Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability

Hidden microbes protect coastal waters. Will they do their job as sea levels rise? A study conducted at Stinson Beach illustrates how microbes in the sand filter chemicals from groundwater before they reach the ocean – and what might happen in the face of climate change.

🏖️ Beneath sandy beaches, tiny organisms maintain coastal water quality and safeguard ocean health.

Understanding and preserving these microbial communities may be critical for coastal resilience and the mitigation of climate impacts.

Here’s what the research says:

Searching for the structure of Earth’s subsurface Ettore Biondi uses fiber sensing technologies and dense seismic sensor networks to understand the underlying mechanisms and subsurface structures driving geophysical processes such as volcanic system ...

“In Earth science, you have to put together a lot of different things. You have to know a little bit of math, physics, chemistry. That's one thing I really like about Earth science, and that's the reason why I keep on doing what I do.”

Meet Ettore Biondi, new assistant professor of geophysics:

Read about the impact of global climate change on agriculture and food security in a Q&A with David Lobell, professor of Earth system science ⬇️

One surprising fact about greener cement Centuries ago, Pliny the Elder marveled at the transformation of volcanic ash. Today, researchers are reinventing cement by harnessing volcanic chemistry to create more sustainable building materials.

Cement production is one of the largest industrial contributors to global warming. Tiziana Vanorio, associate professor of Earth and planetary sciences, is reinventing cement with a radically lower carbon footprint – inspired by volcanic chemistry. Here’s how: stanford.io/4o41BUy

Sustainability Accelerator selects 41 new projects with potential for rapid scale-up The latest awards enable development and implementation of cross-disciplinary projects tackling real-world sustainability challenges in food and agriculture, industry, water, electricity, and biology.

Spanning topics in biology, agriculture, electricity, industry, and water, 41 new projects will receive support from the Sustainability Accelerator at @stanforddoerr.bsky.social to translate research into impact and address real-world sustainability challenges.

What does it mean to do ‘community-based research’? From affordable housing in the Bay Area to Indigenous land rights in the Klamath River watershed, environmental scientist Sibyl Diver’s work depends on building lasting relationships.

“The community impact work and the research go hand in hand and shape one another.”

Earth Systems Program lecturer Sibyl Diver describes the importance of building lasting relationships to support & learn from communities, and how this approach to research can lead to positive societal impacts.

Four new projects funded to advance ocean health and sustainability This year’s Big Ideas for Oceans seed grants support research on seagrass ecosystems, carbon dioxide in seawater, kelp for climate mitigation, and women’s experiences working in fisheries and aquacult...

Seagrass ecosystems, gender equity in fisheries and aquaculture, and more: Here are four new projects supported by the Oceans Department & @woods.stanford.edu at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability advancing ocean health and sustainability.

5 key facts about wildfires and clean air policies How can air quality policies adapt to the new world of pollution trends shaped by wildfire smoke? Learn about the growing problem of air polluted by wildfire smoke, and what the data show about polici...

@marshallburke.bsky.social, an associate professor of environmental social sciences, works to quantify how wildfire smoke affects air quality and public health, using data-driven analysis to inform potential solutions. Here are five essential facts based on Burke’s research:

Oceanic humanities project envisions new wave in education Stanford researchers are working to create a unique, interdisciplinary curriculum to help students better understand both the physical and biological ocean syst

An English professor and an oceans professor have teamed up to explore the human relationship with the oceans, often overlooked in ocean studies.

They envision an interdisciplinary curriculum that incorporates science & technology with literature, history, geography, philosophy, and the arts.

Learn more about the Dekas lab’s research: dekaslab.stanford.edu

YouTube video by stanforddoerr Follow along on a research cruise studying microbes in the deep sea

Follow along with PhD student Jessica Bullington on a research cruise off the coast of San Francisco, part of an effort to study microorganisms in the deep sea led by @annedekas.bsky.social ⬇️

Profile photo of Rob Jackson

🌟 Congratulations to Rob Jackson, professor of Earth system science, who has received the 2025 Blue Planet Prize. One of the world’s leading environmental awards, the Prize recognizes significant work advancing solutions to pressing environmental problems.

Read about Jackson’s work: bit.ly/4eD4JCF

Study shows controlled burns can reduce wildfire intensity and smoke pollution A new Stanford-led study finds that controlled, low-intensity fires known as prescribed burns can slash wildfire intensity and dangerous smoke pollution across the western United States.

Prescribed burns are controlled, low-intensity fires, often seen as a promising tool to reduce wildfire impacts.

A new study now quantifies their effectiveness, showing that areas treated with prescribed fire can burn less severely and produce significantly less smoke.

Part of a larger ecosystem Whether leading coral restoration efforts at home or doing research on campus, undergraduate student Plengrhambhai “Pleng” Snidvongs Kruesopon is advancing environmental conservation through policy, e...

Student spotlight: Plengrhambhai “Pleng” Snidvongs Kruesopon 🪸

An avid diver from Bangkok, Thailand and the founder of Care for Coral, Pleng is passionate about the many forms of environmental stewardship, from teaching and research to political leadership and community engagement. Read her story:

New study shows how biomass changed over 500 million years Scientists have long known that biodiversity has increased over geological time, but corresponding trends for the sheer abundance of living things have never been calculated, until now. The findings a...

Changes in the abundance of living things over geological time have never been calculated – until now. In a first-of-its-kind study, scientists document changes in the total mass of marine organisms over the past half-billion years.

Decline in apex scavengers raises human disease risk Stanford research shows that large, efficient scavengers are disappearing globally, allowing carrion to persist longer and creating opportunities for disease-carrying species like rodents to prolifera...

Populations of “apex scavengers” like vultures and hyenas are in decline. Addressing habitat loss, poaching, and other threats is critical not only for functioning ecosystems, but also for global health, researchers say. Here’s why:

Global ocean action: 7 reflections from international ocean summits Stanford scholars discuss ocean sustainability, high-seas protections, and interdisciplinary science at the One Ocean Science Congress and U.N. Ocean Conference.

Earlier this month, scientists, policymakers, and advocates gathered for the One Ocean Science Congress and the 2025 U.N. Ocean Conference.

Here are a few key takeaways from Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability scholars who participated in the events ⬇️
@oceansolutions.stanford.edu

25 books for summer on sustainability and life on Earth Discover thought-provoking reads on climate, culture, and the planet – handpicked by Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability faculty.

For your summer reading 📚 Find books on plant intelligence, climate politics, the rights of nature, and more – recommended by scholars at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.

Why common climate messaging often backfires – and how to fix it A new study finds that while many Americans misjudge the relative climate impact of dozens of behaviors, they readily commit to higher-impact choices when they get more information. Willingness to eng...

In a recent study, Americans readily committed to personal lifestyle changes that have a high impact on reducing carbon emissions when they were given information about what’s most effective. These interventions must be paired w/ strategies that also support collective climate action, experts said.

Learn more about the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Advisory Council: sustainability.stanford.edu/our-communit...

Profile photo of Frances Arnold

Join us in welcoming @francesarnold.bsky.social to the @stanforddoerr.bsky.social Advisory Council. As the @caltech.edu Linus Pauling Professor and a Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, she will make important contributions to the school’s bold ambition of building a more sustainable future for all.

Colorado River water market could help fish and farmers alike A new water market model for the Colorado River basin could improve water security and restore ecosystems amid intensifying shortages.

Improving water security & restoring ecosystems at the same time: A new water market model could address water shortages and help threatened fish species in the Colorado River basin, which supplies water to 40 million people across seven U.S. states, 30 tribal nations, and parts of Mexico.

Apple exec and former EPA head: To spark climate action, find the people who are inspired During an event at Stanford, the vice president of environment, policy, and social initiatives at Apple and former Environmental Protection Agency head Lisa P. Jackson discussed her efforts to reduce ...

At a recent event, Lisa P. Jackson shared insights from her experience leading environment, policy, and social initiatives at Apple and as the former head of the Environmental Protection Agency.

One key insight: to advance climate action, connect with others.

50 years after ‘Jaws,’ sharks are in trouble Scientists are using the lure of Steven Spielberg's blockbuster to aid shark conservation efforts.

Read more about how scientists are using the film to advance shark conservation:

On the 50th anniversary of “Jaws,” Professor @spalumbi.bsky.social highlights what we’ve learned about sharks since the movie’s debut and reframes our perception of sharks as important ocean wildlife – not violent villains.

Dean challenges graduates to ‘ask the questions others avoid’ During the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability’s 2025 diploma ceremony, Dean Arun Majumdar reminded new graduates that inquiry is the source of innovation.

“Climate change and sustainability isn’t just a problem to solve; it’s a chance to reimagine the world.”

At the school’s diploma ceremony, Dean Arun Majumdar encouraged graduates to be bold, curious, and optimistic. 🌟 Congratulations to the class of 2025!

Building bridges Passionate about “social-ecological leadership,” master’s student Fatoumata Barrie is working to bring more voices into sustainability conversations.

“I learned the power of connecting with folks and bringing people together. Communities have so much to offer each other, so I’m interested in continuing to build bridges.”

Meet Fatoumata Barrie, MA Sustainability Science and Practice ’25. #Stanford2025

New Accelerator fellows will focus on sustainable food and energy The Sustainability Accelerator at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability will support three scholars exploring creative and commercially viable solutions to challenges in food, wind energy, and c...

3 new postdoctoral fellows will receive funding & mentorship from the Sustainability Accelerator at @stanforddoerr.bsky.social to translate research into real-world impact. Read about their innovative ideas to address food waste emissions, improve wind farm productivity, & advance energy efficiency:

Climate change cuts global crop yields, even when farmers adapt A sweeping new analysis finds that rising global temperatures will dampen the world’s capacity to produce food from most staple crops, even after accounting for economic development and adaptation by ...

How will climate change impact global crop yields? A new study offers the most comprehensive analysis yet, estimating yields could be 24% lower by 2100 in a high-emissions future. Researchers are working to help governments understand where targeted adaptation support can be most effective.

Connecting people and Earth sciences Deeply connected to both her discipline and the community of scholars she works with, Chloe Cheng, Geophysics ’25, is contributing to research on complex processes in the ocean and atmosphere.

“Being able to know your world better is really important for being able to make good decisions. Science is just one way of doing that, but one that I find can be beautiful and human.”

Meet Chloe Cheng, Geophysics ’25. #Stanford2025