Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Scientists seek to turbocharge a natural process that cools the Earth

Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · 6d

“We need to think about how we take our solutions to the world and how we do that fast.” –Scott Fendorf, professor of Earth system science, on turning research into real-world solutions

Read about carbon removal company Terradot, which grew out of work between Fendorf and a Stanford undergrad:

Terradot, a carbon removal company, is using “enhanced rock weathering” to sequester carbon by spreading crushed volcanic rock over farmland.

wapo.st

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Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · 7d

How does climate change impact human migration? What efforts can reduce climate vulnerability?

Explore insights based on research from Hélène Benveniste, assistant professor of environmental social sciences: stanford.io/4h5ulJS

4 key facts about climate change and human migration

How does climate change affect human migration and what does it mean for border policies? Learn about the complex relationship between weather and cross-border migration across different demographic g...

The Humble Microbe Could Help Us Understand Life Itself

Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · 8d

Congratulations to William Tarpeh, assistant professor of chemical engineering and of civil and environmental engineering, who has been recognized as a 2025 MacArthur Fellow 🌟

Stanford University @stanford.edu · 8d

Congratulations to 2025 #MacFellow William Tarpeh! The Stanford chemical engineer is working on sustainable and practical solutions to treat wastewater and recover valuable mineral resources.

🗞️: stanford.io/3IZIBqF

Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · 16d

It was a great week of new insights and connections 🌟 #ClimateWeekNYC

Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · 16d

A few highlights from our scholars at #ClimateWeekNYC:

🚀 Sharing about the Climate Tech Atlas, a new resource developed with Breakthrough Energy + other collaborators
🌎 Discussing climate innovation and food security research opportunities
🎤 Showcasing expertise at the Sustainability Accelerator

Charlotte Pera speaks on a panel in front of an audience

Bill Barnett, Jen Burney, and other panelists listen to a speaker

Wide view of Charlotte Pera speaking with a microphone to a room of people

Group photo of Sustainability Accelerator leaders smiling together

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Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · 17d

The conference was organized by @lavainspace.bsky.social along with leaders at @setiinstitute.bsky.social, NASA Ames Research Center, @ucsantacruz.bsky.social, @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social, @ucdavis.bsky.social, & Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

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Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · 17d

Over 100 planetary scientists from around the Bay Area recently gathered at Stanford to connect and discuss their research. Highlights:

📸 Laura Schaefer and Michelle Hill

View from the back of a large room with a person presenting slides at the front

Two people smiling holding lunar meteorites

A person presents their research during a poster session

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Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · 19d

Paula Welander, a microbiologist and professor at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, joined @scifri.bsky.social last week to talk about how studying ancient evidence of tiny organisms can help us understand the origins of life on Earth. ⬇️
bit.ly/480aDg1

Science Friday @scifri.bsky.social · 23d

How did life begin? A microbiologist digs into fossilized clues from ancient microbes to help answer one of science’s biggest questions.

Unlocking the basic science of microbes, especially those that live in extreme environments, could help us find life elsewhere in the universe.

buff.ly

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Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · 27d

“I’m doing something that’s merging geology and geochemistry with spacecraft. This is something I’ve been interested in since I was a kid. A lot of people in my field are obsessed with aliens, but I always was obsessed with rocks and planetary bodies.”
Meet Eva L. Scheller, new assistant professor:

Shaping planetary sciences at Stanford

Eva Scheller designs and plans spacecraft instruments, including Mars rovers and satellites, and analyzes the data to understand the formation, evolution, and habitability of planetary bodies.

Exclusive: Climate Tech Leaders Form New Coalition to Map Out the Future of Decarbonization

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Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · 28d

Learn about the Climate Tech Atlas (climatetechatlas.com), a new, free-to-use platform to identify opportunities for building a clean, affordable, and energy-abundant future.

Heatmap News @heatmap.news · 28d

Exclusive: Some of the biggest names in climate tech are forming a new coalition to map out the future of decarbonization.

Elemental Impact, Breakthrough Energy, Speed & Scale, Stanford, Energy Innovation, and McKinsey are all partnering to form the “Climate Tech Atlas.”

heatmap.news

Scientists uncover extreme life inside the Arctic ice

Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · Sep 15

In a record-breaking discovery, scientists found that algae living in the Arctic ice are active in -15 C – the lowest-temperature movement ever recorded in complex, living cells.

Studying their activity could help us better understand the ecology of the Arctic.

For the first time, researchers report that Arctic algae can hustle along in -15 C – the lowest-temperature movement ever recorded in complex, living cells.

Corporate reports miss the mark on ocean health

Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · Sep 12

A new study shows that companies disclose little about their impacts on the ocean. Identifying these gaps could help improve corporate reporting in the future. stanford.io/4mSxyOX

Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions @oceansolutions.stanford.edu · Sep 8

Corporate impacts on marine ecosystems are under-reported, according to a new paper led by @oceansolutions.stanford.edu Jean-Baptiste Jouffray. These insights can help improve reporting frameworks with ocean-specific needs.

naturalcapitalproject.stanford.edu/news/corpora...

A new paper reveals major gaps in how companies disclose their impacts on the ocean.

naturalcapitalproject.stanford.edu

Study finds extreme weather changes who migrates, not just how many

Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · Sep 8

A new study explains how extreme weather can push some groups to move across borders while trapping many others in place.

When weather-related disasters strike, age and education strongly shape who migrates, the analysis shows.

A new global study finds that extreme weather may trap many populations in place even as it increases migrations of other groups. The analysis shows that age and education strongly shape who migrates ...

AI model reveals hidden earthquake swarms and faults in Italy’s Campi Flegrei

Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · Sep 5

Using a new tool, researchers were able to detect thousands of previously unseen earthquakes in a volcanic area in Italy. Their approach could be adapted to improve understanding of earthquake risk in other areas with seismic monitoring systems.

Read about the study: stanford.io/3JPrIPO

A new AI model detects thousands of previously unseen earthquakes in near real time, helping scientists understand changes in an Italian volcanic area where earthquakes have been intensifying since 20...

4 key facts about extreme weather and disaster relief

Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · Aug 28

Solomon Hsiang, a professor of environmental social sciences, applies data science methods to reveal the long-term economic and health impacts of extreme weather events and inform decisions about how to mitigate them. Here are four essential facts from his research.

How do extreme weather events and disasters affect communities long term? Solomon Hsiang explains the consequences for economic growth and human health, and how research can inform better emergency ma...

The rise of plant life changed how rivers move, study shows

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Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · Aug 25

Findings from a recent study could upend the conventional view of how rivers have shaped continents over time.

It’s “a significant revision to our understanding of the history of the Earth,” said lead author Michael Hasson.
@marslogander.bsky.social

Research reveals that unvegetated meandering rivers can geologically masquerade as braided rivers, suggesting they were much more common in the first 90 percent of Earth’s history than previously thou...

Study reveals benefits of traditional Himalayan crops

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Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · Aug 19

With support from the Sustainability Accelerator at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, researchers have shown that, compared to green peas, a variety of black peas with a 3,000-year legacy in the Trans-Himalayas is more nutritious and climate resilient.

Stanford researchers discovered that a nearly forgotten variety of black peas from the northwest Himalayas in India is genetically distinct from other peas and outperforms them.

‘We can’t wait to know everything before we start trying to help’

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Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · Aug 18

“We developed ways of finding corals that are going to survive the next heat wave. And started using them to rebuild reefs.”

Read about the impact of research by @spalumbi.bsky.social, professor of oceans:

Stanford University @stanford.edu · Aug 15

Stanford marine biologist Steve Palumbi uses genetic tools to answer questions about ocean life and its future. Communities around the world are using equipment he developed to identify heat-resistant corals and rebuild reefs that provide food, storm protection, and livelihoods.

Stanford marine biologist Steve Palumbi uses fundamental science to find practical solutions to pressing questions about ocean life and its future. His lab’s work on the effects of heat waves on marin...

news.stanford.edu

Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · Aug 14

Read more about the findings in The Washington Post: wapo.st/4mAdBfL

Home batteries are saving America from blackouts

Home battery storage systems are keeping lights on during summer energy crunches in Puerto Rico and elsewhere across the United States.

wapo.st

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Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · Aug 14

💡 According to a new study, installing solar panels with battery storage could reduce electricity costs and help manage power outages for the majority of U.S. households.

Researchers emphasize the need for equitable access to these solar-battery benefits.

@stanfordenergy.bsky.social

Most U.S. households can save money and weather blackouts with solar plus storage

For most American families, installing solar panels and battery packs can lower electricity costs and manage local and regional power outages affordably, a new Stanford study finds.

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Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · Aug 13

Beaver dams create ponds that foster biodiversity, improve water quality, and even limit the spread of wildfires. Here’s how researchers are helping watershed managers understand the best areas to support beaver populations and restore wetlands: stanford.io/3HvTHD2

Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment @woods.stanford.edu · Aug 11

🦫 Bringing back #beavers – and the nature-based solutions they offer for #freshwater, #biodiversity, and #ClimateResilience

New study uses #RemoteSensing to map beaver dams + ponds with an eye toward prioritizing areas for restoration and reintroducing beavers.

🔗 bit.ly/bringing-back-beavers

A woman stands in waders holding a measuring tape. Text reads "Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, New Research, 'Our findings can help land managers figure out where beaver activity will have the biggest impact. It gives them a practical tool for using nature to solve water and climate problems.' Luwen Wan, Postdoctoral Fellow, Earth System Science, Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence"

Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · Aug 12

The Blue Food Assessment Indonesia highlights the potential of aquatic food sources to improve nutrition, food security, and livelihoods across the country. Launched last week, it's the first assessment of its kind at the national level. See contributions from @oceansolutions.stanford.edu scholars ⬇️

Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions @oceansolutions.stanford.edu · Aug 6

Highlights from the Indonesia Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) Blue Food Forum. 🐟

Co-director Jim Leape joined a panel discussion to celebrate the launch of the #BlueFoodAssessment Indonesia.

Learn more: oceansolutions.stanford.edu/co-designing...

📷: Bappenas

For city dwellers, even 15 minutes in nature can improve mental health

Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability @stanforddoerr.bsky.social · Aug 7

Nature as a mental health solution 🌳

A new study from @natcapproject.bsky.social, part of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, shows that spending even a little time in nature can provide significant mental health benefits in urban settings.

A new study clarifies the importance of nature for mental health in urban settings and provides low-cost recommendations for improving public health in cities.