On December 13th, ESAL discussed perspectives on outreach and inclusivity with a panel of water experts. Learn how the panelists have worked towards contributing to science communication and making science accessible to everyone.
Infrastructure initiatives and maintenance activities are largely overseen by state and local governments. These entities play a key role in funding, building, and operating roads, bridges, transit, airports, water, sanitation, and countless other forms of infrastructure. Some projects, like road repairs, seek to improve the local economy and the public’s quality of life, and other initiatives, like upgrading water systems, keep the community safe and healthy. The federal government plays a more influential role in capital investment, but state and local spending still accounts for the majority of public capital spending. With reduced federal capital investment, and unpredictable funding from states, local governments have taken on an even greater responsibility of fiscal infrastructure policy.
On December 13th, ESAL discussed perspectives on outreach and inclusivity with a panel of water experts. Learn how the panelists have worked towards contributing to science communication and making science accessible to everyone.
ESAL interviewed Louis Abramson, an astrophysicist and current Carnegie Fellow in Astronomy at the Carnegie Observatories. He helps tackle problems related to homelessness and food relief in Los Angeles, as an elected member of the Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council.
ESAL had the opportunity to speak with Queens Deputy Borough President Rhonda Binda, a native of Queens, who has been spearheading the endeavor to ensure the borough becomes a model smart city and remains prosperous.
The BLOCK Project is a grassroots program confronting the challenge of skyrocketing rent and property values. The project builds detached accessory dwelling units in backyards to house people. To date, the project has built 10 homes, with another 5 anticipated within the next year.
On December 2, ESAL co-hosted “Creating Safe Post-Pandemic School Systems”, a virtual panel with the Architectural Engineering Institute. Panelists discussed risk management, engineering solutions, and practical considerations for reopening schools.
While electric vehicles are a critical part of local climate change and air pollution mitigation, structural barriers create gaps in charging infrastructure for marginalized communities. ESAL volunteer Chris Jackson recently published a policy brief outlining how policymakers can ensure that those benefits are equitably distributed.
Aimee Bailey's interest in climate change took her from a Ph.D. in condensed matter physics to the local energy utility sector. She now leads a portfolio of electrification initiatives as the director of decarbonization and grid innovation at Silicon Valley Clean Energy.
Jeanne Holm serves as a senior technology advisor to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, as well as deputy chief information officer for Los Angeles. ESAL interviewed Holm about how her scientific training informs her work in LA on infrastructure, mobility, and air quality.
SolarYpsi is an ongoing collection of solar projects in Ypsilanti, Michigan, helping community organizations and households acquire solar power, usually at low or zero cost due to creative financing and volunteer labor. Founder Dave Strenski spoke with ESAL about how their work has transformed Ypsilanti into a “solar destination” with over one megawatt of solar generating capacity.
