President Biden is pitching a $174 billion investment in electric vehicles on Tuesday during a visit to a Ford EV plant in Michigan. The administration aims to incentivize sales of EVs through consumer rebates, while sparking new battery production facilities…
Tag: Sustainability
Cornell startup’s sustainable tech takes food farther
Farther Farms has created the world’s first commercially available french fries that don’t need freezing or refrigeration, with innovative technology developed at Cornell University.
Only 17 percent of free-flowing rivers are protected, new research shows
New research published in special issue of Sustainability co-edited by NAU researcher finds that biodiversity commitments will be key to freshwater protection
Breeding a better chickpea
Genomics research helps develop high-yielding, drought tolerant lines of chickpea
Researchers unveil roadmap to expand NY solar energy, meet green goals
Solar-power developers need to explore using lower-quality agricultural land for solar energy, incentivize dual-use (combined agriculture and solar) options, avoid concentrated solar development and engage communities early to achieve New York’s green energy goals, according to forthcoming Cornell University research.
Human behavior must be factored into climate change analyses
A new Cornell University-led study examines how temperature affects fishing behavior and catches among inland fisher households in Cambodia, with important implications for understanding climate change.
Helpful, engineered ‘living’ machines in the future?
Engineered soft autonomous materials that respond to stimuli hold great potential for a variety of applications from maintaining infrastructure to cleaning the environment.
Tracking Nitrate in Farm Fields
Nitrogen is essential for crops, but when it gets into the water supply, it spells big trouble. Scientists are trying to help farmers strike the right balance by measuring their fields.
Chula Proudly Represents Thailand as a University for Sustainability No.1 in ASIA, No. 23rd in the World
Chula’s body of work on “Social Innovation” has solidified its claim to fame as “No.1 in Asia and No.23rd in the World” (the highest-ranking that any Thai university has ever received) by the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking 2021. THE is an impactful world-class ranking of 1,115 universities worldwide, and THE Impact Rankings are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Future Looks Bright for Infinitely Recyclable Plastic
Plastics are ubiquitous, but they’re not practical. Less than 10% are recycled, and the other ~8 billion tons are creating a pollution crisis. A Berkeley Lab team is determined to change that. A new analysis shows producing and recycling their game-changing new plastic could be easy and cheap enough to leave old plastics in the dust.
Sasin Renovates Sasa Patasala Building for the “Gen S” Education
Bangkok March 22, 2021 – Sasin School of Management, the first internationally accredited business school in Thailand, has revamped the entire first and second floors of Sasa Patasala Building, providing flexible work spaces to complement the classrooms. The new world-class, user-oriented facilities are flexible, reconfigurable, and will serve many needs. The renovation was made possible by a generous donation from the alumni.
How are vineyards in California following sustainable practices?
California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance programs promote sustainability
UAlbany Experts Available to Speak on Earth Day Topics
ALBANY, N.Y. (April 21, 2021) – Tomorrow marks the annual tradition known as “Earth Day,” a global movement to demonstrate the importance of environmental protection. This year’s celebration could not be timelier with increasingly extreme weather events such as wildfires…
George Washington University Experts Available for Interviews on Climate Change, Air Pollution and Sustainability
WASHINGTON (April 16, 2021) — For Earth Day 2021, President Joe Biden has invited 40 world leaders to take part in a virtual summit to focus on solutions for climate change and other environmental problems. The George Washington University has experts who…
‘Our Changing Menu’: Warming climate serves up meal remake
How will climate change affect the world’s dinner plates?
CSU Campus Construction Projects and Practices Lauded for Safety and Sustainability
Annual CSU Facilities Management Conference honored three campuses for sustainable practices and five for safety in construction.
Breeding barley for a changing climate
Scientists uncover genetic traits to breed better barley for northern environments
Biden’s offshore wind goals ‘exactly what US needs’
Yesterday, the Biden administration announced a plan to designate a priority offshore wind zone between Long Island and New Jersey as part of a larger effort to overhaul U.S. energy production and fight climate change. Lara Skinner is the director of…
Study exposes global ripple effects of regional water scarcity
An integrated model of climate and human activity suggests water scarcity can have economic ripple effects across the globe – sometimes amplifying economic harm, sometimes even providing benefits to distant regions. The model informs the management of regional water resources and economic adaptation
Rhinos win with world’s first wildlife bond, but biodiversity crisis looms
The world’s first wildlife conservation bond will be sold by the World Bank this year — meant to raise sufficient funds to boost the endangered black rhinoceros population in South Africa. John Tobin is an expert on environmental and energy…
A leader’s gender plays a role in local government sustainability policymaking
When it comes to local government, does the gender of a mayor or county executive matter in sustainability policymaking? Yes, but only in certain ways, according to new research from Binghamton University, State University of New York.
Strengthening water resources planning in East Africa
IIASA researchers worked with local stakeholders from the East African Community to explore and co-develop regional water scenarios that can enhance understanding of the up- and downstream water sector interactions in the extended Lake Victoria Basin.
Plastomics and Evogene’s Ag-Seed division enter a collaborative agreement targeting novel insect control traits for soybean
Plastomics, Inc. and Evogene Ltd.’s Ag-Seed division announced a collaboration agreement targeting novel insect control traits for soybean. .
Helping stevia brave the cold
The popular stevia sweetener comes from a tropical crop. New research is helping find the varieties that can grow in colder climates.
Cheaper, greener particle accelerators will speed innovation
A team of scientists at the Center for Bright Beams (CBB) – a National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center led by Cornell University – are working on the next generation of superconducting materials that will greatly reduce the costs associated with operating large particle accelerators and lessen their environmental impact.
Nation’s first green hydrogen ‘energy station’ expected 2022
Catalyzed by a Cornell University grant and Cornell sustainability research over the past decade, energy storage company Standard Hydrogen Corporation (SHC) and National Grid announced plans March 11 to build the first hydrogen “energy station” of its kind in the nation. The SHC Energy Transfer System will be built in New York’s Capital Region; completion is expected by late 2022.
Manure improves soil and microbe community
Manure improves soil and microbe community
Chickpea genetics reduce need for chemicals
Researchers uncover natural disease resistance in chickpeas as a harmful pathogen develops resistance to fungicide.
To sustain a thriving café culture, we must ditch the disposable cup.
Takeaway coffees – they’re a convenient start for millions of people each day, but while the caffeine perks us up, the disposable cups drag us down, with nearly 300 billion ending up in landfill each year.
While most coffee drinkers are happy to make a switch to sustainable practices, new research from the University of South Australia shows that an absence of infrastructure and a general ‘throwaway’ culture is severely delaying sustainable change.
New sustainable building simulation method points to the future of design
A team from Cornell University’s Environmental Systems Lab has put forth a new framework for injecting as much information as possible into the pre-design and early design phases of a building project, potentially saving architects and design teams time and money down the road.
Bill Gates shines spotlight on carbon-emitting cement and need for something new
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has written a new book titled “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster,” and in it he argues that we need to get serious about changing the way we produce cement if we’re going to tackle climate…
Tufts Enacts Investment Policies to Advance Sustainability
Tufts University has announced it will prohibit direct investment in coal and tar sands companies as part of a multi-part plan to support sustainability. Additional actions include investing up to $25 million in positive impact funds related to climate change over 5 years.
Cataloguing genetic information about yams
New collection of resources will help yam breeders and farmers
Reviewing the importance of International Year of Plant Health
Protecting plants helps the United Nations meet many of its sustainable development goals
Some food contamination starts in the soil
Rice husk residue can prevent uptake of harmful elements in rice
Urban agroforestry and its potential integration into city planning efforts
Healthy food production, erosion prevention among many benefits
Rutgers Legal Expert Available to Discuss Environmental, Climate Change Priorities
New Brunswick, N.J. (Jan. 21, 2021) – Rutgers University Professor Cymie R. Payne, an expert on United States and international environmental laws, is available for interviews on how the administration of President Biden can strengthen laws and regulations and efforts to…
Stealing the spotlight in the field and kitchen
New dry beans from UC Davis combine desirable qualities for both farmers and consumers
Framework sheds light on nitrogen loss of producing common food items
Differences in nitrogen loss intensity between livestock and crops confirm the need for change.
Rutgers Experts Available to Discuss Addressing Climate Change, Environmental Protection in 2021
New Brunswick, N.J. (Jan. 12, 2021) – Rutgers University–New Brunswick professors Robert E. Kopp and Pamela McElwee are available for interviews on how President-elect Joe Biden and his incoming administration could strengthen efforts to address climate change and protect the environment. Kopp, a professor in…
Cattle grazing and soybean yields
Each corn harvest leaves behind leaves, husks and cobs. Research shows cattle can take advantage of this food resource without damaging field productivity.
Cornell CALS dean advises on carbon removal strategies
Benjamin Z. Houlton, the dean of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, joined a panel helping to identify key pathways for terrestrial carbon dioxide removal that merit further investment.
NYS can achieve 2050 carbon goals. Here’s how.
By delving into scientific, technological, environmental and economic data, Cornell University engineering researchers examined whether New York could achieve a statewide carbon-free economy by 2050. Their finding: Yes, New York can reach this goal – and do it with five years to spare.
Engineers go microbial to store energy, sequester CO2
By borrowing nature’s blueprints for photosynthesis, Cornell University bioengineers have found a way to efficiently absorb and store large-scale, low-cost renewable energy from the sun – while sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide to use later as a biofuel.
Planning Ahead Protects Fish and Fisheries
Conservation of fish and other marine life migrating from warming ocean waters will be more effective and also protect commercial fisheries if plans are made now to cope with climate change, according to a Rutgers-led study in the journal Science Advances.
Roadmap offers solutions for future of food, global ag innovation
To deflect future world food crises created by climate change, a Cornell University-led international group has created a road map for global agricultural and food systems innovation.
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory receives two national environmental awards
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory received two national awards for its sustainability efforts, including a DOE Sustainability Award for instituting a water treatment method that is safer for wildlife and a gold EPEAT Award for purchasing 97 percent EPEAT-certified electronics.
How can various cultivars influence the history of a crop?
Older crops like Madsen wheat have lasting legacy
Keeping California a powerhouse of almond production
Research shows nitrogen efficiency and productivity not a tradeoff
Walmart adopts Cornell tool to quantify emissions in crop production
An important tactic for slowing climate change is for private companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, but knowing exactly how much they’re emitting can be a challenge. Working with Walmart Inc., Cornell University researchers have developed an online greenhouse gas emissions accounting tool to help quantify these emissions in crop production.