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.


Housefly's love of manure could lead to sustainable feed

An interdisciplinary team of Cornell researchers is investigating a system for using housefly larvae to biodegrade manure and then harvesting the larvae for use as protein-rich animal feed.

Group blazes path to efficient, eco-friendly deep-ultraviolet LED

A Cornell-led group has demonstrated the ability to produce deep-ultraviolet emission using an LED light source, potentially solving several problems related to quantum efficiency of current devices.

Standing Rock leader decries pipelines on Sioux land

David Archambault II, chairman of Standing Rock Sioux Nation, spoke on campus Feb. 16 as part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' Department of Natural Resources seminar series.

New tool gives apple farms hope in fight against spring freezes

This February's warm weather is nice in the Northeast, but apple farmers may pay a price if winter roars back. To help growers assess temperatures, Cornell has developed a new Apple Freeze Risk tool.

Polymer additive could revolutionize plastics recycling

A Cornell research group, led by chemistry professor Geoffrey Coates, has developed a multiblock polymer that has the potential to improve the way 78 million tons of plastics are recycled each year.

Climate change in Vietnam spurs students to speak up

Ten students from across Cornell spent two weeks of their winter break on a journey through Vietnam, listening to farmers and community members and seeing the effects of climate change firsthand.

Cornell helps Fijians use eyes in the sky for climate studies

To help Fijian scientists track oceanic climate change for their islands in the sun, Cornell's Bruce Monger unveils eyes in the sky: satellite remote sensing.

Salmonella food poisoning could damage your DNA

Salmonella food poisoning wallops you for several days, but new research by Cornell food scientists indicates that some of its serotypes – variations of the bacterial species – can have permanent repercussions. It may damage your DNA.

Kotlikoff Q&A: Next steps toward campus carbon neutrality

Last fall the Cornell Senior Leaders Climate Action Group submitted its report exploring heating and energy options for the Ithaca campus to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. Here, Provost Kotlikoff discusses the university's next steps.