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.


Graduate student team designs garden that cleans toxic waste in China

Five landscape architecture graduate students spent the 2010-11 academic year designing a garden with plants capable of cleaning up hazardous waste sites. (Aug. 22, 2011)

Small restaurants counter backlash against chains

When large restaurant companies implement sustainability policies, customers are skeptical of the efforts - and their opinion of those companies may actually diminish, according to a Cornell study. (Aug. 22, 2011)

Invasive hydrilla plant discovered in upstate New York

The discovery of the aggressive hydrilla plant in upstate in Cayuga Inlet by Cornell staff is the first detection of the invasive plant in upstate New York. (Aug. 17, 2011)

Students build innovative sustainable school in South African community

The student-led Cornell University Sustainable Design team has built an early childhood education center, designed for zero environmental impact, in Cosmo City, Johannesburg, South Africa. (Aug. 16, 2011)

Cornell to lead national environmental education program

With a five-year, $10 million grant, Cornell will bring educators together from different backgrounds, including urban areas, to exchange ideas and resources, and form social networks. (Aug. 12, 2011)

Citizen Science Central is clearinghouse to 130-plus projects

Cornell manages Citizen Science Central, an online clearinghouse for more than 130 citizen science projects around the country that invites and trains the public to collect scientific data. (July 28, 2011)

Bug experts warn Capitol Hill of bedbug, mosquito invasions

Cornell bug experts created a buzz on Capitol Hill July 12 when they warned about bedbug and mosquito invasions.

Farmers flock to the fields to learn about Cornell research

Various field days are attracting farmers and others to Cornell agricultural facilities this summer where visitors learn about Cornell research, including one July 14 at the Musgrave Research Farm. (July 19, 2011)

Economists highlight differences between high food prices and food price volatility

The high price of food and unstable prices worldwide are issues requiring separate solutions, economists Chris Barrett and Marc Bellemare argue in a new article in Foreign Affairs. (July 14, 2011)