A study supported by a Rutgers-led consortium shows climate change is reshaping coastal flood risks worldwide Rising seas are increasing the frequency of coastal flooding in many parts of the world, prompting researchers to better understand the role of human-caused climate change in those regions. Until now, scientists have had limited ability to quantify how much climate change contributes to …
You’ve probably seen products labeled “biodegradable” or “compostable” at the store and assumed they were better for the planet than regular plastic. But a new study suggests it’s not that simple. Researchers reviewed dozens of studies on bioplastics — plastics made from plant or biological materials rather than fossil fuels — to find out whether they live up to their …
Congratulations to RCEI affiliate Carmelo Ignaccolo for his upcoming role as a 2026-27 Provost Teaching Fellow in Provost’s Teaching Fellows Program. The program supports pedagogical innovations designed to improve learning outcomes for our students. The Office of the Provost launched this initiative to support faculty excellence and student success through the adoption of new practices and redesigned courses. Find the full list …
The Rutgers Department of 4-H Youth Development and the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve (JCNERR) have launched a multi-year initiative designed to engage New Jersey educators, students, and community partners in climate resilience planning and action. The project is part of EduCATE (Education, Climate Awareness, Training, and Engagement), a program within New Jersey’s broader Building a Climate Ready NJ …
More than half of the games in the soccer tournament are being played on turfgrass bred by a Rutgers team of experts While soccer fans watch their favorite teams compete at this summer’s World Cup, Rutgers University’s plant biologists will be looking under the players’ cleats—eyeing the lush, green natural turfgrass they created. Ten of the tournament’s 16 soccer stadiums …
What if a walk across campus could be as restorative as it is educational? That question is inspiring a new vision for the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS), where faculty, students, and campus leaders are exploring how the grounds of the George H. Cook Campus might evolve into a Health and Wellness Arboretum—a living landscape that supports …
He roamed the Earth thousands of years ago, navigating his massive, elephant-like body through North American forests and using his tusks to strip the bark off trees for his dinner. Even in death, he captivated anyone who saw him: New Jerseyans paid 10 cents apiece to view his big bones at county fairs and circuses in the 19th century. Now, …
When people think of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, images of turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, pristine jungles and ancient Mayan cities often come to mind. Yet beyond these iconic landscapes lies a region where tropical forests, agricultural lands and local communities are navigating the complex realities of environmental change. A Rutgers-led international research collaboration is helping to better understand those challenges while …
An article from E&E News examines the growing disconnect between worsening climate change impacts and the lack of political attention in Washington. The piece explains that while scientists are raising increasingly urgent warnings—such as accelerating global warming, shrinking Arctic ice, intensifying El Niño effects, and the potential collapse of major ocean currents—U.S. policymakers are largely focused elsewhere, particularly on energy …
The world is losing plants, animals, and ecosystems at an alarming rate, with several causes of this biodiversity decline including habitat loss, climate change, and overexploitation. However, reversing these trends will likely require substantial amounts of funding. Experts estimate the gap between what’s currently being spent on biodiversity protection and what’s actually needed is at least $700 billion per year. …
