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 Cornell Duffield Engineering.

Environmental Engineering News

Lirong Xiang/Provided Cornell researchers stand with an autonomous biosecurity system in a tomato greenhouse. With support from a 2026 Academic Venture Fund, they will develop robotic and diagnostic technologies to improve early detection of plant diseases and strengthen climate-resilient greenhouse agriculture.

News

Cornell Atkinson awards drive progress in tech, ag, sustainability

Cornell Atkinson has awarded $900k to support six new research projects that seek to protect coral reefs, improve greenhouse agriculture and understand whether wildfires affect disease spread.

  • Cornell Atkinson
  • Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment
  • Biological and Environmental Engineering
Cornell facilities staff answer questions from students in a tour of Olin Hall's mechanical room.

News

For the latest advance in sustainability on Cornell’s campus, look to the new heat recovery systems atop Olin Hall, Duffield Hall and the Biotechnology Building.

  • Biological and Environmental Engineering
  • Environment
Sunny Jung (left) places a tomato in a prototype bubbler for cleaning produce while Yany Lin films the experiment with a camera.

News

A bubble bath with a constant acoustic sound in the water may be the best chemical-free, gentle method for cleaning agricultural produce.

  • Biological and Environmental Engineering