C4E Presents

Investigative journalist Karl Grossman has had his eye on nuclear energy since the 1970s. Grossman, an author and nationally syndicated television host turned journalism professor and co-founder of the anti-nuclear proliferation group, Beyond Nuclear, told producer J.D. Allen that the shift to nuclear power to fight climate change is just baloney — a result of media failures since the fight to stop the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant on Long Island. This is a director’s cut of America's Nuclear Future , a national radio broadcast special from American Public Media . Learn more: Cover Up: What You Are Not Supposed to Know About Nuclear Power (1980) Why Is There More Media Talk About Using Nuclear Weapons Than About Banning Them? Stony Brook University Archives: Shoreham and Three Mile Island Collection Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you: 01:08 Grossman Origins 01:35 Three Mile Island Wakeup 04:51 Nuclear Green Claims 06:38 Disaster Death Tolls 10:02 Rickover’s Warning 11:44 Shoreham Nuclear Park 14:34 Investigating Shoreham Risks 18:56 Restarting Old Reactors 20:35 Media Accountability 23:54 Better Watchdogs Tell a friend and share a link to this episode. You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio. Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://gosbu.co/m/social C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth. Host: Heather Lynch Editor: J.D. Allen Producer: Jordan Vallone Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Steven Biegalski closely monitored the development of the United State's first nuclear power facility in the last decade at Plant Vogtle near Augusta, Georgia. Host Heather Lynch and producer J.D. Allen spoke with Biegalski, chair of the Nuclear and Radiological Engineering program and Medical Physics program at Georgia Institute of Technology, in October 2025. This is a director’s cut of America's Nuclear Future , a national radio broadcast special from American Public Media . Learn more: “ Evaluation of machine learning algorithms for nuclear monitoring applications ” (2026) Elevated radioxenon detected remotely following the Fukushima nuclear accident (2011) Nuclear Power Isn’t What You Think — and That’s a Good Thing (Georgia Tech) Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you: 01:11 Meet Steven Biegalski 01:32 What Nuclear Engineers Do 02:52 What Drives Nuclear Demand 05:39 AI Data Centers Inflection 08:42 Why Renewables Fall Short 11:41 Can Nuclear Scale Fast 14:23 SMRs Versus Big Reactors 17:48 Workforce Supply Chain Gaps 20:23 Community Perception Shifts 24:02 Three Mile Island Returns Tell a friend and share a link to this episode. You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio. Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://gosbu.co/m/social C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth. Host: Heather Lynch Editor: J.D. Allen Producer: Jordan Vallone Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

More than 100 people joined students from New York University's debate team on Governors Island to argue what role nuclear energy should play in fighting climate change. Hear the full arguments for and against going nuclear featured in C4E Presents’ director’s cut of America's Nuclear Future , a national radio broadcast special from American Public Media in early 2026. Learn more: SBU Hosts 2nd Annual Environmental Forum on Nuclear Energy’s Role in Climate Solutions Preparing leaders through the transformative power of NYU debate Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you: 01:08 Debate Begins on Nuclear 01:25 Affirmative Case for Nuclear 05:13 Cross Examination One 07:03 Negative Case Against Nuclear 11:00 Cross Examination Two 13:05 Affirmative Rebuttal 15:12 Negative Rebuttal 17:27 Closing Statements 20:05 Thanks and Team Info Tell a friend and share a link to this episode. You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio. Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://gosbu.co/m/social C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth. Host: Heather Lynch Editor: J.D. Allen Producer: Jordan Vallone Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Season 4 of C4E Presents will be a director's cut of America's Nuclear Future , a national radio broadcast special about whether the United States could have a future powered by nuclear energy. In early 2026, the broadcast special from American Public Media was aired across nearly 20 states in cities from New York City and Atlanta to Seattle and San Diego, as well as Tucson, Des Moines, and Missoula in between. Host Heather Lynch and J.D. Allen , the special’s lead producer and lecturer in the Department of Journalism , who also does climate communication strategy for Stony Brook University. Learn more: Civic Science Media: Reimagining How We Communicate Science SBU’s Collaborative for the Earth Debuts National Broadcast Special on Nuclear Energy Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you: 00:32 Season Four Intro 00:46 Nuclear Special Recap 01:19 Writing The Billboard 01:52 Why Nuclear Now 04:10 Hurdles And Economics 04:49 Who We Are 06:57 Host Credibility 09:05 AI Power Hunger 10:03 Three Mile Island Returns 14:19 SMRs And New Nuclear 17:28 Debate Stakes Ahead 18:53 Climate And Enviro Shift 24:03 Safety And Fear Tell a friend and share a link to this episode. You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio. Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://gosbu.co/m/social C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth. Host: Heather Lynch Editor: J.D. Allen Producer: Jordan Vallone Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

This special episode of Collaborative for the Earth (C4E) examines how U.S. efforts to move away from fossil fuels collide with surging electricity demand from AI and data centers, prompting companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google to pursue nuclear power. Distributed by American Public Media from January through April 2026, C4E presents in its first national radio broadcast the history of nuclear energy in the United States, from Eisenhower’s 1953 “Atoms for Peace” through Three Mile Island, and changing public opinion under the Trump administration. Today, approximately 94 reactors supply just over 18% of U.S. utility-scale electricity. The narrative episode explores the restarting of shuttered plants, the promise and skepticism around small modular reactors, and shifts in energy policy as climate solutions that were discussed during an April 2025 Governor’s Island forum debate, in partnership with The New York Climate Exchange. Learn more with: SBU’s Collaborative for the Earth Debuts National Broadcast Special on Nuclear Energy SBU Hosts 2nd Annual Environmental Forum on Nuclear Energy’s Role in Climate Solutions Understanding Nuclear Energy with C4E’s ‘Nuclear 101’ Conversation Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you: 01:25 Three Mile Island Shock 04:05 Nuclear Numbers Shift 05:54 Why This Podcast 07:21 AI Power Hunger 11:13 Restarting Old Reactors 13:47 Debating Nuclear Role 20:47 Safety After Fukushima 25:34 Regulation Lessons Learned 27:01 Nuclear Waste Dilemma 31:31 Do We Need Nuclear 32:50 Long Island Case Study 35:28 Build Times and Costs 37:23 Safety Versus Speed 41:10 Geopolitics and Supply Chains 45:43 Four Paths to Expand 47:43 Small Modular Reactor Hype 51:55 Financing the Nuclear Bet Tell a friend and share a link to this episode. You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio. Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://gosbu.co/m/social C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth. Special thanks to The New York Climate Exchange and Stony Brook’s Office of the Provost, Office of Marketing and Communications and the MS in Journalism program for their support. Host: Heather Lynch Writer: J.D. Allen Editors: Terry Sheridan, Lori Kie Producers: Jordan Vallone, Melanie Formosa Post Production: Denis Murray Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Ben Novak is bringing back the extinct passenger pigeon. Host Heather Lynch and Novak, program manager for the Biotechnology for Bird Conservation Program for Revive & Restore , discuss de-extinction, restoring ecosystem function by using gene editing or selective breeding to give living relatives traits needed to fill extinct species’ ecological roles, and correcting Jurassic Park misconceptions about using ancient DNA directly. Novak explains how museum specimens provide fragmented DNA for sequencing and the limits of mapping genomes, emphasizing goal-oriented trait recovery over perfect genetic identity. Learn more with: “ Could Extinct Species Save Today’s Forests? Scientist Makes the Case for Darwin Day ” “ De-Extinction ” by Ben Novak “ Towards Practical Conservation Cloning: Understanding the Dichotomy Between the Histories of Commercial and Conservation Cloning ” by Ben J. Novak, Stewart Brand, Ryan Phelan, Sasha Plichta, Oliver A. Ryder and Robert J. Wiese “ First endangered black-footed ferrets, Mustela nigripes, cloned for genetic rescue ” by Ben Novak, et al. “ Natural Selection Shaped the Rise and Fall of Passenger Pigeon Genomic Diversity ” by Ben Novak, et al. Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you: 01:40 Defining De-Extinction 02:44 Jurassic Park Myths 05:32 Where The DNA Comes From 08:41 Sample Quality And Tissues 11:44 Mapping Ancient Genomes 14:16 How Close Is Close Enough 23:04 Naming De-Extinct Species 25:30 Tiny Mutations Big Traits 28:12 Building Diversity In 30:56 Passenger Pigeon Progress 31:33 Ferret Genetic Rescue 33:55 Why Birds Are Hard 35:52 Germ Cell Workaround 37:55 Mitochondria Purity Myth 44:16 Policy And Release 46:46 Stem Cells Future Tools Tell a friend and share a link to this episode. You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio. Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://gosbu.co/m/social C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth. Host: Heather Lynch Editor: J.D. Allen Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Dana Golden studies energy markets and electricity transmission. Host Heather Lynch and Golden, graduate research assistant in the Graduate School at Stony Brook University, speak about why Suffolk County electricity averages much higher than the national average and how prices are set through generators, transmission constraints, and utilities. Golden explains how data-center-driven load growth raises prices and strains reliability, and supports an “all of the above” mix including nuclear and emerging geothermal. Learn more with: " Offshore Horizons: HVDC Wind Farms-Exploring Techno-Economic Dimensions " by D. Singh, D. Golden, et al. “ Investment and the Transfer of Power: Dynamic Effects of Transmission in Electricity Markets. ” by Dana Golden ⁠Hear Dana’s lecture on environmental and natural resources economics⁠ Breakneck by Dan Wang Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you: 00:32 Why Does Suffolk Power Cost More 01:49 What Is HVDC 05:20 Where HVDC Is Used 07:45 Renewables Drive HVDC 12:44 Preventing Cascade Failures 15:50 ISOs and Market Design 20:54 Renewables Forecasting Risk 27:07 Do Data Centers Raise Prices 28:52 Nuclear and Energy Crisis 37:56 China vs US Building 42:48 Transmission Costs and Permitting Tell a friend and share a link to this episode. You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio. Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://gosbu.co/m/social C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth. Host: Heather Lynch Editor: J.D. Allen Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Health experts Mahdieh Danesh Yazdi and Nozomi Sasaki look at how climate change is increasing wildfire smoke exposure and related health risks. Host Heather Lynch, as well as Danesh Yazdi and Sasaki from Program in Public Health at Stony Brook University, discuss evidence linking airborne particles to increased mortality and cardiopulmonary impacts. They point to growing research, using large administrative datasets and local hospital data to assess impacts, that suggests wildfire smoke is more harmful than other pollution sources. Learn more with: “Long-term Effect of Exposure to Lower Concentrations of Air Pollution on Mortality among Medicare Participants and Vulnerable Subgroups ,” by Mahdieh Danesh Yazdi, Yan Wang, Qian Di, Weeber J. Requia, Yaguang Wei, and Liuhua Shi “ Associations between air pollution and psychiatric symptoms in the normative aging study ,” by Xinye Qiu, Mahdieh Danesh Yazdi, Marc Weisskopf, Anna Kosheleva, Avron Spiro, Cuicui Wang, Brent A. Coull, Petros Koutrakis and Joel D. Schwartz “ Emulating causal doseresponse relations between air pollutants and mortality in the Medicare population ,” by Yaguang Wei, Mahdieh Danesh Yazdi, Qian Di, Weeberb J. Requia, Francesca Dominici, Antonella Zanobetti and Joel Schwartz “ Fish consumption and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from diet are positively associated with cognitive function in older adults even in the presence of exposure to lead, cadmium, selenium, and methylmercury: a cross-sectional study using NHANES 2011–2014 data ,” by Nozomi Sasaki, Laura E. Jones and David O. Carpenter Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you: 01:34 Air Pollution and Mortality 10:56 Environmental Justice and Work 22:01 Who Is Most Vulnerable 28:57 Short vs Long Effects 30:12 Heavy Metals in Smoke 35:56 Fish Mercury Tradeoffs 41:28 Practical Air Tips 44:33 EVs and Hidden Costs Tell a friend and share a link to this episode. You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio. Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://gosbu.co/m/social C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth. Host: Heather Lynch Editor: J.D. Allen Producer: Jordan Vallone Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Marija Krstić , assistant professor of practice in the Department of Civil Engineering at Stony Brook University, is interested in cement production, which is a major source of global carbon emissions. Host Heather Lynch and Krstić explore the difference between cement and concrete, why steel reinforcements are essential for structural concrete, and how Portland cement – the binder, or glue in concrete production – requires high kiln temperatures, which releases CO2. Krstić explains why it is still unlikely that concrete is to be fully replaced with sustainable alternatives and changed methods in the near future. Learn more with: “ Field-Application-of-Recycled-Glass-Pozzolan-for-Concrete ,” by Marija Krstić and Julio F. Davalos “ Macro - and Microstructure Evaluation and Field Applications of Concrete with Recycled Glass Pozzolan ,” by Marija Krstić “ Freeze–Thaw Resistance and Air-Void Analysis of Concrete with Recycled Glass–Pozzolan Using X-ray Micro-Tomography ,” by Marija Krstić , Julio F. Davalos, Emanuele Rossi, Stefan C. Figueiredo, Oguzhan Copuroglu Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you: 00:39 Why Concrete Matters 02:49 Krstić’s Path to Concrete 05:00 Concrete 101 08:54 Steel and Concrete Are A Perfect Couple 10:09 Why Cement Emits So Much CO2 15:20 Lower-Carbon Cement Paths 22:10 Supply & Safety Challenges 24:57 Recycling Concrete 27:11 Can We Replace Concrete? Tell a friend and share a link to this episode. You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio. Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://gosbu.co/m/social C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth. Host: Heather Lynch Editor: J.D. Allen Producer: Jordan Vallone Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Pascal Title delves into the evolutionary history and biodiversity of snakes, exploring their unique characteristics, diets and habitats. Host Heather Lynch and Title, an assistant professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University, define characteristics of snakes, and discuss speciation and diversity within the group, as well as the role of snakes in ecosystems. They touch upon the impacts of climate change on snakes and the importance of museum collections and scientific research in understanding historical and future biodiversity. Learn more with: “ The macroevolutionary singularity of snakes ”, by Pascal O. Title, Sonal Singhal, Michael C. Grunder, Gabriel C. Costa, R. Alexander Pyron, Timothy J. Colston, Maggie R. Grundler, Ivan Prates, Natasha Stepanova, Marc E.H. Jones, Lucas B.Q. Cavalcanti, Guarino R. Colli, Nicolas Di-Poï, Stephen C. Donnellan, Craig Moritz, Daniel O. Mesquita, Eric R. Pianka, Stephen A. Smith, Laurie J. Vitt, Daniel L. Rabosky. “ Coral snakes predict the evolution of mimicry ,” by Allison R, Davis Rabosky, Christian L Cox, Daniel L Rabosky, Pascal O Title, Iris A Holmes, Anat Feldman, Jimmy A Mcguire “ Chasing the Niche: Escaping Climate Change Threats in Place, Time, and Space ”, by Ranjan Muthukrishnan, Tara M. Smiley, Pascal O. Title, Adam M. Fudickar, Alex E. Jahn, Jennifer A. Lau “ Ecological interactions between arthropods and small vertebrates in a lowland Amazon rainforest ,” by Rudolf von May, Emanuele Biggi, Heidy Cárdenas, M. Isabel Diaz, Consuelo Alarcón, Valia Herrera, Roy Santa-Cruz, Francesco Tomasinelli, Erin P. Westeen, Ciara M. Sánchez-Paredes, Joanna G. Larson, Pascal O. Title, Maggie R. Grundler, Michael C. Grundler, Alison R. Davis Rabosky, Daniel L. Rabosky “ Rapid increase in snake dietary diversity and complexity following the end-Cretaceous mass extinction ”, by Michael C. Grundler, Daniel L. Rabosky Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you: 00:34 The Fascinating World of Snakes 01:13 Meet the Herpetologist: Pascal Title 01:34 Understanding Snakes: Evolution and Characteristics 06:13 Why Are People Afraid of Snakes? 07:46 Pascal's Journey into Herpetology 11:48 Research on Snake Diversity and Evolution 19:19 Climate Change and Snake Adaptability 32:34 The Importance of Museum Collections Tell a friend and share a link to this episode. You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio. Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://gosbu.co/m/social C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth. Host: Heather Lynch Editor: J.D. Allen Producer: Jordan Vallone Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Dilip Gersappe explores the engineering of climate resilience into nature's original building material: soil. Host Heather Lynch and Gersappe, a professor in the Department of Material Science and Chemical Engineering at Stony Brook University, discussing innovative methods of soil fortification using biopolymers. Traditional soil improvement techniques, such as compaction and the addition of cement, are compared against the emerging method of biopolymer integration, which offers advantages such as biodegradation and enhanced plant root growth. Learn more with: “ The Effect of Biopolymer Pore Fluids on Soil Properties Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations ”, by Shoumik Saha shoumik, Dilip Gersappe, and Sherif L. Abdelaziz “ Modeling frost heave in silty soils ”, by Varghese Babu and Dilip Gersappe “ Interplay of Surface Energy and Rheology in Biopolymer Soil Enhancement ”, by Dilip Gersappe et al. Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you: 00:24 Introduction to Soil 01:08 Challenges with Traditional Soil 03:24 Innovative Solutions: Biopolymers in Soil 05:43 Understanding Soil and Plant Interactions 10:24 Applications and Future Research 19:29 Understanding Soil Stability with Biopolymers 20:26 Field Applications and Experimentation 20:52 Potential Risks and Concerns 22:20 Biopolymers in Civil Engineering 22:52 Degradation and Environmental Impact 25:42 Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Future Directions 27:33 Modeling and Predicting Biopolymer Effects 29:55 Commercial Applications and Practical Steps Tell a friend and share a link to this episode. You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio. Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://gosbu.co/m/social C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth. Host: Heather Lynch Editor: J.D. Allen Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Meet How's That? , a podcast that dives deep into all sorts of things that make our world work — such as organisms that act like zombies, plants that talk to each other, light that pollutes our skies and academic change that brings climate topics to students. The podcast is reported and produced by graduate students in the School of Communication and Journalism at Stony Brook University. Tell a friend and share a link to this episode. C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth. Host: Heather Lynch Editor: J.D. Allen Program manager: Jennifer Gilday

Darcey Evans explores the cultural importance of salmon to Indigenous peoples. Host Heather Lynch and Evans, an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology at Stony Brook University, discuss how salmon are harvested in British Columbia, Canada, including the environmental impacts and power struggles involving multinational corporations, local communities, and Indigenous nations. There are broader questions about sustainable food production, ethical research practices, and the role of consumer choices in shaping industry practices. Learn more with: “ Pathogenic proliferations: Salmon aquaculture, industrial viruses, and toxic geographies of settler-colonialism ” by Darcey Evans Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you: 00:30 The Global Impact of Salmon Farming 01:01 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 01:23 Research on Salmon Aquaculture 04:55 Indigenous Perspectives on Salmon 08:10 Environmental and Health Impacts of Salmon Farming 10:12 Settler Colonialism and Indigenous Rights 19:10 Challenges and Future of Aquaculture 32:57 Anthropological Research Methods and Ethics 44:32 Conclusion and Future Episodes Tell a friend and share a link to this episode. You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio. Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://gosbu.co/m/social C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth. Host: Heather Lynch Editor: J.D. Allen Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Meet The Climate Story Project , an initiative led by The New York Climate Exchange to record, archive and share real, personal stories about climate change to inspire action and connection. During 2025 Climate Week NYC, The Exchange invited the public to tell us their climate story at Pioneer Works and the American Museum of Natural History, and supported by Wellcome . In snapshots of life in the midst of climate change, hear voices from different places and walks of life to grow an archive of personal climate stories so we can remember, reflect, and respond together. Tell a friend and share a link to this episode. For more information about the podcast, visit ⁠nyclimateexchange.org⁠ . C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth. Host: Heather Lynch Editor: J.D. Allen Program manager: Jennifer Gilday

Stephen Baines is focused on the ecological reshaping of coastal wetlands. Host Heather Lynch and Baines, an associate professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution , discuss the impact of non-native species, nitrogen's role in marsh stability, the influence of iron fertilization on ocean ecosystems, and the complexities of coastal conservation. Baines is concerned about keeping coastal marshes intact amid rising sea levels and human infrastructure, and the importance of native plant gardening to support local biodiversity. Learn more with: “ Lakes as sentinels of climate change ” by Rita Adrian, Catherine M O'Reilly, Horacio Zagarese, Stephen B Baines, Dag O Hessen, Wendel Keller, David M Livingstone, Ruben Sommaruga, Dietmar Straile, Ellen Van Donk, Gesa A Weyhenmeyer, Monika Winder “ The production of dissolved organic matter by phytoplankton and its importance to bacteria: patterns across marine and freshwater systems ” by Stephen B Baines, Michael L Pace “ Luxury iron uptake and storage in pennate diatoms from the equatorial Pacific Ocean ” by Benjamin S Twining, Stephen B Baines “ Plant Traits Explain Seasonal and Spatial Variation in Denitrification Within Spartina Alterniflora Wetlands ” by Stephen B Baines, Priscilla Moley, Mary Alldred Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you: 00:33 Impact of Climate Change on Species Redistribution 00:59 Exploring Coastal Wetlands and Marshes 01:31 Understanding Salt Marsh Plant Species 06:39 Nitrogen's Role in Coastal Marsh Stability 16:51 Fiddler Crabs and Their Environmental Impact 22:10 Challenges of Sea Level Rise and Marsh Sustainability 28:02 Concerns About Coastal Development 28:14 Economic Models for Coastal Adaptation 28:40 Emotional Ties to Coastal Living 29:11 Sea Level Rise Models and Predictions 29:31 Historical Context of Coastal Areas 30:00 Challenges in Coastal Management 30:07 Switching to Ocean Chemistry 30:35 Iron Fertilization and Carbon Capture 30:57 The Role of Iron in Ocean Ecosystems 32:51 Experiments and Debates on Iron Fertilization 34:13 Potential Risks and Consequences 35:36 Challenges in Large-Scale Experiments 36:14 Political and Economic Implications 36:41 Nutrient Redistribution and Global Impact 38:07 Practical Challenges in Implementation 39:36 Bridging Science and Art for Public Outreach 48:28 The Importance of Native Plant Gardens 50:53 Concluding Thoughts and Future Episodes Tell a friend and share a link to this episode. You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio. Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://bit.ly/m/sbu C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth. Host: Heather Lynch Editor: J.D. Allen Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Pamela Ginex explores the impacts of disasters on emergency preparedness and patient care. Host Heather Lynch and Ginex, assistant professor in the School of Nursing at Stony Brook University, discusses how hospitals and clinics can be prepared for climate-related disasters like hurricanes and heat waves. Ginex highlights the need for proactive measures for those with known toxic exposures and the role of sustainability in healthcare, as well as the necessity of integrating environmental awareness into medical training to better support the health sector in the face of climate change. Learn more with: “ Exposure-Informed Care Following Toxic Environmental Exposures: A Lifestyle Medicine Approach ” by Pamela Ginex, Paul Barach, […], and Tammy A. Butterick “ Climate stressors and oncology care: awareness of healthcare professionals in Puerto Rico ” by Jessica Hernandez Marrero, Nancy R. Cardona-Cordero, Marievelise Soto-Salgado, Pamela Ginex, Milagros Eliah, Ana P. Ortiz “ Climate change, climate disasters and oncology care: a descriptive global survey of oncology healthcare professionals ” by Pamela Ginex, et al. Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you: 00:35 Impact of Natural Disasters on Healthcare 01:14 Understanding Nursing Research 02:25 The Versatility and Demand of Nursing Careers 03:52 Climate Disasters and Cancer Care 05:42 Personal Experiences During Hurricane Sandy 08:29 Hospital Preparedness for Climate Disasters 15:07 Heat Stress and Cancer Treatment 17:28 Sustainability Efforts at Stony Brook Hospital 24:57 Preventative Care for Toxic Exposure 31:06 Training the Next Generation of Medical Professionals 32:28 Conclusion and Future Episodes Tell a friend and share a link to this episode. You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio. Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://bit.ly/m/sbu C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth. Host: Heather Lynch Editor: J.D. Allen Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Rafael D’Andrea is focused on understanding what makes the queen bee different from her peers. Host Heather Lynch and D’Andrea, assistant professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University, to discuss mathematical models in understanding nature, and the importance of collaboration and data sharing in scientific research. D’Andrea explains his research on eusociality in animals and the factors contributing to diversity in tropical forests. Additionally, they delve into potential biases and the need for reforms of the peer review process. Learn more with: “ Eusocial reproduction selects for longevity ” by R D’Andrea, CD Kocher, B Skiena, B Futcher “ Chesson's coexistence theory ” by G Barabás, R D'Andrea, SM Stump “ Can editors save peer review from peer reviewers? ” by R D’Andrea, JP O’Dwyer Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you: 00:24 Introduction to Nature's Diversity 01:14 Transition from Physics to Ecology 06:45 Understanding Eusociality 09:05 Longevity and Eusociality 24:26 Exploring Tropical Forest Biodiversity 27:38 Role of Animals in Plant Reproduction 27:42 Introduction to Barro Colorado Island 28:43 Unique Data Set of Barro Colorado Island 31:12 Peer Review Process in Science 32:32 Bias and Interventions in Peer Review 34:54 Challenges and Solutions in Peer Review 49:11 Future of Theoretical Ecology 54:02 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up Tell a friend and share a link to this episode. You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio. Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://bit.ly/m/sbu C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth. Host: Heather Lynch Editor: J.D. Allen Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Stony Brook University Hospital is on the front lines of sustainability. Host Heather Lynch speaks with CEO Carol Gomes , Director of Healthcare Safety Barbara Boyle , and Josephine Connolly-Schoonen , executive director of the nutrition division at Stony Brook Medicine, to explore how the hospital is reducing waste and emissions. They say Stony Brook's commitment to reducing greenhouse gases and promoting sustainable practices both within the hospital and the local community requires retrofitting facilities with LED lighting, rethinking waste management in the operating rooms, and deploying community outreach programs, including rooftop garden initiatives, Learn more with: Stony Brook University Hospital Ranked in Top 25 in the Country for Work in Environmental Excellence (SBU News) Stony Brook University Hospital Named Top Performer for Excellence in Environmental Sustainability (SBU News) Stony Brook University Hospital’s Commitment to the Climate Practice Greenhealth Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you: 00:38 Sustainability in Healthcare 01:22 Stony Brook University Hospital's Environmental Achievements 03:01 Challenges and Innovations in Hospital Sustainability 04:53 Engaging Staff and Community in Sustainability Efforts 11:40 Sustainable Practices in the Operating Room 18:14 Nutrition and Sustainability at Stony Brook Hospital 23:13 Introduction to Plant-Based Nutrition 24:04 Community Education and Nutrition 25:40 Lifestyle Medicine Explained 27:12 Food Pharmacy and Insurance Coverage 28:47 Environmental Toxins and Nutrition 33:07 Decarbonization and Sustainability Goals 35:37 Future Projects and Community Outreach 39:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Tell a friend and share a link to this episode. You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio. Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://bit.ly/m/sbu C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth. Host: Heather Lynch Editor: J.D. Allen Associate Producer: Hadar Pepperstone Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Jaymie Meliker ’s research seeks to inform policy and individual actions to mitigate environmental exposure to health risks. Host Heather Lynch and Meliker, a professor in the Program in Public Health and the Department of Family Population and Preventative Medicine at Stony Brook University, explore critical topics at the intersection of public health and environmental science, including the nuanced impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns, methods for studying community-level depression, and the complex relationship between stay-at-home orders and domestic violence. The discussion dives into various environmental pollutants, such as PFAS, heavy metals like cadmium and arsenic, and their implications for public health. Learn more with: “ Invited Perspective: Is It Time to Revisit the Allowable Maximum Contaminant Limit for Arsenic in Public Drinking Water? ” by Jaymie Meliker and Meroona Gopang “ SARS-COV-2 re-infection and incidence of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) among essential workers in New York: a retrospective cohort study ” by Tesleem Babalola, Sean Alexander, Penning Clouston, Zennur Sekendiz, Devi Chowdhury, Nicola Soriolo, Joseph Kawuki, Jaymie Meliker, Melissa Carr, Bruno R Valenti, Ashley Fontana, Onix A Melendez, Olga Morozova, Benjamin Luft “Lifetime exposure to arsenic in drinking water and bladder cancer: a population-based case–control study in Michigan, USA ,” by Jaymie Meliker, Melissa J Slotnick, Gillian A AvRuskin, David Schottenfeld, Geoffrey M Jacquez, Mark L Wilson, Pierre Goovaerts, Alfred Franzblau, Jerome O Nriagu Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you: 00:35 Public Health and Environmental Conversations 01:22 Impact of COVID-19 Lockdowns on Mental Health 01:34 Domestic Violence During COVID-19 02:40 Twitter Data and Mental Health Trends 06:37 Life Expectancy and Drug Overdoses Post-COVID 11:48 Environmental Pollutants and Public Health Risks 14:56 Water Safety and Contaminants 22:57 Municipal and State Actions for Public Safety 25:42 Consumer Demands vs. Health Risks 26:36 Challenges in Arsenic Exposure Studies 31:25 Cadmium Exposure and Health Impacts 34:16 Heavy Metal Testing 40:08 Lead Exposure Risks and Prevention 44:29 Current and Future Research Directions 46:59 Conclusion and Wrap-Up Tell a friend and share a link to this episode. You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio. Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://bit.ly/m/sbu C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth. Host: Heather Lynch Editor: J.D. Allen Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Carrie Mongle examines fossilized teeth to understand how early humans grew, lived, and ate. Host Heather Lynch and Mongle, assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology and Turkana Basin Institute at Stony Brook University, dive into the intricacies of human evolution, discussing the key players and distinctive features that separate modern humans from other hominins. Mongle also discusses her research on the hand morphology of Paranthropus boisei , highlighting the evolutionary insights gained from studying fossilized teeth and hands. Learn more with: “ An updated analysis of hominin phylogeny with an emphasis on re-evaluating the phylogenetic relationships of Australopithecus sedib a ”, by Mongle, C. S., Strait, D. S., & Grine, F. “ Rules of teeth development align microevolution with macroevolution in extant and extinct primates ”, by Machado, F. A., Mongle, C. S., Slater, G. J., Penna, A., Wisniewski, A. L., Soffin, A., Dutra, V., & Uyeda, J. C. “ Variation, sexual dimorphism and enlargement of the frontal sinus with age in adult South Africans ”, by Greening, V. A., Hernandez, E., Mongle, C. S., Billings, B. K., Mngomezulu, V., Wallace, I. J., & Grine, F. E. Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you: 00:36 The Evolutionary Journey of Humans 01:16 Understanding Hominins and Their Traits 03:32 Future Human Evolution and Selective Pressures 05:33 Human Adaptations to Extreme Climates 08:45 The Role of Diet in Human Evolution 16:33 The Importance of Teeth in Evolutionary Studies 19:22 The Significance of Hominin Teeth 20:04 Discovering the Importance of Hands 20:50 Introducing Paranthropus Boisei 22:07 Comparing Hominin and Homo Species 24:33 Insights into Hominin Hand Morphology 27:18 The Evolution and Future of Human Brains 28:46 Challenges and Future of Fossil Research 32:38 The Role of AI in Paleontology 34:44 Future Directions in Hominin Research 35:47 Concluding Thoughts on Human Evolution Tell a friend and share a link to this episode. You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio. Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php For all things Stony Brook on social media: https://bit.ly/m/sbu C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth. Host: Heather Lynch Editor: J.D. Allen Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday