8 Ways UCLA Is Leading The Charge Toward Environmental Sustainability

UCLA is tackling the challenges of tomorrow today!

1. UCLA's dining hall has a rooftop urban garden.

The garden features 50 aeroponic grow towers on the roof, allowing them to grow 2,200 plants simultaneously. The system uses 90% less land and 95% less water than conventional farming methods.

2. UCLA has its own bike share program.

UCLA has integrated its own Bruin Bike Share program with other bike share systems around LA to help residents and students enjoy car-free commutes.

3. It also has the state's first public university electric bus system.

In 2016, UCLA became the first public California university to implement electric buses into their transportation fleet. Each bus can run up to 145 miles on a single charge and can recharge in about 4 hours. It's a huge step in reaching the University of California's goal of system-wide carbon neutrality by 2025.

4. UCLA is working hard to protect and promote California's biodiversity.

The school's La Kretz Center leverages UCLA's world-class environmental experts to supply cutting-edge research and aid projects that protect and promote biodiversity.

5. The Renewable Energy Association is changing the world one solar panel at a time.

The club seeks to educate UCLA students about sustainable energy and help implement those projects on campus. They also develop and distribute renewable energy curriculum for the local community and partner with local solar companies to participate in rooftop solar installations in underserved communities, promoting LA's transition to a solar-powered future.

6. Researchers at UCLA's Luskin Center are revolutionizing parks around the world.

The Luskin Center for Innovation has created a SMART Parks toolkit to introduce park managers and designers to revolutionary technologies, such as automatic lawn mowers, transparent concrete, and glow-in-the-dark bike paths, all of which will make LA's parks safer, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly.

7. UCLA's cityLAB is ushering in a new era of city planning...

The cityLAB program brings designers, researchers, and educators together to solve the problems of tomorrow today. Its programs tackle emerging challenges for cities around the world, like sustainable housing, more efficient office spaces, and environmentally conscious public spaces.

8. ...and UCLA is already planning for LA's environmental future.

The Sustainable LA Grand Challenge is a UCLA program that's developing tech, policies, and strategies to transition LA to 100% renewable energy, 100% local water, and enhanced ecosystem health by 2050!

All images via Getty Images.

The students, staff, and researchers at UCLA are working to build a brighter future for Los Angeles and the world. Learn how you can make a difference today!