Opportunities for Los Angeles After the January 2025 Fires…

A report reveals additional ways fire crews were stymied in efforts to get enough water to fight the Palisades fire in January. The call didn't go in for tanker trucks and when these arrived, there wa...

EPIC is excited to release the beta version of our National Drinking Water Explorer. In this interactive discussion, we'll: - Hear from leaders across the country about the need and opportunity of the...

Gendered decision making around household water use and spending is well-documented in the Global South but remains under-explored in the United States. This study examines how gender and trust in tap water influence caregivers’ use of bottled or filtered water, sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption, and attitudes toward SSB taxation in California’s San Joaquin Valley, one of the state’s most environmentally burdened regions. We analyze survey responses from 155 caregivers in Kern County, located in California’s San Joaquin Valley. We use descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression models to assess associations between gender, tap water trust, SSB consumption, and attitudes toward SSB taxation. Female caregivers are significantly more likely than male caregivers to rely on alternative water sources, despite being less likely to express concern about tap water safety, suggesting a disconnect between perception and behavior. Although male and female respondents report similar SSB consumption, females are also more likely to oppose an SSB tax, report greater price sensitivity, and are less responsive to participatory budgeting approaches. Renters are more supportive of taxation when given input on spending, while Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -eligible households remain skeptical. Findings suggest a disconnection between perceived water safety and actual water use and spending decisions among women, likely reflecting broader caregiving burdens and resource constraints, and point toward gendered responses to health policy interventions. Integrating gender and care work into analyses of environmental health disparities and policy design is essential for addressing water insecurity and promoting equitable health outcomes in under-resourced communities.

UCLA research links plastic, oil, and gas pollution to health inequities in California and guides equitable policy for effective mitigation.

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UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation supports 50 students each year with research, mentorship, and fellowships advancing equity and sustainability.

A new UCLA Atlas reveals fragmented water governance has unequal impacts on affordability, quality, and resilience

USC is launching a first-of-its-kind student design competition to tackle one of the region’s growing threats — extreme heat. The Shade Zones Design Competition kicks off in the fall and will run annu...

Calling all UCLA graduate students interested in environmental justice, sustainability, and climate resilience! Join us for a free cross-campus mixer hosted by the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation.

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.

Smart meters and undergrounding power lines are among promising innovations in addressing climate and fire risks.

A team of UCLA master’s students in urban and regional planning (MURP) has produced an extensive report offering real-world strategies to strengthen water security.

Discover how 663 Southern California’s water systems perform on water quality, affordability, and other important factors. Join us for a webinar on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, from 12:00-1:00 PM PT, i...