Stony Brook University is encouraging its students, faculty, and staff to take part in Climate Week NYC, which will be held from September 21-28, 2025. The annual event brings together thousands of participants in New York City to discuss climate challenges and explore innovative solutions.
This year, The New York Climate Exchange will turn Governors Island into a central location for climate-focused activities. Kevin Reed, associate provost for climate and sustainability programming at Stony Brook University and chief climate scientist at The New York Climate Exchange, said, “Climate Week NYC represents a unique convergence of scientific innovation, technology development, and real-world implementation. For our Stony Brook community, it’s an invaluable opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research, connect with global leaders in climate science, and translate our academic expertise into actionable solutions. I encourage our students, faculty, and staff to participate actively—these conversations happening right in our backyard will shape the climate strategies of tomorrow.”
The schedule includes more than 20 events highlighting advances in climate technology and urban resilience. Organizers are aiming for broad participation by using varied formats such as film screenings, discussions with authors, and interactive sessions like trivia nights.
One highlight is a showcase featuring the first group of Climate Tech Fellows from The New York Climate Exchange. This group includes innovators from Stony Brook and other partner universities who are working on projects related to grid resilience, hydrogen storage, coral restoration, and wildfire management. The event offers networking opportunities for those interested in collaborating on new climate solutions.
A session co-hosted by IBM and The Exchange will focus on SWAT VEXA (Soil & Water Assessment Tool Virtual Extension Assistant), a collaboration between the IBM Impact Accelerator and Texas A&M AgriLife Research. SWAT VEXA aims to make water and soil data more accessible through AI-driven guidance for farmers and land managers.
Another event will feature a documentary about how scientists and artists observe climate impacts worldwide. After the screening, attendees can join observation activities designed to help them document local changes related to climate issues. Transportation from Stony Brook to Governors Island is available for registered participants.
The university emphasizes that there are opportunities for community members interested in areas ranging from clean energy innovation to sustainable agriculture.
For further details about specific events or registration information, participants are encouraged to visit the relevant event pages.