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

A blue gloves hand holding a beaker of chemicals.

News

Potential microbes and genes that impact forever chemicals identified

A study identifies microbes that potentially play important roles in breaking down harmful PFAS chemicals and points to functional genes that may be involved.

  • Biological and Environmental Engineering
  • Planet
  • Microbiology
A fox jumps headfirst into snow.

News

When hunting for mice in winter, red and artic fox are known to plunge headfirst into snow but their sharp noses reduce the impact force and protect them from injury, according to a new study.

  • Biological and Environmental Engineering
  • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  • Animals
White text on a blue background that reads "SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence."

News

Nine students and recent graduates representing Cornell’s four contract colleges were selected to receive the 2024 State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. 

  • Biological and Environmental Engineering
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Environment