An article from The New York Times examines a major shift in climate science: researchers have decided to retire one of the most widely used and alarming emissions scenarios, known as RCP8.5, and replace it with updated projections. This change has sparked debate among scientists, policymakers, and the public about whether climate risks have been overstated—and how to better communicate …
When fire tore through Los Angeles County in January 2025, westerly winds blew most of the smoke and ash over the Pacific, keeping the main measure of air quality, total mass of particles smaller than 2.5 microns, at or near normal levels. But a study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials found the particles floating while the fires burned differed sharply from ordinary …
For eight Rutgers students, the George Washington University Planet Forward Environmental Storyfest in April was more than a conference. It was an opportunity to show how science storytelling can transform complex research into deeply human stories that connect with audiences far beyond the laboratory. Representing the university at one of the nation’s leading gatherings for environmental communicators, the students presented Research …
To understand how Earth’s climate is changing, we first need to understand how it has changed before. One of the best tools for doing that sits at the bottom of the ocean — tiny, fossilized shells of microscopic, single celled creatures called foraminifera. A new study published in the journal Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology takes a closer look at how reliably …
Congratulations to RCEI affiliate Angela Oberg for receiving the Moves DuMonde Sustainability Award for her transformative and impactful work at Rutgers University! Starting off as an undergraduate premed, philosophy, and biology major, her winding path to eventually becoming a sustainability professional in higher education included a Master’s in Landscape Architecture and 10 years of working in the environmental planning industry. …
More than 20 faculty from SEBS and NJAES completed the inaugural “Charting Your Research Pathway” workshop series hosted by the SEBS/NJAES Office of Research this past March. Over six weeks, participants refined their Rutgers research visions, explored new funding opportunities, and received individualized guidance and support from the Office of Research. “I’m already pursuing concrete research collaborations that grew directly from this …
RCEI affiliate Ximing Guo, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences (DMCS) at Rutgers University, has been honored by the Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin (WRA) with its 2026 Samuel S. Baxter Memorial Award. The award recognizes individuals who best exemplify WRA’s mission through contributions to sound water management. A renowned shellfish geneticist, Guo …
A tree-planting initiative brings hundreds together to transform underused campus land into a fast-growing native ecosystem On a patch of Livingston campus once covered in asphalt, Rutgers University-New Brunswick students are planting the beginnings of a forest, one designed not just to grow quickly but to bring people into the work of reforestation. The transformation is part of the Livingston Abandoned …
Noĕmie Denis, a doctoral student in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, is a multiple ScarletPitch award winner for her research related to polymer-ceramic composites. Her recognition includes competitions within Rutgers and internationally. For Rutgers students, the annual campus-wide ScarletPitch competition is an opportunity to receive early validation for ideas and concepts, while connecting with mentors, alumni, and industry …
An article from Gothamist explains the growing political and policy conflict in New Jersey over new coastal development regulations designed to address climate change and rising sea levels. The rules—known as the REAL (Resilient Environments and Landscapes) regulations—aim to make coastal communities safer by factoring in future climate risks like sea level rise and stronger storm surges, rather than relying …
