News

  • Stressed Out Soils: Understanding Soil Health In An era of Multiple Global Change Factors

    Soils are the foundation of terrestrial ecosystems, performing a variety of functions that range from supporting agricultural industries and regulating nutrient cycles to storing most of Earth’s terrestrial carbon. However, soil communities and their associated functions are at risk because of increased climatic and anthropogenic pressures that are acting on soil ecosystems simultaneously. Many previous Read More [...]

  • Addressing Global Water Security Challenges: New Study Reveals Investment Opportunities and Readiness Levels

    NEW YORK, September 24, 2024 – Water scarcity, pollution, and the burden of waterborne diseases are urgent issues threatening global health and security. A recently published study in the journal Global Environmental Change highlights the pressing need for innovative economic strategies to bolster water security investments, focusing on the “enabling environment” that influences regional readiness Read More [...]

  • Charles Vörösmarty Selected as a 2024 AGU American Geophysical Union Fellow

    The award acknowledges researchers who have exhibited longstanding excellence in Earth and space science education. ASRC Environmental Science Initiative Founding Director Charles Vörösmarty won the AGU American Geophysical Union Fellow for Excellence in Earth and Space Science Education Award, which is given annually to a mid-career or senior scientist team, individual or group demonstrating a Read More [...]

  • Study Reveals Urban Trees Suffer More From Heat Waves and Drought Than Their Rural Counterparts

    The findings have implications for urban forestry and heat island management efforts. NEW YORK, August 7, 2024 — A recently published study in Ecological Applications details how trees in New York City and Boston are more negatively impacted by heat waves and drought than trees of the same species in nearby rural forests. The finding, Read More [...]

  • New CUNY-GLOBE Partnership Will Expand and Innovate NASA’s Environmental Science and Education Program Infrastructure

    The $11.1M award will provide enabling infrastructure for a diverse, global community. A team of researchers from the CUNY Graduate Center, the CUNY ASRC, Brooklyn College, Lehman College, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, and State University of New York at Fredonia has been selected to receive a highly competitive cooperative agreement award aimed at expanding Read More [...]

  • Prof. Brian Giebel’s Study Highlighted in NSF’s Transformative Projects List

    The National Science Foundation celebrated Earth Day, April 22, by highlighting NSF projects that are transforming how researchers understand plastic waste. Professor Brian Giebel, Environmental Sciences Initiative, kicked off the list with his project that studies how discarded plastics can affect soil health and function. The project, a collaboration beween Giebel and Professor Benjamin Bostick Read More [...]

  • Breaking the Cycle

    A new NASA grant will support the Environmental Science Initiative’s work to help address the link between climate change and extreme nitrogen cycles A team of ASRC researchers has been awarded a $2 million, three-year grant from NASA to investigate nitrogen flux runoff from the Mississippi River Basin into the Gulf of Mexico. Led by Read More [...]

  • Nanoscience Professor Xi Chen Awarded NSF Grant to Explore Harnessing Evaporation to Produce Clean Energy

    In the realm of renewable energy where solar, wind, and thermal sources take center stage, a new technology is quietly emerging: energy generation through evaporation. Though in its infancy, evaporation technology holds the potential to revolutionize the clean energy sector by providing an efficient, abundant, and cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels. Xi Chen, a professor Read More [...]

  • Centering Local Knowledge and Leadership Are Critical to Achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Water Security Goal

    Recently published paper coauthored by ASRC Environmental Science researchers details learnings from a global virtual marathon on water access. Water is one of the most critical and threatened resources in the face of climate change and environmental upset. So much so that addressing water security is among the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. That Read More [...]

  • Top Research Stories

    Every year, CUNY ASRC researchers challenge scientific limits and find the most creative ways to expand the world's understanding of the Earth that we inhabit. Here are 10 stories that offer a glimpse at some of the innovative work produced by our researchers. We hope these stories serve as motivation to pursue your goals and Read More [...]