9/20
Water
A hub for water innovation and leadership
A hub for water innovation and leadership
As the Water Center marks five years on campus, Penn Today takes a look at its achievements, ongoing projects, and plans for the future.
First UN Water Conference in four decades includes a delegation from Penn
First UN Water Conference in four decades includes a delegation from Penn
Events on campus last week kicked off the global proceedings, which will include representatives from the Water Center at Penn, Penn Carey Law School, and the School of Arts & Sciences.
Green solutions are transforming a West Philadelphia grade school
Green solutions are transforming a West Philadelphia grade school
With support from grants and the Netter Center, the Andrew Hamilton School in Cobbs Creek is now home to a food forest and a thriving garden, providing healthy produce, green space, stormwater management, and educational opportunities.
Grappling with a watershed’s uncertain environmental future
Grappling with a watershed’s uncertain environmental future
Artists supported by the Penn Program in Environmental Humanities created tools for navigating unpredictable ecological challenges, then brought them to life in a series of public workshops at the Independence Seaport Museum.
Engineering a solution for microplastic pollution
Engineering a solution for microplastic pollution
May graduates Sarah Beth Gleeson, Shoshana Weintraub, and Julia Yan will use their President’s Sustainability Prize to create a device for trapping microfibers in laundry machines to reduce ocean microplastic pollution.
The Clean Water Act at 50
The Clean Water Act at 50
Approaching the half-century mark of this landmark piece of environmental legislation, Penn students, staff, and faculty share their reflections on its legacy, both strengths and shortcomings.
Unlocking the potential of ‘smart’ water in responding to climate change
Unlocking the potential of ‘smart’ water in responding to climate change
Assistant Professor of City and Regional Planning Allison Lassiter researches unlocking the potential of ‘smart’ water in responding to climate change.
A call for tools to navigate the future of the Delaware River watershed
A call for tools to navigate the future of the Delaware River watershed
The Penn Program in Environmental Humanities is partnering with Philadelphia’s Independence Seaport Museum to solicit designs for tools to help Delaware River watershed residents adapt and respond to climate change and other ecological challenges.
Rethinking resilience in the face of climate change
Rethinking resilience in the face of climate change
Hurricane Ida brought record-breaking rainfall and flooding, and stronger, more destructive storms will inevitably come. Being better prepared will require reconsidering how to protect people and their homes.
Empowering refugee communities with access to clean water
Empowering refugee communities with access to clean water
With project Maji, seniors Martin Leet and Leah Voytovich will use their President’s Engagement Prize to install a solar-powered water tank and provide agricultural and first aid training for members of the Olua I community.
In the News
Philadelphia Inquirer
Cool for the summer
Joseph Wharton, founder of the Wharton School is referenced for having influenced Philadelphia’s sources of drinking water. Wharton proposed building a series of canals and lakes from the Pine Barrens, channeling the water west, into a pipe that would cross beneath the Delaware, into Philadelphia.
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WHYY (Philadelphia)
Climate change could threaten Philly’s drinking water
Allison Lassiter of the Weitzman School of Design discusses the options for protecting Philadelphia drinking water if rising seas and drought threaten sections of the Delaware River.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
From the U.N. climate conference, advice for Philly as it adapts to global warming
A delegation of Penn students, researchers, and faculty who attended the COP27 climate conference offer their ideas for how Philadelphia officials can work to make the goals of the Paris Agreement a reality.
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WHYY-Radio (Philadelphia)
Delaware Valley experts, residents call ‘forever chemical’ health screening recommendations a ‘bold step’
Mary Regina Boland of the Perelman School of Medicine says patients could lower their environmental health risks by discovering the source of their exposure to toxic chemicals.
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NBC Philadelphia
Philly’s drinking water threatened by climate change
Howard Neukrug of the School of Arts and Sciences spoke about the potential effects of climate change on Philadelphia’s water supply. “We’ve seen a lot of one in one-hundred-year events occurring back to back,” says Neukrug.
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The Washington Post
On ‘Day Zero,’ Cape Town Will Run Out of Water. It’s Not the Only City at Risk.
Scott Moore of the School of Arts and Sciences writes about the Cape Town water crisis and how it is spreading to other areas.
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