A new study led by UC Santa Cruz found that most California cities still have a long way to go in addressing equity as part of their climate action plans, and researchers identified common pitfalls that may be holding back progress on these efforts. The research team analyzed 170 climate action plans, developed by cities […]
UC Santa Cruz
Posted inSci/Tech
Is COVID-related reduction in marine traffic reducing stress in whales?
SANTA CRUZ, CA July 17, 2020 – When stay-at-home orders due to the pandemic caused a sudden drop in the normally heavy traffic of marine vessels in Monterey Bay earlier this year, Ari Friedlaender saw a rare opportunity to study the effects of manmade noise on stress levels in whales. Friedlaender, an associate researcher in […]
Posted inSci/Tech
New formation theory explains the mysterious interstellar object ‘Oumuamua
Since its discovery in 2017, an air of mystery has surrounded the first known interstellar object to visit our solar system, an elongated, cigar-shaped body named ‘Oumuamua (Hawaiian for “a messenger from afar arriving first”). How was it formed, and where did it come from? A new study published April 13 in Nature Astronomy offers a first comprehensive answer to […]
Posted inCalifornia
Study connects marine heat wave with spike in whale entanglements
January 27, 2020 – Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of marine heat waves—warm water anomalies that disrupt marine ecosystems—and this is creating new challenges for fisheries management and ocean conservation. A new study shows how the record-breaking marine heat wave of 2014 to 2016 caused changes along the U.S. West Coast that […]
Posted inCalifornia
Fish in California estuaries are evolving as climate change alters their habitat
November 21, 2019 – The threespine stickleback, a small fish found throughout the coastal areas of the Northern Hemisphere, is famously variable in appearance from one location to another, making it an ideal subject for studying how species adapt to different environments. A new study shows that stickleback populations in estuaries along the coast of […]
Posted inRegional
Climate change and drought threaten small mountain streams in the Sierra Nevada
March 22, 2019 – Small mountain streams and the vibrant ecosystems they support were hit hard by the historic California drought of 2012 to 2015. Researchers monitoring aquatic life in Sierra Nevada streams observed significant declines in the numbers of aquatic insects and other bottom-dwelling invertebrates during the drought. The most vulnerable species included many […]
Posted inSci/Tech
New research calculates capacity of North American forests to sequester carbon
July 16, 2018 – Researchers have calculated the capacity of North American forests to sequester carbon in a detailed analysis that for the first time integrates the effects of two key factors: the natural process of forest growth and regeneration, and climate changes that are likely to alter the growth process over the next 60 […]
Posted inCalifornia
UC Santa Cruz police co-sponsoring Santa Cruz County gun buyback on March 24
Feb. 23, 2018 – Santa Cruz County residents can sell their unwanted firearms as part of a gun buyback sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Law Enforcement Chief’s Association. The association will offer $50 for rifles and shotguns, $100 for handguns, and $200 for assault weapons. No ID is required and no questions will be […]
Posted inRegional
Climate change makes American pika disappear from large area of Sierra Nevada mountains
Pikas are related to rabbits and live at high elevations in the mountains of North America. Climate change is shrinking the areas where they can live. (Photo by Alison Henry) August 30, 2017 – The American pika, a small mammal adapted to high altitudes and cold temperatures, has died out from a 64-square-mile span of […]