The University of Rochester is creating the Center for Energy & Environment. Its purpose is to improve energy systems and to understand the impacts of energy technologies on the environment and human health.
“The planet’s carbon cycle is being significantly altered by human consumption of fossil fuel energy resources,” said Carmala Garzione, the director of the center and chair of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. “These changes are altering the Earth’s climate at an unprecedented rate. That’s why it’s important to understand the impact human activity has on the carbon cycle, as well as the environment in general.”
The new center will also focus on the health impacts of changing energy resources. Researchers will work with the U of R Medical Center on areas like inhalation exposure, and toxicology studies.
The new center will also rely on advanced computing techniques, supported by the newly created Institute for Data Science, to help carry out its mission.
