Safe drinking water
A new nontoxic powder uses sunlight to quickly disinfect contaminated drinking water. Scientists say the ultrafast disinfectant could be a revolutionary advance for 2 billion people worldwide without access to safe drinking water.
Earth. Climate. Society.
The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability draws on a deep understanding of Earth, climate, and society to create solutions at a global scale, in collaboration with partners worldwide. Together, we strive to create a future where humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity.
Our research
Climate change in history textbooks
A new AI-driven analysis finds the most popular U.S. history textbooks used in California and Texas commonly misrepresent the scientific consensus around climate change.
Food farms and urban forests
A new report estimates the amount of food that could be produced by urban farms and food forests, as well as some of their additional benefits: urban cooling, carbon storage, flood retention, and green space.
Art of geology
Hundreds of students participated in the Stanford Geological Survey, a century-long program that brought undergraduates to the field for extended periods to survey and map the geology of parts of California, Nevada, and Utah.
Arun Majumdar
Inaugural Dean, Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability
“Climate and sustainability are the defining issues of the 21st century. Arguably, there is no other issue that is more important that will affect humanity and the planet.”
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There are many ways to help make a real difference.
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Join our network
Our global network works with us to develop ideas and solutions.
Support our work
Your support helps us fund new research, hire faculty, and create solutions.
Meet our community
Meet Rosemary Knight, professor of geophysics and of Earth system science gives a TED-style talk on scaling the impact of geophysics.
Our community
Sustainability challenges affect everyone, and we need to include all voices in creating global solutions. We support a diverse community of faculty, students, and staff through our DEI programming, including our courses, financial aid, and affinity groups. We also hold ourselves accountable by tracking our progress.
School news
Cui has served as director of the Precourt Institute for Energy since 2020 – a role he will continue until a new director is named.
The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability will focus on greenhouse gas removal from the atmosphere as the first of what will be several Flagship Destinations.
Throughout the summer and fall quarters, Dean Arun Majumdar listened to student concerns about fossil fuel funding of research, among other topics. These diverse conversations have informed next steps the school is taking to foster community and open dialogue in addition to steps being taken by the university.
About the school
The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability incorporates the people and programs of the former School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences and expands to include the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, the Precourt Institute for Energy, and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (joint with the School of Engineering). It also includes the facilities of Hopkins Marine Station, which had been part of the School of Humanities and Sciences. The school also includes a Sustainability Accelerator, and will have an Institute for Sustainable Societies, as well as several new departments and initiatives.
Learn more about the school’s history
