Sustainability is a strategic initiative in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Below are the most current stories showcasing our college's sustainability efforts.
Subscribe to the Sustainability News listsesrv
New subscribers can join by sending mail to: L-EMS-SUSTAINABILITY-COUNCIL-NEWS-subscribe-request@lists.psu.edu
Melting ice falling snow: Sea ice declines enhance snowfall over West Antarctica
11/07/2023
11/07/2023
As the world continues to warm, Antarctica is losing ice at an increasing pace, but the loss of sea ice may lead to more snowfall over the ice sheets, partially offsetting contributions to sea level rise, according to Penn State scientists.
Collaborative landscape design approach may improve resiliency, human well-being
11/06/2023
11/06/2023
A newly proposed landscape stewardship framework may lead to a more resilient and adaptable environment and improved quality of life for people.
College of Earth and Mineral Sciences alumni panel discussion: ‘Be the Change’
10/30/2023
10/30/2023
The student committee of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Sustainability Council will host an alumni panel discussion, “Be the Change,” from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14, in 112 Walker Building on the University Park campus.
World Campus celebrates science and technology programs
10/30/2023
10/30/2023
Melissa Lopez has a passion to protect the Earth. She wanted to turn this passion into a career, but as a working parent, she had to temporarily put her goal on hold. When she learned about the Bachelor of Science in Energy and Sustainability Policy offered online through Penn State, she decided it was time to pursue her goal again.
Global Alumni Spotlight: Luis Alejandro Vergara
10/25/2023
10/25/2023
A career in sustainable agriculture was not what Luis Alejandro Vergara had originally envisioned for himself. When he came to Penn State, he started studying petroleum engineering, but he eventually switched and ended up graduating with a bachelor's degree in environmental systems engineering in 2017.
Penn State undergraduate students thrive in iPRISM research internship program
10/19/2023
10/19/2023
This summer, four undergraduate students from four different departments and two colleges at Penn State investigated new engineered living materials — materials that exhibit life-like features — for eight weeks in Germany.
Scientists develop new method to create stable, efficient next-gen solar cells
10/19/2023
10/19/2023
A new technique developed by a team of international scientists could simplify the development of efficient and stable perovskite solar cells, named for their unique crystalline structure that excels at absorbing visible light.
'Growing Impact' podcast explores solar energy at wastewater treatment plants
10/02/2023
10/02/2023
The latest episode of "Growing Impact" explores how wastewater treatment plants could use solar power to improve their environmental performance, their communities and their finances.
Weather-triggered asthma topic of Department of Geography 'Coffee Hour' talk
09/29/2023
09/29/2023
Luke Smith, assistant research professor and environmental epidemiologist at Penn State’s Social Science Research Institute, will discuss "Thunderstorms, Pollen and Severe Asthma in Minnesota 2007-18: Combining Data," at the Department of Geography's Coffee Hour lecture series.
No shortcuts: New approach may help extract more heat from geothermal reservoirs
09/19/2023
09/19/2023
A new technique proposed by Penn State scientists may help prevent “short-circuits” that can cause geothermal power plants to halt production, potentially improving the efficiency of geothermal power, the researchers said.