What Can I Do About Climate Change? Content

Arctic Plants React Unexpectedly to Climate Change

Katherine E Kerlin — April 30, 2025 - 8:00am

Rapid climate change is upending established plant diversity and growth patterns in the Arctic, with species blooming in some areas and declining in others, suggests a study published today in the journal Nature.

The decades-long study of more than 2,000 plant communities across 45 areas in the Arctic tundra found that many locations saw vegetation change in type, abundance and growth, between 1981 and 2022.

Avian Influenza Major Setback for Patagonian Seals

Katherine E Kerlin — April 16, 2025 - 3:33pm

It may take 100 years for the southern elephant seal colony of Península Valdés in Argentine Patagonia to look like it did in 2022. A study published in Marine Mammal Science projected population trajectories after the 2023 epidemic of the High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza H5N1 virus, which killed almost all newborn pups and an unknown number of adults.

LA Wildfires Air Quality Research Roundup

Katherine E Kerlin — February 07, 2025 - 10:49am

How UC Davis air quality scientists are working to understand the impacts of the Los Angeles wildfires. A research roundup.

Long-Term Study on Health Impacts of Los Angeles Wildfires Launched

Katherine E Kerlin — January 31, 2025 - 12:10pm

In an unprecedented collective scientific effort to understand the short- and long-term health impacts of wildfires, researchers from four universities have launched a 10-year study of the Los Angeles fires. The wildfires that began in early January 2025 killed 29 people, destroyed more than 16,000 structures, and exposed millions to toxic smoke.

The research aims to evaluate which pollutants are present, at what levels, and where, and to assess the respiratory, neurological, cardiovascular, reproductive, and immune system impacts of the wildfires.

Understanding Climate Change on Tribal Allotment Lands

Malia N Reiss — June 24, 2024 - 10:37am

A UC Davis project is working to help Tribal nations build climate resilience on Indian allotment lands, with funding from a California Climate Action grant.

Using Waste Heat to Decarbonize Food Processing

Malia N Reiss — June 12, 2024 - 1:46pm

UC Davis scientists are working to extract wasted heat from appliances and industrial emissions to help decarbonize food processing systems.

Diversity Blooms Within The Queer Flower Bed

Malia N Reiss — May 28, 2024 - 3:48pm

Lavender reaches toward the sky. Carnations and pansies wave slightly in the breeze. Roses swell with the sun.

Diversity blooms within The Queer Bed, a floral testament to beauty, love, and empowerment within the queer community.

Fighting Climate Change with Bee-utiful Pollinator Gardens

Malia N Reiss — May 09, 2024 - 1:44pm

From daisies and lavender to sunflowers and orange blossoms, flower gardens not only result in beautiful table centerpieces, bragging rights and a joyful hobby. They can also be hugely beneficial to local pollinators and, by close extension, food security and biodiversity.

Creative Writing a Gateway to Creative Climate Solutions

Malia N Reiss — May 06, 2024 - 12:27pm

Creative storytelling and art can help the world process the changing climate. Collaborations between artists and scientists can give rise to new, innovative solutions.

A Winemaking Byproduct Can Reduce Dairy Cattle Emissions

Malia N Reiss — April 29, 2024 - 3:11pm

UC Davis researchers are feeding grape pomace, a byproduct of winemaking, to dairy cattle to reduce methane emissions.