Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability

Faith communities in the Carolinas are often on the front lines of care during extreme heat. Through ’s Cooling Communities project, new ministry resources are available to help congregations further support their neighbors as temperatures rise. Explore the story and resources at duke.is/heatministry
 

The Duke Plus Programs are underway for the summer! ☀️
 
This marks the fifth year of Climate+, a 10-week research experience focused on real-world climate and environmental challenges. This summer, 31 undergrad and grad students are participating across 9 Climate+ project teams. expert Lydia Olander is co-leading one of those projects on data-driven valuation of flood resilience investments. 🌊
 
PLUS! The Nicholas Institute is co-sponsoring a History+ project led by expert Tom Cinq-Mars. The project will document the lives of enslaved millers and laborers connected to the Historic Yates Mill County Park in Raleigh, NC.
 
We’re excited to see the results of this summer research experience!

It’s North Carolina Heat Safety Week—and many in NC will experience extreme heat, especially on Wednesday, 5/20. How can you keep cool without A/C? Check out these research-based strategies from ’s Heat Policy Innovation Hub.
 
 

Last weekend, 21 Duke seniors repped a bright green cord on their graduation gowns 🎓 for completing the Certificate in Energy & Environment. Here’s to their hard work and to all they’ll accomplish in the future! 
 
➡️ Swipe to see students presenting their capstone projects and receiving their cords! Also featured is Certificate in Energy & Environment co-director Josiah Knight () accepting a plaque for his exemplary service, mentorship, and dedication to interdisciplinary education through the program. Knight is retiring this year, along with co-director Emily Klein [not pictured] of , who was also honored. 💙
 
P.S. The rumors are true—Duke undergraduates at both AND Pratt School of Engineering can pursue the six-course certificate. Learn more: duke.is/EEcert

🎓🌍 Congratulations to the Class of 2026! This year’s seniors helped make our campus energy and climate community a lively scene that’s rich in curiosity, flowing with fresh ideas, and inclined toward action. 
 
We’re highlighting six newly minted grads whose climate and sustainability journeys at Duke stand out: 𝐀𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐞𝐠𝐥𝐞, 𝐁𝐞𝐧 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐂𝐡𝐥𝐨𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠, 𝐋𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐲 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐳𝐞𝐫, 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞, and 𝐓𝐲𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞.
 
Read their stories and learn more about the many ways Duke students are preparing to lead on climate and sustainability: duke.is/climateclass26
 
🗣️ Sound off in the comments if you know one of these stellar grads!

🌏 and faculty collab for an in-person event on Thursday, May 7: “Climate Governance & Transition Pathways in an Uncertain Era.” All are welcome to join us at the Bolton Family Tower Room in Brodhead for ALL OR PART of the day’s agenda. Register at duke.is/may7climate
 
WHAT TO EXPECT: 
🎤 Panel discussions with Duke and faculty on (1) climate and biodiversity governance in an uncertain time and (2) energy and climate policy innovation and finance.
🥗 Free lunch to network and explore the day’s discussions with your colleagues and peers.
💡 Insights on climate and environmental research coming out of Duke and DKU directly from the researchers.
 
AGENDA:
9-9:05 AM - Opening Remarks
9:05-9:45 AM - Panel Session I: Climate and Biodiversity Governance in an Uncertain Time
9:45-10:25 AM - Panel Session II: Energy and Climate Policy Innovation and Finance
10:30-11:30 AM - Workshop: Climate, Risk, and Finance
11:30 AM-12:30 PM - Lunch Break
12:30-2 PM - Workshop: Forestry, Land-Use, and Credits
2-3:20 PM - Workshop: Biodiversity, Development, and Health
3:20-3:40 PM - Coffee Break
3:40-4:40 PM - Workshop: Ecological Systems and Policy
 

Where students connect with climate opportunities. 💙 💚
 
Over the past year, students from degree programs across Duke engaged with the through courses, research, events, field experiences, internships, career services, and student-led ventures. 
 
From conducting heat data research on St. Thomas to witnessing international climate policy take shape at COP30 in Brazil... from leading Energy Week at Duke to advancing climate finance research... Duke students have connected with decision-makers and practitioners on the front lines of climate progress, and taken on hands-on projects accelerating climate solutions.  
 
Students are at the center of our community. Their energy, insights, and hard work are critical inputs to our efforts to advance a more just, resilient, and sustainable world. And they give us immeasurable hope for the future as they move into careers and lives of consequence, well-equipped to influence climate decisions wherever they land!  
 
As we celebrate and LDOC, we thought this was a perfect time to share some of the special moments we captured with Duke students this year. 📸 
 

🖐 🛑 Before the semester wraps up, join us at Gross Hall for a Climate & Sustainability Showcase—April 21, 6-7:30 p.m. Learn more & register: duke.is/showcase26
 
Opt out and you’ll miss out on...
🎗️ A unique puppetry show performed by a Bass Connections project team (recognized as runner-up in the Bass Connections Showcase—so it will LITERALLY be an award-worthy performance) on fostering climate resilience through education and art.
 
⚡ Lightning talks by passionate Duke students who went all in on teams, tackled campus sustainability as Green Devils, completed projects at , and collaborated on research with Climate Leaders in Residence. Get inspired by their work on topics ranging from native plants and utility innovation to food waste, environmental justice, thrifting, and nuclear energy. 🚗 (ka-chow)
 
🧁 🥪 🥬 FREE FOOD. Feed your mind in these pre-finals days (& prepare for LDOC).

We’re your hope. You’re our hope. We HOPE to see you there. 🫰