Precision agriculture technologies can improve efficiency on smaller farms
Tag: Sustainability
Foundation donates $1 million to UCI’s Henry Samueli School of Engineering
Irvine, Calif., June 24, 2020 – The Lincoln Dynamic Foundation, created by University of California, Irvine alumnus John D. Lincoln, has made a $1 million gift to the university’s Henry Samueli School of Engineering to establish the World Institute for Sustainable Development of Materials. The new institute will advance interdisciplinary research, education and knowledge translation in an effort to innovate, evaluate and adopt technologies that utilize safer, nontoxic chemicals and materials, with the goal of mitigating environmental impacts.
Steep NYC traffic toll would reduce gridlock, pollution
Cornell University and the City College of New York research shows that by creating steep tolls for cars to enter Manhattan, traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced.
Love orchids? Thank their fungus.
Since few resources are available to protect orchids, many of which are endangered species, one biology student is developing new ways to sustain them.
Rutgers Expert Can Discuss Earthwise Lawn and Landscape Care, Farming
New Brunswick, N.J. (June 15, 2020) – Rutgers University–New Brunswick Professor William T. Hlubik is available for interviews on environmentally friendly lawn and landscape care, sustainable gardening and agriculture, home and commercial vegetable and small fruit production, and how to…
Reusing chicken litter shows benefits
Beneficial bacteria in reused poultry litter can reduce Salmonella levels
New smart parking software cuts congestion, emissions
New smart parking software developed by Cornell University researchers, which matches drivers with parking garage spots based on travel time and other factors, could reduce congestion and emissions while saving drivers the time of circling to look for available spots.
What’s being done to restore wetlands?
Restoration projects bring back the ecological and societal benefits of wetland ecosystems
Tepary Bean: A New Crop for the Southern Great Plains
Research identifies tepary bean and guar as potential summer forages
Total revamp needed to secure the future of Aussie tourism
A complete reset of Australia’s tourism industry is necessary to ensure its future success, according to global tourism expert, Professor Marianna Sigala at the University of South Australia.
Protecting American wheat fields
Scientists protect American wheat from aphids – using resistant varieties from Iran
Oyster Farming and Shorebirds Likely Can Coexist
Oyster farming as currently practiced along the Delaware Bayshore does not significantly impact four shorebirds, including the federally threatened red knot, which migrates thousands of miles from Chile annually, according to a Rutgers-led study. The findings, published in the journal Ecosphere, likely apply to other areas around the country including the West Coast and Gulf Coast, where oyster aquaculture is expanding, according to Rutgers experts who say the study can play a key role in identifying and resolving potential conflict between the oyster aquaculture industry and red knot conservation groups.
New recycling method could make polyurethane sustainable
Researchers report in ACS Central Science a way to recycle used polyurethanes into equivalent or even higher-value items.
American University Eliminates All Public Fossil Fuel Investments from Its Endowment
American University has divested all of its public fossil fuel investments from its endowment.
UCI faculty create curricula for kids worldwide confined by coronavirus
Irvine, Calif., April 22, 2020 – On this Earth Day, the United Nations is announcing the start of a new environmental education program for the world’s 1.5 billion youth who are confined to their homes to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and unable to physically attend school. Earth School – sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme and TED-Ed and supported by numerous global organizations such as UNESCO, the National Geographic Society and the World Wildlife Fund – will include teaching modules developed and delivered by faculty from three University of California, Irvine schools.
Argonne makes everyday Earth Day
As April 22 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory lists its Top 10 green projects, setting itself as an example of honoring every day as Earth Day.
Amid pandemic, climate scientists imagine Earth Day 2070
Their responses underscore the reality of a world in concurrent crises, an undeniable need for action now and hope for the future.
Merchandising expert available to comment on sustainable fashion for Earth Day
From carbon emissions to unwanted clothing going to the landfill, the fashion industry is among the most polluting on the planet. Earth Day presents an opportunity for consumers to more critically consider the ramifications of the wardrobes they maintain. Mary…
SAS and IIASA call for crowd-driven artificial intelligence to help track deforestation
On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, SAS and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis join forces to transform crowdsourced knowledge into actionable intelligence to help protect the planet.
Faster-degrading plastic could promise cleaner seas
To address plastic pollution plaguing the world’s seas and waterways, Cornell University chemists have developed a new polymer that can degrade by ultraviolet radiation, according to research published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
University of Utah exceeds federal energy reduction commitment
The U.S. Department of Energy confirmed the University of Utah has exceeded its goal to reduce energy use by 20 percent by 2020, as part of the Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge. The U achieved energy savings of 25% across 17 million square feet of building space since 2008, the base year for the commitment.
Earth Day 2020: The Human Element
Fifty years ago, San José State University alumnus and Wisconsin senator Gaylord Nelson established the first Earth Day, which took place across the country on April 22. But what does Earth Day 2020 look like in the midst of a global pandemic? We asked Steve LaDochy, Ph.D., professor of geosciences and environment at Cal State LA, an expert in air pollution and climate, to reflect on the ways in which our human impact has become even more clear in recent weeks, and how it could inform our future actions.
Study describes cocktail of pharmaceuticals in waters in Bangladesh
An analysis revealed that water samples held a cocktail of pharmaceuticals and other compounds, including antibiotics, antifungals, anticonvulsants, anesthetics, antihypertensive drugs, pesticides, flame retardants and more. Not all chemicals were found at every test site.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension Offers “Earth Day at Home” Webinar Series
New Brunswick, N.J. (April 16, 2020) – In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, Rutgers Cooperative Extension will offer an “Earth Day at Home” webinar series. The webinars, on Mondays from April 20 to June…
NUS food scientists ‘upcycle’ unsold bread into tasty probiotic drink and cuts food waste
A team of food scientists from the National University of Singapore has cooked up an innovative solution to reduce bread waste by using a novel fermentation process to ‘upcycle’ surplus bread into a beverage fortified with gut-friendly micro-organisms.
Start your garden right
An ounce of preparation in the spring for a summer of garden bounty.
Rutgers Experts Can Discuss Emissions, Climate Change During COVID-19 Crisis
New Brunswick, N.J. (April 13, 2020) – Rutgers University–New Brunswick experts are available for interviews on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on greenhouse gas emissions, climate change and efforts to promote a greener economy and lifestyles. “During the 2007…
How are coastal farmers responding to salty soils?
Saltwater intrusion means farmers must adapt their management practices.
Renewables take a blow from coronavirus, but recovery expected
Wind, solar and battery industries have suffered with the spread of the coronavirus and reports from industry leaders forecast cutbacks and erasing of growth. John Tobin is professor of practice at the SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University,…
In face of pandemic, Barclays climate resolution reflects long-term climate threat
Amidst a global public health and economic crisis brought on by the fast spreading novel coronavirus, British investment bank and financial services company, Barclays, announced on Monday its plans for a climate finance resolution. The bank plans to bring down…
Georgia Tech Professor Uses Virtual Reality to Move Major Conference Online
For the first time in its 26-year history, the IEEE VR conference will meet in an all-virtual environment, a change prompted by the need to support social distancing recommendations related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why do farmers care about conservation?
Long-term farm success depends on sustainable practices.
Nature-Inspired Green Energy Technology Clears Important Development Hurdle
A new design has put the long-sought idea of artificial photosynthesis within reach
Trump floodplain buyout plan bold, but ‘uncoordinated’
The Trump administration is pushing cities to use eminent domain in order to remove homeowners from flood zones — threatening to withhold federal funds those municipalities need to combat climate change if the cities refuse. Linda Shi, assistant professor in…
Researchers provide insight on how our notion of the environment has changed since the inception of Earth Day 50-years ago
Since Earth Day’s inception in 1970, there’s been some major success in legislation and an increased awareness of the climate and environment. However, the work is far from over. In preparation of Earth Day’s 50th celebration, Arizona State University is…
Cover crops can benefit hot, dry soils
Soil gets more than just “cover” from cover crops.
ESF is First College in New York to Sign Plastic Ban Pledge
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is the first college in New York state to sign the #breakfreefromplastic pledge committing to develop a roadmap to a plastic-free campus by 2025. Students drive the college’s zero-waste efforts.
Freeze in NYC sea wall study delays funding, solutions for at-risk coastline
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has abruptly ended a study of strategies to protect the New York-New Jersey coastline from rising seas and future devastating storms such as Hurricane Sandy that flooded coastal communities and killed scores of…
Preparing Plants for our Future Climate
Study investigates plant behavior when exposed to higher carbon dioxide levels.
UN GLOBAL COMPACT NETWORK USA SEEKS PROFESSIONALS COMMITTED TO ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
The UN Global Compact Network USA is seeking applicants for this year’s SDG Pioneers program from businesses and other organizations worldwide. Nominate an SDG Pioneer from your organization today!
How do my food choices affect the environment?
Every action counts – no food is impact-free.
Fighting climate change at the sink: A guide to greener dishwashing
If you’re an environmentally conscious consumer, you’ve probably heard that today’s highly efficient dishwashers use less energy and water than traditional hand-washing techniques.
Around the world, Cornell fellows guide climate action
More than 1,200 international professionals from about 25 countries applied to participate as members of the spring 2019 and fall 2019 cohorts of the Cornell Climate Online Fellows. About 35 individuals per semester were selected. The fellows participate in weekly conference calls and lectures; read articles on social influence; communicate via email; post on Facebook; and chat via WhatsApp.
Britain’s ambitious shift to electric vehicles poised to have dramatic health, environmental impacts
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced this week that Britain will ban the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars beginning in 2035 — five years earlier than their initial commitment. Oliver Gao, professor of civil and environmental engineering, is the…
More grocery stores means less food waste — and a big carbon cut
One strategy for reducing food waste’s environmental impact is as counterintuitive as it is straightforward: Open more grocery stores.
If it takes a hike, riders won’t go for bike sharing
Even a relatively short walk to find the nearest bicycle is enough to deter many potential users of bike sharing systems, new Cornell research suggests.
Taal volcano threatens life, climate, agriculture
CORNELL UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICEJan. 22, 2020 Taal volcano threatens life, climate, agriculture The Taal volcano in the Philippines has eased its dramatic spewing of ash, but researchers monitoring the volcano say the possibility of a major eruption remains. Esteban…
Major NSF-sponsored grant will help researchers discover ways to improve urban sustainability
A new $2.5 million grant will help an interdisciplinary team of researchers analyze innovative approaches to improving urban sustainability. The team will study various approaches to bolstering local food production in Des Moines and the surrounding area and how those approaches could affect nutrition, waste and environmental impacts.
Native Americans did not make large-scale changes to environment prior to European contact
Contrary to long-held beliefs, humans did not make major changes to the landscape prior to European colonization, according to new research conducted in New England featuring faculty at Binghamton University, State University of New York. These new insights into the past could help to inform how landscapes are managed in the future.
Rutgers Expert Available to Discuss Climate Change Impacts on Land, Wildfires and Solutions
New Brunswick, N.J. (Jan. 15, 2020) – Rutgers University–New Brunswick Professor Pamela McElwee is available for interviews on climate change impacts on land, including increasing wildfires such as in Australia and California, and solutions. She is scheduled to testify before…