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.


Surprises discovered in decoded kiwifruit genome

The recent decoding of the kiwifruit genome has discovered that the fruit has many genetic similarities to other plant species, including potatoes and tomatoes, among other surprises.

Kerslick named Atkinson Center's executive director

Graham Kerslick will join the David R. Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future Oct. 21 as its new executive director, where he will oversee research funding programs, internal administration and fiscal management.

‘Stick artist’ Dougherty gives Messenger lecture Oct. 23

"Stickwork artist" Patrick Dougherty will deliver a Messenger lecture and other talks during the week of Oct. 21.

Economists explore 'loca-pouring' of wines

The décor and menu are the most useful predictors of whether restaurants across the state will offer New York wines, according to new Dyson School research.

Researchers survey how green grows your switchgrass

As biofuels become an increasingly viable alternative, Cornell researchers are making sure that growing grasses for biofuel won't face inadvertent snares.

New micro water sensor can aid growers

Grape growers and food processors benefit from water sensors for accurate moisture readings. Cornell researchers have developed a fingertip-sized sensor that is a hundred times more sensitive than current devices, and they hope to produce it for as little as $5 each.

Produce perfect: Biotech sweet corn goes unblemished

A study that compared sweet corn bioengineered to produce a natural insecticide, Bt, with corn that was sprayed found the Bt corn much less blemished.

Cows' carbon hoofprint is smaller than thought

Because cows are often fed byproducts from human food and biofuel production processes that would be costly to dispose of otherwise, their carbon hoofprint is smaller than once thought.

10 Cornell specialty crops projects get USDA funding

Ten of the 11 2013 specialty crop research grant awards, supported by more than $900,000 in federal funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will go to Cornell.