C4E Presents

Between seasons, C4E is spotlighting the creativity of Stony Brook University students who were featured in an ambitious student-led project "Nature State of Mind: SUNY Students Reflect on Our Environment "

Alanna Earl, an environmental humanities major, introduces the book, which she co-edited. She says Nature State of Mind celebrates the intrinsic connection between humanity and the environment.

Released in March 2024, t...

Summer is here, but climate change has extended the tick season year-round, increasing the risk of various tick-borne diseases.

Meet HEALTH Yeah!, a podcast from Stony Brook Medicine. Dr. Andrew Handel, Dr. Sandeep Gandhi, and physician assistant Jerry Simons discuss tick prevention, recognizing symptoms of Lyme disease and other infections, and effective treatments. They also offer valuable advice on tick removal, the importance o...

Timothy Mousseau explores the effects of radiation from the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear incidents on local wildlife. Host Heather Lynch and Mousseau, a professor at the University of South Carolina, discuss the current state of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, the biological impacts on various species, particularly birds and feral dogs, and how these findings can inform our understanding of the risks associated with nuclear energy...

Sara Hamideh looks at the challenges faced by residents in the wake of climate disasters. Host Heather Lynch and Hamideh, associate professor in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University, discuss the unique vulnerabilities of public housing, the legal and social complexities involved, and how these factors intersect to heighten residents' risk during disasters. Hamideh provides insights into how pr...

Richard McCormick believes the role of university president is essential to advocate for higher education and climate research. Host Heather Lynch and McCormick, interim president of Stony Brook University and a scholar of American political history, discuss the challenge of addressing climate effects amidst federal funding cuts for climate research, the significant role that public research universities like Stony Brook play, and ...

Guanyu Huang explains the complex relationship between climate change and air pollution, and how tracking pollutants can influence environmental justice areas. Host Heather Lynch and Huang, assistant professor in the Program in Public Health and the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University, delve into the hidden dangers of pollutants like nitrous oxides and ozone, the effects of New York City’s congestion...

Mary Collins analyzes air pollution and how it affects certain communities more than others. Host Heather Lynch and Collins, an associate professor in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, discuss this disproportionality and the economically-driven reasoning that justifies it. Collins also discusses cadmium and other heavy metals as airborne pollutants and how researchers in the applied sciences should take the time to bui...

Sharon Pochron studies earthworms and how they react to various stressors, including the weedkiller Roundup. Host Heather Lynch and Pochron, an assistant professor in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, discuss how this weedkiller and others affects the health of both humans and the organisms that dwell within the soil. Pochron also discusses the current concerns that undergraduate students have about the environm...

Liliana Dávalos explores the multifaceted environmental challenges facing the Amazon region. Host Heather Lynch and Dávalos, a professor in ecology & evolution at Stony Brook University,  discuss the interplay between climate change, deforestation, illegal activities such as gold mining and drug trafficking, and the role of extractivist and Indigenous communities. Juan Pablo Iñamagua, a professor of agricultural sciences at Uni...

Wenbo Li examines how fear impacts science communication and the role of social media. Host Heather Lynch and Li, an assistant professor in the School of Communication and Journalism at Stony Brook University, discuss risk communication and its challenges, particularly in the context of climate change and social media. Li explains how cultural factors influence risk perception and the importance of building trust between scientists...

Gary Halada wants to find innovative approaches to recycling and repurposing the clothes Americans throw away. Host Heather Lynch and Halada, associate professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, discuss the growing problem of textile waste globally. Halada shares his research on maintaining the valuable cotton fibers during recycling, creating sustainable building materials from recycled textiles, and the con...

Michael Rubenstein explores the emerging field of "energy humanities" and the relationship between literature, energy systems, and environmental concerns. Host Heather Lynch and Rubenstein, associate professor in the Department of English and Director of the Humanities Institute, how energy regimes shape human consciousness and cultural outputs. Rubenstein reflects on literature's role in helping humanity navigate the...

Elizabeth Hewitt analyzes the social factors that play into our decisions towards recycling, energy usage, and waste management. Host Heather Lynch and Hewitt, associate professor in the Department of Technology and Society, discuss how these factors influence pro-environmental behavior and how they can be mitigated through urban planning. Hewitt emphasizes how more collective behavior towards climate change needs to occur, ...

David Taylor writes across disciplinary boundaries, but at the core of his work always is the concern for environmental sustainability and community. Host Heather Lynch and Taylor, an associate professor in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, discuss his journey from traditional to environmental humanities. They explore the intersections of environmentalism with various social movements, the evolution of ecocriticism, an...

Rasheed Davis sees the day-to-day health impacts of climate change. Host Heather Lynch and Davis, clinical associate professor in the School of Health Profession, discuss how rising temperatures and poor air quality often exacerbate chronic diseases, such as asthma, kidney disease, and cardiovascular issues. Davis explores how these concerns are being integrated into the medical curriculum at Stony Brook University. 

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Karina Yager explores the impact of climate change on traditional farming and livestock management practices in the Andes of South America. Host Heather Lynch and Yager, associate professor in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, discuss her research on high-altitude peatland ecosystems known as 'Bofedales' and their critical role in water regulation, carbon storage, and biodiversity. Jaeger emphasizes the importance of r...

Oleg Smirnov and Gallya Lahav delve into the often-overlooked topic of climate change-driven migration. Host Heather Lynch speaks with Smirnov and Lahav, associate professor and professor in the Department of Political Science, about the definitions and implications of climate migrants, the controversial term 'environmental refugees,' and the geopolitical ramifications of international climate negotiations, particularly the...

Host Heather Lynch interviews Michael Rubenstein about his work in environmental humanities. As part of the "Climate Change and You" pop-up course, Rubenstein highlights the intersection of art, culture, and climate change, focusing on how these disciplines help us understand what it feels like to live in an era of climate change. Rubenstein feels this self-awareness and the inevitable impact of climate change can have a profound i...

Donovan Finn looks at complex issues surrounding urban planning and resilience in the aftermath of environmental hazards. Host Heather Lynch and Finn, an urban planner and associate professor in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, delve into how cities and communities can become more resilient, considering factors such as infrastructure, housing systems, and social networks. Finn points to the political and socio-economi...