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

76

Center scholars

6

Teams/Grants supported

250+

Activity participants

208

Journal articles published in 2023

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.

‘Santiago Sierra: 52 Canvases Exposed to Mexico City’s Air’

‘Santiago Sierra: 52 Canvases Exposed to Mexico City’s Air’

The Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum at WashU will present this exbibition Feb. 23 through July 29. It consists of 52 canvases that Sierra placed on the floor of a city building, highlighting the contaminants that can poison the urban environment.

Gateway STEM students visit campus for Kolbert Q&A

Gateway STEM students visit campus for Kolbert Q&A

Climate Across Curriculum connects Gateway STEM students to WashU experts and resources. Recently, a cohort of 40 high school students met and had a Q&A session with Elizabeth Kolbert.

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.

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Upcoming Events

Research themes