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

Close up of hands clapping with chalk

News

Dynamic acoustics of hand clapping, elucidated

With high-speed cameras, researchers measured the physical forces involved in a handclap, with potential applications in bioacoustics and identification, whereby a handclap could be used to identify someone.

  • Biological and Environmental Engineering
  • Behavior
A participant immersing themselves in Black Spaces Matter, a traveling exhibition curated by Pamela Karimi that explores the historical post-industrial city of New Bedford (2017–2019).

News

Thirteen faculty members from across Cornell are being honored by the Einhorn Center for Community Engagement with this year’s Community-Engaged Practice and Innovation Awards.

  • Biological and Environmental Engineering
  • Energy
  • Climate Change
A woman standing in front of a tree smiling.

Field Note

In the summer of 2024, Lily Blyn, Cornell CALS’ Environmental Engineering ’25, interned with Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE), the PRO-DAIRY program and the Nutrient Management Spear Program (NMSP). Through these programs, she had the...
  • Cornell Cooperative Extension
  • Animal Science
  • Biological and Environmental Engineering