With the prospect of a large-scale gas drilling project in Ithaca, many residents have voiced concern about such a project’s potential environmental and health impacts. Despite the potential profits from leasing land to gas companies for natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation, residents have vocally raised concerns.

Because of its commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation, Cornell was recently recognized as a Tree Campus U.S.A. for 2009; the first time an Ivy League institution has received such a title.

They are not hippie communes. They are not even about “living off the grid.” Largely unknown and misinterpreted, ecovillages are communities striving to “integrate a supportive social environment with a low impact way of life” according to the Global Ecovillage Network.

In discussions of sustainability, the environment often takes center stage while issues of social equity and economic sustainability are either relegated to the background or are not present at all. The Bioneers Conference — held from Oct. 16 to Oct. 18 on the Ithaca College campus — made inquiries into a more sustainable future from five perspectives: sustainable economy, our clean energy future, fortifying our food sheds, earth stewardship and health and well-being.

Food is the body’s source of energy and nutrients, without which the human body would cease to function. Most Americans are reminded of this fact three times a day, thanks to the extensively evolved agricultural system that has developed since our transition from hunter-gatherer ways 10,000 years ago. However, the delicate state of the environment leaves the future of food production uncertain, particularly for developing nations.

In August, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, a national organization to evaluate and assure quality of engineering programs, accredited Cornell’s environmental engineering program for the first time. The specialized accreditation allows C.U. graduates to take exams that certify them as licensed professional engineers.

The environmental engineering degree, a joint program between the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering, was created in 2002. Although the program had not been accredited, students could still receive a diploma from the program. The program was not accredited because the accrediting board only considers programs that have graduates.

In an continued effort to develop energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly innovation, Ithaca is set to launch a multitude of new programs this summer directed at training workers in the local community.

According to Julia Mattick, director of the Tompkins County Workforce Investment Board, the Board will invest approximately $120,000 in 2009 to fund various programs meant to create and sustain green-collar jobs for Ithacans under the age of 24. The funding comes primarily from the federal government's workforce investment act and stimulus bill, according to Mattick.

For almost a week, Prof. Bruce Lewenstein, communication, tantalized his class, Communication 2850: Communication in the Life Sciences, with only the vaguest of details about a “super secret mystery guest.” Lewenstein would only say that the “mystery guest” was tall, thin and a Cornell alumnus.

“While I heard the gossip about his potential appearance, when he actually walked into the room I was so surprised,” Josh Helfgott ’11 stated in an e-mail. “He walked in wearing his trademark bow tie and smiled at the class. All I could do was smile. He looked just like he does on TV.” The Science Guy: Bill Nye ’77 speaks to Communication 2850: Communication in the Life Sciences yesterday in Warren Hall.