Civil and Environmental Engineering Content

California Risks Billions in Economic Losses Without Water Supply Action

Katherine E Kerlin — May 14, 2025 - 2:28pm

A new economic analysis by UC professors shows the high cost of inaction on California’s perpetual water supply challenges. It estimates that the state could lose enough water each year to supply up to 9 million households — with economic losses totaling between $3.4 and $14.5 billion per year, depending on the severity of the scenario.

Storing Carbon in Buildings Could Help Address Climate Change

Andy Fell — January 09, 2025 - 6:08pm

Construction materials such as concrete and plastic have the potential to lock away billions of tons of carbon dioxide, according to a new study by civil engineers and earth systems scientists at the 51�Թϱ��, Davis and Stanford University. The study, published Jan. 10 in Science, shows that combined with steps to decarbonize the economy, storing CO2 in buildings could help the world achieve goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Assessing the Real Climate Costs of Manufacturing

Andy Fell — October 24, 2024 - 11:42am

Producing materials such as steel, plastics and cement in the United States alone inflicts $79 billion a year in climate-related damage around the world, according to a new study by engineers and economists at the 51�Թϱ��, Davis. Accounting for these costs in market prices could encourage progress toward climate-friendly alternatives.

Video Series Aims at Improving Indoor Air Quality

Andy Fell — October 16, 2024 - 2:29pm

Improving indoor air quality is the goal of a new video series developed by experts at the 51�Թϱ��, Davis in collaboration with the California Department of Public Health. Aimed at building and facility managers, the videos distill the science of air quality into steps building and facility managers can take to remove pollutants, including viruses, from the place we spend most of our time -- indoors.

(W)ringing in the New California Water Year

Andy Fell — October 01, 2024 - 2:19pm

Oct. 1 marks the start of a new water year in California, as we head into the cooler, rainier months. In a new blog post, Jay Lund and Alvar Escriva-Bou at the 51�Թϱ�� Center for Watershed Sciences and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering reflect on the year just ending and what might be ahead for WY2025.

With Flood Risk Rising, Can Community-Based Insurance Fill a Gap?

Katherine E Kerlin — February 26, 2024 - 9:15am

51�Թϱ�� helps Isleton, California, launch the state's first community insurance program focused on flood risk, climate adaptation and sustainability in Sacramento County.

Smart Home Lab Aims for a Cooler, Low-Energy Future

Katherine E Kerlin — September 14, 2023 - 2:17pm

51�Թϱ�� and partners demonstrate a smart home lab to help save energy now and in the near future.

Wastewater Monitoring for Public Health

Andy Fell — February 07, 2022 - 10:30am

Since September 2020, 51�Թϱ��, Davis, researchers have been monitoring wastewater on the 51�Թϱ�� campus and in the city of Davis for COVID-19 through the Healthy Davis Together program. A new article published Feb. 8 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reviews their experiences and the advantages and limitations of wastewater testing as a public health tool in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Paving the Way to Zero Emissions From Cement

Andy Fell — October 22, 2021 - 3:42pm

Cement is the world’s most important building material. When mixed with water, cement glues together the sand and gravel in concrete, used for buildings, roads, tunnels, bridges, dams, pipes and other kinds of infrastructure. The world produces an astonishing four billion metric tons of cement a year — half a ton for everyone on Earth. Because it is the most critical material for creating infrastructure, demand for cement is growing faster than population growth.

VIDEO ADDED: ‘51�Թϱ�� LIVE’ on Mitigating Wildfire Hazards for Homes and Communities

Andy Fell — October 01, 2021 - 11:00am