Ben Houlton Content

Unfold Podcast, Episode 5: Is Rock Dust a Climate Change Solution?

Katherine E Kerlin — October 20, 2020 - 9:00am

Agriculture is responsible for 24 percent of our global greenhouse gas emissions. Despite this, 69�� researchers say agriculture holds huge potential to be one of the biggest solutions to climate change. Carbon farming may hold the key. The newest episode of Unfold examines how scientists are adding rock dust to crops to see if it can sequester carbon while also increasing yields for farmers.

In this episode:

TRANSITIONS: JMIE’s Susan Ustin, Ben Houlton

Dave Jones — August 03, 2020 - 12:19pm

Susan Ustin, distinguished professor emeritus of environmental and resource science, has been named interim director of the John Muir Institute of the Environment, where she has served as the associate director of research since 2017.

She replaces Benjamin Houlton, her faculty colleague in the Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, who has been appointed dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University.

The Case for Optimism

Katherine E Kerlin — September 07, 2018 - 3:39am

Climate change is a big problem. It’s vast, complex, and downright depressing to think about. Some argue it’s too political. Others point to the potential for technological superheroes, like giant CO2-sucking machines that will fly in to save the day. Still others believe that we have no chance, that the fight is already lost, that it’s better to just “enjoy life” and ignore the problem while the world gets hotter and hotter.

But we all need to ask ourselves, what can I really do about it? As an individual in a sea of 7.5 billion people, how can I be part of the solution?

Climate Change Threats and Solutions for the Sacramento Valley

Katherine E Kerlin — August 27, 2018 - 12:07pm

Over the next few decades, climate change is expected to make the Sacramento region hotter, drier and increasingly prone to extremes like megadroughts, flooding and large wildfires. This is expected to strain the region’s infrastructure for water and energy transmission, agricultural systems, plants and wildlife, public health, housing, and quality of life for the growing region.

Experts: Climate Science and the Atmosphere

Katherine E Kerlin — August 20, 2018 - 2:32pm

The following sources from the University of California, Davis, are available to talk with media about climate change science and the atmosphere.

NEWS BRIEFS: 1 Week Left in Faculty-Staff Satisfaction Survey

Dave Jones — March 06, 2018 - 11:24am

You have until Tuesday, March 13, to participate in the inaugural survey asking employees on both sides of the causeway to evaluate administrative services.

As of Monday (March 5), nearly 4,000 people had completed the survey and more than 1,100 had started it — for a total participation rate of 20 percent.

More information about the survey is available here (the website includes a link to the survey, for which you need the access code that you should have received by email).

Smog-Forming Soils

Katherine E Kerlin — January 31, 2018 - 12:26pm

A previously unrecognized source of nitrogen oxide is contributing up to about 40 percent of the NOx emissions in California, according to a study led by the University of California, Davis. The study traces the emissions to fertilized soils in the Central Valley region.

UCTV Shows Natural Climate Solutions Symposium

Katherine E Kerlin — June 13, 2016 - 10:40am

Highlights from the Natural Climate Solutions Symposium hosted by 69�� Policy INstitute for Energy, Environment and the Economy are available online on UCTV. Broadcast June 20-26. Speakers include California Governor Jerry Brown, California Senator Fran Pavley, 69��' Kit Batten and Ben Houlton, and more.