Alison Hewitt
@ahewitt.bsky.social
UCLA media rep for experts on climate, environment, and humanities; former L.A. journo, lifelong Californian, mom of a parkour kid. Email: http://ucla.in/2SFXReU | newsroom.ucla.edu
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
One year after the LA fires, who is accountable for a resilient and equitable recovery? No one, really. But it doesn’t have to be that way, writes our Julia Stein.
legal-planet.org/2025/12/23/o...
legal-planet.org/2025/12/23/o...
A Year After the LA Fires, Who’s Accountable for a Resilient Recovery? - Legal Planet
Altadena and the Palisades are moving forward but outcomes depend on survivors’ access to resources. It doesn’t have to be this way.
legal-planet.org
December 23, 2025 at 6:07 PM
One year after the LA fires, who is accountable for a resilient and equitable recovery? No one, really. But it doesn’t have to be that way, writes our Julia Stein.
legal-planet.org/2025/12/23/o...
legal-planet.org/2025/12/23/o...
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
“Left primarily to their own devices in rebuilding, the fire-impacted communities are moving forward, but predictably, the outcomes look much different depending on individual survivors’ access to resources.
It didn’t — and doesn’t — have to be this way.” legal-planet.org/2025/12/23/o...
It didn’t — and doesn’t — have to be this way.” legal-planet.org/2025/12/23/o...
A Year After the LA Fires, Who’s Accountable for a Resilient Recovery? - Legal Planet
Altadena and the Palisades are moving forward but outcomes depend on survivors’ access to resources. It doesn’t have to be this way.
legal-planet.org
December 23, 2025 at 6:09 PM
“Left primarily to their own devices in rebuilding, the fire-impacted communities are moving forward, but predictably, the outcomes look much different depending on individual survivors’ access to resources.
It didn’t — and doesn’t — have to be this way.” legal-planet.org/2025/12/23/o...
It didn’t — and doesn’t — have to be this way.” legal-planet.org/2025/12/23/o...
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
Another brief clip from yesterday's rapid response livestream regarding what's at stake with the potential loss of NCAR, and what we can do about it: "What would we lose if the National Center for Atmospheric Research is dismantled? Quite a lot."
What would we lose if the National Center for Atmospheric Research is dismantled? Quite a lot.
In this short excerpt from a longer livestream, Daniel Swain reflects on what would be lost if the National Center for Atmospheric Research were to be dismantled, as has been proposed, and why the present moment is such an important one when voicing support for this irreplaceable weather, climate, w
youtu.be
December 19, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Another brief clip from yesterday's rapid response livestream regarding what's at stake with the potential loss of NCAR, and what we can do about it: "What would we lose if the National Center for Atmospheric Research is dismantled? Quite a lot."
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
Weird and wonderful science: How elephant poop leads to guitars and 12 other unusual UCLA research findings from 2025: ucla.in/4p8tXfY 🧪
December 19, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Weird and wonderful science: How elephant poop leads to guitars and 12 other unusual UCLA research findings from 2025: ucla.in/4p8tXfY 🧪
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
ICYMI our Policymaking Under Uncertainty: Zone 0 and Vegetation Clearance webinar recording is now available.
👉 Watch the full discussion, read key takeaways, and more: sustainablela.ucla.edu/news/policym...
👉 Watch the full discussion, read key takeaways, and more: sustainablela.ucla.edu/news/policym...
Policymaking Under Uncertainty: Zone 0 and Vegetation Clearance Webinar Recap
Watch the the first in a series of webinar discussions on defensible space that SLAGC is organizing. During Policymaking Under Uncertainty: Zone 0 and Vegetation Clearance, experts discussed what is a...
sustainablela.ucla.edu
December 17, 2025 at 8:02 PM
ICYMI our Policymaking Under Uncertainty: Zone 0 and Vegetation Clearance webinar recording is now available.
👉 Watch the full discussion, read key takeaways, and more: sustainablela.ucla.edu/news/policym...
👉 Watch the full discussion, read key takeaways, and more: sustainablela.ucla.edu/news/policym...
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
You might know that if you're reading this on the internet, you can thank UCLA. But did you know that UCLA also brought you the nicotine patch and cleaner drinking water through reverse osmosis? 10 Bruin discoveries that are changing the world: ucla.in/4aSQbPl 🧪
December 17, 2025 at 5:12 PM
You might know that if you're reading this on the internet, you can thank UCLA. But did you know that UCLA also brought you the nicotine patch and cleaner drinking water through reverse osmosis? 10 Bruin discoveries that are changing the world: ucla.in/4aSQbPl 🧪
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
Unbelievable. This would be a terrible blow to American science, writ large. It would decimate not only climate research, but also the kind of weather, wildfire, and disaster research that has underpinned half a century of progress in prediction, early warning, and increased resilience.
Exclusive: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, according to a senior White House official, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
Trump moves to dismantle major US climate research center in Colorado
The Trump administration is breaking up the National Center for Atmospheric Research, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
bit.ly
December 17, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Unbelievable. This would be a terrible blow to American science, writ large. It would decimate not only climate research, but also the kind of weather, wildfire, and disaster research that has underpinned half a century of progress in prediction, early warning, and increased resilience.
As Pierce notes, "The Palisades Fire is not at all unique among major wildfires in having the 'hydrants run dry.' Rather, fire hydrant performance in the Palisades seems to represent the rule rather than exception."
Based on the unique way that the role of water system infrastructure in the Palisades fire has been covered and perceived, we put out a new issue brief today to answer a simple question:
How often have the 'hydrants run dry' in recent major wildfires across the U.S. West?
How often have the 'hydrants run dry' in recent major wildfires across the U.S. West?
December 16, 2025 at 11:00 PM
As Pierce notes, "The Palisades Fire is not at all unique among major wildfires in having the 'hydrants run dry.' Rather, fire hydrant performance in the Palisades seems to represent the rule rather than exception."
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
Based on the unique way that the role of water system infrastructure in the Palisades fire has been covered and perceived, we put out a new issue brief today to answer a simple question:
How often have the 'hydrants run dry' in recent major wildfires across the U.S. West?
How often have the 'hydrants run dry' in recent major wildfires across the U.S. West?
December 16, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Based on the unique way that the role of water system infrastructure in the Palisades fire has been covered and perceived, we put out a new issue brief today to answer a simple question:
How often have the 'hydrants run dry' in recent major wildfires across the U.S. West?
How often have the 'hydrants run dry' in recent major wildfires across the U.S. West?
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
thanks to @ra-becks.bsky.social for covering our just-released work on how often the 'hydrants run dry' in major wildfires across the U.S. West
calmatters.org/environment/...
calmatters.org/environment/...
The hydrants will run dry: Trump's LA fire claims missed the mark, study shows
Echoing state and local officials, a new analysis agrees: hydrant failures in the Palisades fire were ‘the rule rather than the exception.’
calmatters.org
December 16, 2025 at 6:36 PM
thanks to @ra-becks.bsky.social for covering our just-released work on how often the 'hydrants run dry' in major wildfires across the U.S. West
calmatters.org/environment/...
calmatters.org/environment/...
Happy 250th bday to Jane Austen! UCLA lecturer Cailey Hall, teaching Austen & adaptations, says if an adaptation only captures the romance, it’s missed the class commentary, wit & savage insults. “I want my students to appreciate what an incredible hater Austen is.” newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/adap...
Adapting Jane Austen
Lecturer Cailey Hall evokes appreciation for the author by comparing originals like “Pride and Prejudice” with modern takes.
newsroom.ucla.edu
December 16, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Happy 250th bday to Jane Austen! UCLA lecturer Cailey Hall, teaching Austen & adaptations, says if an adaptation only captures the romance, it’s missed the class commentary, wit & savage insults. “I want my students to appreciate what an incredible hater Austen is.” newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/adap...
Usually I write about climate change. But for Jane Austen's 250th birthday, I got to sit in on what is surely one of the best classes at UCLA, all about the original novels and Austen adaptations. newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/adap...
December 16, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Usually I write about climate change. But for Jane Austen's 250th birthday, I got to sit in on what is surely one of the best classes at UCLA, all about the original novels and Austen adaptations. newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/adap...
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
Join UCLA's LENS and the @uclalawemmett.bsky.social for a conversation with climate journalist @sammyroth.bsky.social about why narrative matters in the fight against climate change. The Jan 9 event is a live taping of the LENS podcast. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
December 10, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Join UCLA's LENS and the @uclalawemmett.bsky.social for a conversation with climate journalist @sammyroth.bsky.social about why narrative matters in the fight against climate change. The Jan 9 event is a live taping of the LENS podcast. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
Important new work that will help shape LA's approach to bringing more shade to neighborhoods as a legacy of the mega-event era.
Hot off the presses 🔥 We have a new report on how the City and County of L.A. can strengthen their responses to extreme heat. We look at ways to reimagine and remake the outdoor urban environment to reduce risks to vulnerable communities.
law.ucla.edu/news/reducin...
law.ucla.edu/news/reducin...
Reducing Outdoor Vulnerability to Extreme Heat in Los Angeles
Climate change is making life in cities hotter and more dangerous, but cities—Los Angeles included—have not yet adequately responded. The risk and incidence of heat-related illnesses, such as heat ras...
law.ucla.edu
November 24, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Important new work that will help shape LA's approach to bringing more shade to neighborhoods as a legacy of the mega-event era.
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
UCLA launches the STOP Methane Project with Top 25 Plumes in ’25 lists of methane super-polluters. @uclalawemmett.bsky.social
legal-planet.org/2025/11/17/p...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/17/p...
Pointing a Finger at Methane - Legal Planet
At COP30 in Brazil, UCLA launches the STOP Methane Project with Top 25 in '25 lists of methane super-polluters.
legal-planet.org
November 17, 2025 at 7:02 PM
UCLA launches the STOP Methane Project with Top 25 Plumes in ’25 lists of methane super-polluters. @uclalawemmett.bsky.social
legal-planet.org/2025/11/17/p...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/17/p...
New climate-change side effect: People clash more with wildlife in drought years, says UCLA & UCDavis ecologist @kendallcalhoun.bsky.social. For each inch decrease in annual rainfall, the UCLA study finds a 2-3% jump in conflicts with pumas, bobcats, bears & coyotes newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/cli...
How climate change brings wildlife to the yard
A new UCLA study finds people clash more with wildlife in drought years.
newsroom.ucla.edu
November 13, 2025 at 11:17 PM
New climate-change side effect: People clash more with wildlife in drought years, says UCLA & UCDavis ecologist @kendallcalhoun.bsky.social. For each inch decrease in annual rainfall, the UCLA study finds a 2-3% jump in conflicts with pumas, bobcats, bears & coyotes newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/cli...
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
Our new study just came out taking a look at how drought influences human-wildlife conflict reports in California! Check it out here: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
November 12, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Our new study just came out taking a look at how drought influences human-wildlife conflict reports in California! Check it out here: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
“What made the January 2025 fires so destructive wasn’t the ignition alone, but the fact that vegetation had been dried far beyond normal by unusually high summer temperatures," says my @uclasustainablela.bsky.social colleague Alex Hall, who helped perform a rapid analysis in January. Good reminder.
October 14, 2025 at 2:59 PM
“What made the January 2025 fires so destructive wasn’t the ignition alone, but the fact that vegetation had been dried far beyond normal by unusually high summer temperatures," says my @uclasustainablela.bsky.social colleague Alex Hall, who helped perform a rapid analysis in January. Good reminder.
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
Arson alone does not explain the Palisades Fire. But you wouldn't have known it from the media coverage last week. This week at the Drain: legal-planet.org/2025/10/14/d...
Arson Alone Does Not Explain the Palisades Fire - Legal Planet
People often start fires, but that's just the spark. The Drain is a weekly roundup of environmental and climate news from Legal Planet.
legal-planet.org
October 14, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Arson alone does not explain the Palisades Fire. But you wouldn't have known it from the media coverage last week. This week at the Drain: legal-planet.org/2025/10/14/d...
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
Skeptical about the growing field of Space Law? Our Jim Salzman says satellites pollute in more ways than you think. That's why he, an environmental law professor, is teaching Space Law for the first time this year. legal-planet.org/2025/10/13/w...
The Dark and Quiet Skies Campaign - Legal Planet
What is Space Law? And what does it have to do with environmental law? Satellites pollute in more ways than you think.
legal-planet.org
October 13, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Skeptical about the growing field of Space Law? Our Jim Salzman says satellites pollute in more ways than you think. That's why he, an environmental law professor, is teaching Space Law for the first time this year. legal-planet.org/2025/10/13/w...
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
I have an op-ed in the LA Times today criticizing Trump's war on renewable energy. The US is shooting itself in the foot and ceding the next generation of key technologies to other countries like China. www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
Contributor: Even Saudi Arabia is focused on solar energy. Will the U.S. be left behind?
The rise of China as the world's clean-energy superpower and the ambitions of oil-rich Middle East countries show that the U.S. is thinking small.
www.latimes.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:28 PM
I have an op-ed in the LA Times today criticizing Trump's war on renewable energy. The US is shooting itself in the foot and ceding the next generation of key technologies to other countries like China. www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
@edithdeguzman.bsky.social’s research shows that shade can reduce up to 25% of heat-related deaths and reduce ER visits by up to 66% in LA. Her Roots of Cool art exhibit makes this data visible, highlighting who has shade and who doesn’t.
apnews.com/article/heat... #UCLA #UCLALuskin @ucanr.edu
apnews.com/article/heat... #UCLA #UCLALuskin @ucanr.edu
Across the US, cities combine art, shade and education to help people beat the heat
Cities across the U.S. are combining art with shade to shield people from rising temperatures and educate them about our warming world.
apnews.com
September 30, 2025 at 4:29 PM
@edithdeguzman.bsky.social’s research shows that shade can reduce up to 25% of heat-related deaths and reduce ER visits by up to 66% in LA. Her Roots of Cool art exhibit makes this data visible, highlighting who has shade and who doesn’t.
apnews.com/article/heat... #UCLA #UCLALuskin @ucanr.edu
apnews.com/article/heat... #UCLA #UCLALuskin @ucanr.edu
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
If you want to talk about @luskininnovation.bsky.social's new Water Atlas, join our webinar on October 7, from 12-1 PM.
You'll hear from me & @edithdeguzman.bsky.social, but also from Itzel Vasquez-Rodriguez, Michael Rincon & Max Gomberg.
Register ⬇️
innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/event/how-do...
You'll hear from me & @edithdeguzman.bsky.social, but also from Itzel Vasquez-Rodriguez, Michael Rincon & Max Gomberg.
Register ⬇️
innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/event/how-do...
How do SoCal’s Water Systems Compare? A Webinar and Demo on UCLA’s New Community Water Atlas for Six SoCal Counties | UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
Join us for a webinar and live demonstration introducing UCLA’s newly launched 2025 Southern California Community Water Systems Atlas.
innovation.luskin.ucla.edu
September 16, 2025 at 9:29 PM
If you want to talk about @luskininnovation.bsky.social's new Water Atlas, join our webinar on October 7, from 12-1 PM.
You'll hear from me & @edithdeguzman.bsky.social, but also from Itzel Vasquez-Rodriguez, Michael Rincon & Max Gomberg.
Register ⬇️
innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/event/how-do...
You'll hear from me & @edithdeguzman.bsky.social, but also from Itzel Vasquez-Rodriguez, Michael Rincon & Max Gomberg.
Register ⬇️
innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/event/how-do...
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
Going on more than six weeks without $500 million in federal research grants cut under Trump, UCLA faculty and students took their cases public this week in the "Science Fair for Suspended Research" -- including demonstrations with preserved human brains: www.latimes.com/california/s...
Yes, that’s a human brain on a cafeteria tray. UCLA fair shows off science cuts under Trump
UCLA's researchers go low-tech to plead their case to the public with poster boards and props. The Trump administration has suspended more than $500 million in research grants to the university.
www.latimes.com
September 12, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Going on more than six weeks without $500 million in federal research grants cut under Trump, UCLA faculty and students took their cases public this week in the "Science Fair for Suspended Research" -- including demonstrations with preserved human brains: www.latimes.com/california/s...
Reposted by Alison Hewitt
“It’s not like you can just hit pause and pick it up and continue,” Vidya Saravanapandian of UCLA’s Brain Research Institute told @latimes.com reporter @jaweedkaleem.bsky.social. 🧪
Yes, that’s a human brain on a cafeteria tray. UCLA fair shows off science cuts under Trump
UCLA's researchers go low-tech to plead their case to the public with poster boards and props. The Trump administration has suspended more than $500 million in research grants to the university.
www.latimes.com
September 12, 2025 at 7:40 PM
“It’s not like you can just hit pause and pick it up and continue,” Vidya Saravanapandian of UCLA’s Brain Research Institute told @latimes.com reporter @jaweedkaleem.bsky.social. 🧪