Cornell picked as finalist for massive climate change research investment
Summary
The description continues that the overall goal of the project is to generate a model that can feasibly be employed in rural regions around the country to build an ecosystem of partners and stakeholders to transform their economy by sustainably using locally available biomass and talent resources.Academics at Cornell and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry will be utilized to further the goals, which will focus on sustainable food systems, climate beneficial technology and nature-based innovation and bio-based industrial processes.Upstate 2.0 will become a model for how rural areas nationwide can transform their economy through the sustainable use of locally available biomass industries, including agricultural and forest products, the plan states.This $1 million NSF grant and chance to compete for a bigger national prize is a major step to help further establish the Ithaca area as a leader in climate-forward research and innovation, Schumer said. Plus, the resulting emerging industry would provide local, well-paying jobs in the area.The news continues the friendly relationship between Cornell and its representation in the U.S. Senate. Just eight months ago, Schumer announced that through the CHIPS and Science Act, which he championed, a federal Innovation Corps Hub would be created, with an Interior Northeast Region which is led by Cornell and includes five other nearby universities. That program was allocated $15 million.This NSF Regional Innovation Engines development award presents a tremendously exciting new opportunity for Cornell to help map a more prosperous and sustainable future for New York, and for our planet, said Cornell University President Martha Pollack, thanking Schumer for his leadership on innovation investment specifically. I look forward to the collaborative innovation of our teams at Cornell and SUNY ESF, and the way they will bring theory to practice as we work to address our most urgent global challenges.