🦪 It’s time to shell-ebrate the incredible oyster! #NationalOysterDay As global leaders in oyster reef research, Carolina scientists are uncovering how these remarkable bivalve mollusks do even more than we thought! Read more + watch: ie.unc.edu/news/the-inc...

Shell-ebrate National Oyster Day! - UNC Institute for the Environment

Oyster research at UNC is driving new opportunities for NC's workforce, economy and coastal health.

ie.unc.edu

Read this special edition of our August e-news to see where Carolina students learn by doing—from the mountains to the coast and beyond. Read it here: ie.unc.edu/latest_news/...

From the blog: The best classroom has no walls. Dive into one student's story of discovery and the lessons only a coral reef can teach. #UNC senior Lucas Pisciotta writes about his Maymester experience in St. John. Read it here 👇 ie.unc.edu/news/beneath...

Beneath the surface: What a coral reef taught me that a classroom never could - UNC Institute for the Environment

Lucas Pisciotta is a rising senior at UNC-Chapel Hill, from Raleigh, North Carolina. He is double majoring in biology and medical anthropology with a minor in environmental science.

ie.unc.edu

Sustainability Analyst Melanie Elliott is giving incoming students an electric bus tour of Carolina's hidden sustainability features. Read more 👇 sustainable.unc.edu/2026/06/sust...

Sustainable Carolina to offer sustainability bus ride to students attending orientation - Sustainable Carolina

For the first time, Sustainable Carolina will offer narrated bus tours to students and families attending summer orientation at UNC.

sustainable.unc.edu

Do you know what to do when you lose power? Noah Kittner, director of IE's Energy Transition Initiative, offers tips for finding the right backup to keep your home running. Read more. apnews.com/article/clim...

Battery bank or generator? How to choose the best backup power for your home during an outage

From portable battery banks and generators to larger home systems, there are many backup power choices to consider as extreme weather ramps up and outages happen more often and last longer.

apnews.com

Nine UNC students spent the spring semester designing and carrying out their own research project, examining indoor air quality in dorms. They partnered with Chapel Hill-based IotaComm, who provided and helped install air quality sensors. Read more. ie.unc.edu/news/student...

Students investigate indoor air quality in UNC residence halls through Sustainable Triangle Field Site - UNC Institute for the Environment

From developing a research question to communicating findings, students get hands-on experience.

ie.unc.edu

A staff favorite! The Carolina Beekeeping Club allows students to learn about sustainability and protecting honeybees. Read and watch! www.unc.edu/posts/2025/1...

Have you heard the buzz? | UNC-Chapel Hill

The Carolina Beekeeping Club allows students to learn about sustainability and protecting honeybees.

unc.edu

What do data centers and PFAS have in common? They were all part of UNC senior Katie Fear's hands-on learning experience as a geospatial intern with the @selc.bsky.social through the UNC Ecostudio program. Read more about her work 👇 ie.unc.edu/news/data-ce...

Data centers and PFAS: Interning with the Southern Environmental Law Center through UNC’s EcoStudio - UNC Institute for the Environment

Katie Fear is a 2026 graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and a Morehead-Cain Scholar from Llandovery, Wales.

ie.unc.edu

A groundbreaking hybrid modeling tool developed by researchers at the @unc-ie.bsky.social and Abt Global, LLC for the state of New York estimates and quantifies the potential air pollution health co-benefits of decarbonization policies. Read more ⬇️ ie.unc.edu/news/new-air...

New air quality model for analyzing New York energy policy demonstrates nearly double the potential health benefits from economy-wide emission reductions compared to existing tools - UNC Institute for...

New study provides localized insights not previously represented in other models.

ie.unc.edu

Meet Brian Naess ’01, GIS analyst and lecturer here at @unc-ie.bsky.social! Naess has been part of IE for 25 years, starting out as assistant director of the Albemarle Ecological Field Site (AEFS). Read more about what he's been up to👇 ie.unc.edu/news/five-qu...

Five Questions with Brian Naess '01 - UNC Institute for the Environment

Meet GIS analyst and lecturer Brian Naess!

ie.unc.edu

Oysters are even better at cleaning up coastal water than we thought, according to new research from @annesmiley.bsky.social of @unc-ie.bsky.social. Comments by Rachel Smith from @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social, story by @lisasgardiner.bsky.social eos.org/articles/oys...

Oysters Clean Up More Nitrogen Pollution Than We Thought - Eos

New research has revealed that significant amounts of excess nitrogen in coastal waters are buried as oyster reefs grow and that some reefs trap more nitrogen than others.

eos.org

I love a story about small, understated creatures that make a big difference in the world, so this one was a joy to write. Thanks to the oysters and the scientists who study them! @annesmiley.bsky.social @unc-ie.bsky.social #scicomm #MarineLife #ocean #ecology #restoration

Eos@eos.org · 2mo ago

Oysters are even better at cleaning up coastal water than we thought, according to new research from @annesmiley.bsky.social of @unc-ie.bsky.social. Comments by Rachel Smith from @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social, story by @lisasgardiner.bsky.social eos.org/articles/oys...

While on his summer tour of N.C., Chancellor Lee Roberts made stops along the coast, which included marsh areas and living shorelines and featured a variety of Carolina projects that are protecting the state's environment, economy and people. Read more 🔽 www.unc.edu/posts/2026/0...

Tar Heel researchers share their work with chancellor on the coast | UNC-Chapel Hill

As part of his eastern North Carolina tour, Lee H. Roberts learned about projects on a boat tour and at the UNC Institute of Marine Sciences.

unc.edu

From the blog: See how #UNC student researcher Ariana Cotton investigated environmental quality and developed her skills to have real-world impact on campus through the Sustainable Triangle Field Site over the spring semester. Read it here 🔽 ie.unc.edu/news/gaining...

Gaining the skills to have real-world impact: Limitless possibilities for change and growth in the 2026 Sustainable Triangle Field Site - UNC Institute for the Environment

Ariana Cotton is a junior at UNC-Chapel Hill from Memphis, Tennessee.

ie.unc.edu

From the blog: Protecting communities means understanding both environmental and financial risk. A closer look at flood resilience research at #UNC by UNC student researcher Olivia Payne. Read the full post 👇 ie.unc.edu/news/flood-r...

Flood risk and financial resilience: Reflections on my research experience at UNC - UNC Institute for the Environment

Olivia Payne is a junior at UNC-Chapel Hill from Etowah, North Carolina. She is double-majoring in Environmental Studies and Public Policy and is an undergraduate student researcher with UNC’s Institu...

ie.unc.edu

Though world-renowned #UNC researcher and professor Hans W. Paerl retired in June 2025, his legacy will continue to make waves at Carolina and throughout the state for years to come. Read more 👇 ie.unc.edu/news/paerl-c...

Paerl cements legacy in North Carolina history with Order of the Long Leaf Pine recognition - UNC Institute for the Environment

Hans Paerl inducted into North Carolina’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

ie.unc.edu

County ordinances play a key role in whether large-scale solar projects advance or stall in the U.S. Read more about the latest research out of Carolina. ie.unc.edu/news/new-car...

New Carolina research decodes how county ordinances shape large-scale solar development in the U.S.  - UNC Institute for the Environment

A new study examines county-level ordinances on the development of large-scale solar projects.

ie.unc.edu

The incredible oyster! 🦪 Oyster research at #UNC is driving new opportunities for North Carolina’s workforce, economy and coastal health. Read more + watch: ie.unc.edu/news/the-inc... @mpiehler.bsky.social @annesmiley.bsky.social

The incredible oyster: Researchers uncover new benefits - UNC Institute for the Environment

Oyster research at UNC is driving new opportunities for NC's workforce, economy and coastal health.

ie.unc.edu

From the blog: #UNC data science student Perry Holtzclaw dives into how North Carolina is navigating the massive energy needs of data centers and the move toward a renewable grid. Read her takeaways from the 2026 UNC Cleantech Summit 🔽 ie.unc.edu/news/learnin...

Learning at the UNC Clean Tech Summit: The intersection of renewable energy generation and data center construction - UNC Institute for the Environment

Perry Holtzclaw is a junior at UNC-Chapel Hill majoring in Data Science with minors in Sustainability and Public Policy.  Perry is from Mercer Island, Washington. By Perry Holtzclaw ’27 Finding an Int...

ie.unc.edu

Carolina's Provost Magnus Egerstedt shared a love letter to the public research university, brought to life with a mural installed in Porthole Alley. @unc-ie.bsky.social researcher @annesmiley.bsky.social is featured in the mural holding a sediment core. provost.unc.edu/love-letter-...

Love Letter to the Public Research University - Office of the Provost

By Magnus Egerstedt, executive vice chancellor and provost The public research university is a living, breathing civic institution. One that believes knowledge, access and opportunity belong to the pu...

provost.unc.edu

Iconic.

Surprise! We've turned the iconic Bell Tower from Carolina blue to green for Earth Day! 🌎 💚 If you’re in the area, snap a picture and let us know how you are celebrating Earth Day. @sustainable-unc.bsky.social @mpiehler.bsky.social

Happy Earth Day 🌎! Today, we celebrate the planet and the people who will care for it in the future. At @unc-ie.bsky.social, that celebration includes a commitment to K-12 education that sparks curiosity, builds knowledge and empowers learners. Support our work: unc.live/EarthMonth26

North Carolina is proving that clean energy isn’t just good for the planet—it’s smart business. A new report, highlighted by the Gov.'s office, by @unc-ie.bsky.social @datadrivenlab.bsky.social shows the economic impact of companies in N.C. with net-zero targets. Read more 🔽 go.unc.edu/y6L9N

Happy Earth Week, Tar Heels! Join us TODAY for the Festival on the Green Roof hosted by @sustainable-unc.bsky.social. It is our annual celebration of students’ sustainability accomplishments. Get your Earth Day swag and join the fun! 📍 Chase Plaza 🗓 April 20 ⏰ 3-6 p.m.

UNC Institute for the Environment@unc-ie.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Earth Day is almost here! Join us next week for the Festival on the Green Roof hosted by @sustainable-unc.bsky.social. It is our annual celebration of students’ sustainability accomplishments throughout the year. 📍 Chase Plaza 🗓 April 20 ⏰ 3-6 p.m. Full details: sustainable.unc.edu/event/festiv...

WATCH: @unc-ie.bsky.social Director @mpiehler.bsky.social led a panel on the environmental aspects of AI at #UNC's inaugural AI for Public Good Conference. He talks about the AI revolution in this recap of the event. youtu.be/QdC7bZK0WbM?...

Carolina hosts inaugural AI for Public Good Conference

YouTube video by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

youtu.be

Earth Day is almost here! Join us next week for the Festival on the Green Roof hosted by @sustainable-unc.bsky.social. It is our annual celebration of students’ sustainability accomplishments throughout the year. 📍 Chase Plaza 🗓 April 20 ⏰ 3-6 p.m. Full details: sustainable.unc.edu/event/festiv...

Festival on the Green Roof - Sustainable Carolina

The Festival on the Green Roof is our annual celebration of our student’s sustainability accomplishments throughout the year. Join us in Chase Plaza for a Carolina Dining Services Farm Stand, Earth Da...

sustainable.unc.edu

Ever wondered what happens to historic trees when they come down on campus? Read how the Carolina Tree Heritage program at @unc-ie.bsky.social partners with UNC Facilities Services to salvage the wood and create beautiful and functional pieces of art. www.unc.edu/posts/2026/0...

Carolina Tree Heritage program salvages historic wood | UNC-Chapel Hill

These photos show how woodworkers give old trees new legacies in locations across campus.

unc.edu

Earlier this week, UNC hosted its inaugural AI for Public Good Conference. A panel on the environment included researchers from @unc-ie.bsky.social. Read more about Carolina's role in harnessing this fast-moving technology 🔽 www.unc.edu/posts/2026/0...

Welcome to vibe coding and pumping the brakes | UNC-Chapel Hill

Carolina’s first AI for Public Good Conference offered cutting edge views on the future of artificial intelligence to nearly 600 attendees.

unc.edu

🌎 Earth Month is a time to celebrate the people and ideas making Carolina more sustainable. At the heart of it all is @sustainable-unc.bsky.social. This month, we’re celebrating the progress and building what comes next. 💚 Make your gift now: unc.live/EarthMonth26