'How Can Laguna Beach Fight Climate Change?' Experts Have Answer

LAGUNA BEACH, CA—Two experts will discuss the climate crisis in a virtual meeting hosted by the Democratic Club of Laguna Beach on Wednesday, June 2, at 7 p.m. Registration is free and open to the public.

U.C. Irvine professor of biology Kathleen Treseder and City of Irvine-based environmentalist Ayn Craciun will be discussing how individuals in the community can help fight climate change in Laguna Beach.

"[The climate crisis] is arguably one of the most important issues of our time," said Gwen McNallan, president of the 75-year-old club. "As Californians, we are especially affected by the rising oceans, extreme wildfires, and drought. We thank you in advance for tuning in to find out how each of us can influence decision-makers in our workplace, our community, our county, state, and country to address this issue.”

Treseder, who earned her Ph.D. at Stanford University, is an award-winning teacher and researcher who has authored more than 90 peer-reviewed papers and has been cited at least 19,000 times. As far back as her undergraduate days, her writing has been featured beyond academia. While studying biology and chemistry at the University of Utah, she co-wrote a research paper that became a cover story for "Nature" magazine.

The professor's current scholarly interests include microbial biogeochemistry, ecosystem ecology and global change. She co-authored the forthcoming paper, "Crossing the Line: Human Diseases and Climate Change Across Borders," which will appear in the Journal of Environmental Health.

Craciun worked in corporate communications when she became aware that three children in her small Irvine neighborhood had been diagnosed with brain tumors. She became an advocate for organic gardening policies and successfully ended using fossil-fuel-based pesticides in her city. Last year, California EPA’s Department of pesticide regulation recognized Irvine's policy for its achievement in reducing risk from pesticide use.

The environmental activist has created a how-to guide and has assisted cities across the country in adopting similar policies.

Since 2018, Cracium has been active in reversing the effects of the climate crisis.

“Ayn and Kathleen are motivated and passionate advocates working at the city and county level to advance innovative climate measures," said LBDC board member Aviva Meyers. "Their work will take us into the modern era in terms of reducing the climate threats Laguna Beach and Orange County face. Our speakers will address how Laguna Beach and other cities can update and enforce climate regulations, where climate and social justice movements intersect, and what Lagunans can do to make our town more sustainable.”