Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability

Duke students recently visited Duke Forest this month as part of their summer Climate+ project efforts to evaluate the recent restoration of New Hope Creek. 
 
This summer, Duke undergrads will use LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and high-resolution drone imagery to track changes in the creek before and after barrier removal that disrupted stream flow. The work restored aquatic habitat connectivity for threatened mussels and host fish. 🐟
 
The students will provide Duke Forest staff with a reproducible analysis workflow they can use for the next five to seven years of monitoring while gaining practical experience in geospatial data science, remote sensing, and scientific communication.
 
TL;DR: These Climate+ students will finish their summer research by contributing to a long-term conservation effort in one of Duke’s most valued teaching and research landscapes. 💪☀️
 
Swipe to see if you can spot the slithery friend the students met on the site visit. Any guesses on what type of snake it is? 🐍

DukeEngage program students are in the U.S. Virgin Islands this summer mapping climate risks to build island resilience.

Launched in summer 2025 and led by Ashley Ward (director of Duke’s Heat Policy Innovation Hub), this project partners with the Government of the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR), the University of Virgin Islands (UVI), and VIISION.

Ten Duke students will build upon the work of their summer 2025 program peers to collect field data on heat, stormwater infrastructure, and walkability. What’ll they do with this data? At the end of the summer, the students will compile and digitize stormwater inventories, and produce maps, videos, and interpretive signage that will inform territorial planning and community outreach.

They’ll also be working with community groups and local youth on projects that combine environmental action with cultural and historic preservation.

Stay tuned as we follow their summer experience, meet their partners, and learn why this work is important.

Learn more about the project at duke.is/USVI

Duke graduate and upper-level undergraduates can apply by Friday, June 26, for the Fall 2026 course: United Nations Climate Change Negotiations Practicum (ENVIRON 592/PUBPOL 592). The course is designed for students interested in international climate change policy and developing analytical thinking skills with hands-on learning. You will also get the chance to travel to Antalya, Türkiye, for the 2026 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties ( ) this November. Learn more and apply: duke.is/unfccc26
 

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!