Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability

New findings from the largest-ever controlled test of satellite methane monitoring systems could improve efforts to identify major methane sources, eliminate leaks, and reduce emissions of the potent greenhouse gas. 🔗 stanford.io/4eAmsfd 📸 Frances Reuland

Meet Andrés de Loera, a new assistant professor of oceans who studies how nations share, manage, conserve, and compete for marine resources. stanford.io/4yZDFHi

How does cooking with gas affect the air at home? Join researchers, physicians, policymakers, and community leaders for Breathing Room, a half-day summit on indoor air quality, health, and stoves. Friday, Oct. 23, at Stanford Redwood City. 🔗 hph.stanford.edu/BRS

New findings about Arctic phytoplankton’s life cycle could improve our understanding of how ocean carbon storage and marine food webs may shift with climate change. 🔗 stanford.io/4s9RArt 📸 Arrigo Lab, Lexi Arlen

🪸 Stanford scientists have discovered a way to reverse coral bleaching at record speed in a laboratory setting, opening new possibilities for restoration. stanford.io/4hYlbzE Image by Danny Collins

“Our study shows that burning gas in a restaurant kitchen is as suspect as burning it in our homes,” said co-author Rob Jackson, a professor of Earth system science at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.

Scenes from the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability community at New York Climate Week 2026 ⚡ Images by Daniel Jeon and courtesy of Stanford Alumni in Climate Tech, Monika Suhr, and Equal Ventures

Recent heat waves in Europe have been intensified by greenhouse gases emitted since 2015, according to a new study. The findings emphasize the need to prepare for extreme weather alongside global emissions reductions. stanford.io/4znCL7l

Wildfires can turn natural metals in soil into toxic, airborne particles. Stanford researchers are working to predict where these metals travel and warn people in harm’s way. stanford.io/4xWGB6S

☀️ This summer, our research and educational programs reached: 52 local high school students 18 senior executives & board members from around the world 82 undergrads from Stanford & other U.S. institutions Part of our commitment to expanding educational opportunities at Stanford and worldwide.

The rare discovery has found its way to the Doerr School of Sustainability, where it will be studied to determine its exact age and 3D printed for public outreach and education.

How can countries in Southeast Asia prioritize sustainable economic development? A report from the new Center for Sustainability in Southeast Asia, part of the Stanford Precourt Institute for Energy, outlines six strategies.

Planets that orbit very close to their stars are expected to be airless, but scientists have recently observed planets that defy this theory. How is this possible? Stanford researchers offer an explanation that could inform the search for life beyond our solar system. stanford.io/4ypg6qJ

Edward Apraku has a clear philosophy behind his research: If it doesn’t help people, what’s the point? A recent civil and environmental engineering PhD grad, he has studied ways to recover and reuse nutrients from wastewater, with an emphasis on developing solutions that communities can implement.

How much worse was a particular extreme weather event because of climate change? Environmental social sciences professor Maxine Burkett joins @scifri.bsky.social to discuss how answering this question could help keep communities safe by holding planners, policymakers, & major emitters accountable.

“As an engineer, my job is to bridge the gap between the theoretical and practical. Ever since I was young, I’ve been drawn to this intersectional approach to problem-solving, often guided by combinations of math, science, art, and advocacy.” Meet PhD student Laura Kubiatko ⬇️

As oceans warm, Stanford marine biologist Steve Palumbi and collaborators in Palau are using a low-cost approach to find heat-resistant corals and improve reef restoration. 🪸

Researchers have found an unexpected use for earthquake-monitoring equipment: measuring hurricanes. The discovery opens a new path for understanding and predicting how storms will evolve and intensify. stanford.io/4wGr1L3

Meet Yaochun Yu, new assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, who’s studying how microbes break down pesticides, plastic additives, and other chemicals in the environment. His goal: find new ways to clean up pollution and design safer chemicals for the future. stanford.io/4gg1XEC

Some wildfire smoke plumes are more toxic than others, depending on where a fire burns. Soil scientist and biogeochemist Scott Fendorf explains why: stanford.io/4cfWpZt

Inês Azevedo has been named the next director of the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, succeeding Chris Field on Sept. 1. A Woods senior fellow since 2019, her research spans climate change, air pollution and energy. Full announcement: stanford.io/4hGJ67W

💧 With support from the Stanford Sustainability Accelerator, based at @stanforddoerr.bsky.social, researchers are building modeling tools that could help bring clean drinking water to more people at a lower cost.

“Being able to make decisions based on past experiences is good, but if you know what the risks are into the future, that’s even better.” Meet Tao Sun, a postdoctoral researcher combining his knowledge of power systems with climate research to help communities prepare for power outage risks.

Stanford scholars are studying wildfire risks, connections to climate and health, and promising solutions. Explore wildfire research and insights: stanford.io/4gSnXES

Professor Noah Diffenbaugh joins @cbsmornings.bsky.social to discuss the health impacts of dangerous air quality in the U.S. Midwest and Northeast due to wildfire smoke: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fQ7...

A new study offers the clearest picture yet of why some ocean life survived Earth’s biggest mass extinction while most animals did not. ⬇️