CHC Sustainable Societies Showcasing Research
6th Annual Sustainable Societies Showcase
The sixth annual Sustainable Societies Showcase held on Thursday, June 6, 2024, marked the six-quarter sequence capstone, the in-class poster presentations for the Cities: Focal Point for Sustainability Problems and Solutions course (University Studies H30F).
Undergraduate students, collaborating in teams of 3 or 4, researched the following topics:
List of Topics
- How can Southern California cities manage water usage?
- How can LA County reduce emissions from construction?
- How can OC public schools phase out fossil fuels and implement renewable energy?
- How can the Central Valley/Inland Empire increase access to cooling centers?
- How can commercial buildings be repurposed for food production in Los Angeles County?
- How can OC improve equity in the renewable energy transition, and mitigate the effects of climate change for disadvantaged communities?
- How can San Diego convert to zero-emission for local fleets (e.g. medium-duty vehicles such as box trucks)?
- How can Costa Mesa update storm drain systems to reduce flooding?
- What is the potential for biofuels to reduce carbon emissions in California?
- How can the city of Irvine reduce single-use plastics?
- How can OC food pantries become more efficient and provide a variety of foods for clients?
- How can the South Coast Air Basin reduce health impacts of air pollution?
- What is the potential of collected food waste to produce renewable fuels in California?
- How can Orange County cities create effective climate action plans?
Thank you to the community partners who submitted topics and/or served as mentors to the project groups
Kim Sentovich
CEO of Rachio
Patty Oh
Executive Director
Cool OC
Pars Parikh
Sustainability Programs Coordinator
U.S. Green Building Council Los Angeles
Francis Alvarez
Senior Research Analyst, Transparency and Insights, Co-director, San Diego Regional Clean Cities Coalition
Ayn Craciun
OC Policy Director
Climate Action Campaign
Hector Soriano
Associate Engineer
City of Costa Mesa
Patricia Lim
Industry Development Strategist
CA Plug Load Research Center
Megan Boutwell
Stillwater Associates
For information on how you can submit a topic and mentor CHC Sustainable Societies undergraduates in the 2025 cohort please contact Michelle Foley, avilesm@uci.edu.
