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Tag Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies

Zapping manure with special electrode promises an efficient method to produce fertilizers, other chemicals

December 11, 2023

The researchers' preliminary analyses show it could offer considerable benefits by cutting water and air pollution while simultaneously creating products that farmers could use or sell.

Meet Wisconsin’s new state climatologist, Steve Vavrus

September 6, 2023

Vavrus is an expert on global climate change, extreme weather and Wisconsin climate.

The Sky’s the Limit: Autistic youth explore science on their terms at STEM camp

August 15, 2023

Rotating through stations, campers learn to estimate the canopy cover of a nearby wooded area (by pretending they’re aliens), calculate the ages of tree rings and create mini ecosystems in Mason jars.

Inaugural Bassam Z. Shakhashiri Public Science Engagement Award recognizes excellence in outreach

March 20, 2023

A conservation scientist with a goal of finding ways to equitably protect tropical forest biodiversity and a teaching faculty member whose outreach work has led to a method for teaching visually impaired students about nanotechnology received the award.

UW students get taste of real-world learning

February 14, 2023

Through capstone courses, internships and partnerships with employers, students have worked on projects all over the state and nation.

Grad students work with climatologist on tool to alert communities to dangerous heat levels

October 24, 2022

In practice, the new warning system could help policymakers make decisions for how their population can stay healthy during extreme heat.

UW-Madison professor appointed to commission addressing violent crime against Indigenous Americans

May 18, 2022

Grace Bulltail’s research centers on natural resource management, tribal resource sovereignty and environmental justice in Indigenous communities.

Cutting air pollution emissions would save 50,000 U.S. lives, $600 billion each year

May 16, 2022

Eliminating air pollution emissions from energy-related activities in the United States would prevent more than 50,000 premature deaths each year and provide more than $600…

UW–Madison scholar wins 2022 Carnegie Fellowship

April 26, 2022

Monica White will use the $200,000 award to complete the research and writing of her second book, We Stayed: Agriculture, Activism, and the Southern Black Rural Families Who Fought to Keep the Land.

Shifting food choices reducing climate impact of American diet

April 22, 2022

Lower consumption of beef, dairy, chicken, pork, and eggs accounted for more than 75% of the observed diet-related carbon dioxide savings during the study period.

At bioenergy crossroads, should corn ethanol be left in the rearview mirror?

February 14, 2022

New research shows that the carbon emissions from using land to grow corn can negate or even reverse any climate advantages of corn ethanol relative to gasoline.

Students lead way in sustainability effort

December 7, 2021

These UW–Madison students pair environmental studies majors with everything from law to fashion to finance as they learn how to apply environmental solutions to their chosen fields.

Student’s innovative climate research could change building design

November 23, 2021

“By the end of the 21st century, building cooling in Madison will be very similar to Montgomery, Alabama,” says Nelson Institute graduate student Gesangyangji. That startling realization motivated her to research how projected climate data can inform building energy design.

Why cities around Wisconsin are feeling the heat

September 10, 2021

While Wisconsin may be known for its “frozen tundra,” an increase in hot, humid summer days is bringing attention to Wisconsin’s urban heat islands and their impact on human health.

Project to create anti-racism education wins Mellon grant

January 15, 2021

The project will collect oral histories and information, particularly regarding the lived experiences of Black and Native students, to create the new curricula.

Old-school cool: A look back on Earth Day

April 22, 2020

Wondering what Earth Day looked like for UW in 1970? Here are some old-school cool photos that flashback to the historic event.