C4E Presents

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 a...

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 r...

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. Hamide...

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 unive...

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 ef...

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 s...

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 stud...

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 profes...

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 o...

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...

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...

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 cli...

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...

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 Ston...

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. Ja...

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 neg...

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 c...

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...

Host Heather Lynch interviews Karina Yager about her work on the impact of climate change on glaciers and the communities that rely on them. As part of the "Climate Change and You" pop-up course, Yager teaches the importance of observation and remote sensing in climate change research. Yager shares her motivations for studying climate change — transitioning from archaeology to anthropology, and he...

Host Heather Lynch interviews Gary Halada about the intersection of engineering and climate change. As part of the "Climate Change and You" pop-up course, Halada discusses the urgency of addressing climate change, his personal interest sparked by nature and science fiction, and the role of engineering in developing future solutions. He emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation, le...

John Shandra analyzes the role of international trade and tariffs on environmental degradation and deforestation in low and middle-income nations. Host Heather Lynch and Shandra, professor of sociology at Stony Brook University, discuss the environmental impact of debt relief programs, and the role of NGOs in conserving forests. Shandra emphasizes the need for fair trade policies, and enhanced loc...

Host Heather Lynch interviews Sharon Pochron about her work focusing on environmental contaminants, pollution, and the intersection of ecosystem and human health. As part of the "Climate Change and You" pop-up course,  Pochron discusses the agricultural industry's impact on climate change and offers advice to students interested in tackling climate-related issues. Her journey from studying wild an...

C4E Presents, a podcast from Stony Brook's Collaborative for the Earth, is now broadcasting on WUSB Stony Brook 90.1 FM. Every Tuesday at 7 a.m., listeners can tune in for an hour-long exploration of critical environmental topics. The radio show features episodes from the podcast, providing a platform for discussing sustainability, energy, and ecological challenges, bringing expert insights and lo...

Host Heather Lynch interviews Rasheed Davis about her essential work on the front lines of climate change and its public health implications. As part of the "Climate Change and You" pop-up course,  Davis explores how climate change impacts health, from poor air quality causing asthma to rising temperatures resulting in heat emergencies. Davis offers career advice for aspiring physician assistants...

Joeva Sean Rock has weighed the success of the Green Revolution in Ghana. Host Heather Lynch and Rock, an assistant professor of anthropology at Stony Brook University, delve into the political and scientific complexities of genetically modified crops, exploring the roles of public-private partnerships, development policies, and the challenges faced by international philanthropy. Rock has recommen...