Sandy Faber is a University Professor Emerita at UCSC and a staff member of the Lick Observatory. She is an observational astronomer with research interests in cosmology and galaxy formation. Some of her major discoveries include the first structural scaling law for galaxies (called the Faber–Jackson law), large-scale flow perturbations in the expansion of the Universe, and super-massive black holes at the centers of galaxies. … Continue reading The vastness of the universe and the future of our planet with Sandra Faber

Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, has been named to the 2025 TIME100 Next list — which honors 100 emerging leaders from around the world who are shaping the future and defining the next generation of leadership. The TIME100 Next celebrates rising stars from every corner of life — from movies and music to sports, science, politics, and philanthropy. Continue reading UC climate scientist Daniel Swain named to TIME100 Next list

A proposal for an Interdisciplinary Climate Science Justice, and Solutions GE has been introduced to the UCSC Academic Senate. To view proposal, click below. Continue reading Climate GE Proposal Introduced to UCSC Academic Senate

Sustainable Finance & Climate Economics By: UCSC CAN Editorial Team In a recent interview with Will Wiseman, UC Santa Cruz Economics Professor Galina Hale explored how financial systems can accelerate — or obstruct — the clean energy transition. Drawing from her research in sustainable finance, Hale highlighted the urgency of aligning capital flows with environmental and social goals. “Finance isn’t neutral,” Hale explains. “Every investment … Continue reading Aligning Markets with Climate Justice: A Conversation with Professor Galina Hale

Climate and Sustainability By Allison Arteaga Soergel “Floods. Fires. Drought. Extreme heat.” The signs of a planet in distress are everywhere. The impacts of climate change are no longer a distant threat — they’re here, and growing. The time for decisive action is now. But as UC Santa Cruz Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies J. Mijin Cha emphasizes, this transition cannot simply replace fossil fuels … Continue reading Building a Clean Energy Economy That Benefits Everyone

This week’s Frankly (#105) by Nate Hagens is particularly worth listening to. It is entitled “Key Blindspots of the Walrus Movement”. The “Walrus Movement” is Nate’s term for well-intentioned champions of morally sound social and ecological goals who, however, do not take the biophysical limits and energetic realities of the planet into account. Nate asks, what happens when lofty goals sidestep ecological and energetic realities? … Continue reading Key Blindspots of the “Walrus” Movement

University of California Chief Investment Officer Jagdeep Singh Bachher said he is considering reinvestments in the oil and gas market, five years after the institution divested its portfolios from fossil fuels. The University of California’s investment office had $184 billion in assets as of March 14. This includes $142.7 billion in pension and retirement assets, $30.1 billion in its two endowment pools, and $10.7 billion … Continue reading University of California considers backtracking into oil, gas investments

The Earth Futures Institute is proud to announce the fourth year of its Frontier Fellowship awards. Oversubscription was strongest, nearly 3 to 1, and seven fellowships were awarded, the largest group yet. Frontier Fellowships enable sustained, in-depth original research by UCSC undergraduates in partnershipwith two mentoring faculty. Fellows begin research in spring quarter. A $6000 stipend allows full-time focus during the summer, and the work … Continue reading Earth Futures Institute Frontier Fellows for 2025-2026