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.


Big Red fans recycle, compost 96 percent of game trash

To ease our blue planet's environmental pressures, the Cornell Big Red turned green at the university's first Zero Landfill basketball game on Feb. 23. The fans helped divert 96 percent of the trash.

Sachs explores cemetery roots of American parks

In his new book 'Arcadian America,' historian Aaron Sachs examines a lost American environmental tradition, in the cemeteries that served as the nation's first urban parks.

Physicists crack science of ice formation

For a variety of common cryoprotectants, the time for ice to form has a simple exponential variation with concentration.

Backyard bird count goes global, shatters records

The first global Great Backyard Bird Count, Feb. 15-18, was the largest worldwide bird count ever; bird-watchers counted more than 25 million birds.

Johnson team wins renewable energy competition

Five students from Cornell's Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management captured first place Feb. 21 at the University of Michigan's fourth Renewable Energy Case Competition.

Architecture professor Kevin Pratt dies at 43

Assistant professor of architecture Kevin B. Pratt, noted for his expertise in sustainable design and his enthusiasm and energy as a teacher and colleague, died Feb. 19 of natural causes. He was 43.

Cornell reduces emissions by 7 percent in last two years

Cornell has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 7 percent between fiscal years 2010 and 2012, according to the university's latest energy inventory.

Cornell nets $7 million NSF grant for corn study

The National Science Foundation has awarded a five-year, $7 million grant to Michael J. Scanlon, Cornell professor of plant biology, to study corn.

International Programs celebrates 50th anniversary

International Programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences launches a yearlong celebration of its 50th anniversary Feb. 15, in the Dean’s Room of Mann Library, from 5 to 8 p.m., on campus.