Blog

What promises do we have to keep? : A Call for Bipartisan Action on Climate Change

by Bedrosian Center

by Casey Fischl

Across the globe, countries acknowledge climate change as a scientific fact and have been implementing mitigation and adaptation strategies as per their commitment in the Paris Agreement. This, however, is not the case for the United States where political leaders are still debating and questioning what 97 percent of climate scientists agree on: climate-warming trends over the past century are extremely likely due to human activities.

Consume with care: the social and environmental implications of the US avocado craze

by Bedrosian Center

by Olivia Olson

Whether blended into smoothies, drizzled with balsamic vinegar, or mashed into guacamole, one feature remains constant: America’s love for avocados. With an extensive array of health benefits, an increase in Latino population, and a delicious buttery flavor―not to mention their social media trendiness―our avocado consumption has unsurprisingly skyrocketed in recent years …

Where growing up depends on the wind; on building lives near freeways

by Bedrosian Center

by Casey Fischl

The American Lung Association’s State of the Air 2017 Report identified Los Angeles as the number one polluted state by ozone and number four by particulate pollution. Low-income, communities of color in Los Angeles suffer from disproportionate exposure to this health degrading pollution.

Gary Segura, Dean of UCLA Luskin

by Bedrosian Center

by Casey Fischl

Gary Segura is the Dean of the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. Under his leadership, Luskin has successfully launched its first undergraduate program in the fall of 2018. Gary is also a Professor of Public Policy, Political Science, and Chicano and Chicana Studies.

Second Annual Conference brings interdisciplinary mix to Political Science study

by Bedrosian Center

by Nathan K. Micatka On March 14th and 15th 2019, the USC Bedrosian Center’s Political Institutions and Political Economy (PIPE) Collaborative hosted its 2nd Annual Conference. Bringing together scholars from various disciplines such as political science, economics, and public policy the conference covered topics from the succession of rulers in autocratic Roman Empire to how…

LaVonna Blair Lewis, Ph.D., MPH, to receive Humanitarian Award

by Bedrosian Center

LaVonna Blair Lewis, Ph.D., MPH, to receive Humanitarian Award at the 2019 Dignity Awards Gala by MEND (Meet Each Need with Dignity). With dignity and respect, MEND’s mission is to meet immediate needs of individuals and families and increase their access to opportunities that strengthen their capacity to thrive. Dr. Lewis is being recognized for…

drinking, still I thirst: the impact of bottled water

by Bedrosian Center

by Casey Fischl

Bottled water consumption has steadily increased over the last few decades, reaching an all-time high in 2017 with 13.7 billion gallons of bottled water purchased in the United States. The consumption of bottled water has surpassed all other products in the beverage industry, including soda and beer.

Bedrosian Director wins journal award for analysis of American West settlers

by Bedrosian Center

By Matthew Kredell

In the early history of the United States, settlers moved west into unsurveyed land and built homes and farms without regard to land title.

As the country expanded, one of the federal government’s chief means of acquiring revenue was the sale of public land. When the government put land up for auction, frontier settlers were at risk of losing their homes or farms.

A spoonful less sugar helps the obesity rates go down

by Bedrosian Center

by Olivia Olson

While consumers frequently vilify fat, salt, or red meat, most fail to acknowledge sugar’s role in obesity and overweight. In the past 60 years of increased health consciousness, sugar has managed to largely avoid blame, and indeed increase its presence in a wide variety of ‘fat free,’ ‘gluten free,’ or ‘all natural’ ‘health foods.’