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

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

• UC is #4 on Sierra magazine’s list of the nation’s 10 most environmentally friendly and sustainable schools - and the #1 ranked public institution.
• The Committee on Sustainability helps UCLA advance sustainability through operations, education, research and service.

Learn more about the campus’
hydrogen fuel car here.

1. Greening Your
    Commute

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

2. Producing Next-
    Generation
    Biofuels

UCLA developed a new method for producing next-generation biofuels. The secret ingredient? Genetically modified E. coli bacteria. <more>

3. Climate Change and
    Health

Now’s the time to prepare for the potential impact of climate change on people’s health - and UCLA is leading the discussion. <more> (PDF)

4. Education

UCLA is training the next generation of environmental stewards:

• UCLA School of Law received gifts and pledges to create a $10-million Emmett Center on Climate Change and the Environment.
• “The Business of Green: What’s the Payoff?” conference is just one of UCLA Extension’s Earth-friendly offerings.
• UCLA Anderson School’s “Leaders in Sustainability” is a multidisciplinary emphasis for graduate students.
• Joined by departments across campus, the Institute of the Environment offers an undergraduate degree program in environmental science.

5. Desalinated Water

UCLA researchers created a membrane, structured at the nanoscale, that promises to reduce the cost of turning seawater into drinking water. <more>

Be The Change

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

6. Solar-powered
    Innovations

Solar-powered curtains that cool and light your room? Solar technologies discovered in UCLA labs are making their way to market. <more>

7. Building Better Climate
    Models

By plane and by ship, UCLA will lead a global team of scientists in improving the accuracy of computer weather models - ultimately providing better global warming and El Niño predictions. <more>