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.


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. 

New program launches to train sustainable agricultural finance leaders

Hosted by the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability and Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, a new leadership program aims to equip professionals with the tools to scale sustainable agriculture.

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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.

Turning apple waste into profit and protein

Mmm, what's in these meatballs? A secret ingredient that would improve human health as well as apple producers' bottom line.

Cornell Atkinson and NGO partners announce dairy sustainability awards

Cornell Atkinson, The Nature Conservancy, Clean Air Task Force and Environmental Defense Fund have awarded grants to five research projects that aim to improve sustainability in the dairy industry.

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New research may help offshore energy be more bird-friendly

A new study found that bird migration over coastal waters in North America occurs on fewer nights compared to migration over land, varying in intensity depending on the season.