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.


From the grounds up, study seeks sustainable 'java'

Cornell professors seek to brew agricultural, environmental and economic sustainability together for the world’s smallholder coffee bean growers.

Grad student to wrestle weeds in collegiate contest

The Cornell University Weed Team sends graduate student Courtney Stokes to the 2013 North Central and Northeastern Collegiate Weed competition in Illinois for two days of brutal, mind-bending, grueling agronomic combat on July 24-25.

Proposed solar array offers a bright energy future

Cornell hopes to expand its renewable energy portfolio as it benefits from the NY-Sun initiative, a series of large-scale, solar energy projects expected to add about 67 megawatts of solar electricity to the state.

Maine's indigenous plants help economy, Native Americans

Ph.D. student Michelle Baumflek is studying indigenous plants in northern Maine that have economic impact and cultural significance for Native American tribes.

Social media to help farmers deal with climate change

Experts at a July 8 panel discussion on campus said that improvements to existing communications networks, including use of social media, will help.

An ancient breed is resurrected in great grain revival

A Cornell plant breeder is helping to revive red fife wheat and ensuring that what is grown is the real deal.

New rice initiative expands in Haiti

Cornell's SRI (System of Rice Intensification) International Network and Resources Center helped train 17 Haitians recently in how to train farmers to improve rice productivity in the northern Coronel-Dubre region of Haiti.

Low-energy usage makes new 'blue lights' special

To further promote energy conservation, Cornell has been switching all of its approximately 120 campus-safety “blue lights” this summer from energy hogging incandescence to a LED technology, which sips power at one-tenth the rate.

O'Donnell's 'Party Wall' opens at MoMA PS1 in New York

Assistant professor of architecture Caroline O’Donnell's "Party Wall" installation at MoMA PS1 in Long Island City earned praise at its June 27 opening for its sustainable and innovative design.