A living laboratory for a greener world
Creating a greener future
Number of sustainability courses:
1,196
Carbon neutral by
2025
Zero waste by
2028
USC is playing a leading role in solving the global climate crisis
USC’s sustainability efforts receive gold rating
The rating is part of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s STARS system, and comes a year earlier than planned.
Read MoreThree USC schools collaborate to reimagine the L.A. River
Researchers in landscape architecture, fluid mechanics and augmented reality have created an interactive hydraulic model alongside the river.
Read MoreFrom throwing soup to suing governments, there’s strategy to climate activism’s seeming chaos
USC’s Shannon Gibson says that with international climate talks failing to make progress fast enough, activists are radically rethinking how to be most effective in the streets, political arenas and courtrooms.
Read MoreUSC research spending surpasses $1 billion for the first time, federal report shows
The spending included significant investments in USC President Carol Folt’s “moonshots” in computing, health and sustainability.
Read MoreL.A.’s renewable energy plan won’t tank the economy, USC Price study finds
The transition to renewable electricity sources won’t have any significant effect on L.A.’s economic growth, but it will significantly reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
Read More‘Sacrifice Zone: Los Angeles’ exposes the true cost of industrialization on public health
The interdisciplinary collaboration merges film and live theater to show visitors the impact of oil extraction firsthand.
Read MoreProjects you can support
President’s Sustainability Strategic Fund
July 27, 2022The global climate crisis is our call to action. With the support of President Carol L. Folt, USC is creating an urban forest, tapping the potential of our oceans, preparing the next generation of environmental innovators, and lowering our own carbon footprint.Support this projectSustainability Engagement Fund
July 27, 2022The push for a green USC has never been stronger. We are making meaningful strides to expand sustainable operations on our campuses with the help of students, faculty, and staff.Support this projectArts and Climate Collective
July 27, 2022Storytelling, arts, and culture fuel this program that aims to create an ambitious sustainability and environmental justice agenda. Powered by students, the collective supports their work with funding, guidance, communication, and community.Support this projectUrban Trees Initiative
July 27, 2022A forest in Los Angeles? That’s the mission of the USC Urban Trees Initiative, which partners USC experts and students with the City of Los Angeles to grow shade trees in neighborhoods where they are most needed.Support this projectOn-Campus Solar
July 27, 2022Our goal: net-zero emissions by 2025. Solar installation projects currently include the Cardinal & Gold apartment building, the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island, and the Galen Center, where the panels provide up to 15% of the arena’s energy use.Support this projectUSC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability (WIES)
July 26, 2022Wrigley Institute is leading the way in illuminating the state of our planet, solving its most pressing problems, and transforming the way society thinks and acts on the environment.Support this project
“Thank you for your interest in supporting sustainability at USC. I’d be happy to tell you more about the options available. Feel free to email me at wes.patterson@usc.edu.”
Wes Patterson
Associate Vice President, Strategic Initiatives
University Advancement