The UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation provides expert advice to help Los Angeles address the immediate and long-term challenges of the recent wildfires. The Center's experts are available to provide insight into key areas including water supply and quality, air quality impacts, equitable land use and recovery planning, and disaster relief governance and policy. Their goal is to help policymakers and communities address this crisis with evidence-based strategies that prioritize resilience, equity and sustainability.
Gregory Pierce, co-executive director of the Luskin Center, emphasizes the need for improved coordination in water testing, treatment and public communication to ensure safety and confidence in drinking water systems affected by wildfires. Rachel Connolly, an air quality and environmental justice researcher, highlights the dangers of wildfire smoke, recommends N95 masks, air purifiers, and upgraded school HVAC systems, and advocates for better air quality monitoring tools to combat toxic pollutants released during urban fires become.
Land use and recovery planning are also priorities, with Megan Mullin calling for a community-focused approach to recovery that prioritizes equitable investment and resilience rather than exacerbating existing inequalities. Edith de Guzman, a water justice and climate adaptation specialist, brings important expertise on the impacts of extreme weather, such as the erratic Santa Ana winds that fueled the fires, and highlights the need for adaptive infrastructure and policies to mitigate future risks.
By addressing these interrelated challenges, the UCLA Luskin Center provides a comprehensive resource for leaders and residents. Her insights into disaster management, the politics of response, and the broader impacts of climate whiplash aim to equip Los Angeles with the tools necessary to recover from the immediate crisis while building long-term resilience to climate-related disasters.