Our blog features brief essays, expert commentary, op-eds, and Q&As that cover a wide variety of energy and environmental topics. Each entry is written by researchers from around Penn State, including faculty members and graduate students.
Honoring Women in STEM
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NameKristina Douglass - Profile Photo
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NameKaren A. Thole - Profile Photo
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NameBeth Ann Eberle - Profile Photo
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We are collecting stories from women in STEM to help inspire us all, but especially to show the world and the next generation the amazing things that women can do. Join us for the month of March, and beyond, as we honor women in STEM at Penn State.
Making the Invisible Visible: Groundwater and water insecurity in Pennsylvania
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March 22 is World Water Day, and this year’s theme—Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible—has Water Initiative Director Andrew Warner thinking of home… that is, Pennsylvania.
How a walk in the park could save the environment
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The dual mandate of providing for both human health and ecological health becomes a fine line to walk for outdoor recreation managers in the United States. However, there could be a potential pathway to understanding how outdoor recreation may support both human and environmental well-being.
Engineering diversity
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NameParis von Lockette
As a nation, we are not using our population, our personnel resources, broadly in the engineering enterprise. In the current terminology, our engineering workforce is not “diverse and inclusive.”
Nuclear waste's need for a new kind of cement
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Storing spent nuclear fuel rods has long been a challenge. But a new material that is being developed may help store nuclear waste more safely and for a longer time. It may also reduce carbon emissions by replacing an ingredient in concrete, a major greenhouse gas generator.
Indigenous knowledge is key to a sustainable future
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NameKristina Douglass
Traditional ecological knowledge held by Indigenous groups around the world is key to understanding resilience and cultural survival in the face of intensifying climate change. In fact, there are hundreds to thousands of years of knowledge that can be an important component of future climate research.
What is the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and how will it affect Pennsylvania?
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Emily Pakhtigian explains what the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is and how its adoption by Pennsylvania may impact the environment, economics, and wellbeing of PA communities.
Hydrofluorocarbons saved the ozone layer but are warming the earth
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Switching to hydrofluorocarbons led to ozone recovery, but there are drawbacks to hydrofluorocarbons, specifically global warming. Some in the building industry have taken notice of this issue and switched to a different chemical to apply insulation.
The world of energy is changing before our eyes
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The world of energy generation is changing. The industry is more aware of climate change and interested in renewables. Researchers are determined to find new solutions and build them collectively. And students are passionate about learning and impacting the future. In short, there is hope.
Communicating climate solutions at the intersections of science and art
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Scientists are continually looking to expand how they communicate their science. Laura Guertin found that through art—specifically, quilting—she is able to share her science and engage in conversations around climate change.