Reconstructing past climate and cultural shifts could help predict how people and animals might be affected in the future.
Addressing our deepest societal environmental challenges

The Center for the Environment is an interdisciplinary hub of environmental research that is committed to generating transformative solutions to our deepest societal challenges including: climate change, air pollution, access to clean water, food insecurity, biodiversity loss and infectious diseases.

By the numbers

95

Center scholars

7

Proposals/Grants supported

500+

Activity participants

115

Journal articles published
Jan-June 2024

The Center’s mission

The center serves as a cross-cutting collaboration hub, encouraging partners, faculty and students to advance research projects in areas including biodiversity, environmental justice, planetary health, environmental solutions, and climate change. Here’s a closer look at who we are, what we do, and why it matters for our community, our region and our world.

Field Notes: South Pacific

Field Notes: South Pacific

WashU earth scientists are studying undersea earthquakes and analyzing lava rocks from a volcanic hotspot near the islands of Samoa. Read about the work from their 28-day research cruise in 2023.

Turning bacteria into bioplastic factories

Turning bacteria into bioplastic factories

Two new studies by biologists at Washington University in St. Louis highlight one potential source of game-changing materials: purple bacteria that, with a little encouragement, can act like microscopic factories for bioplastics.

Core soil samples being taken at Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary

The WashU ecosystem

Within the WashU ecosystem of environmental research, education, and practice, the Center for the Environment serves as a connector. Much like a biodiversity corridor, we work to create space where our partners within the ecosystem and across distinct disciplines come together to address our world’s biggest environmental challenges.

Connect with us

Upcoming Events
09
Aug

Capturing Nature Exhibit

From August 9, 2024 at 12:00 am to December 15, 2024 at 11:59 pm
John M. Olin Library, Level 1, Thomas Gallery

Research themes