Environment & Sustainability

Found in lakes and rivers worldwide, single-celled creatures like these Paramecium bursaria can both eat and photosynthesize. Microbes like this play a double role in climate change, releasing or absorbing carbon dioxide -- the heat-trapping greenhouse gas that is the primary driver of warming -- depending on whether they rely on an animal-like lifestyle or a plant-like lifestyle. Credit: Daniel J. Wieczynski.

Connell Fullenkamp is researching ways to offset greenhouse gas emissions by putting a value on carbon-capturing creatures and plants, including elephants.

The 2023-24 Climate and Sustainability Teaching Fellows and Program Co-Leads. Top row, from
left: Sandra Valnes Quammen, Catherine Mathers, Valerie Sabol, Alex Glass (program co-lead),
Coral Giovacchini, Norbert Wilson. Middle row, from left: Siobhan Oca, Rebecca Vidra,
Christopher Sims, Robin Kirk, Natalie Kerr. Bottom row, from left: Laura Florand, Priscilla Wald
(program co-lead), Charlotte Clark (program co-lead), Denise Nepveux.

The 2023 Nakayama Scholars, clockwise from top left: Nhu Bui, Chloe Nguyen, Jacob Hervey, Grace Endrud and Ronit Sethi

In 787 communities served by the United States’ largest utilities, 17 percent of households struggle to afford basic water services. (Image NARA, via Wikimedia Commons)

Ariella Chukwuma

Toddi Steelman, left, will lead the Climate Commitment, with Lori Bennear taking on a two-year term as Nicholas School dean.

Newly elected Duke faculty to the National Academy of Sciences: Emily Bernhardt, Drew Shindell and Anne Yoder