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.


Project aims to lure locavores to the wild side

Researchers and extension educators are working to help promote regional wild fish and game species to locavores as healthy food options, by adding the data they've collected to nutritional databases and starting a Wild Harvest Table initiative.

'Fountain of youth’ for leaves discovered

Cornell horticulture professor Su-Sheng Gan has identified an enzymatic fountain of youth that slows down the process of leaf death and lays the foundation for the genetics of freshness.

Freeing pet catfish can devastate ecosystems

A new Cornell study explains why aquarium catfish can change the structure and function of ecosystems when pet owners set them free and they become abundant in non-native waters.

Undergrads thrive in Hairston lab

Undergraduates in the lab of Nelson Hairston, the Frank H.T. Rhodes Professor of Environmental Science, perform scientific research in a supportive atmosphere.

Sierra ranks Cornell fifth 'coolest' school

For the first time, Cornell University ranked fifth among Sierra magazine’s Ten Coolest Schools in the country, earning that spot for the environmental mindset on campus.

Greening manure could yield fly larvae fit for a meal

Two negatives – cow manure and flies – can make a positive. Cornell animal scientists, entomologists and a business professor will examine the environmental impact and commercial potential of quickly processing dairy cow manure with fly larvae. And then using the dried larvae to feed other farm animals.

AguaClara expands water efforts to India

Two AguaClara facilities, under construction in the state of Jharkhand, India, are expected to be completed this fall.

Turning tired land into energizing liquid gold

Ponder sustainable fuels and think Rumpelstiltskin: Growers in New York state may one day turn craggy, rugged and lumpy marginal land – by growing grasses and shrubs – into a virtual, perennial fountain of liquid energy gold.

Cornell gives award to local Building Bridges Initiative

The regional Cornell University Partner in Sustainability Award was given this year to the Building Bridges Initiative.