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 […]
Environmental Sciences
CHAMP Initiative Combines Climate Science and Storytelling to Address Urban Heat
As summer temperatures climb, so does the risk of extreme heat—now recognized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States. In cities such as Camden, where buildings, pavement, and other infrastructure trap heat and create higher temperatures than surrounding areas, understanding the impacts of urban […]
Rutgers-Trained Scientist and NOAA Researcher Is Named New Jersey State Climatologist
John Krasting, a Rutgers-trained climate scientist whose career has spanned broadcast meteorology, climate modeling and sea-level research, has been named the New Jersey state climatologist, succeeding David Robinson, who is retiring after 35 years in the role. Krasting, whose name is pronounced to rhyme with “lasting,” will begin July 1 as an extension specialist in […]
Longtime NOAA Researcher John Krasting Named Incoming New Jersey State Climatologist
Announcement by Laura Lawson, SEBS Executive Dean and NJAES Executive Director. Dear Colleagues, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. John Krasting as New Jersey State Climatologist, effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Krasting is joining Rutgers University–New Brunswick as an Extension Specialist in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the School of Environmental […]
Rutgers Researchers Expand Global Climate and Forest Science Collaboration in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula
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 […]
Researchers Present Blueprint for Joint Meteorology and Atmospheric Composition Program
A study published by the W. M. Keck Institute for Space Studies in collaboration with Rutgers University, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the California Institute of Technology, presents a roadmap for harnessing global-scale trace gas and atmospheric wind observations to improve the monitoring, attribution and mitigation of the greenhouse gases that drive climate change. The […]
Kyle Barreiro SEBS’26: Journey from Classroom Learning to Environmental Compliance
Kyle Barreiro, a senior in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS), will graduate this May with a degree in Environmental Sciences. He knew right away that this was the major he wanted to pursue. He found himself “both challenged and inspired by coursework that explores the complexity of our environment and its processes.” […]
Climate Intervention Techniques Could Reduce the Nutritional Value of Crops, New Study Finds
A new study published in the journal, Environmental Research Letters, reports that cooling the planet by injecting sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere—a proposed climate intervention technique—could reduce the nutritional value of the world’s crops. Scientists at Rutgers University used global climate and crop models to estimate how stratospheric aerosol intervention (SAI), one type of solar […]
From Research to Recreation: Rutgers Dawn Redwoods Revitalize Boardwalk at Rutgers Gardens
October 23 marked an exciting milestone for the Rutgers Urban Forestry program and Forestry Club with the successful completion of a collaborative project that turned reclaimed wood into a revitalized trail at Rutgers Gardens. With help from Rutgers Gardens staff, interns and volunteers, 120 feet of new boardwalk was completed—blending research, learning and sustainability into […]
NJ Governor’s STEM Scholars Explore Sustainability and Science at Rutgers SEBS
Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) recently welcomed students from the prestigious Governor’s STEM Scholars program for an immersive day of scientific exploration and sustainability-focused learning. The program was hosted at the Ludwig Global Village Living Learning Center and featured a full day of activities focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The […]
