Some of my current activities — additional links in progress
The UC President’s Global Climate Leadership Council (GCLC) was formed in 2014 to advise UC on achieving carbon neutrality and other longstanding sustainability goals. The council also provides guidance on integrating the carbon neutrality initiative and other sustainability goals into UC’s teaching, research, and public-service mission. R. Bales has represented the system-wide Academic Senate on GCLC since its inception, and has advanced multiple research and communications initiatives for the GCLC.
UCs Carbon Neutrality Initiative (CNI) was initiated by then President Janet Napolitano as a pledge to UC campuses would be net carbon neutral by 2025. UC Merced has reached this goal. Other campuses have larger challenges, largely around Scope 1 greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions associated with combined hear and power plants. President Drake has renewed the commitment, and updated goals are to be announced in 2023. These updated goals will set aside reliance on voluntary offsets and focus on real reductions in GHG emissions. More background.
The UC President’s Fossil-Free Task Force was formed in October 2022 with the charge to develop recommendations on the steps & timelines to eliminate use of fossil fuels in each UC location’s energy systems, including change-management needs & budget implications, as well as opportunities to advance climate research, education & student experience. More information.
Manuscript in review: Can universities catalyze social innovation to support their own rapid decarbonization? Assessment of community and governance readiness at the University of California.
Working-group report: Strategic Communication to Achieve Carbon Neutrality within the University of California — now a focus area under Fossil-Free Task Force.
Starting at home — how we electrified our home in El Cerrito.