Earth Week; wildfires and Arctic plant changes

April 18, 2024

Anteater Time Machine: In 1970, students lounge in Campus Park, the original name for Aldrich Park.

UC IRVINE NEWS

Sustainability achievements and tips from UCI

Celebrating Earth Day as a Health Promoting University

On Earth Day, April 22, a Health Promoting University booth will publicize UC Irvine’s Comprehensive Wellbeing Initiative and HPU’s four pillars: diversity, equity & inclusion; the built environment; sustainability; and a culture of well-being. Students, staff and faculty are invited to stop by the HPU table on Ring Road between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to record a short video about how they engage with one of the pillars at UCI. To get involved with any of the pillars, visit the Comprehensive Wellbeing Initiative’s signup webpage.

Researchers find rapid changes in Arctic ecosystems

Earth system scientists led by Ph.D. candidate Jinhyuk Kim (above right, with fellow graduate researchers Hui Yang and Allison Welch) are reporting how arctic and boreal vegetation is rapidly adjusting to climate change. The transformation comes thanks to increasing rates of photosynthesis caused by wildfires in Canada and Alaska that are wiping out black spruce forests that grow relatively slowly and contribute to the organic layer of the soil. In many areas, deciduous shrubs and trees, such as willow and aspen, are moving in after a fire. These plants have a much higher metabolism, meaning they can establish themselves faster than spruce.

Cancer isn’t like the movies, doctor says

When patients face a diagnosis of cancer, a portrayal on film may come to mind and bring up strong feelings about their condition, their survival or their treatment. A UCI Health oncologist cautions that movies are often far behind the innovations in cancer treatment and survivability.

SAVE THE DATE

Earth Week Events
Join UCI and Orange County organizations in various Earth Week activities and events. A day-by-day is highlighted online.

For more events, visit UCI Today.

#UCIconnected

History scholar helps celebrate US Mint’s new quarter

Professor Judy Tzu-Chun Wu (above, left), who co-authored Fierce and Fearless: Patsy Takemoto Mink, First Woman of Color in Congress, was in Washington D.C. on Wednesday to celebrate the release of a quarter honoring Mink. Wu spoke alongside co-author Gwendolyn Mink (Patsy’s daughter), as well as Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the director of the U.S. Mint and others. The event honored the life and legacy of Mink.

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