Through a partnership with The New York Climate Exchange, Stony Brook University plays a significant role in turning academic research into actionable climate solutions. This collaboration aims to develop climate solutions quickly and effectively, providing practical community engagement opportunities.
Stony Brook, as the anchor institution of The Exchange, contributes to shaping climate solutions on Governors Island and fosters collaboration. Kevin Reed, the university's associate provost for climate and sustainability, serves as the chief climate scientist at The Exchange. "From a leadership perspective, the president of Stony Brook is the chair of The New York Climate Exchange’s board, which includes other members of Stony Brook leadership," Reed stated. He added that Stony Brook actively partners in shaping leadership at the board level.
The Collaborative for the Earth (C4E) initiative and the Office of Climate Sustainability Programming promote research and discussion related to climate change. C4E was established in September 2023 following Stony Brook’s designation as the anchor for The Exchange, aiming to gather the university's academic leaders to address climate change issues.
Reed explained that Stony Brook's faculty and staff could propose collaborations directly through The Exchange's portal. He highlighted the New York Climate Exchange’s internship program as a crucial collaboration, where students work with community partners and nonprofits. Urszula Zalewski, director of Experiential Education at Stony Brook, remarked, "Our job is to connect students with opportunities." She mentioned ongoing efforts to place students on Governors Island for the summer in paid positions collaborating with climate-related organizations.
Reed mentioned that the AI Innovation Challenge offers students a platform to propose data-driven solutions for stormwater resilience projects. He explained, "The idea was to base it around one of the topical areas within The Exchange...stormwater management."
Reed emphasized events like Climate Week NYC, which engages global leaders in discussions on climate impacts. "Looking back at last year’s iteration of Climate Week NYC, I am amazed at the scale and diversity of events."
Derek O’Connor from Stony Brook’s Office for Research and Innovation noted efforts to engage with faculty on climate change topics, emphasizing workforce readiness. “Workforce readiness and engaging the next generation that is undecided about what pathway they want to get on is critical,” he stated, highlighting the importance of preparing for a climate-focused workforce.
Reed acknowledged the pressing reality of climate change, stating, "The reality is that our climate is changing and that it’s accelerating." He emphasized the importance of developing resilience and adaptation methods, noting that Stony Brook and The Exchange are leaders in this field.