The inaugural Climate Solutions Summit NYC, hosted by The New York Climate Exchange, took place on Governors Island on April 23-24. The summit aimed to explore emerging research and solutions in climate science, with participation from several Stony Brook University faculty members who shared their insights and expertise.
Paul Shepson, dean of the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) at Stony Brook University, expressed his appreciation for the university's role as the anchor institution. He stated, "It was a fantastic honor that Stony Brook was chosen as the anchor institution." Shepson highlighted the ambitious goals of The Exchange, aiming to revolutionize how New York City approaches transportation, power production, and building climate control to protect Earth from climate change.
Shepson contributed to a panel focused on sustainability strategies for Governors Island, which included discussions on incorporating indigenous plants and the potential creation of the Governors Island Environmental Observatory (GIEO). The panel was moderated by Kevin Reed, Stony Brook’s associate provost for climate and sustainability, a SoMAS professor, and the chief climate scientist at The Exchange. Reed emphasized the significance of Stony Brook's involvement, saying, "As The Exchange strategizes about its future research directions, it is important that Stony Brook faculty and staff play an active role in helping to shape priorities."
The summit provided an opportunity for participants to present their research and engage with industry, academic, and other external partners, aiming for a positive change in New York City. Faculty involvement was deemed crucial, as mentioned by Ginex, "So many amazing people and organizations are working to combat climate change and prepare/respond to climate disasters in the New York region and beyond. The Exchange is going to be a leader in bringing these voices together."
It was clear that the research and discussions at the summit were part of a concerted effort to address climate challenges and improve sustainability in the region.