Marilyn Raphael is a world-renowned environmental leader, climate scientist and the director of the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. She was recently interviewed about environmental optimism at UCLA and beyond.
“From the start, I think it’s important to understand we now have unavoidable change. We do have a chance to slow it and make it less severe, but only if we act now,” said Raphael. “One of the most important things we’re trying to do is to mobilize people with information and the means with which to engage with these issues in creative ways, from film to art installations. Few people get as excited about data as we researchers do. So we’re working on understanding and improving how people interact with their realities.”
UCLA has a robust resume of environmental work being done. Even in the university’s own backyard of Los Angeles, a massive amount of research addresses wildfires, droughts and extreme flooding. This is in addition to sustainable agriculture in the Congo Basin and the California Conservation Genomics Projects, a genome sequencing project which will be the most comprehensive multispecies genomic dataset.
In regards to the relationship between mental health and the climate crisis, Raphael recommended two things. First, she encouraged people to get into nature to experience what is worth protecting and to improve mental well-being. Beyond time outside, Raphael also suggested finding something people can do as individuals to help the environment and mitigate climate change, emphasizing that every small action matters.
Hear more from Raphael at UCLA Newsroom.
Image Source: Ashley Kruythoff/UCLA
