Stony Brook University recently dealt with a significant weather challenge. A rare, intense storm hit Suffolk County, New York, submerging the area with over nine inches of rain in just one day. The severity of the storm caused considerable damage around Mill Pond, affecting roads, homes, businesses, and even some campus residence halls. This event emphasized the relevance of climate change issues for the university community.
Interim President Richard L. McCormick faced the daunting task of coordinating recovery efforts. The timing of the storm spotlighted the challenges posed by climate change. “Stony Brook University seeks to advance conversations on climate change and its implications for our state, nation, and the world,” McCormick noted. He commended the campus's resilience in overcoming the setback.
Capitalizing on this experience, McCormick shared insights from the university's handling of the crisis during Climate Week NYC—a key climate event in partnership with the United Nations General Assembly and New York City. He shared his thoughts, “Nowhere is the connection between knowledge, education, and addressing critical societal issues more clear than through our work in climate.”
The university's proactive stance is reinforced by its role as the anchor institution for The New York Climate Exchange, a climate solutions hub based on Governors Island. “We are honored to be able to serve in this leadership capacity,” McCormick said. Stephen Hammer, CEO of The Exchange, praised Stony Brook, stating, “Stony Brook University’s expertise across climate-related topics makes them an ideal anchor partner.”
Two years ago, the Collaborative for the Earth (C4E) initiative was launched to enhance climate-related work and partnerships. Heather Lynch, director for C4E, stressed, “The urgency of climate change has become all too clear.” The collaborative organizes themed events and programs, focusing on topics such as offshore wind and currently nuclear power.
In another initiative, Stony Brook faculty, staff, and students participated in an offshore wind farm expedition, providing firsthand experience of renewable energy projects. “We can study the merits of offshore wind all we want, but until students and faculty actually see what a wind farm looks like up close, they can’t really engage with the issues at hand,” Lynch explained.
The upcoming academic debate at The New York Climate Exchange's summit will investigate nuclear energy. Kevin Reed, associated with climate and sustainability, emphasized the importance of partnerships, “Building partnerships across disciplines, sectors and communities is paramount to developing climate solutions that will be usable by the groups who need them the most.”
A university-wide strategic effort for climate-related education and research is underway, aiming to create collaborative environments across different academic domains. Carl Lejuez noted the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, “Our best chance, at Stony Brook and around the world, must include ideas, perspectives and expertise from all disciplines.”
The university is further integrating climate education through new courses, like a "pop-up" class offering a comprehensive overview of climate change topics for undergraduates. Lejuez added, “I’m proud to be part of an institution that centers collaboration and dares to think outside the box to find solutions.”