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.


Finance meets climate at Cornell panel

Finance can bridge the gap between climate science and business decision-making – and communication, innovation and education are critical, according to a panel of experts convened by the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability during Climate Week 2025.

‘Ground truth’: Flood monitoring tool gives NYS residents a voice

The MyCoast New York app has already provided forecasters and emergency managers with a new understanding of flooding around the state, as sea levels rise and storms intensify. 

Cornell CALS welcomes 20 new faculty

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences welcomed 20 new faculty this fall.

Around Cornell

Sustainable practices could cut food-related emissions in half

Food systems make up roughly 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions globally. But transforming them could cut these emissions by more than half, according to a report released Oct. 3 from a commission of global experts.

Birds’ vocal warnings provide new insight into the origins of language

New research sheds light on the evolution of language, discovering a link between innate and learned vocalizations. 

Students' color-changing tomato reaches national contest finals

An invention developed by two graduate students turns engineered tomato plants red when soil nitrogen levels are low. 

Researchers see opportunity in addressing NY climate goals

Researchers at the ILR School’s Climate Jobs Institute say that despite shortfalls in progress since the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, the state can still meet those goals – while improving working conditions and equity.

Cornell research powers sustainable Ryder Cup

A 25-year partnership between Cornell researchers and New York State Parks culminates at the 2025 Ryder Cup, the most sustainable professional golf tournament to date.

Warming climate, not herd size, is biggest threat to rangelands

Researchers in the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business found that while larger herds can slightly reduce rangeland productivity in Mongolia from year to year, weather and climate have a much bigger effect.