Energy, Environment & Sustainability

Cornell is a global leader in sustainability and climate change research, teaching and engagement. Our campuses are living laboratories for developing, testing and implementing solutions that address these most challenging issues.


Wildfire smoke, regenerative ag: Cornell Atkinson-EDF research aids people and planet

The Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability and long-time collaborator Environmental Defense Fund announce their 2025 awardees for joint research and seek new proposals for 2026 initiatives.

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To prevent rapid sea-level rise, reduce emissions now

The timing of emissions reductions, even more so than the rate of reduction, will be key to avoiding catastrophic thresholds for ice-melt and sea-level rise, according to a new Cornell study.

Finance meets climate at Cornell panel

Finance can bridge the gap between climate science and business decision-making – and communication, innovation and education are critical, according to a panel of experts convened by the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability during Climate Week 2025.

‘Ground truth’: Flood monitoring tool gives NYS residents a voice

The MyCoast New York app has already provided forecasters and emergency managers with a new understanding of flooding around the state, as sea levels rise and storms intensify. 

Cornell CALS welcomes 20 new faculty

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences welcomed 20 new faculty this fall.

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Sustainable practices could cut food-related emissions in half

Food systems make up roughly 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions globally. But transforming them could cut these emissions by more than half, according to a report released Oct. 3 from a commission of global experts.

Birds’ vocal warnings provide new insight into the origins of language

New research sheds light on the evolution of language, discovering a link between innate and learned vocalizations. 

New program launches to train sustainable agricultural finance leaders

Hosted by the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability and Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, a new leadership program aims to equip professionals with the tools to scale sustainable agriculture.

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Students' color-changing tomato reaches national contest finals

An invention developed by two graduate students turns engineered tomato plants red when soil nitrogen levels are low.