In celebration of Earth Day, UCLA Newsroom is shining a light on the countless ways in which UCLA’s blue-and-gold goes green — by advancing sustainability, developing climate change solutions, and more. For more than 50 years, UCLA has been a world leader in environmentalism and sustainability. The work happens across campus, communities, and city halls in California and beyond.

Given this breadth and depth, it is notable that UCLA Newsroom repeatedly identified the work of one research center: the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation. Highlights include our collaborative work on the following.

• Evaluating Los Angeles’ plan to invest billions in wastewater recycling and other ways to advance access to local, resilient water supplies.
• Producing the National Shade Map — featured as the top Bruinvention of the 21st century — to help communities equitably advance the most effective outdoor cooling solution.
• Co-leading the ShadeLA coalition that is finding innovative and collaborative ways to expand lifesaving shade before the 2028 Games.
• Guiding the City of Los Angeles to equitably transition to 100% clean energy while focusing on affordability for ratepayers.
• Conducting research and community engagement for a blue-ribbon commission, announced by Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk, to create policy recommendations for a more resilient and equitable rebuilding effort after the devastating fires of January 2026 in the Los Angeles region.