New Book Compares Steps to Combat Air Pollutions in Two Major Cities

Elisabeth Haub School of Law

Dean Emeritus Richard Ottinger, of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, and Professor Wang Xi, of Kunming University of Science and Technology in China, have published a book that compares efforts to curb air pollution in two of the world’s largest urban areas, Los Angeles and Beijing. Their book, A Tale of Two Cities: A Comparison of Air Pollution Governance in the Los Angeles Area of the USA and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Area of China, was more than 8 years in the making and the product of a joint study with Renewables 100 Policy Institute.

Dean Emeritus Richard Ottinger, of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, and Professor Wang Xi, of Kunming University of Science and Technology in China

Dean Emeritus Richard Ottinger, of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, and Professor Wang Xi, of Kunming University of Science and Technology in China, have published a book that compares efforts to curb air pollution in two of the world’s largest urban areas, Los Angeles and Beijing. Their book, A Tale of Two Cities: A Comparison of Air Pollution Governance in the Los Angeles Area of the USA and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Area of China, was more than 8 years in the making and the product of a joint study with Renewables 100 Policy Institute.

According to the book’s publisher, Wolters Kluwer, “A Tale of Two Cities is an exceptional book focusing on two of the world’s most prominent cases and exploring how people in the areas of Los Angeles and Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) established remarkably similar governance processes to combat air pollution and how the major actors in each area worked to make their region a better place to live. Employing the expertise of teams of knowledgeable environmental law experts from both China and the United States, the authors identify and analyze similarities and differences in the respective legal and policy experiences as actors succeeded in greatly improving the air quality of their areas.”

“We decided to produce a joint study to show what steps Los Angeles took to reduce its air pollution, which is quite a remarkable story, because decades ago, the pollution there was so thick that you could hardly see across the street,” said Dean Emeritus Ottinger.

“We also show what steps Beijing is taking to mitigate its serious air pollution problems. Not long ago, they had to close down their local economy and tell people to stay home because the health risks were so serious. Hopefully, our study will be useful to any state, city or local government that is grappling with solutions to the problem of air pollution,” he said.

“Our joint study develops a useful model of environmental governance that encompasses the relationship between regulatory agencies and the entities they regulate, government entities and regulators, and polluting entities and society at large,” added Professor Wang Xi. “In spite of great differences in the politics and cultures of these two cities, there are clear similarities in the way they worked to improve air quality.”

Dean Emeritus Ottinger is co-director of the Pace Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies. He founded the Pace Energy and Climate Center at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, which advocates for climate change mitigation and promotion of clean energy resources. In his 16 years as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, he authored a substantial body of energy and environmental laws. He was one of the earliest environmentalists in Congress in 1965.

Professor Wang Xi, a leading China environmental law scholar advocating with Kunming University of Science and Technology, was previously a professor of Wuhan University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and served as visiting professor at the Elizabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in 2014. Professor Xi was named a recipient of the 2020-2021 Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy, one of the world’s most prestigious environmental awards. He was instrumental in the development of Chinese environmental law, a new area of growing importance. He has since been a key influencer in a major revision to China’s framework environmental protection law, which was accepted and adopted by the Chinese National Congress in 2014.

Learn more about the book

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A Student Leader in Wellness: Q+A with Stephanie Spruck '25

Dyson College of Arts and Science

Psychology student Stephanie Spruck '25 serves as the student wellness coordinator at Pace's Pleasantville campus, actively contributing to mental health initiatives and mentoring through RADical Hope.

Pace University's Psychology Pleasantville student Stephanie Spruck
Antonia Gentile
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Pace University's Psychology Pleasantville student Stephanie Spruck

Stephanie Spruck

Class of 2025

Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology and Human Relations

Stephanie Spruck is the student wellness coordinator on the Pleasantville campus, working with Assistant Provost for Wellness Sue Maxam, EdD on mental health and well-being initiatives, in addition to a volunteer mentor for RADical Hope, a peer-led wellness program offering services through a Pace partnership.

Tell us more about these experiences and how they have been meaningful to you.

In this role, which has been one of the highlights of my Pace Path, I assist with projects and event planning aimed at integrating Pace's vision for a cohesive approach addressing the eight dimensions of wellness (in February 2023, Pace adopted the Okanagan Charter, an international framework for promoting wellness on college campuses globally). As a student, I share insights on what services and support systems my peers and I want to see, serving as a voice for the student community. In the process, I am learning invaluable lessons on mental health, wellbeing, social justice, and purpose, which inspire me every day to learn more about these realities and assist in enacting change.

I also take great joy in being a program guide for the nationally renowned RADical Health program at Pace sponsored by the RADical Hope Foundation. In this role, I facilitate meaningful small group conversations around connection, resiliency, self-awareness, and stress management. Entering my fifth time taking part in the program, I always learn something new from my peers. I have also had the incredible opportunity of partnering with non-profit organizations, on-campus committees, and media platforms, such as NBC News’s NOW and TODAY, Radical Hope Radio, The Examiner, Pace Magazine, and Bloomberg News, to share my journey and learn from mentors every step of the way.

How did you become interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology and Human Relations?

Unlike many colleges that offer only one psychology major, Dyson has four to choose from, which means a vast array of classes across the Psychology department. I have always been fascinated with how the human mind works and how that translates into behavior: why we choose, think, act, feel, and relate as we do. This major can truly guide my career in any direction with how expansive it is, serving as training for a wide variety of fields as well as continued learning in counseling, social/clinical work, academia, law, health, research, and even business, to name a few.

What have your experiences been like with the Pleasantville Psychology Department? What faculty have been instrumental in your academic journey?

The Pleasantville Psychology Department offers a wide array of opportunities and faculty who prepare students early on to reach our goals. We can spend time talking to and sharing interests with our educators, who have completed their master's and/or doctorate programs in psychology and can offer advice on the different paths our major can take us. Professor Courtney Gosnell, PhD, readily makes students aware of opportunities such as the Psychology Club and Psi Chi International Psychology Honors Society, as well as local internships. Any psychology student looking to put what they are learning in the classroom into practice should speak to her, as she has much wisdom to share.

Even prior to stepping foot on campus, I was welcomed and felt that this was the place I was meant to be. At an accepted students event, I could relate to the student speakers’ love of learning as they shared their classroom, leadership, and internship experiences.

Why did you choose to attend Pace?

I distinctly remember the day I first visited Pace at an Honors College Accepted Students event. Even prior to stepping foot on campus, I was welcomed and felt that this was the place I was meant to be. I could relate to the student speakers’ love of learning as they shared their classroom, leadership, and internship experiences, and thought to myself, “Wow, I want to do that, too!” I spoke to Professor Lawrence Hundersmarck, PhD, who I later enrolled in three engaging Honors classes with, as well as Senior Staff Associate Carol Turco, who greets my fellow students and I daily with a smile and makes us feel like family. The opportunities offered at Pace are unlike any other college I have visited. Also, a fun fact: both my parents and uncle attended Pace, so you could say we are a Pace family!

What other activities or organizations are you engaged with at Pace?

I serve as an Honors peer mentor, through which I help freshmen become acclimated with their new college environment, share my experiences, and give advice along the way. I have been blessed with many mentors at Pace, so being able to give back through this invaluable service is very rewarding. I am also a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Honors Leadership Society, where I get to collaborate with fellow student leaders. Recently, I have been welcomed into the Wellbeing Committee, and work with faculty and administration to share wellness-centered ideas for future implementation.

What would you like to do upon graduation/what are your career goals?

Upon graduation, I seek to continue my education at Pace in the MA program in Higher Education and Student Affairs, and pursue a career in this field. I also hope to continue in the wellness sector and ultimately share what I have learned with others through motivational speaking, podcasting, tutoring, and my creative writing—all newfound interests I have cultivated at Pace!

What advice can you give to our current students?

Opportunitas is more than Pace’s motto—it is a reminder to live out this goal each and every day, to seek out, learn from, and show up for opportunities of all types, from a simple interaction to professional development. Mentorship is also a beautiful experience, and I encourage everyone to both learn from a mentor and serve as one. With so many opportunities at our fingertips during these transformative years, learn all you can and explore your interests, and you will discover a lot about yourself along the way. What Pace has to offer is more than we can ever imagine, all you must do is take the first step.

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Our Love Of Soft, Sweet Foods Goes Back Even Further Than We Imagined

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"For most of history, humans lived in a state of food scarcity," says Dr. Christen Cupples Cooper, the founder of Pace University’s MS in Nutrition and Dietetics Program. "Food was hard to come by, requiring immense amounts of time and energy. It’s likel

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Industry stalwarts from Pace University and Crestron explain how AV-focused education programs can inspire and prepare the next generation of AV Pros.

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“Unusual And Irresponsible”: Expert Says Judge Cannon Seems To Be “Willfully Aiding” Trump Strategy

Elisabeth Haub School of Law

Professor Bennett Gershman speaks with Salon about U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon agreeing to let Trump and his lawyers view classified documents privately, with her but without prosecutor’s present.

“Judge Cannon’s agreeing to let Trump and his lawyers view these documents privately, with her but without prosecutors present, is highly unusual and irresponsible,” Bennett Gershman, a former New York prosecutor and law professor at Pace University, told Salon.

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Elisabeth Haub School of Law

Assistant Director of Law School Admissions Lisa Bertrand provides expert insight to Diversity Woman on how to help your direct reports succeed.

“I recommend creating open space where you don’t have an agenda going in, especially for one-on-one meetings,” says Lisa Nicole Bertrand, assistant director of admissions at Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in New York City. “The person may have a question they are dying to ask, and sometimes not having an agenda can help conversation.”

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"Freezing" Trump's Jan. 6 Trial Is "Alarming," Says Expert, Could Lead To "Dire Consequences"

Elisabeth Haub School of Law

“The Supreme Court is not blind to Trump’s strategy to delay his trial as long as he can," said Bennett Gershman, a former New York prosecutor and law professor at Pace University, in an interview with Salon. "My sense is the court appears to want to move this case quickly. A one-week timeline for Smith’s response is not unreasonable, although Smith probably will file his response within days.”

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“It’s just so unfortunate that we are entering a moment where we are starting to have to respond to the real-world, on-the-ground impacts of climate change,” said Katrina Fischer Kuh, an environmental law professor at Pace University. “It would be great to have a network of expert scientists to help us in this moment, and it feels like we are in the exact opposite place.”

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