Several faculty and staff members from Stony Brook University gathered on October 2 to explore interdisciplinary collaboration on climate change. The event, organized by the Stony Brook Collaborative for the Earth (C4E), marked its first Town Hall, encouraging participants from various disciplines such as marine sciences, public health, humanities, and career services to brainstorm on fostering environmental research.
Heather Lynch, C4E Director, emphasized the need for a multidisciplinary approach: “The environmental challenges of tomorrow are not going to be solved by the straightforward application of disciplinary knowledge but rather from the creative synthesis of multiple areas of expertise.” She described the event as "a great start to what really is a long conversation on campus."
C4E was founded in September 2023 with the aim of building a community focused on climate change and environmental issues at Stony Brook. Since its inception, Lynch has initiated interest groups and events like a forum on offshore wind power. Additionally, she hosts a podcast titled “C4E Presents,” featuring discussions with scholars addressing climate change.
Later this month, C4E plans a field trip to Block Island Offshore Wind Farm for students and faculty. Lynch hopes these experiences will inspire classroom discussions and future research collaborations.
Stony Brook's role as an anchor institution of The New York Climate Exchange aligns with C4E’s initiatives. Kevin Reed, associate provost for climate and sustainability programming at Stony Brook, noted that "hiring and programmatic activity [are] in full swing at the Exchange," providing opportunities for community engagement in developing sustainable climate solutions.
Reed mentioned upcoming opportunities through The New York Climate Exchange: “There will be opportunities starting towards the end of the year or first thing in the new year in which the New York Climate Exchange will announce opportunities for faculty to propose use of Governor’s Island.” Facilities there are expected to be completed by 2028.
A field trip to Governor’s Island is planned for next spring semester to encourage dialogue among students, faculty, and staff. C4E is also involved in presenting “Science on Stage: Climate Edition,” where researchers collaborate with playwrights to create plays about climate research. The performance is scheduled for October 28 at Staller Recital Hall.
Lynch stressed interdisciplinary communication: “We need climate modelers talking with ecologists and social scientists talking with public health experts... It was wonderful to see so many people engaged.”
Two more town halls are planned by C4E for further participation in shaping future research at Stony Brook.