Penn State Energy and Environment News

Call for ambassadors for Research-to-Policy Collaboration program

| psu.edu

Research findings can often be underutilized in policymaking, leading to limited public benefit from taxpayer-funded research. A program at Penn State is offering scholars from across the country the opportunity to engage with policymakers to help research evidence and expertise inform policy decisions.

Knappenberger named chemistry department head

| psu.edu

Kenneth Knappenberger Jr., professor of chemistry, has been named the new head of the Penn State Department of Chemistry, effective July 1. Knappenberger succeeds Phil Bevilacqua, who has served as the head of the department since 2018.         

Robert J. Kumpf to present 2024 Richard E. Tressler Lecture on March 14

| psu.edu

The 2024 Richard E. Tressler Lecture in Materials will be held at 3:05 p.m. Thursday, March 14, in 111 Wartik Laboratory on the Penn State University Park campus. Robert J. Kumpf, managing director at Deloitte, will deliver the lecture, “The long history and bright future of applied materials science.”

2024 Climate Solutions Symposium registration open

| psu.edu

Registration is open for the 2024 Climate Solutions Symposium, which is designed to bring people together to stimulate projects and partnerships where Penn State’s interdisciplinary research strengths can inform and transform climate solutions.

Eco-poet ties narratives of protecting insects to larger themes of resilience

| psu.edu

Penn State Sustainability is hosting eco-poet and author Heather Swan, March 20-23, to explore the importance of insects and the work of those trying to protect them, as well as how these efforts can model more productive narratives about our global future.  

AI discovers how Arctic warming influences U.S. weather patterns

| earth.com

The consequences of the diminishing Arctic sea ice, particularly its effects on daily weather patterns across the U.S., are now more clear. This article quotes Assistant Professor of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, Melissa Gervais.

Penn State ranks first in Big Ten in sustainability performance

| onwardstate.com

The university jumped from a 2021 score of 74.49 to a 2024 score of 76.41, which is the highest rating among participating Big Ten universities.

A 'rain tax' spurs a storm of controversy in the Philly region, and a court case with broad implications

| inquirer.com

More towns around the country are charging stormwater fees. A court case may affect their future in Pennsylvania. This article quotes Andy Yencha, educator with Penn State Extension.

Penn State rates highly in the STARS sustainability performance rating

| psu.edu

Penn State’s University Park campus recently received notice of its fifth Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, with an improved gold rating — from a score of 74.49 in 2021, to 76.41 in 2024. This latest rating places Penn State at the top of participating Big Ten institutions in sustainability performance.

Study explores impacts of Arctic warming on daily weather patterns in the U.S.

| psu.edu

Arctic sea ice is shrinking as the world continues to warm, and a new study led by researchers at Penn State may provide a better understanding of how the loss of this ice may impact daily weather in the middle latitudes, like the United States.

Teaching excellence recognized in College of Agricultural Sciences

| psu.edu

Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has recognized seven faculty members for outstanding teaching in 2023.

Club connects students from diverse perspectives to learn about One Health

| psu.edu

Penn State's One Health Club seeks to connect students from any major, college or perspective who are interested in learning about the intersection of animal health, public health and environmental health.