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From glacier ice, a wealth of scientific data
Two scientists walk on glacier ice near a river and mountains

Jade Hatton and Anna Polášková of the CryoEco Group at Prague’s Charles University, collaborators of the BiCycles Lab, work in Greenland’s Upernavik region.

(Image: Jack Murphy)

From glacier ice, a wealth of scientific data

Biogeochemist Jon Hawkings of the School of Arts & Sciences and his lab study glaciers to understand the cycling of elements through Earth’s waters, soils, and air in its coldest regions, with implications for climate change, ecosystem health, and more.

Katherine Unger Baillie

How species partnerships evolve
colorful coral reef with sun shining through the water

nocred

How species partnerships evolve

Biologists from the School of Arts & Sciences explored how symbiotic relationships between species evolve to become specific or general, cooperative, or antagonistic.

Katherine Unger Baillie

What secrets might 2-million-year-old DNA hold?
Icy landscape in Greenland

Genetic material extracted from permafrost in northern Greenland revealed the presence of a rich, warm, and vibrant ancient ecosystem in what is today a cold and rather barren landscape, offering promise for future scientific discovery based on ancient environmental DNA.

What secrets might 2-million-year-old DNA hold?

Scientists from Denmark recently extracted and sequenced the oldest-ever DNA, from permafrost in Greenland, revealing a robust ecosystem of 135 species. Penn Today spoke with four faculty members about the potential power of ancient DNA.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Where does charcoal come from—and is it sustainable?
A man tends to a kiln and collects charcoal in front of a eucalyptus plantation.

Penn researchers say that there are more sustainable alternatives to eucalyptus plantation and charcoal production sites like this one in Kyegaliro, Uganda. (Image: Courtesy of Catherine Nabukalu).

Where does charcoal come from—and is it sustainable?

Charcoal energizes everything from backyard barbecues to industrial metallurgy, but its environmental impact is worse than once thought. Research from the School of Arts & Sciences finds that policy changes could make charcoal more sustainable.

Marilyn Perkins

Through public art, the U.N. sustainability goals come to life
Two people standing over a large-scale painting that will be mounted on an outdoor portico.

At 10 feet by 10 feet, the mural makes a statement all on its own. Yet if people want to learn more, a plaque alongside explains the artwork, the SDGs, and the overall project, plus includes a QR code scannable for additional information.

Through public art, the U.N. sustainability goals come to life

In FDR Park, a 10x10-foot mural sponsored by the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy and painted by Penn grad student Eliza Nobles represents the global target of clean energy for all.

Michele W. Berger , Lindsey Samahon

Where biodiversity, climate risk, and urban growth collide
Baobob trees in Madagascar.

Madagascar’s baob tree, seen at the Avenue of the Baobobs outside Morondava, is one of the plant species under threat. (Image: Weitzman News)

Where biodiversity, climate risk, and urban growth collide

A project led by researchers at The Ian L. McHarg Center for Urbanism and Ecology aims to highlight points of conflict between climate risks, biodiversity, and urban growth in a few of the world’s poorest cities.

From the Weitzman School of Design

Environment influences coral’s resilience to acidification
Postdoc Kristen Brown diving in the reef to obtain samples

Postdoctoral researcher Kristen Brown (above) collected coral samples from a reef slope to see how they fared in acidic conditions. (Image: Courtesy of Kristen Brown)

Environment influences coral’s resilience to acidification

Ocean acidification is an effect of climate change that threatens the health of coral. A new study examines how coral samples from the Great Barrier Reef fare in acidic conditions.

Marilyn Perkins

Goodbye to an iconic tree
Large tree without leaves on a sunny day

The Quad elm cut an imposing figure, shown here in the spring of 2021, before leaf out. The space will be replanted with three native white oaks at a later date. (Image: Eric Sucar/University Communications)

Goodbye to an iconic tree

More than a century old, the American elm located in the heart of the Quadrangle residences has been ailing and is due to be removed the week of July 25. The site will be replanted at a later date with three native white oaks.

Katherine Unger Baillie

The future of forests
Image of a river with thickly forested banks. Ducks are on the rocky shoreline.

Faced with an onslaught of changes—heat, drought, fire, flood, pests, and disease—forests are under stress.

(Image: photo by Tommy Kwak on Unsplash)

The future of forests

Faced with an onslaught of changes—heat, drought, fire, flood, pests, and disease—forests are under stress.

Kristina García