projects near this fault is chosen as a system of interest. Shedding light on the possibility of unintentional CO2 induced seismicity near this fault,...

Analyzing Flood and Sea Level Rise Impacts in Imperial Beach, California

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Low-lying coastal areas are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of sea level rise and flooding. The City of Imperial Beach (IB), California currently experiences inundation effects that will intensify as sea levels rise. Inundation in IB has previously been studied by Sangsefidi et al., who explored the importance of studying the compounding impacts of isolated phenomena (e.g. sea level rise, groundwater, precipitation). Understanding regional adaptation priorities, stakeholder concerns, and implementation strategies is essential for coastal resilience and adaptation planning under projected climate impacts. This study used geospatial visualization and interviews with key decision-makers and stakeholders to assess current adaptation efforts and identify implementation barriers in Imperial Beach. Findings indicate that stakeholders have differing priorities, with City officials targeting beach nourishment projects to protect property and public access and estuary managers focusing...

Sector Roles in United States Food Waste Reduction: Identifying Gaps in Food Waste Management and Advancing Collaborative Solutions

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sector Roles in United States Food Waste Reduction: Identifying Gaps in Food Waste Management and Advancing Collaborative Solutions

Evaluating the Potential of Nuclear Energy Generation to Assist in California’s Climate Goals

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Since the introduction of nuclear fission in 1938, nuclear energy generators have provided power at state, national, and global levels. As climate change conditions worsen, the clean, firm energy provided by these reactors may be needed to support growing renewable energy plans with intermittency problems. However, with the introduction of a 1976 California moratorium on newnuclear facilities there is no outlined future for nuclear energy, even if there is currently a large reliance on it. Understanding the history of nuclear research, as well as California nuclear energy history in the context of energy consumption can provide a unique perspective into if California will continue to invest in its remaining nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon in order to meetstrict 2030 and 2045 clean energy goals. To fully explore the potential of Diablo Canyon as a case study for nuclear generation in California, researchers and consumers must be aware of historical public perception, the policy...

MEMENTO MORI: Carbon Emissions of Different Types of Human Burial & the Land Use Futures of Cemeteries in the United States

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

As the saying goes, there are two things certain in life: death and taxes. Taxes aside,death is something that every person with a body will at some point or another come into contact with and/or experience for themselves. The purpose of this study is to analyze the carbon footprints of different types of burial, including but not limited to, traditional burial, natural organic reduction, and alkaline hydrolysis. Gaining a better understanding of the carbonic impacts of our chosen methods of burial can enable individuals to make informed decisions asthey plan their or one of their loved ones’ burial. In tandem with methods of burial, it is also essential to examine the function of cemeteries within our society. This study analyzes historicaluses of cemeteries and the laws that influenced their formations, as well as looking into evolving present-day uses of cemeteries. It includes an examination of the Green Burial Council’sdifferent Green Cemetery Certifications, and an assessment...

Greening the Globe: Integrating Sustainability into Regional Theatre Productions and Operations

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The theatre industry is rarely discussed from a sustainability standpoint despite having significant environmental impacts, raising billions in revenue annually, and employing nearly 100,000 people in the United States alone. Between energy-intense productions with considerable carbon emissions, substantial material waste, a demanding work environment with long hours, and often unfair wages, the performing arts industry has many avenues for improvement. Theatre in particular presents a fascinating case study for sustainability, as there are many avenues to considerably decrease environmental impacts without sacrificing production quality or budget. This article explores theatre’s impacts on the environment and offers scalable, actionable recommendations for how theatres can “green” their productions and become more sustainable. Created in partnership with San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre, the project culminates in a 100+ page guidebook full of sustainable theatre case studies and...

Electric vehicle charging behavior: An analysis of workplace charging heterogeneity to improve charging network planning.

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Adoption of electric vehicles is surging across the state, country, and world, driven by government policies to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector. To maximally reduce emissions of EVs, however, drivers must charge their vehicles when clean electricity generation, such as solar and wind power, is abundant. In California, this means charging during the daytime when most people are at work.

Workplace charging plays a pivotal role in this context. Many EV drivers, especially those living in apartments or rented accommodations, lack access to home charging options. For these drivers, workplace charging provides a critical solution, enabling them to charge their vehicles during the day when renewable energy is most available. Moreover, workplace charging can significantly alleviate range anxiety, making EVs a more viable and attractive option for a broader segment of the population. Although the affordability of EVs has improved significantly, the challenge...

Influence of Atmospheric River Precipitation on Vegetation Growth and Fuel

Fri, 6 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In the last decade, research on atmospheric rivers (ARs) has surged due to their potential to cause extreme flooding and alleviate drought stress in the Western United States. Concurrently, wildfires in Southern California have become increasingly costly and destructive. While the timing of the first fall AR is known to influence wildfire risk in Southern California, the impact of ARs on spring vegetation growth and subsequent fall wildfire risk remains poorly understood, especially at the fine scale of Southern California ecosystems.

To investigate this link, we analyzed forty years of AR-associated Integrated Vapor Transport (IVT) and winter precipitation data across ten Level IV Ecoregions in Southern California. We examined the correlations between these metrics and the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and the Evaporative Demand Drought Index (EDDI). Our analysis revealed that productivity during the growing season is linked to the previous winter's total AR-associated...

Evaluating the Impacts of Offshore Wind Development on Marine Ecosystems

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

To inform the sustainable development of offshore wind (OSW) in California, the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation (CMSF), a non-profit with 30 years of experience improving the resilience and stewardship of California’s coastal resources, is developing the Offshore Wind Environmental Monitoring Guidance (EMG) for the California Ocean Protection Council. In support of the EMG, this study reviewed scientific and gray literature and synthesized existing knowledge on fixed bottom and floating OSW’s impacts on marine ecosystems. The primary impacts on marine ecosystems include noise effects, displacement, entanglement and collision with, attraction to, or avoidance of OSW infrastructure, habitat alterations, anthropogenic emissions and pollution, and electromagnetic field (EMF) effects. Identifying knowledge gaps and monitoring priorities is critical for initial OSW development in California. This synthesis reveals that while we have a more developed understanding of OSW's...

The Dam Problem: The Controversy of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

Mon, 8 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The countries within the Nile Basin have become increasingly water stressed with each passing year due to the intensification of climate change, and disagreements about water allocation rights between these countries only exacerbate the issue. For about a century, Ethiopia and Egypt have been quarrelling over rights to the Nile’s waters with no resolution in sight. In 2011, Ethiopia began construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which increased tensions. As of 2023, the dam’s construction was completed but negotiations have made no meaningful progress. The dam worsens political relations but impacts the environment, economy, and society in both positive and negative ways. Considering these impacts and the example of the demolition of the Klamath River dams, it was determined that dam demolition would be the most beneficial and equitable course of action, in the long run, for all the Nile River riparian countries. A policy memo was then constructed advocating...

Realignment of NCAA Division One football to reduce travel emissions and revitalize regional athletic rivalry

Mon, 8 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates the environmental impacts of college football's 2024 conference realignment, focusing on the increased aviation pollution due to expanded travel requirements for teams. Recent realignments in college football conferences have led to significant changes in team travel schedules, resulting in longer travel distances and a greater reliance on air travel. The research employs a comparative analysis of travel distances and carbon footprint calculations using data from 2024 NCAA team schedules and aviation emission factors. Additionally, the study compares a theoretical model of logical geographically based conferences against the actual 2024 conference alignments, examining just how much grouping schools based on their geography could reduce travel and therefore overall emissions. The analysis reveals a significant increase in travel-related carbon emissions, with certain schools experiencing substantial increases in aviation pollution using the 2024 schedule...

Defining Marine Heat Waves in the Southern California Bight: Implications for California Sea Lion Population Trends

Mon, 8 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Marine heat waves (MHWs), extended periods of unusually high ocean temperatures that significantly impact marine ecosystems, are prevalent in the Southern California Bight (SCB), increased thermal stratification has intensified these events over recent decades, affecting California sea lions by disrupting prey availability, leading to malnutrition and higher mortality rates. Rising atmospheric CO2 levels have exacerbated this issue, contributing to the warming of surface waters. Climate models predict that MHWs will continue to increase in frequency, severity, and duration, posing further risks to marine life. Despite the presence of a significant sea lion colony off the coast of San Diego, little research has been conducted on MHWs in the SCB impact on the local sea lion population. This research examines various aspects of MHWs at San Diego, including defining MHWs, historical occurrences, current trends, and their implications for California sea lions, while exploring potential...

Synthesis of Local Climate-Altering Criteria and the Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Organisms, Ecosystem Function, and Positive Feedback Loops in California’s Channel Islands National Park

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Microclimates can behave differently from the larger regional climate, and it is essential to consider various spatiotemporal scales when studying how climate change affects local ecosystems. This research identifies small-scale climate variations within Channel Islands National Park (CINP), particularly in areas where species might find refuge to adapt to climate change. The study identifies different climate characteristics in this region by creating a microclimate framework and analyzing historical data accordingly. It also explains the need for scaling down climate information to the ecosystem level and provides a literature review of all known criteria necessary. The goal is to help inform park managers of local conditions and potential threats to prioritize areas for conservation and restoring biodiversity and natural resources. While global and regional climate models help understand broad trends, they often need more detail to grasp ecological changes at the community...

Understanding the Potential Impacts of Changes in Colorado River Water Supply on Southern California Users

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Climate change and over-allocation of the Colorado River have resulted in difficult negotiations amongst the seven states (Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming) that rely on the river. The Lower Basin and Federal Government recently came to an agreement (May 2023) for voluntary users to conserve water in trade for financial compensation, resulting in an estimated 3 million acre-feet (MAF) of total conserved water by the end of 2026. Southern California imports more water from the Colorado River than any other user. The majority (80%) of California’s 4.4 MAF allotment from the Colorado River is used to irrigate the region’s $11.6 billion agriculture industry, and only 20% is used for municipal water. This study examines the annual consumptive use of the four largest importers of Colorado River water in California from 1964 – 2021 to identify extreme variations and understand the effect that precipitation plays in those variations. This study also...

A Financial Guidebook For U.S. Startups: Crossing Climate Tech's Valleys of Death and Achieving Scale

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

As per the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report, in order to achieve our net-zero ambitions, we require a step change in technology innovation(1). While we have made notable progress in developing climate technologies to mitigate a substantial portion of our emissions, a recent International Energy Agency (IEA) analysis assessed the market readiness of 400 different technologies that will be needed to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and found that only about half of the technologies are available in the market today(2). According to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), climate technology or ‘Climate Tech’ is defined as technologies that are explicitly focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, or addressing the impacts of global warming(3). Climate Tech solutions include software not only hardware, as well as business model innovation and industrial processes which can be different from or overlap with both hardware and software. This is the...

Relationship between extreme heat and violent crime in San Diego County: analysis and recommendations for crime prevention and climate change mitigation