We live in a time when no part of the natural environment is untouched by human activities. Great strides have been made in addressing many of the natural resources and environmental problems caused by human activities; however, population growth and rising standards of living continue to stress the natural environment and generate a spectrum of environmental problems that need to be solved.

Environmental engineers are called upon to understand, arrange and manipulate biological, chemical, ecological, economic, hydrological, physical and social processes to balance our material needs with our impacts on the environment. Such are the challenges of sustainability, while global climate makes these tasks all the more important.

At Cornell, environmental engineering majors pursue these challenges in a joint program of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and College of Engineering.

Environmental Engineering News

Scenic view of McGraw Tower

News

Cornell Atkinson awards catalyze solutions in food, climate, clean energy

Atkinson Venture Fund awards have distributed $21.7 million to 223 projects spanning every college on Cornell’s campus over 15 years.

  • Cornell Atkinson
  • Biological and Environmental Engineering
  • Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Close up of blue microbes floating

News

Cornell geochemists and synthetic biologists have collaborated to improve the efficiency of microbes that can dissolve rocks to extract critical minerals while speeding carbon sequestration from air.

  • Biological and Environmental Engineering
  • Microbial biology
  • Environment
Cornell clock tower with cherry blossoms

News

Four Cornell faculty members have been awarded grants from the Bezos Earth Fund’s inaugural AI Grand Challenge for Climate and Nature. Among 1,200 global applicants, only 24 were selected – three from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences...
  • Lab of Ornithology
  • Animal Science
  • Biological and Environmental Engineering