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.


Student research helps county envision 2050 energy roadmap

Using 15 months of energy research conducted by Cornell students, the Tompkins County Planning Department unveiled ideas Oct. 21 to substantially reduce the county's carbon footprint by 2050.

Students deploy seismometers to gain underground view

Cornell undergraduate students from a geophysics class will deploy a network of 15 seismometers around campus into the late fall, through which they will collect data for a year.

Student team reels in genetic engineering awards at competition

Cornell University’s entry for the International Genetically Engineered Machine synthetic biology competition earned three prizes and a gold medal at the 12th annual iGEM Giant Jamboree in Boston.

Educators meet to bolster undergrad STEM outreach

Educators from around the nation with a strong desire to promulgate scientific knowledge and teach tomorrow’s teachers met to learn new ways to train undergraduate students in effective instruction.

'Bridge' fuel may escalate atmospheric greenhouse gas

While the EPA suggests a decline in measurable atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel use in the United States, a Cornell scientist says the agency's computation may be in error.

Cornell professors testify before House committee

Capitol Hill met East Hill as the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs tapped two Cornell professors for their expertise on the economics of international food aid and the realities of Chinese-American relations.

Summer interns enhance life in New York communities

From Buffalo to Long Island, the North Country to the Southern Tier, Cornell undergraduates – serving as interns – spent their summer enhancing life in New York.

Lake Source Cooling intake pipe to get first cleaning in October

After 15 years of continuously supporting the cooling of campus buildings, Cornell’s Lake Source Cooling intake pipe and screen need a cleaning.

Scientists unravel root cause of plant twists and turns

Facing challenging terrain where plant roots must cope with barriers, Cornell physicists and Boyce Thompson Institute plant biologists have discovered a valuable plant root action.