Respecting the future is who we are.
Snapshots of sustainability around USC.
At USC, we understand that the future is shaped by our actions today. That’s why sustainability isn’t just a concept to us; it’s a commitment. Our dedication to fostering an eco-friendly and socially responsible campus is woven into every facet of our institution — from energy-efficient buildings and cutting-edge research to community outreach and individual responsibility.
Across our campuses, sustainability is ingrained as a fundamental value that fosters a united vision throughout the entire Trojan community. Students, faculty, staff, campus leaders, community partners and more work together to innovate sustainable solutions for shaping our planet’s future — a collective future that affects all of us.
Assignment: Earth represents USC’s blueprint for cultivating a sustainable and equitable campus and global community. Crafted by the USC Presidential Working Group on Sustainability, in collaboration with various university groups, this framework outlines a comprehensive vision, along with aspirations and objectives, spanning five key areas: education, research, equity and inclusion, operations and engagement.
The 1,500-square-foot hub, housed in USC’s Gwynn Wilson Student Union building, serves as a collaborative and inclusive gathering space for USC students, researchers and staff, focusing on advancing sustainability initiatives. Additionally, it houses Assignment: Earth, USC’s framework dedicated to maintaining the university’s leadership in sustainability operations, research and education.
Trojan leaders share their perspectives on why sustainability matters not just for the university but also for broader societal and environmental well-being.
“Sustainability is all about our collective passage through this world. At USC, sustainability is our Assignment: Earth. It’s a centerpiece of our research and teaching, and of our policies and mindsets.”
President Folt is also an environmental scientist.
“USC is making meaningful sustainability progress across numerous categories — energy conservation, water efficiency, diverting waste from landfills and integrating sustainability into more classes, for example.
Achieving zero waste at a university like USC is a complex equation. … Success will hinge on behavioral change. All Trojans have a part to play: We have to commit to rethinking waste as a resource — first reduce and reuse, and then recycle and compost.”
“We’ve reached a point where we really need to do something before things get unsolvable. I think everyone by now agrees that climate change is happening. It’s not a matter of stopping it. It’s just a matter of dealing with it at this point in a way that least impacts society.”
“This is the perfect time to help your network explore and dive into climate [issues].
All it takes is one moment, one conversation, one event to turn apathy into audacity and to believe that a better alternative is possible.”
USC President Carol Folt established the PWG on Sustainability in 2019 to guide the university toward sustainability leadership in education, research and campus operations. Comprising schools, offices and student organizations with six subcommittees focusing on critical areas, the group engages over 100 students, faculty and staff to drive sustainable practices and initiatives across the university.
Beyond Earth Day on April 22, Earth Month at USC is a cornerstone initiative within Assignment: Earth. Dedicating the month of April to sustainability catalyzes meaningful change, inspiring individuals to take action, adopt sustainable practices, and contribute to a more resilient and equitable future for all. Our approach is to take concerted, collaborative action across disciplines and communities.
In celebration of Earth Day, the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability and the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future will host a series of conversations on advancing climate change issues. This conference focuses on finding practical solutions to climate change and identifying the political obstacles to implementing those changes.
Thursday, April 4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
All USC students are invited to ask questions and engage in an ongoing conversation with sustainability leaders on campus. This event will provide an open floor for all to learn, voice concerns, ask about sustainability at USC and beyond. Panelists will include USC faculty and administration from the Presidential Working Group on Sustainability and Office of Sustainability. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Thursday, April 18, 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Named “the most important and impactful journalist” of 2020 by Poynter, Ed Yong is the New York Times bestselling author of An Immense World and I Contain Multitudes. He was also awarded journalism’s top honor, the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting, for his coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. Through a lecture and in conversation with USC Wrigley Institute Director Joe Árvai, Yong will share the experiences behind An Immense World, the challenges of science journalism and why storytelling is a crucial tool in the fight against climate change.
This lecture is presented by the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability.
Thursday, April 25, 5:30 p.m.
The latest in USC’s mission toward a sustainable future.
Trojan researchers, students, staff, community partners and more are going above and beyond to uncover new solutions for a sustainable future, addressing climate change and related issues to protect our environment.
USC Dornsife doctoral candidate Kyla Kelly is studying how various factors impact deadly Pseudo-nitzschia blooms.
Policy Influencer Jiachen Zhang brings expertise in computational modeling and science-based public policy to her new role at the Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Undergraduate students intern with the Garden School Foundation to provide nature-based education to elementary schoolers.
New technology from USC and Caltech could significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the global shipping industry. See the story, photos and video.
By upcycling ocean plastics, reducing harmful anesthesia gases and transforming medical supply chains, the USC health system and medical research schools hope to curb pollution.
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