In a pivotal move to address the pressing challenges of climate change, Stony Brook University faculty recently played a significant role at the inaugural Climate Solutions Summit NYC, held on Governors Island from April 23-24.
Hosted by The New York Climate Exchange, the Summit gathered experts and researchers to explore innovative solutions and emerging research in climate science.
Paul Shepson, the dean of the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS), expressed pride in Stony Brook’s designation as the anchor institution for the event.
“It was a fantastic honor that Stony Brook was chosen as the anchor institution,” said Shepson.
He emphasized the ambitious goals of The Exchange, stating, “This organization aims to transform how New York City approaches transportation, energy production, and building temperatures to protect our planet from climate change.”
During the Summit, Shepson participated in a panel discussing sustainability strategies for Governors Island.
His ideas included the introduction of more indigenous plants and the proposal for the Governors Island Environmental Observatory (GIEO) to enhance data sharing and resilience in ecosystems affected by climate change.
Kevin Reed, associate provost for climate and sustainability at Stony Brook, moderated this vital panel, underscoring the importance of faculty engagement in shaping future research priorities at The Exchange.
“Stony Brook’s engagement in the Climate Solutions Summit NYC ensures our faculty will take a leading role in Exchange research efforts for the coming year,” Reed stated.
Several Stony Brook faculty members presented their groundbreaking research at the Summit, showcasing the university’s commitment to addressing climate-related issues.
Guanyu Huang, an assistant professor in SoMAS/Program in Public Health, introduced an AI-based tool designed to tackle disparities in nitrogen dioxide exposure.
This tool aims to help communities find the most effective climate and emission resilience strategies that suit their specific needs, promoting environmental justice in the context of climate change.
Huang stated, “I hope this tool will facilitate collaborations to address environmental justice under a changing climate.”
Sixto Taveras Lopez, a PhD student in the Department of Ecology and Evolution, shared research on the migration patterns of salt marshes and coastal ecosystems along Long Island’s South Shore due to climate change.
His findings revealed that rising sea levels are causing soil salinity to increase, leading to die-off among adjacent trees and the gradual shift of salt-tolerant marsh grasses into previously barren areas.
Lopez emphasized the urgency of communicating these findings: “We have evidence of varying migration rates depending on environmental and topographical factors.
It is essential to relay this information to conservation managers, policymakers, and the public to preserve local wildlife and communities along the coast.”
The Summit’s focus on effective communication was underscored in a presentation by Joshua Rice, a communication lecturer at the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science.
Together with Laura Lindenfeld, the dean of the School of Communication and Journalism, Rice emphasized the significance of cognitive empathy in climate dialogue.
They engaged attendees through interactive exercises aimed at fostering clear communication about climate research across diverse audiences.
“The research is incredible, but it means nothing if we cannot communicate it clearly and make it matter to the diversity of audiences we want to reach,” Rice noted.
Pamela Ginex, an assistant professor in the School of Nursing, emphasized the intersection of health and climate change in her presentation, utilizing large data sets to document health impacts of climate-related disasters.
Ginex highlighted that health considerations must be integral to discussions on climate change: “If we do not have our health, nothing else matters.
Aspects of health or health outcomes should be a part of any climate change project or discussion.”
Overall, the Climate Solutions Summit NYC served as a valuable platform for Stony Brook faculty to share their research and engage with industry, academic, and community partners.
Participants recognized the convergence of efforts to combat climate change and prepare for its consequences in New York and beyond.
Ginex remarked, “So many amazing people and organizations are working to combat climate change and respond to climate disasters in the New York region and beyond.
The Exchange is going to be a leader in bringing these voices together.”
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