Suffolk Reporter

Through a collaborative effort with The New York Climate Exchange, Stony Brook University is working to transform climate research into actionable solutions. This partnership, highlighted on Governors Island, focuses on unlocking climate solutions expeditiously.

Kevin Reed, an associate provost at Stony Brook and professor in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, also serves as 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, acknowledging the university’s active role.

Reed noted the campus-wide initiative Collaborative for the Earth (C4E) and the Office of Climate Sustainability Programming foster dialogue around climate-related initiatives. “Stony Brook faculty and staff can propose potential collaborations directly to The Exchange,” Reed explained, enhancing the partnership’s effectiveness.

Internships are a significant aspect of this collaboration. “The New York Climate Exchange’s internship program is truly a collaboration between academic institutions," Reed shared. Urszula Zalewski, director of Experiential Education at Stony Brook, added, “Our job is to connect students with opportunities,” mentioning efforts to place students in paid positions on Governors Island.

The Exchange also launched the AI Innovation Challenge in 2024. Reed described it as a way for students to explore data-driven solutions for stormwater resilience. “The idea was to base it around one of the topical areas within The Exchange,” Reed said, highlighting flood resilience challenges.

Reed referenced Climate Week NYC, praising last year’s diverse events. He viewed it as a testament to The Exchange’s mission. Derek O’Connor from Stony Brook’s Office for Research and Innovation discussed the broader impact, emphasizing workforce readiness in a climate-focused job market. “Workforce readiness and engaging the next generation...is critical,” O’Connor stated.

“The reality is that the world is one-and-a-half degrees Celsius warmer than it would have been without human-induced greenhouse gasses,” Reed observed, accentuating the urgent need for solutions. Stony Brook and The Exchange aim to lead in resilience and adaptation strategies in a climate-changed world.