News
How Zoning Affects Greenhouse Gas Emissions
May. 30, 2024—Climate change is a global challenge often met on a local level. Local governments shape how their communities are developed through land use controls. Their policy decisions related to housing density, location, and building standards have a profound impact on climate – buildings produce nearly 40% of U.S. carbon emissions, and personal vehicles account for...
Vanderbilt hosts Moving Forward event to discuss Mayor O’Connell’s transportation plan
May. 29, 2024—Vanderbilt University, in collaboration with Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Moving Forward, recently hosted an important event aimed at addressing Nashville’s transportation future. The gathering, centered around open discussion with Mayor Freddie O’Connell regarding the “Choose How You Move” transportation plan, was held Monday, May 20, at the Vanderbilt University Student Life Center. Acting as a platform for...
Vanderbilt and Civic Design Center’s impact on Nashville’s urban evolution
May. 24, 2024—For over 24 years, the Civic Design Center has stood as a beacon for community-driven urban planning projects and programs. Based in downtown Nashville, this nonprofit organization draws expertise from diverse professional and academic sources, including Vanderbilt University, to engage community members in the envisioning and shaping of the city. Since its formation in 2000, the Civic...
Vanderbilt scientists develop an algae time machine, advancing biomedicine
May. 15, 2024—Carl H. Johnson, Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Biological Sciences, along with a team of Vanderbilt scientists, have succeeded in adjusting the daily biological clock of cyanobacteria, making the blue-green algae a more prolific producer of renewable fuels, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, like insulin. The ultimate solar-powered machines, cyanobacteria are like tiny workshops churning out everything from...
Vanderbilt University Native Meadow flourishing with collaborative research projects
Apr. 29, 2024—Tucked behind the 6 Magnolia Building on Vanderbilt’s Peabody Campus is what might look to some like a lush garden of weeds. In reality, it’s a strategic Native Meadow full of pollinator-friendly plants. Funded by the Vanderbilt Green Fund in 2021, students proposed filling a meadow with plants native to the Tennessee/Nashville area to increase...
Tapping into the past
Apr. 29, 2024—With a prestigious new grant, archaeologist Ari Caramanica will explore what ancient people can teach us about dealing with the most pressing environmental issue of our time. By Michael Blanding Among the dry hills of the north coast of Peru are massive earth mounds that appear to be natural features. Archaeologist Ari Caramanica has revealed them...
Locally sourced foods take center stage at Campus Dining’s Earth Month events
Apr. 29, 2024—During Earth Month, Vanderbilt Campus Dining hosted a series of events for the community, including the largest Rand Farmers Market to date! The market showcased locally sourced products such as fresh produce, cheeses and jams. Several partners and vendors were invited to campus and set up tents offering samples for students. Among Vanderbilt’s core principles...
Seven Vanderbilt faculty members named fellows by the American Association for the Advancement of Science
Apr. 25, 2024—After a rigorous nomination and review process, seven distinguished Vanderbilt University professors were named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The class of 2023, announced on April 18, included 502 scientists, engineers and innovators spanning all 24 of the AAAS disciplinary sections who were recognized for their scientific achievements. “At Vanderbilt, we’re...
Vanderbilt continues carbon neutral collaboration with Clearloop, supporting rural West Tennessee solar farm
Apr. 22, 2024—Vanderbilt University will help expand access to clean energy in Brownsville, Tennessee, while further offsetting the institution’s carbon footprint—thanks to the second of three solar farms being developed through the university’s multiyear collaboration with Clearloop, a subsidiary of Silicon Ranch, an alumni-founded solar company based in Nashville. Vanderbilt’s latest investment in solar energy will be in a...
Vanderbilt University launches sustainable lab program
Apr. 18, 2024—The new Vanderbilt Sustainable Labs program, an initiative from Environmental Health, Safety, and Sustainability in the Division of Administration, provides guidance and a voluntary certification designation for laboratory members to reduce the environmental impact of their lab activities. Laboratory spaces traditionally consume about five times more energy per square foot than standard office spaces, making them a crucial...