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.


Researchers put the squeeze on citrus disease by developing trees that taste bad to bugs

Researchers have developed genetically engineered orange trees to fight a deadly bacterial citrus disease in Florida. The trees will soon be put to the test.

Herriot, a luscious new strawberry, beats out other varieties

Herriot is a new tasty strawberry variety with high yields, vigor, disease resistance, eye appeal and a hint of pineapple flavor. (Jan. 12, 2012)

Wasp rediscovered in upstate New York after 100 years

Two tiny wasps have been found in Geneva, N.Y.: One hasn't been seen on this continent since its initial discovery by Cornell scientists in 1915, and the other has never been seen here.

Willow biofuels program ignites with new funding and boiler

The willow bioenergy program has a new $950,000 grant for breeding willow and installing a boiler to heat two buildings at Cornell's experiment station in Geneva.

Geddes speaks to Congress on high-speed rail investment

At a U.S. Congressional hearing Dec. 6, economist Rick Geddes urged lawmakers to concentrate on the crowded Northeast corridor for high-speed rail development, rather than less populous regions. (Jan. 6, 2012)

Revolutionary tool will methodically track fish populations in the ocean

Oceanographer Chuck Greene is working to optimize an ocean-observing tool to collect and transmit ecosystem data to his desktop in real time, tracking the ocean like the weather. (Jan. 5, 2012)

'Smart' bird feeders can track who eats when

RFID technology repurposed for tracking birds automates data collection, requiring scientists to spend only a few hours a week tending to feeders wired with tracking technology.

Ph.D. candidate Jillian Cohen named a 2012 Knauss fellow

The doctoral student in Cornell's Department of Natural Resources, will spend one year working for the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources as a Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellow for 2012. (Jan. 5, 2012)

Worm compost can suppress plant disease, regulate nutrients, research finds

Cornell researchers have found that vermicompost is not only an excellent fertilizer, but could also help prevent a pathogen that has been a scourge to greenhouse growers.