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.


Chemists make nitrogen-carbon bonds but skip the ammonia

Cornell chemist Paul Chirik and colleagues have devised a new way to break the tough nitrogen-nitrogen bond in the lab and simultaneously create carbon-nitrogen bonds. (Dec. 16, 2009)

Team considers how globalization will affect air quality

An interdisciplinary Cornell team will develop computer models, funded by the EPA, that consider such factors as trade patterns, transportation and economic geography associated with globalization. (Dec. 15, 2009)

CU students take first prize in sustainable design contest

Six graduate students received the top prize for their entry in a national competition for sustainable urban design ideas for Philadelphia. (Dec. 10, 2009)

New, efficient transistor could one day power laptops, cars

A Cornell researcher has created an extremely efficient transistor made from gallium nitride, which may soon replace silicon as king of semiconductors for power applications. (Dec. 8, 2009)

Almost two dozen Cornellians will travel to Copenhagen for climate conference

The contingent hopes to use the meeting as a springboard for creating interdisciplinary partnerships at Cornell to research pressing climate issues in the future.

Marcellus Shale gas drilling panel addresses controversies

A panel of experts in geology, energy, groundwater and public policy educated the Cornell community about the broad range of competing energy and environmental issues surrounding the drilling controversy. (Dec. 3, 2009)

'No fracking way,' chant protestors at anti-drilling rally

The rally, organized by Kyoto Now!, sought to raise awareness about water contamination from hydraulic fracturing to extract natural gas from the earth. (Dec. 2, 2009)

CCE, CU researchers help public understand gas drilling

Cornell Cooperative Extension is on the front lines of educating citizens and communities about natural gas drilling into the Marcellus Shale. (Nov. 30, 2009)

Climate experts debate strategies for reducing atmospheric carbon and future warming

Reducing carbon dioxide to safe levels may require extracting carbon from the air, says Cornell climate researcher. (Nov. 25, 2009)