Stories

An agricultural drainage ditch in a field.

Climate change has cost 7 years of ag productivity growth

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.

STARS platinum rating

Cornell earns STARS platinum sustainability rating

Cornell has earned a platinum sustainability rating—the top status—from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), the international group that tracks environmental stewardship for more than 1,000 college campuses.

Commitment to Sustainability

Research and engagement

Sheep on a solar farm.

Engage public, explore methods to secure NY green energy

New research by Max Zhang says that solar-power developers should explore lower-quality agricultural land and engage communities early to meet NY green energy goals.
A fisherman checks his gear in a Cambodian rice field fishery.

Human behavior must be factored into climate change analyses

A new study examines how temperature affects fishing patterns in Cambodia, with important implications for understanding climate change.
The Kaveri River in India.

Study exposes global ripple effects of regional water scarcity

The study finds that not only can localized water shortages impact the global economy, but changes in global demand send ripple effects to water basins worldwide.
A rural barn and stream.

Local planners play key role in conserving biodiversity

Research led by Shorna Allred finds that training and resources to support municipal officials can help incorporate biodiversity into local land use planning.

Thought Leaders in Sustainability

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Jefferson Tester studies sustainable energy systems, with a focus on geothermal and biomass energy research.

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CONSERVATION OUTREACH

Amanda Rodewald works to generate, apply and communicate science that advances ecological understanding.

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SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS

John Tobin is an expert on environmental and energy economics and corporate sustainability.

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CITY & REGIONAL PLANNING

Mildred Warner is an expert on how to promote environmental sustainability at the local level.

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SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

Fengqi You focuses on developing models and tools for smart manufacturing, digital agriculture, energy systems and sustainability.

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MARINE ECOLOGY

Drew Harvell studies the sustainability of marine ecosystems and the impacts of climate and ocean change.

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ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Max Zhang studies sustainable energy systems and the effects of nanoparticle pollution on air quality and climate change.

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WILDLIFE HEALTH AND POLICY

Steven Osofsky directs the Wildlife Health Cornell Center of Excellence, which takes an interdisciplinary approach to wildlife health.

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Earth and Atmospheric Science

Natalie Mahowald examines feedbacks in the earth system that impact climate change, such as desert dust and the carbon cycle.

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For more thought leaders in sustainability, contact:

Office of Media Relations

Our campuses are living laboratories for sustainability and climate change research.