Exactly! Know your audience, and adjust accordingly.

In a related study, in 2020, we tested some of the most commonly used climate science terms... and the results would be hilarious if it wasn't so depressing. No one understood what mitigation, adaptation, carbon neutral, etc. meant.

link.springer.com/epdf/10.1007...

Proving yet again the climate experts are often at odds with the general public.

A nationally representative survey in 2022 tested "climate change" vs. other framing (notably "climate crisis") finding you need to stick with what's already familiar. link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Legal and Practical Implications of the U.S. Withdrawal from the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change The U.S. withdrawal from the UNFCCC is a further blow to climate cooperation and a demonstration of U.S. foreign policy volatility.

ICYMI Sue and Jean are out with a piece today in just security on this issue: www.justsecurity.org/128687/impli...

Bodansky, as usual, is already of us. Completely agree that everything is likely to be litigated - but I suppose that's just how policy works in the US now 🙃

...definitely cuts both ways and we've unfortunately seen that.

...actually Biden proved you can rejoin w/out Senate. Look at UNESCO. Good article here: virginialawreview.org/articles/rej...

What was once the US National Nature Assessment is now the United by Nature Assessment. These reports are only as good as the feedback they receive - nominations for expert reviewers is now open!

Ahead of the 2028 Olympics, Los Angeles launches a program to expand shade across the city L.A. is partnering with colleges and nonprofits to launch ShadeLA, an initiative focused on tree planting, canopy design and urban heat resilience before the 2028 Games.

Ahead of the 2028 Olympics, Los Angeles launches a program to expand shade across the city

Graphic with white background. Text that says "we are shadeLA". graphic cartoon of people standing in the shadow of a tree.

White graphic background. Logo that says shadeLA. Text that says "Our vision: we see an LA that's built to beat the heat - with shade where it's needed to keep people safe and comfortable". There is a cartoon drawing of people standing in the shadow of a street light.

White graphic. The text says "Core goals: 1. expand built & natural shade 2. preserve & maintain existing shade 3. monitor & guide progress 4. inform & mobilize people". There is a cartoon drawing of people standing under the shade of an awning.

In the next 3 years - the World, Cup, Super Bowl, & Olympics will be coming to Los Angeles.

To make sure LA is ready for the world stage amidst rising & more severe heat waves, & to leave our community more resilient long after the last medal is won - we're launching a new campaign: Shade-LA.com

That is EXACTLY the goal!!

USC teams up with ShadeLA coalition to cool Los Angeles ahead of 2028 ShadeLA, a new USC-led initiative, unites civic, academic and community partners to expand urban tree canopy and shade infrastructure — building lasting heat resilience for Angelenos well beyond 2028.

Press release: today.usc.edu/usc-teams-up...

FYI climate, adaptation and sports friends: @sammyroth.bsky.social @afreedma.bsky.social @daisydunne.carbonbrief.org @ed-king.bsky.social @katharinehayhoe.com @kkwilkinson.bsky.social @tdiliberto.bsky.social @jessimckenzi.bsky.social @eroston.bsky.social

Learn more by reading @awalkerinla.bsky.social great piece: bsky.app/profile/awal...

This is an unprecedented collaboration focused on climate resilience ahead of major events - led by @usc.edu @dornsife.usc.edu in collab with @luskininnovation.bsky.social ( @edithdeguzman.bsky.social), the City and County of LA, @la28games.bsky.social and 15+ community partners

Graphic with white background. Text that says "we are shadeLA". graphic cartoon of people standing in the shadow of a tree.

White graphic background. Logo that says shadeLA. Text that says "Our vision: we see an LA that's built to beat the heat - with shade where it's needed to keep people safe and comfortable". There is a cartoon drawing of people standing in the shadow of a street light.

White graphic. The text says "Core goals: 1. expand built & natural shade 2. preserve & maintain existing shade 3. monitor & guide progress 4. inform & mobilize people". There is a cartoon drawing of people standing under the shade of an awning.

In the next 3 years - the World, Cup, Super Bowl, & Olympics will be coming to Los Angeles.

To make sure LA is ready for the world stage amidst rising & more severe heat waves, & to leave our community more resilient long after the last medal is won - we're launching a new campaign: Shade-LA.com

Our latest USC Urban Trees Initiative study found that LA has stricter rules for where/what can go into the public right of way than nearly any other comparable cities. In many instances, these arcane rules are what is restricting tree planting in the places that need it most.

California solar on canals initiative moves forward The California Solar Canal Initiative project aims to use information gained in a University of California, Merced study and begin to identify communities willing to generate electricity with solar ar...

Oh look - we made it! pv-magazine-usa.com/2025/03/26/c...

Seven leading research universities are collaborating to advance solar arrays over California’s canals.

Full press release: drive.google.com/file/d/17qFI...

Bringing together some of my favorite people including
@rbalesuc.bsky.social @briantarrojaphd.bsky.social @dustinmulvaney.bsky.social @feliciamarcus.bsky.social @kategordon.bsky.social @solaraquagrid.bsky.social

This effort is all about how we get BIG THINGS done in CA.

Quote from CA Natural Resource Secretary Wade Crowfoot: "California is leading the way, exploring innovative solutions to tackle climate change and strengthen our water and energy resilience. We are excited to see top research institutions come together to help deploy solar panels over water canals - a big idea with great potential. Science-driven collaborations like this one are critical to guide our path forward"

What happens when 7 universities & 3 state agencies join forces to save water, land, and generate renewable energy at scale? The #CaliforniaSolarCanalInitiative

bit.ly/CASolarCanals

Free soil testing for lead helps L.A. residents after wildfires Those affected by L.A. wildfires can submit soil for testing courtesy of USC Dornsife Public Exchange’s project assessing contamination

Not outsourcing at the request of govt - but FEMA/Army Corps left LA after the wildfires before testing soil for contaminants. Leaving residents unable to go home. USC announced today new free lead testing: dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...

Super proud of our new USC Urban Trees Initiative study, but even more proud that Dr. Berelson scored the quote of the year - 'L.A. trees are kicking ass'.

@tdiliberto.bsky.social is one of the most dedicated public servants I have ever met. His firing is not only a loss for NOAA, but for all Americans.

👋 former negotiator here. US has a hard time engaging on text outcomes at CBD due to non-party status. The big impact here is actually the $$. US *was largest donor for global biodi - but most was just cut (USAID/GEF/TF CCA) with foreign aid freeze

Submitted to bit.ly/fedresourcedirectory

Our @usc.edu Urban Trees Initiative found that trees in #LA absorb up to 60% of GHGs during peak growing season - showing why #urbangreening matters.

As #wildfire recovery efforts continue in #LA, the damage isn’t limited to what we see—it’s what’s left behind in our soil. That’s why researchers from @usc.edu & Public Exchange joined forces to study potential lead contamination in fire-affected areas - supporting our communities in staying safe.

💪 How You Can Help:
And while we’re proud of the work we’ve done so far, we can do even more with #LA community support! Check out our project page to learn more about how you can support our work and keep up with developments:
publicexchange.usc.edu/la-wildfire-...

🌱 What’s Next?
This project isn’t just about research—it’s about action. The team is working closely with the community to expand soil testing, raise awareness, and provide real-time updates for L.A. residents.

Map of Los Angeles with the Eaton Fire burn area outlined in red. A legend on the right shows lead concentration levels and the EPA safe threshold. Across the burn area and surrounding neighborhood sampling locations are shown indicating that as you move further from the burn area lead levels are decreasing.

Early results show that while lead levels are highest inside burn zones, they drop significantly as you move away. The best news? Playground sand samples tested low for lead—so lead may not be a major concern in those settings.