Climate Change

California on its own as an independent nation would have the seventh largest economy in the world. All the reason, Prince Andrew, Duke of York says, to strengthen economic ties between the two markets, especially those between the U.K. and Orange County. “The GDP of Orange County is greater than that of either Portugal or Finland,” he said. “[The U.K. and Orange County are] natural partners.” Prince Andrew addressed a luncheon at the Orange County Hilton, hosted by the British American Business Council of Orange County, acting in his capacity as the U.K.’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment.

UCI students kicked off the election season with a panel discussion on the 2008 campaign Monday evening, featuring a speaker’s panel that included local politicos, academics and party operatives. The event, organized by Associated Students of UCI, drew just under 100 people. Speakers included Irvine Mayor Beth Krom, Orange County Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley, UCI’s Director of Unconventional Security Affairs Richard Matthew, UCI history professor Jon Wiener, Republican Party Chairman’s Appointee Adam D. Probolsky and Democratic Chairman Frank Barbaro.

The residence of Valarie and David Whiting was the setting to launch “Sea Change,” the inaugural Orange County event benefiting Oceana, the largest international organization dedicated to protecting the planet’s ocean environment. The evening at the Whiting’s residence attracted the local crowd as well as two Hollywood heavyweights, actor Jeff Goldblum and producer Keith Addis , who also serves as vice chair of the Oceana organization. Addis addressed the gathering, explaining the work of the group in California and around the world.

The Environmental Protection Agency recently denied California’s request to use its own law to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles, prompting Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to threaten a lawsuit against the federal government. President Bush defended the EPA decision, arguing that his administration was pursuing a “more effective” national effort and that the energy bill he recently signed lessens the need for states to take action individually.

They won’t be invited to Stockholm, but that’s OK with the nine UC Irvine scientists who have contributed to the environmental reports that won the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change its share of a Nobel Peace Prize. They were never really after the glory, just the work. Michael Prather, a UCI earth system science professor, researcher and a lead author for the panel’s reports dating back to 1995, said he appreciated how the Nobel committee named the entire organization as the beneficiary of the award.

59, Newport Beach ... Chancellor of UC Irvine ... In past year, finished an assignment with National Academy of Sciences to present a report to the White House on climate change ... Congress got really active on the issue last summer just before Sept. 11, but since then it's given it less attention ... Found it a great experience and learned how hard people in White House are working on issue, though there is disagreement, just like everywhere else ... Continuing own research while chancellor ... Is happy about how campus is growing ... Great year of recruiting new faculty from around country ... Won a lot of battles with other universities in recruiting personnel ... Daughter Sara just got married, she is a structural engineering grad student ... Last year's ranking: 6