Atmospheric rivers, explained 🌧️ Da Yang, assistant professor of geophysics, describes how these "rivers in the sky" grow to expansive rainstorms and how researchers are studying their physical properties to improve forecasts and reduce risks.

🌳 One factor that could support healthier cities in 2026? Access to urban parks. Research shows that across the U.S., cities with more accessible parks are linked to higher levels of physical activity. Improving ways to connect to existing parks can strengthen public health. stanford.io/44QYEz2

The journey of microplastics. The physics of Antarctic ice movements. A historic boat-turned-floating classroom. Here are our top stories of 2025. stanford.io/49igDQj

Hear from Stanford scholars featured on recent podcasts where they discuss topics like: 🏙️ The future of buildings stanford.io/4bdUe97 🚜 Measuring food security from space bit.ly/4ja6o50 🥒 Art and fermentation youtu.be/Kq54h8HtwLo

Refreshing your space for the new year? Here’s what the science says about the right amount of indoor nature to support well-being. One surprise: More plants are not always better.

Congratulations to the eight Stanford scholars recognized in the 2026 U.S. feature of Forbes’ “30 Under 30” ⭐️ These students and alumni are working to transform biomass waste, make residential solar more accessible, quantify and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the food industry, and more.

Using a gas stove exposes people to substantial amounts of nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant linked to higher risks of asthma, heart and lung disease, and other conditions, new research shows. Learn about the study and ways to reduce exposure to pollutants from gas stoves ⬇️ @woods.stanford.edu

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability aims to build a thriving, enduring future for humanity and the planet through research, education, and impact. Learn about our work and progress over the past year: bit.ly/4iGlaA4

Find insights about the impact of meat production on the environment in this collection from @woods.stanford.edu, part of the Doerr School of Sustainability. 🔗: stanford.io/48uyft2

“My work has always been about all of us thriving by focusing on those who are often experiencing the impacts of climate change first and worst.” Meet Maxine Burkett, new professor of environmental social sciences: stanford.io/48roBaC

What can faculty, students, and researchers learn from experiences in entrepreneurship? In the latest episode of the Stanford Ecopreneurship podcast, Yi Cui discusses battery innovations and translating research into real-world impact: bit.ly/3MhyW0a

Food research spotlight 🐟 As aquatic foods nourish billions of people worldwide, Stanford scientists are studying how their nutrient content may change in more acidic oceans. Learn more about the project and other food-related work at the school: stanford.io/4pZ2VbR

Food research spotlight 🌾 A team of Stanford researchers is studying interactions between pollinators, microorganisms, and buckwheat crops in Japan. They hope to better understand these fundamental ecological relationships and gather evidence to potentially improve crop yields and food security.

New Stanford-led research finds gas stoves expose people to dangerous levels of nitrogen dioxide—linked to asthma, lung disease, and other conditions. Switching to electric could cut NO₂ exposure by half. story + searchable NO2 exposure map: bit.ly/4rGdYIz @stanforddoerr.bsky.social @stanford.edu

Small-scale fisheries vary widely in their operations, market reach, and other factors, making it difficult to design policies for local benefits & sustainability. New research categorizes small-scale fisheries into five types, offering pathways to more effective policies & better seafood guides.

In the Chagos Islands, plans are underway to establish one of the world’s largest marine protected areas – a key step toward the sustainable resettlement of a community removed from their homes decades ago. Video: www.youtube.com/shorts/Mbeyn... Story: bit.ly/4ppNQQ5

David Lobell, professor of Earth system science, applies data science and AI to address challenges with food insecurity and agricultural production. Learn more about his work: youtu.be/sugEt9ACtYc

In October, the Stanford Sustainability Accelerator, part of @stanforddoerr.bsky.social, kicked off 44 new projects covering topics in food and agriculture, biological solutions, water, industry, and electricity and grid systems. 📸: Daniel Beck

Severe flooding has slashed global rice yields in recent decades. Greater adoption of flood-resistant rice varieties in vulnerable regions could help avert future losses. 🔗 stanford.io/3X83fsg

Parties to the #ParisAgreement can leverage #BlueFoods for climate action while protecting them against future climate hazards @cop30brazil.bsky.social. View research and resources ➡️ bit.ly/bluefoodclimate Hear from changemakers who are securing sustainable blue foods 🎥 ▶️ bit.ly/bluefoodvideo

Generations of ocean insights: Learn about the Hewatt-Sagarin transect, an ongoing visual survey dating back to 1931 to monitor marine life along the shores of @stanfordhopkins.bsky.social, part of the Doerr School of Sustainability.

Earlier this quarter, we honored 2025 Alumni Award recipients for their significant contributions to civil, business, and academic communities. Attendees also connected with current undergrads who shared findings from their summer research projects. Congrats to the awardees & student researchers!

The global climate summit known as #COP30 begins today in Belém, Brazil. Explore insights from scholars attending the conference, related events, and more: sustainability.stanford.edu/stanford-cop30 @cop30brazil.bsky.social

Next week is the start of the UN climate summit known as COP30. Ahead of this year’s conference, three Stanford experts discuss climate progress, leadership, and topics to watch: stanford.io/4oAi96O @woods.stanford.edu

Introducing the Stanford Ecopreneurship Podcast, a new series that highlights how university research moves beyond the lab to shape real-world impact. In the first episode, a materials scientist and startup co-founder discuss batteries, AI, and entrepreneurship. bit.ly/496OmxE

According to new research, shark species with specialized traits are at most risk of extinction. But if threats like overfishing are addressed, scientists say the trend toward extinction could still likely be reversed.

A new analysis shows how having more power lines buried underground could help shorten blackouts tied to extreme weather. Explore the data: stanford.io/3WOWqvH

“I’m most excited to decipher the key drivers behind the emerging dominance of China in clean energy industries during the last decade. We’re working to understand how lessons from China’s experience may inform the energy transition process in other countries.” Meet new professor Shanjun Li:

“Quite remarkable”: By solving the famous Poisson statistical model, new research could enable the design of better, stronger, cheaper materials.

At a recent event at Stanford, two energy leaders described an often overlooked step that organizations can take to reduce their environmental impact: improving energy efficiency. @stanfordenergy.bsky.social

A Stanford law clinic’s case for the Pit River Tribe has culminated in the designation of Sáttítla Highlands as a national monument, reflecting decades of commitment from tribal members, advocates, and scholars. stanford.io/46Q19TF @law.stanford.edu

“We need to think about how we take our solutions to the world and how we do that fast.” –Scott Fendorf, professor of Earth system science, on turning research into real-world solutions Read about carbon removal company Terradot, which grew out of work between Fendorf and a Stanford undergrad:

How does climate change impact human migration? What efforts can reduce climate vulnerability? Explore insights based on research from Hélène Benveniste, assistant professor of environmental social sciences: stanford.io/4h5ulJS

Congratulations to William Tarpeh, assistant professor of chemical engineering and of civil and environmental engineering, who has been recognized as a 2025 MacArthur Fellow 🌟

A few highlights from our scholars at #ClimateWeekNYC: 🚀 Sharing about the Climate Tech Atlas, a new resource developed with Breakthrough Energy + other collaborators 🌎 Discussing climate innovation and food security research opportunities 🎤 Showcasing expertise at the Sustainability Accelerator

Over 100 planetary scientists from around the Bay Area recently gathered at Stanford to connect and discuss their research. Highlights: 📸 Laura Schaefer and Michelle Hill

Paula Welander, a microbiologist and professor at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, joined @scifri.bsky.social last week to talk about how studying ancient evidence of tiny organisms can help us understand the origins of life on Earth. ⬇️ bit.ly/480aDg1

“I’m doing something that’s merging geology and geochemistry with spacecraft. This is something I’ve been interested in since I was a kid. A lot of people in my field are obsessed with aliens, but I always was obsessed with rocks and planetary bodies.” Meet Eva L. Scheller, new assistant professor:

Learn about the Climate Tech Atlas (climatetechatlas.com), a new, free-to-use platform to identify opportunities for building a clean, affordable, and energy-abundant future.

In a record-breaking discovery, scientists found that algae living in the Arctic ice are active in -15 C – the lowest-temperature movement ever recorded in complex, living cells. Studying their activity could help us better understand the ecology of the Arctic.

A new study shows that companies disclose little about their impacts on the ocean. Identifying these gaps could help improve corporate reporting in the future. stanford.io/4mSxyOX

A new study explains how extreme weather can push some groups to move across borders while trapping many others in place. When weather-related disasters strike, age and education strongly shape who migrates, the analysis shows.

Using a new tool, researchers were able to detect thousands of previously unseen earthquakes in a volcanic area in Italy. Their approach could be adapted to improve understanding of earthquake risk in other areas with seismic monitoring systems. Read about the study: stanford.io/3JPrIPO

Solomon Hsiang, a professor of environmental social sciences, applies data science methods to reveal the long-term economic and health impacts of extreme weather events and inform decisions about how to mitigate them. Here are four essential facts from his research.

Findings from a recent study could upend the conventional view of how rivers have shaped continents over time. It’s “a significant revision to our understanding of the history of the Earth,” said lead author Michael Hasson. @marslogander.bsky.social

With support from the Sustainability Accelerator at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, researchers have shown that, compared to green peas, a variety of black peas with a 3,000-year legacy in the Trans-Himalayas is more nutritious and climate resilient.

“We developed ways of finding corals that are going to survive the next heat wave. And started using them to rebuild reefs.” Read about the impact of research by @spalumbi.bsky.social, professor of oceans:

💡 According to a new study, installing solar panels with battery storage could reduce electricity costs and help manage power outages for the majority of U.S. households. Researchers emphasize the need for equitable access to these solar-battery benefits. @stanfordenergy.bsky.social

Beaver dams create ponds that foster biodiversity, improve water quality, and even limit the spread of wildfires. Here’s how researchers are helping watershed managers understand the best areas to support beaver populations and restore wetlands: stanford.io/3HvTHD2

The Blue Food Assessment Indonesia highlights the potential of aquatic food sources to improve nutrition, food security, and livelihoods across the country. Launched last week, it's the first assessment of its kind at the national level. See contributions from @oceansolutions.stanford.edu scholars ⬇️