On the latest episode of Policy Chats, UCR Professor Francesca Hopkins discusses potential solutions to climate change and the need for local action amid global warming. 

Hopkins earned her B.A in Environmental Studies and University of California, Berkeley and her M.S / Ph.D in Earth System Science from University of California, Irvine. Hopkins was a Postdoctoral Fellow at NASA’s Jet Propulsion laboratory. Now, she is an Assistant Professor of Climate Change and Sustainability at the UCR Department of Environmental Studies. 

In the podcast episode, Hopkins offers solutions that would result in a “win-win. Not just reduce emissions, but increase our joy and help us feel good.” 

She also talks about the local approach. “Cities have a unique power in reducing transportation emissions, because they are often in control of what gets built and how it gets built,” she said.  

Hopkins also expresses optimism on solving other issues like mental health and housing affordability through resolving climate change. “We have a chance to redesign our future [and] create the world we want,” she said. According to her, the public through “education” and “proper messaging” can take small steps, like planting trees, to mitigate climate change. 

Listen to the episode here.

 ***
Launched in 2020, the UCR School of Public Policy podcast series explores current public policy issues with guests from throughout the policy world. Episodes are accessible via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Anchor. More information is also available through the UCR School of Public Policy podcast page.

Media Contact:
Rachel Strausman
rstra020@ucr.edu