Stony Brook University's Collaborative for the Earth (C4E) is preparing to launch the second season of its podcast, "C4E Presents," in Spring 2025. The podcast aims to foster interdisciplinary discussions on climate change and environmental issues. Hosted by Heather Lynch, who also serves as C4E Director and holds the endowed chair for ecology and evolution at the Institute for Advanced Computation Science, the series will feature conversations with researchers from various departments across campus.
Lynch emphasizes the importance of connecting different academic disciplines to address climate change effectively. She states, "Climate change is going to impact every aspect of our lives, and to understand these challenges we need to talk to a wide range of scholars wrestling with issues of environmental damage and climate change."
The upcoming season will highlight unexpected contributors from Stony Brook University who are involved in climate-related research. Lynch notes that solutions must come from diverse fields and that working interdisciplinarily is crucial.
The podcast format allows listeners to engage with complex topics conveniently. Lynch explains, "People are busy... But a podcast is super mobile — you can listen in the car, while going for a walk, while making dinner."
The Collaborative for the Earth plays a significant role in facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration at Stony Brook. According to Lynch, no single department has exclusive ownership over environmental research; instead, C4E connects faculty with shared interests across various fields.
One example of C4E's efforts includes research on PFAS contaminants involving multiple departments such as public health, chemistry, and marine sciences. Lynch clarifies that C4E does not conduct or fund research but seeks to bridge existing resources on campus.
Looking ahead, C4E plans several events focused on nuclear energy during Spring 2025. These include discussions on nuclear power's role in combating climate change and its geopolitical implications.
Listeners can access episodes of "C4E Presents" through Stony Brook's website or popular streaming platforms.
— J.D. Allen