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.


Errant methane plumes detected over Marcellus wells

Using an airplane to detect greenhouse emissions emanating from freshly drilled shale gas wells in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus basin, Cornell and Purdue scientists have found that leaked methane is more of a problem than previously thought.

Corporate greening starts with trained students

Cornell students are learning how to arrive at the 'triple bottom line' – fusing profits, people and the planet – to run a smart but green business.

Climate Action Plan steps up sustainability strategy

As the global importance for a low-carbon economy grows urgent, Cornell has posted its most aggressive carbon-reduction strategy to date: the Cornell Climate Action Plan Update and Roadmap 2014-15.

Biology major Katharine Leigh '15 wins Udall scholarship

Katharine (Kat) Leigh '15, a biology major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has received a 2014 Morris K. Udall Scholarship.

Atkinson Center launches postdoc fellowships

To help solve the world’s significant environmental problems, Cornell’s David R. Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future announces new Atkinson Postdoctoral Fellowships.

Book offers simplified guide to shale gas extraction

The new book, “Science Beneath the Surface: A Very Short Guide to the Marcellus Shale,” attempts to offer a reader-friendly, unbiased, scientific guide needed to make well-informed decisions regarding “fracking” in the Marcellus Shale.

Elephant expert shares calls, images from the wild

Peter H. Wrege, director of the Elephant Listening Project, shared sounds of the animals at play and under siege in central Africa. He spoke in New York City April 10.

Land-mending advocate to give Iscol lecture April 22

Luc Gnacadja, former executive director of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, will deliver Cornell’s 2014 Iscol lecture Tuesday, April 22, at 5 p.m. in Schwartz Auditorium, Rockefeller Hall.

Ninth AguaClara water plant in Honduras opens

With the inauguration of another student-designed AguaClara water treatment plant in Honduras, 36,000 Hondurans and counting have access to clean water.