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.


Cornell earns STARS platinum sustainability rating

Cornell has earned a platinum sustainability rating – the top status – from an international group that tracks environmental stewardship for over 1,000 college campuses.

Cornell social scientists honored for rural community impact

For their work addressing causes and consequences of demographic change in rural America, a team of Cornell sociologists and other rural scholars have earned the Excellence in Multistate Research Award.

Steep NYC traffic toll would reduce gridlock, pollution

Cornell and the City College of New York research shows that by creating steep tolls for cars to enter Manhattan, traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced.

Evergreen idea turns biomass DNA into degradable materials

A Cornell-led collaboration is turning DNA from organic matter – such as onions, fish and algae – into biodegradable gels and plastics. The resulting materials could be used to create plastics and methods for drug delivery.

Big Red data: crunching numbers to fight COVID-19 and more

Cornell data scientists are developing models and mathematical techniques to address the world’s most vexing problems, from public health crises to climate change.

Atkinson, EDF to fund Cornell-led sustainability projects

Through a partnership between the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability and EDF, four Cornell faculty members have received new grants for regional sustainability projects with global implications.

NYC mayor appoints McComas to climate change panel

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has appointed Cornell’s Katherine McComas, Ph.D. ’00, to the New York City Panel on Climate Change on June 11.

(Virtual) Things to Do, June 12-26, 2020

Virtual events at Cornell include a Russian conversation series; trainings on racism and allyship; a Congressional Black Caucus panel; a COVID-19 bereavement support group and live Alliance for Science talks.

Reunion panel discusses value of ‘One Health’ approach

The virtual panel, “One Health: Cornell’s Collaborative Approach to Ensuring Human, Animal and Ecosystem Health in the Time of COVID-19,” was held June 6 as part of Cornell’s Reunion weekend.