Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Monica Dean

Los Angeles Times @latimes.com · Aug 1

Ahead of the 2028 Olympics, Los Angeles launches a program to expand shade across the city

L.A. is partnering with colleges and nonprofits to launch ShadeLA, an initiative focused on tree planting, canopy design and urban heat resilience before the 2028 Games.

www.latimes.com

1 3 18

Reposted by Monica Dean

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Jul 17

In the next 3 years - the World, Cup, Super Bowl, & Olympics will be coming to Los Angeles.

To make sure LA is ready for the world stage amidst rising & more severe heat waves, & to leave our community more resilient long after the last medal is won - we're launching a new campaign: Shade-LA.com

Graphic with white background. Text that says "we are shadeLA". graphic cartoon of people standing in the shadow of a tree.

White graphic. The text says "Core goals: 1. expand built & natural shade 2. preserve & maintain existing shade 3. monitor & guide progress 4. inform & mobilize people". There is a cartoon drawing of people standing under the shade of an awning.

7 8 44

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Jul 17

That is EXACTLY the goal!!

1

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Jul 17

Press release: today.usc.edu/usc-teams-up...

FYI climate, adaptation and sports friends: @sammyroth.bsky.social @afreedma.bsky.social @daisydunne.carbonbrief.org @ed-king.bsky.social @katharinehayhoe.com @kkwilkinson.bsky.social @tdiliberto.bsky.social @jessimckenzi.bsky.social @eroston.bsky.social

USC teams up with ShadeLA coalition to cool Los Angeles ahead of 2028

ShadeLA, a new USC-led initiative, unites civic, academic and community partners to expand urban tree canopy and shade infrastructure — building lasting heat resilience for Angelenos well beyond 2028.

today.usc.edu

1 4

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Jul 17

Learn more by reading @awalkerinla.bsky.social great piece: bsky.app/profile/awal...

Alissa Walker @awalkerinla.bsky.social · Jul 16

Trees are essential, but LA streets need cooling now. A new initiative, ShadeLA, is launching today — racing to fill shade gaps ahead of looming megaevents with a neighborhood legacy mindset

Made in the shade

"We're trying to change the way that we as Angelenos think about our neighborhoods, so that we actually look around and say, where can there be more shade — in the same way that many of us have though...

www.torched.la

2 6

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Jul 17

This is an unprecedented collaboration focused on climate resilience ahead of major events - led by @usc.edu @dornsife.usc.edu in collab with @luskininnovation.bsky.social ( @edithdeguzman.bsky.social), the City and County of LA, @la28games.bsky.social and 15+ community partners

1 2 5

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Jul 17

In the next 3 years - the World, Cup, Super Bowl, & Olympics will be coming to Los Angeles.

To make sure LA is ready for the world stage amidst rising & more severe heat waves, & to leave our community more resilient long after the last medal is won - we're launching a new campaign: Shade-LA.com

7 8 44

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Apr 2

Our latest USC Urban Trees Initiative study found that LA has stricter rules for where/what can go into the public right of way than nearly any other comparable cities. In many instances, these arcane rules are what is restricting tree planting in the places that need it most.

The University of Southern California @usc.edu · Apr 2

Pruning the red tape. @dornsife.usc.edu research shows that even small policy changes could open up more planting space in dense communities, helping create a cooler, greener city. 🌳

How changing L.A.’s tree rules could cool more neighborhoods

USC Dornsife study finds outdated guidelines limit tree growth, especially in lower-income neighborhoods, and offers a solution

dornsife.usc.edu

4

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Mar 26

Oh look - we made it! pv-magazine-usa.com/2025/03/26/c...

California solar on canals initiative moves forward

The California Solar Canal Initiative project aims to use information gained in a University of California, Merced study and begin to identify communities willing to generate electricity with solar ar...

pv-magazine-usa.com

1 17

Reposted by Monica Dean

USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · Mar 25

Seven leading research universities are collaborating to advance solar arrays over California’s canals.

Full press release: drive.google.com/file/d/17qFI...

9 13

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Mar 25

Bringing together some of my favorite people including
@rbalesuc.bsky.social @briantarrojaphd.bsky.social @dustinmulvaney.bsky.social @feliciamarcus.bsky.social @kategordon.bsky.social @solaraquagrid.bsky.social

This effort is all about how we get BIG THINGS done in CA.

3

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Mar 25

What happens when 7 universities & 3 state agencies join forces to save water, land, and generate renewable energy at scale? The #CaliforniaSolarCanalInitiative

bit.ly/CASolarCanals

Quote from CA Natural Resource Secretary Wade Crowfoot: "California is leading the way, exploring innovative solutions to tackle climate change and strengthen our water and energy resilience. We are excited to see top research institutions come together to help deploy solar panels over water canals - a big idea with great potential. Science-driven collaborations like this one are critical to guide our path forward"

3 4 18

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Mar 20

Not outsourcing at the request of govt - but FEMA/Army Corps left LA after the wildfires before testing soil for contaminants. Leaving residents unable to go home. USC announced today new free lead testing: dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...

Free soil testing for lead helps L.A. residents after wildfires

Those affected by L.A. wildfires can submit soil for testing courtesy of USC Dornsife Public Exchange’s project assessing contamination

dornsife.usc.edu

1 1

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Mar 19

Super proud of our new USC Urban Trees Initiative study, but even more proud that Dr. Berelson scored the quote of the year - 'L.A. trees are kicking ass'.

USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · Mar 19

It's no substitute for reducing our carbon consumption, but our new study finds trees in Los Angeles are surprisingly good at absorbing the carbon dioxide we spew into the air. @latimes.com reports:

‘L.A. trees are kicking ass.' Urban plants capture more CO2 than expected, study finds

A researcher tracking CO2 emissions across a swath of the city says trees are ‘uncanny’ air cleaners.

www.latimes.com

4

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Mar 3

@tdiliberto.bsky.social is one of the most dedicated public servants I have ever met. His firing is not only a loss for NOAA, but for all Americans.

Brad Johnson @climatebrad.hillheat.com · Mar 3

"I started working at NOAA as a contractor in 2010. I finally became a fed in 2023. I was 14 days away from my probationary period when I was fired on Thursday." - NOAA climate scientist Tom Di Liberto

2 2 19

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Feb 27

👋 former negotiator here. US has a hard time engaging on text outcomes at CBD due to non-party status. The big impact here is actually the $$. US *was largest donor for global biodi - but most was just cut (USAID/GEF/TF CCA) with foreign aid freeze

Daisy Dunne @daisydunne.carbonbrief.org · Feb 27

NEW: The UN has confirmed to me that there are no US officials present at #COP16 in Rome

US is not signed up to the UN biodiversity convention, but usually attends to participate in negotiations

To my best of my knowledge, this is the first time the US has been missing at biodiversity talks

1 2 2

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Feb 26

Submitted to bit.ly/fedresourcedirectory

Fed Resource Directory

bit.ly

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Feb 26

Our @usc.edu Urban Trees Initiative found that trees in #LA absorb up to 60% of GHGs during peak growing season - showing why #urbangreening matters.

USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences @dornsife.usc.edu · Feb 25

Some good news:
Our new study finds trees in central L.A. absorbing significantly more carbon dioxide than expected — offsetting a surprising share of fossil fuel emissions. dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories...

L.A.’s urban trees absorb more carbon than expected

USC Dornsife scientists measure fossil fuel emissions with network of air-quality sensors that could help cities fight climate change

dornsife.usc.edu

3 5

Reposted by Monica Dean

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Feb 16

As #wildfire recovery efforts continue in #LA, the damage isn’t limited to what we see—it’s what’s left behind in our soil. That’s why researchers from @usc.edu & Public Exchange joined forces to study potential lead contamination in fire-affected areas - supporting our communities in staying safe.

1 6 5

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Feb 16

💪 How You Can Help:
And while we’re proud of the work we’ve done so far, we can do even more with #LA community support! Check out our project page to learn more about how you can support our work and keep up with developments:
publicexchange.usc.edu/la-wildfire-...

LA Fires & Soil Testing – USC Dornsife Public Exchange

publicexchange.usc.edu

1

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Feb 16

🌱 What’s Next?
This project isn’t just about research—it’s about action. The team is working closely with the community to expand soil testing, raise awareness, and provide real-time updates for L.A. residents.

1

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Feb 16

Early results show that while lead levels are highest inside burn zones, they drop significantly as you move away. The best news? Playground sand samples tested low for lead—so lead may not be a major concern in those settings.

Map of Los Angeles with the Eaton Fire burn area outlined in red. A legend on the right shows lead concentration levels and the EPA safe threshold. Across the burn area and surrounding neighborhood sampling locations are shown indicating that as you move further from the burn area lead levels are decreasing.

1 1

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Feb 16

💡 What We’re Doing:
In Jan 2025, the team hit the ground, collecting samples from roadside dust, playground sand, and stormwater runoff near the #EatonFire burn area.

1

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Feb 16

As #wildfire recovery efforts continue in #LA, the damage isn’t limited to what we see—it’s what’s left behind in our soil. That’s why researchers from @usc.edu & Public Exchange joined forces to study potential lead contamination in fire-affected areas - supporting our communities in staying safe.

1 6 5

Monica Dean @monicadean.bsky.social · Feb 7

It's not just weather. Work with foreign nationals is a BIG part of what NOAA does - from climate negotiations (UNFCC, IPCC, Montreal Protocol), ocean (biodiversity conservation, fisheries, species protections), to space (satellites, space launches, etc.).

Katharine Hayhoe @katharinehayhoe.com · Feb 6

By definition, numerical weather models require international data. The atmosphere knows no geopolitical boundaries: any model that begins and ends at its country’s border is unable to generate reliable predictions until after a weather system crosses its boundaries. Which defeats the purpose!

NOAA Employees Told to Pause Work With ‘Foreign Nationals’

An internal email obtained by WIRED shows that NOAA workers received orders to pause “ALL INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENTS.”

www.wired.com

4 17