Recent sustainable_la_rw items

Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire-Safe Recovery: UCLA Research Context and Considerations Informing Resilient Rebuilding from the January 2025 Los Angeles Fires

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Executive Summary

The catastrophic Los Angeles firestorms of January 2025 served as a critical turning point for the Southern California region, causing widespread destruction, displacement, and loss of life. In the fires’ wake lie challenges at every scale. Tens of thousands of Angelenos face the daunting task of rebuilding homes and businesses, often without adequate insurance to cover the expense. Communities with deeply rooted histories seek to restore the connective threads and diverse populations that made them unique. And alongside the urgency of bringing back what was lost lies recognition that the region must fortify itself for a future in which climate change pushes fire into urban communities more regularly.

As partner to the Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire Safe Recovery, UCLA’s role was twofold: to provide Commissioners with rigorous, up-to-date, and actionable knowledge from leading subject matter experts, and...

2021 Sustainable LA Grand Challenge Sustainability Report Card for Los Angeles County Ecosystem Health

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0000

The UCLA Sustainable LA Grand Challenge (SLA GC) Sustainability Report Card (Report Card) for Los Angeles County (L.A. County) is the only comprehensive sustainability report card for a megacity in the world.

This 2021 Report Card on Ecosystem Health provides an in-depth look at the region’s efforts in moving toward a more resilient environment and community for people and native wildlife. A healthy and improved ecosystem requires protecting and restoring high-quality habitats and native biodiversity; reducing ecosystem threats like wildfire and invasive species; and ensuring every Angeleno has access to nature and its benefits such as clean water, shade, and respite through policy solutions that address the region’s inequities. To evaluate the region’s ecosystem health, 18 indicators were assessed across four categories. Many of these indicators are new areas of assessment for the Report Card and will provide a more comprehensive picture of current conditions compared...

2017 Sustainable LA Grand Challenge Research Symposium Program

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0000

On May 17, 2017, Sustainable LA Grand Challenge (SLA GC) hosted their first symposium showcasing cutting-edge research toward the goal of 100% renewable energy, 100% locally sourced water, and enhanced ecosystem and human health in Los Angeles County by 2050.

A Geospatial Approach to Conservation Prioritization: Examining the Applications of GIS-based Vegetation Data in Los Angeles County

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0000

The California Floristic Province is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, one of 36 regions which contain over half of the world’s vegetation. With projected increases in anthropogenic land transformation and use, omnipresent impacts of global climate change, and threats of habitat fragmentation and loss, understanding the vegetation composition of Los Angeles County is integral to prioritizing conservation efforts. By creating one continuous dataset with regional dominant alliance type for the entirety of the county, rare vegetation types and their locations can be identified. The goal of this project is to create such data set and produce maps and associated analyses to create a comprehensive overview of the rare vegetation in Los Angeles County, highlight at-risk regions and any current gaps in protection, providing information and framework for structuring future management and conservation projects.

High Priority Invasive Species in Los Angeles County

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Human activities have interfered with the distribution ranges and dispersal barriers of many species for hundreds of years. Common methods of accidental dispersal include the use of contaminated equipment and the release of exotic pets (Hardion et al., 2014). The introduction of a species may also be deliberate, such as the relocation of species into a novel area for gardening, construction, erosion control, or food production (Hardion et al., 2014). Anthropogenically introduced species may threaten local ecosystem biodiversity by outcompeting native species for resources (Hardion et al., 2014). Therefore, the introduction of non-native species, which are key drivers of human-induced environmental change globally (Vitousek et al., 1997), alter the evolutionary trajectory of native species. This is accomplished by means of competitive exclusion, niche displacement, hybridization, predation, and ultimately, extinction (Shea, 2002). Species categorized as either threatened or...

2019 Sustainable LA Grand Challenge Environmental Report Card for Los Angeles County Water

Fri, 1 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0000

The Sustainable LA Grand Challenge (SLA GC) Environmental Report Card (ERC) for Los Angeles County (L.A. County) is the only comprehensive environmental report card for a megacity in the world. This 2019 ERC on Water provides an in-depth look at the region's efforts in moving toward a more resilient local water supply, which requires maximizing high-quality local water supplies, improving water conveyance and treatment infrastructure, reducing water consumption, and implementing innovative technology and policy solutions. Twenty indicators were assessed across eight categories. Many of these indicators are new areas of assessment for the ERC and will provide a more comprehensive picture of current conditions compared to the 2015 ERC that last assessed L.A. County’s water. Grades were assigned in each category based on compliance with environmental laws or numeric standards where applicable, on our best professional judgment, and on historical improvements and context. This year’s...

2017 Sustainable LA Grand Challenge Environmental Report Card for Los Angeles County Energy and Air Quality (Infographics)

Fri, 1 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0000

The 2017 Sustainable LA Environmental Report Card (ERC) for Los Angeles County (LA County) on Energy and Air Quality offers an in-depth look at the region’s sustainability efforts focusing on the energy we use, greenhouse gas emissions, and the air we breathe. The LA County Environmental Report Card is the only comprehensive environmental report card for a megacity in the world. This ERC assesses 21 indicators that fall into five categories: Stationary Energy Use; Transportation; Renewable Energy Resources; Greenhouse Gas Emissions; and Air Quality and Human Health Impacts. A majority of these indicators are entirely new areas of inquiry for the ERC, and together will provide a broader picture of current conditions compared to the 2015 ERC. Grades were assigned in each category based on compliance with environmental laws or numeric standards where applicable, on our best professional judgment, and on historical improvements and context. This year’s grades range from C-/ Incomplete...

LA Sustainable Water Project: Los Angeles City-Wide Overview

Fri, 16 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0000

This report assesses the potential to improve water quality standards while integrating complementary One Water Management practices that can increase potential local water supplies for the City of Los Angeles (the City). This final report summarizes the current practices and future opportunities at the City-owned Water Reclamation Plants and underlying groundwater basins and highlights the importance of considering all aspects of integrated water management even when dealing with water quality or supply-focused projects.

Implementing watershed-scale best management practice programs to meet stormwater permit requirements will significantly improve water quality in all watersheds. However, additional mechanisms such as increasing Low Impact Development implementation and comprehensive source tracking and source control mechanisms will be required to potentially eliminate water quality exceedances. There are multiple efforts occurring in the City and the region to...

Artes: An Integrated Model of Water Supply in L.A. County

Fri, 26 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Artes is a model of water management in metropolitan Los Angeles. It was developed to investigate the potential for maximizing local water supplies and reducing imports across Los Angeles and its hundreds of water agencies. Model results have helped assess the implications of local water supply on urban water systems reliability, stormwater capture and water reuse, groundwater management, environmental flows, economics, and urban landscapes (trees and plants). The model is a product of the California Center for Sustainable Communities at UCLA and was developed through a collaborative research network spanning UCLA, the University of Utah, and Colorado School of Mines. The project was funded through the National Science Foundation's Water, Sustainability, and Climate program.

LA Sustainable Water Project: Los Angeles River Watershed

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 00:00:00 +0000

The LA Sustainable Water Project: Los Angeles River Watershed report explores the potential to improve water quality standards while integrating complementary One Water Management practices that can increase potential local water supplies for the City of Los Angeles (the City) in the highly urbanized Los Angeles River (LAR) watershed.To assess the integrated water landscape in this watershed, the report also looks at current practices and future opportunities at the Donald C Tillman, LA Glendale, and Burbank Water Reclamation Plants (WRPs) and in the underlying Upper LA River Area (ULARA) adjudicated groundwater basins. Implementing watershed-scale best management practice programs to meet stormwater permit requirements will significantly improve water quality. However, additional mechanisms such as increasing Low Impact Development implementation and comprehensive source tracking and source control mechanisms will be required to potentially eliminate water quality exceedances....

Los Angeles Sustainable Water Project: Ballona Creek Watershed (Full Report)

Thu, 3 Aug 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Implementing integrated water management systems (IWM) that incorporate all components of the urban water cycle, including imported water, local groundwater, captured stormwater, greywater, and treated wastewater is crucial to creating a sustainable water supply for the city of Los Angeles (City). Rapid and effective implementation of IWM is made even more necessary given the current drought conditions in California; this report explores opportunities and challenges to implementing IWM along the way to meeting water quality standards and maximizing use of potential local supplies such as captured stormwater and recycled wastewater in the Ballona Creek Watershed.

Southern California Clean Energy Innovation Ecosystem Roundtable Report

Thu, 3 Aug 2017 00:00:00 +0000

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) hosted the Southern California Clean Energy Innovation Ecosystem Roundtable discussion on May 10, 2016 on the UCLA campus in Kerckhoff Hall. This roundtable discussion brought together 28 leaders from academia, local and state government, a national laboratory, non-profit groups, and industry to discuss Southern California’s clean energy needs as the state and region transition to meet their ambitious climate and energy goals.

The purpose of this report is to provide the United States Department of Energy (DOE) a comprehensive summary of the roundtable event, and to identify some broad conclusions and next steps for the Southern California region with regard to a clean energy pathway. All of this is being considered within the context of Mission Innovation (http://mission-innovation.net), whose goal is to accelerate innovation in clean energy and to make clean energy affordable around the globe.

Los Angeles Sustainable Water Project: Ballona Creek Watershed (Executive Summary)

Thu, 3 Aug 2017 00:00:00 +0000

LA Sustainable Water Project: Dominguez Channel & Machado Lake Watersheds

Fri, 28 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0000

This report explores the potential to improve water quality standards while integrating complementary One Water Management practices that can increase potential local-water supplies for the City of Los Angeles (the City) in the highly urbanized Dominguez Channel (DC) and Machado Lake (ML) watersheds. To assess the integrated water landscape in this watershed, the report also looks at current practices and future opportunities at the Terminal Island Water Reclamation Plant (TIWRP) and in the underlying adjudicated groundwater basins: West Coast Basin and Central Basin.

Implementing watershed-scale best management practice programs to meet stormwater permit requirements will significantly improve water quality in these watersheds. However, additional mechanisms such as implementing the City’s Low Impact Development ordinance and comprehensive source tracking and source control mechanisms will be required to potentially eliminate water quality exceedances.

TIWRP...

2017 Sustainable LA Grand Challenge Environmental Report Card for Los Angeles County Energy and Air Quality

Tue, 25 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0000

The 2017 Sustainable LA Grand Challenge Environmental Report Card (ERC) for Los Angeles County (LA County) on Energy and Air Quality offers an in-depth look at the region’s sustainability efforts focusing on the energy we use, greenhouse gas emissions, and the air we breathe. The LA County Environmental Report Card is the only comprehensive environmental report card for a megacity in the world. This ERC assesses 21 indicators that fall into five categories: Stationary Energy Use; Transportation; Renewable Energy Resources; Greenhouse Gas Emissions; and Air Quality and Human Health Impacts. A majority of these indicators are entirely new areas of inquiry for the ERC, and together will provide a broader picture of current conditions compared to the 2015 ERC. Grades were assigned in each category based on compliance with environmental laws or numeric standards where applicable, on our best professional judgment, and on historical improvements and context. This year’s grades range...

Enhanced PM2.5 pollution in China due to aerosol-cloud interactions

Wed, 12 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Aerosol-cloud interactions (aerosol indirect effects) play an important role in regional meteorological variations, which could further induce feedback on regional air quality. While the impact of aerosol-cloud interactions on meteorology and climate has been extensively studied, their feedback on air quality remains unclear. Using a fully coupled meteorology-chemistry model, we find that increased aerosol loading due to anthropogenic activities in China substantially increases column cloud droplet number concentration and liquid water path (LWP), which further leads to a reduction in the downward shortwave radiation at surface, surface air temperature and planetary boundary layer (PBL) height. The shallower PBL and accelerated cloud chemistry due to larger LWP in turn enhance the concentrations of particulate matter with diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) by up to 33.2 μg m⁻³ (25.1%) and 11.0 μg m⁻³ (12.5%) in January and July, respectively. Such...

99% PRESERVATION AND 1% DENSIFICATION: A case for 2050 sustainability through a denser, more connected Los Angeles

Wed, 12 Apr 2017 00:00:00 +0000

99% PRESERVATION AND 1% DENSIFICATION: A case for 2050 sustainability through a denser, more connected Los Angeles

100% Sustainable: Strategies for 2050 renewable energy, local water, and ecosystem health in Los Angeles

Wed, 12 Apr 2017 00:00:00 +0000

100% Sustainable: Strategies for 2050 renewable energy, local water, and ecosystem health in Los Angeles

2015 Environmental Report Card for LA County (Infographics)

Wed, 12 Apr 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Infographics summarizing 2015 Environmental Report Card for Los Angeles County

2015 Environmental Report Card for Los Angeles County

Tue, 11 Apr 2017 00:00:00 +0000

The challenge of moving towards sustainability in Los Angeles County is daunting: it is the most populous county in the nation and consists of 88 individual cities. After nearly two years of gathering and analyzing data, the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at UCLA has developed an Environmental Report Card for the County of Los Angeles, the first of its kind in the nation for a major metropolitan area. The aim of this report card is three-fold: to provide a broad picture of current conditions, to establish a baseline against which to assess the region’s progress towards environmental sustainability, and as a thought-provoking tool to catalyze policy discussion and change. In collaboration with the Goldhirsh Foundation and the LA2050 initiative, Sustainable LA's hope is to start a conversation within the community about what our overall goals should be for LA County’s environment, how we can better measure our progress, and what we can do to make substantial strides...

Sustainable LA Grand Challenge Five-Year Work Plan (Full Report)

Tue, 11 Apr 2017 00:00:00 +0000

UCLA launched its ﬁrst Grand Challenge: Sustainable LA – Thriving in a Hotter Los Angeles, a novel and ambitious campus-wide research endeavor to tackle sustainability in Los Angeles County through innovations in science, technology, and policy. The Sustainable LA Grand Challenge aligns faculty, researchers, students, partner institutions, managers, policymakers, and community stakeholders around the objective of developing a research-based action plan to achieve three key goals in Los Angeles County by 2050:Power 100 percent of energy and transportation needs withrenewable energy; obtain 100 percent of water supply from sources within LosAngeles County; and to enhance ecosystem health together with human health and wellbeing. As outlined in the Five-Year Work Plan, between 2015-2020, UCLA faculty, researchers, students, and numerous partners will pursue more than 100 innovative research projects critical to charting a pathway for Los Angeles County to achieve the Sustainable...