Media Watch Archives

The amount of land scorched by wildfires in Northern and Central California has increased fivefold in the last two decades — and nearly all of that increase can be attributed to human-caused climate change, according to a new study published Monday. By 2050, the amount of land burned could increase another 3% to 52%, depending on the level of temperature change in the next three decades, according to study author Amir AghaKouchak, a professor of earth science systems at UC Irvine. … “The effect of anthropogenic emissions is very, very significant, more than what we thought before we started the study. We were not expecting this level of percent change,” AghaKouchak said. [Subscription required, you can request an electronic copy of the article by sending an email to communications@uci.edu.] Read More

The recent decades-long surge in catastrophic wildfires in California is almost entirely due to climate change, a new study published Monday reports. … “We found that we can expect as much as a 50% increase in burned area from 2031 to 2050 relative to the past few decades,” said study co-author Amir AghaKouchak, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Irvine. … “By acting now to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions and pursue more sustainable transportation, energy production and agricultural practices, we can reduce the adverse effects of global climate change.” Read More

Deciding to purchase an electric vehicle can be overwhelming these days. There are different types of electric vehicles and many automakers are trying to capitalize on the EV enthusiasm. Automakers worldwide are building all kinds of electric cars and minivans as well as sport utilities and trucks. Several car companies have comprehensive business plans to electrify much of their inventory over the next decade. And some companies have announced goals for all electric vehicles within the next five years. However this rapidly booming EV market could make these changes somewhat confusing for the average consumer. Reporter David Nazar with Sustaining US on PBS visits [Professor] Jack Brouwer with the University of California, Irvine for this simple electric car tutorial. Watch Here

The University of California, Irvine, has received a $50 million donation to its engineering school to create three new research institutes, campus officials announced. With the gift from Susan and Henry Samueli, the engineering school will launch research institutes focused on health, environment and society. The Engineering+Society Institute will feature research into how automation can improve the human experience, while research at the Engineering+Environment Institute will explore large-scale sustainable energy solutions, among other things. The Engineering+Health Institute’s research will include explorations into “information technologies that bring medical care to underserved communities,” the campus said. Read More