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.


Book addresses future of local and global agri-food systems

A new open-access book constitutes the most authoritative study on the future of local and global agri-food systems, exploring the challenges of today and envisioning potential food systems scenarios through 2070.

Startups flourish in Cornell’s clean energy ecosystem

Clean energy entrepreneurs and startups find an innovative, powerful ecosystem at Cornell that supports the transition to a sustainable, decarbonized economy.

Light-infused particles go the distance in organic semiconductors

A Cornell-led project found a way to tune the speed and increase the range of energy flow in organic semiconductors, an approach that could eventually lead to more efficient solar cells, sensors and LEDs.

New Regional Bird Guides Simplify Identification

There’s a brand-new series of seven field guides to help people learn about the birds found in their region of the United States and Canada. The All About Birds Regional Field-Guide Series is built upon information from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's All About Birds website, used by more than 20 million people each year.  

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Sustainable Business certificate tackles much more than environmental issues

The Cornell SC Johnson College of Business is partnering with eCornell to launch an online certificate in sustainable business to help managers think more holistically about the social and environmental impacts of business.

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Privatization, poverty threaten water affordability

An analysis of the 500 largest city water systems in the U.S. found private ownership contributed to significantly higher water bills and lower affordability for low-income households.

Swelling colloids could fix short circuits in geothermal wells

Swelling colloids – mixtures, such as milk and paint, in which particles are suspended in a substance and which can grow up to 100 times larger under certain temperatures – could be used to fix flow pathways in underground geothermal systems, a problem that has hobbled investment in geothermal energy.

Rare, endangered insects illegally for sale online

A survey has found that endangered and threatened insects and spiders, as well as common species that provide valuable ecological services, can be easily purchased – without adequate oversight – through basic internet searches, according to a new Cornell study.

Library deal to stimulate open access

Library strikes "read-and-publish" access with Cambridge University Press.

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