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![\"Vivian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Climate-Change-Poster-800x500.jpg\")
CSUF public health major Vivian Castillo presents student research on campus trees at the fourth annual Energy and Sustainability Summit.\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCSUF public health major Vivian Castillo presents student research on campus trees at the fourth annual Energy and Sustainability Summit.\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Building a more sustainable environment and addressing critical climate issues will take cooperation and community involvement, experts said at Cal State Fullerton\u2019s fourth annual Energy and Sustainability Summit.<\/p>\n
Sponsored by Southern California Edison, the Oct. 23 event featured a fireside chat with Bob Archuleta, who serves on the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee. Archuleta shared insights on the future of renewable energy sources such as hydrogen in California.<\/p>\n
The summit also included discussions with CSUF community members, local officials and representatives from Edison, Orange County Fire Authority and OC Conservation Corps.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs evidenced by last year\u2019s devastating fires, the reality of climate change is clear and urgent. It is imperative that we work collaboratively to protect the health and safety of our communities,\u201d said Kimberly Shiner, vice president for university advancement.<\/p>\n
The summit touched on steps the university, Orange County, and local fire and utilities officials are taking to meet climate-related challenges. Students also shared their research on the outlook for trees in the Arboretum and Botanical Garden<\/a> at Cal State Fullerton.<\/p>\n A collaboration between OCFA and Edison helped buy water-dropping helicopters that can dump 3,000 gallons at once. They\u2019ve prevented hundreds of wildfires from spreading since the partnership began, said Matt Olson, OCFA\u2019s chief of staff\/assistant chief of corporate communications.<\/p>\n Speakers said engaging the community will be vital to achieving a greener future. Buena Park Vice Mayor Connor Traut said his city created mascots like Lumi the LED lightbulb to inform residents about environmental issues and invited kids to design artwork for the city\u2019s trash trucks.<\/p>\n Titans also are helping advance climate goals. Collaborating with faculty experts, CSUF students design and conduct research on such topics as sustainable transportation<\/a>, wildfires<\/a>, nutrition<\/a> and climate change<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the summit, students presented what they\u2019d learned studying the arboretum\u2019s trees<\/a> and how different species are likely to fare as the climate changes.<\/p>\n Working as part of the arboretum\u2019s Climate Impact Assessment Team<\/a>, students used a climate assessment tool and checked the trees\u2019 physical health, looking for pests or signs of disease, said public health majors Vivian Castillo and Samantha Garcia.<\/p>\n The climate team, part of the arboretum\u2019s internship program, gives students hands-on research experience. Their findings will help guide future tree plantings.<\/p>\n \u201cI like the idea that we\u2019re making a change, and we\u2019re able to start this work now,\u201d Castillo said.<\/p>\n In the region, progress has been made on several fronts, with more efforts underway. By year\u2019s end, Edison expects to have 7,000 miles of overhead electric lines covered with fire-resistant insulation, and it\u2019s also putting roughly 200 miles of lines underground to lessen fire risk, said Ted Gribble, a principal manager at Edison.<\/p>\n Orange County is reducing carbon emissions and recycling organic waste at John Wayne Airport, and officials are seeking funding to build charging stations for electric trucks as part of the switch to a zero-emissions fleet, Orange County Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley said.<\/p>\n CSUF offers nearly 900 courses on sustainability, which helped the university achieve a gold rating<\/a> from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System, Shiner noted.<\/p>\n![\"Connor](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Connor-Traut.jpg\")
Orange County Supervisors Katrina Foley, left, and Vicente Sarmiento, center, and Buena Park Vice Mayor Connor Traut discuss how to build a more sustainable future during a CSUF event.<\/p>\n![\"Bob](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Bob-Archuleta-Conference.jpg\")
State Senator Bob Archuleta speaks at CSUF\u2019s fourth annual Energy and Sustainability Summit.<\/p>\n