USC Wrigley Institute for Environment & Sustainability

04/24/2025

Happy from the 2025 Wrigley Institute Graduate Fellows!

Our fellows are Ph.D. students from disciplines across USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, from biological and Earth sciences to sociology, English, and more. All are tackling environmental and questions through the lens of their particular field.

Stay tuned – we'll be sharing about their summer field experiences later this year!

Meet the fellows: https://dornsife.usc.edu/wrigley/2024/12/19/meet-the-2025-wrigley-institute-graduate-fellows/

04/24/2025

The USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future, Bridge Entertainment Labs, and the USC Dornsife Wrigley Institute of Environment and Sustainability invite you to join a screening of True False Hot Cold on Wednesday, April 23 at 7 p.m. in the Ray Stark Family Theatre (SCA 108). This award-winning documentary is centered around climate change, empathy, and civil discourse. It was filmed in Utah over the course of one summer in a county where many residents don’t believe in climate change. Instead of focusing on the obvious divisions, the documentary offers ideas about building bridges with people who have very different identities and beliefs.

Steven Olikara, the President of Bridge Entertainment Labs, will moderate a discussion with Ben Stillerman, the documentary’s Director and Producer. The discussion will be intertwined with various clips. You can find more information and the trailer for the film on the True False Hot Cold website: https://www.truefalsehotcold.com

04/23/2025

On Friday, students from the USC Marshall Energy Business Club took a day trip to the Wrigley Marine Science Center to learn about kelp biofuels from Senior Scientist Diane Kim⁠ & Education Specialist Lorraine Sadler.⁠
⁠
"Each time I visit the Wrigley Marine Science Center, I am reminded of how much is at stake if we don’t take action to conserve our beautiful planet and its resources. This trip allowed our members to experience the beauty of a conservation site, build community, and expand their knowledge of sustainable energy," said Lauren Segal, VP of the club and USC Environmental Studies Program student.

04/22/2025

Earth Day isn't just about sounding the alarm about the effects of climate change–it's about hope, and action.

Thankfully, we have an abundance of both at the Wrigley Institute. Watch to learn how our researchers are developing environmental solutions and helping communities affected by climate change.

This Earth Day, help us seed solutions that will make an impact for people and our planet for generations to come: http://bit.ly/wiesearthmonth2025

📺: https://youtu.be/36RxcQFoIGo?feature=shared

Everywhere we look, the effects of climate change are intensifying. But Earth Day isn't just about sounding the alarm--it's about hope, and action.Thankfully...

04/18/2025

When science inspires art, the combination can create new ways for people to see the world and our place in it.

A Wrigley Institute-sponsored exhibition, now on display at the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island, brings this idea to life through a unique collaboration between scientific research and creative practice.

In 2024, USC Roski School of Art and Design M.F.A candidate Callianne Jones and Graduate Fellow Juliann Panehal came together to create a body of photographic work that explores the fate of water in and around Los Angeles.

Creating a more sustainable and environmentally just future for our planet and all who live on it

04/16/2025

04/08/2025

Climate change is one of our most critical global issues, leading to ocean warming, extreme wildfires, and other challenges. But with your help, affiliated faculty are tracking the state of our planet and creating solutions to these pressing problems.

Meet two of our many dedicated researchers: Carly Kenkel is investigating ways to save precious , and Seth John is helping survivors test their properties for toxins.

🌏 This , you can help us continue supporting research that makes an impact: bit.ly/wiesearthmonth2025

Learn more about Carly's research: https://dornsife.usc.edu/wrigley/2023/12/05/climate-change-ocean-warming-coral-reefs-summer-2023-solutions

Learn more about Seth's research: https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/researchers-tested-sandboxes-street-dust-lead-eaton-fire

04/07/2025

We're offering ENST 320b: Energy and Air Sustainability this ! ⬇️⁠

What might make an energy source “good” or “bad"? This course examines how different forms of energy are harnessed and explores their environmental costs, considering issues such as resource extraction and pollution from emissions and waste.

🗓️ Julymester Application Deadline: April 16, 2025
Apply: https://dornsife.usc.edu/wrigley/education/catalina-residential-college/catalina-island-julymester/

04/04/2025

🌏 Introducing , your new favorite way to get smarter about climate and sustainability topics.

First up, Director Joe Árvai breaks down direct air capture (DAC). What is it, what are the challenges, and can it actually help fight climate change? 🤔

Watch the full video:

Introducing , your new favorite way to get smarter about climate and sustainability topics (with a side of myth-busting) 🌎✨First up, ...

04/03/2025

04/02/2025

Thanks to the undergraduate and graduate students who spent USC Spring Break at the Wrigley Marine Science Center with us!

Aside from exploring the natural beauty of Catalina Island through activities such as hiking and kayaking, they learned about education/research programs offered at our campus and participated in a night bioluminescent plankton lab.

03/26/2025

Happening next week! Please join us for the sixth annual Climate Forward conference, which focuses on finding practical solutions to climate change and identifying the political obstacles to implementing those changes.

🗓️ Thursday, April 3, 2025
⏱️ 12-4pm
📍 USC Town & Gown and on Zoom

Featured speakers include Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Former U.S. Secretary of Energy and First Female Governor of Michigan; One of Time’s Most Influential People 2024. Stay tuned, as more guests will be announced shortly!

The conference is FREE. You can participate in person, via Zoom, or via livestream. Lunch is provided for in-person attendees.

Space is limited, so register now to secure your spot: https://calendar.usc.edu/event/climate-forward-conference-2025?fbclid=IwY2xjawJRBOZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHeIQnExVzeH7qCCZaTPsGTvKXoLqfyhXee0Gok9CRDXZHQSqprWYq4pmgg_aem_h4yNHF3SpXByjCX4ZWHd5Q

03/25/2025

Be here this summer! 💡⁠ Enroll in Julymester to live and learn at the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island as you explore solutions for sustainability related to our planet’s key systems.

Julymester Courses: ⁠
🟢 ENST 320a: Water and Soil Sustainability⁠
🟢 ENST 320b: Energy and Air Sustainability⁠
🟢 ENGL 499: Writ in Water: A Creative Writing Lab on Catalina Island⁠

🗓️ Program Dates:
Monday, July 14, 2025 – Friday, August 8, 2025⁠
⁠
Open to USC undergraduate students. Apply by April 16, 2025 at 11:59 P.M PT⁠: https://dornsife.usc.edu/wrigley/education/catalina-residential-college/catalina-island-julymester/

03/24/2025

We're offering a Weekend Workshop at the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina island from Friday, April 4 – Sunday, April 6, 2025. ⁠
⁠
🌊 Learn about oceanographic techniques in the field and lab! This workshop provides training in skills such as water sampling, data collection, and laboratory work. ⁠
⁠
🟢 Open to undergraduate students in their first or second year at USC, including recent transfer students. ⁠
⁠
🎟️ Now only $100! This fee covers housing and all activities on Catalina Island, transportation, and meals. ⁠
⁠
The new deadline is this Thursday, March 27, 2025.
Apply: https://dornsife.usc.edu/wrigley/education/catalina-residential-college/catalina-island-weekend-workshops/

03/24/2025

Earlier this month, the USC Wrigley Institute, USC Visions & Voices, and La Casa sponsored El Respiro/Respire, a project showcasing work by Carolina Caycedo ’12, a USC Roski alumna and Colombian artist whose practice centers environmental issues.

El Respiro focused on Latin America’s transition to renewable energy, including the need for a transition that is equitable for all Latin American communities and people groups. At USC’s University Park Campus, the group spelled out “Just Transition Now” and “Transicíon Justa Ya” by lying on the grass in McCarthy Quad.

View the full photo gallery and event panel discussion video: https://dornsife.usc.edu/wrigley/2025/03/17/el-respiro-art-project-spotlights-latin-american-energy-transition/

03/20/2025

Climate Forward 2025 is now open for registration!

🗓️ Thursday, April 3, 2025
⏰ 12-4pm
📍 USC Town & Gown and on Zoom

Speakers will include former U.S. Secretary of Energy and former Governor of Michigan Jennifer Granholm, and Mike Murphy and David Hill of the EV Politics Project. More to be announced as they're confirmed!

Free and open to the public, with lunch provided for in-person attendees. Registration is required.

Get full details and register:

In celebration of Earth Month, the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability and the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future are hosting a series of conversations around advancing climate change issues. Please join us for the sixth annual Climate Forward conference on Thursday, A...

03/19/2025

Join us for a Sustainability and CSR Career Trek to visit Hyundai Motors and learn more about their corporate social responsibility ( ) and efforts, with a special focus on electric vehicles.

Open to USC students, however, priority will go to USC Environmental Studies Program students.

🗓️ April 25, 2025 | 10am – 4:30pm
🔗 Apply by April 8: bit.ly/career-trek-sp2025

03/06/2025

We're excited to welcome renowned biogeochemist Karen Lloyd to USC as the new Wrigley Chair in Environmental Studies! ⁠🎉

Her groundbreaking research on subsurface microbes offers important insights into life in extreme environments and their role in a changing climate. As part of the Wrigley Institute’s Ballmer Group-funded Climate and Carbon Management Initiative, one of her first projects with us involves studying methane-eating microbes in the San Pedro Channel. ⁠

Biogeochemist Karen Lloyd, who studies deep ocean microbes, has joined the USC faculty as the Wrigley Chair in Environmental Studies.