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.


Sprayable RNA pesticide works best when potato beetles are small

The first sprayable insecticide made of RNA can target and kill ravenous Colorado potato beetles while sparing most beneficial insects, making it a promising environmentally friendly option.

Botanic Gardens’ Director to Retire

Christopher P. Dunn, PhD, executive director of Cornell Botanic Gardens, retires at the end of 2025. He led the organization into a new era of relevance to the university, community, and world, with a focused mission on conserving biological and cultural diversity. 

Around Cornell

New view of electrocatalytic intermediates could boost hydrogen production

Researchers used single-molecule super-resolution reaction imaging to gain a clearer view of what happens, and where, in surface metal-hydrogen intermediates, which spark electrocatalytic transformations.

Reusable nanofiber membrane filters water sustainably

A Cornell research group has developed a cyclodextrin-based fibrous membrane that in lab testing removed approximately 90% of aqueous triclosan, an antibacterial agent that poses a threat to aquatic organisms.

Peatlands’ ‘huge reservoir’ of carbon at risk of release

In a warming climate, extreme drought could trigger a dramatic release of carbon from peatlands, erasing up to 250 years of carbon stores in a matter of months.

New Cornell startup targets faster, cheaper, greener testing

Newly admitted into the Praxis Center business incubator, Quantera aims to improve scientific sample collection. 

Advancing large-scale solar boosts farmland prices

Legislative support for solar projects in New York state has increased the price of farmland near energy infrastructure - and could disincentivize the use of the land for farming. 

Wildfire smoke, regenerative ag: Cornell Atkinson-EDF research aids people and planet

The Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability and long-time collaborator Environmental Defense Fund announce their 2025 awardees for joint research and seek new proposals for 2026 initiatives.

Around Cornell

To prevent rapid sea-level rise, reduce emissions now

The timing of emissions reductions, even more so than the rate of reduction, will be key to avoiding catastrophic thresholds for ice-melt and sea-level rise, according to a new Cornell study.