AirUCI faculty Steve Davis was interviewed for WSJM radio about his recent study investigating the costs of wildfires that was published in the journal Nature Sustainability. His team found the cost of the 2018 wildfire season to have totaled about $150 billion in losses, amounting to .7 percent of the gross domestic product of the U.S. As Steve said, “If we continue to have these kinds of wildfire seasons, the costs are going to maintain themselves.” Read the story
News
Here's the latest news from AirUCI — our events, our people, our science.
2021
Tuesday, November 2, 2021
AirUCI co-Director Barbara Finlayson-Pitts is profiled in an article describing how her research group is working to understand how air pollution evolves in the atmosphere. One project studies how sulfur-containing pollutants — generated by both man-made and biological processes — contribute to the formation of smog, then go on to generate secondary compounds in our air. Read the article
Monday, November 1, 2021
Mike Dennin, AirUCI faculty and dean of undergraduate education, has been elected as a fellow to the American Physical Society. The election committee cited not only his research in physics, but his extensive and creative outreach that strives to popularize science in the mainstream media. Read the announcement
Thursday, October 28, 2021
AirUCI faculty Steven Davis is quoted in a Phys.Org article on the increase of CO2 emissions worldwide as the Covid pandemic has eased. "Our results show that the pandemic-related decrease in global emissions is mostly over, but also that the rebound in economic activity and emissions has been quite uneven across the world," said Steve. "Despite hopes that targeted stimulus could boost shares of renewable energy, increases in energy use have outpaced 'building back better.'" Read the article
Friday, October 22, 2021
September 2022
AirUCI faculty Annmarie Carlton has returned to us from Washington D.C. after her year advising White House staff as a Roger Revelle Fellow. Look for a report from Annmarie in this space!
UCI Podcast - November 29, 2021
Annmarie was the guest on the November 29th UCI Podcast which was recorded before her departure to Washington D.C. She discusses her research and background, airborne particles, climate change, and the challenges of science influencing policy at both small and large scales. Hear the podcast
White House Update October 22, 2021:
I've been working with the team of Cabinet Member Dr. Eric S. Lander, who is the President’s Science Advisor and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. I have prepared briefings with the team on climate mitigation, hydrogen and methane. They were all this week. The hydrogen one is later today. Next week I'm briefing him on agriculture and climate. Read about Annmarie at the White House
03/12/2021
Annmarie Carlton, AirUCI faculty, has been selected for the prestigious Roger Revelle Fellowship in Global Stewardship. This fellowship, offered by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), is awarded to an accomplished scientist roughly every four years. Annmarie has been placed in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy for a one-year appointment, beginning in September 2021. She brings to bear her broad scientific expertise and regulatory experience to help develop effective policy that applies to critical global environmental justice problems surrounding air quality, ozone-depleting substances, and climate change. We are proud to count her as one of our own!
The Roger Revelle Fellowship in Global Stewardship was established in recognition of Roger Revelle, a renowned statesman of science. Placements may be in any branch of the Federal government, a nonprofit organization, an NGO, or another approved organization. Previous host offices have included the Smithsonian Institution, the U.S. Department of State, and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy where Annmarie will serve. One placement is available periodically and tailored to match the fellow’s background with the needs of the host office. Fellowship experiences vary between offices and agencies.
Revelle fellows of many different scientific backgrounds help their host offices to better employ scientific and technical knowledge in environmental policymaking. This fellowship is designed to provide an opportunity to address global stewardship problems by applying the awardee's multidisciplinary background toward solutions to societal issues ranging from ecosystems and population to sustainable development and climate change. Way to go, Annmarie!
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
On October 20th, AirUCI Research Speicalist Shahir Masri is quoted in a Daily Pilot article focusing on indoor air pollution as a major issue for unionizing workers in Santa Ana. The workers wore small monitors for two days while performing normal tasks and activities. They gave the monitors to Shahir (who was conducting an independent study for his consulting firm) for analysis of the data that was collected, and the findings showed levels of particulate matter far in excess of EPA standards for hours at a time. Read the article
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Today UC Irvine launched a new web site entitled California's Climate Crisis and Solutions and the Human Impact story in this inaugural edition focuses on the research of AirUCI faculty Jun Wu, as well as the work of AirUCI Project Scientist Murat Aydin.
Read the article
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
UC Irvine has launched a center dedicated to researching and advancing environmental justice issues. AirUCI faculty Jun Wu will lead the center along with Professor of Public Health Alana LeBrón, both of whom have extensive experience in testing for air and soil contaminants. In working to solve complex environmental justice issues, the center will be interdisciplinary, engaging with engineering, urban planning, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and anthropology departments. Read the article
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
AirUCI faculty Michael Dennin, who also serves as UCI's vice provost for teaching and learning and dean of undergraduate education, was recognized by the Greater Irvine Chamber’s Distinguished Educators program. This program aims to celebrate the role that Irvine’s world-class education plays in helping the city live up to its promise as a model community and its ability to sustain economic vitality by ensuring a continuous skilled workforce. At a ceremony at the Irvine Hilton Hotel on Wednesday, October 13th, the program’s inaugural Educator of the Year award was presented to Mike. Congratulations!
Monday, October 11, 2021
On October 11th, AirUCI faculty Donald Blake was featured as a guest on the HISTORY This Week Podcast where he dives into Mario Molina and Sherry Rowland's work on ozone depletion. Listen to the podcast here
