News

How everyday beauty products could pose a toxic health threat

A new study co-authored by Bhavna Shamasunder, lead investigator and ES faculty member, reveals that formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, is present in many everyday personal care products, particularly those marketed to Black and Latina women. The research found that over half of participants used products with formaldehyde-releasing preservatives on a daily basis, raising concerns about long-term health risks such as cancer and reproductive harm. The study was led by Robin Dodson of the Silent Spring Institute and highlights the need for stronger regulation and clearer labeling to better protect consumers, especially women of color.

UCSB Professor Explores Possibility of Recovering California Grizzly Bear

Rebecca Caraway, Noozhawk Staff Writer (05/03/2025) - A recent study by UCSB environmental historian Peter Alagona suggests that reintroducing grizzly bears to California is feasible, highlighting suitable habitats in regions like the southern Sierra Nevada and near Santa Barbara. While two-thirds of Californians support the idea, concerns about human-bear conflicts persist, necessitating careful planning and community engagement for a successful reintroduction.

The Ecological Society of America has named Dudney as one of its 2025 Early Career Fellows

Harrison Tasoff, The Current (04/29/25) - Joan Dudney, ecologist and faculty member in UCSB’s Environmental Studies Program, was named a 2025 Early Career Fellow by the Ecological Society of America for her groundbreaking research on how climate change, drought, and disturbance impact forest ecosystems.

Environmental Studies Major Shares Experience with Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project (CLYLP) Comcast Fellowship

Vivienne Chankai, Environmental Studies Major (3/26/2025) - "My time in Sacramento gave me an understanding of how advocacy translates to community building, which has greatly helped me do as an Advocacy Co-Chair for UCSB’s Environmental Affairs Board."

Six UCSB researchers named among world’s most influential scientists

Shelly Leachman, The Current (12/11/2024) - Halley Froehlich of the UCSB Environmental Studies Department included in Clarivate’s 2024 list of Highly Cited Researchers. The list includes researchers who rank in the top 1% by citations for field and publication year in Clarivate’s Web of Science citation index.

Regents Humanities Faculty Fellowship - Liz Carlisle

(11/01/2024) - The purpose of the Regents Humanities Faculty Fellowship program is to encourage and facilitate research, advanced or independent study, or improvement of teaching effectiveness in the humanities by providing supplemental summer or sabbatical leave salary.

UC Santa Barbara Opens New Center to Incubate Environmental Leaders

Callie Fausey, Santa Barbara Independent (10/20/2024) - The Environmental Leadership Incubator (ELI) evolves into the Greti U. Croft Center for Undergraduate Environmental Leadership (CUEL), continuing to support opportunities for students passionate about sustainability.

Here's how to turn climate change anxiety into action

Allison Aubrey, NPR (10/8/2024) - Survey data has shown that more than half of young adults have felt anxious, angry, powerless or helpless about human-driven climate change.

ES | NEWS & EVENTS

How everyday beauty products could pose a toxic health threat

UCSB Professor Explores Possibility of Recovering California Grizzly Bear

The Ecological Society of America has named Dudney as one of its 2025 Early Career Fellows

Environmental Studies Major Shares Experience with Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project (CLYLP) Comcast Fellowship

Six UCSB researchers named among world’s most influential scientists

Regents Humanities Faculty Fellowship - Liz Carlisle

UC Santa Barbara Opens New Center to Incubate Environmental Leaders

Here's how to turn climate change anxiety into action