Stony Brook University is encouraging its students, faculty, and staff to take part in Climate Week NYC, an annual event in New York City focused on climate action and innovation. The event gathers tens of thousands of participants each year who share ideas and discuss solutions to climate challenges.
This year, The New York Climate Exchange will turn Governors Island into a center for climate engagement during the weeklong series of events from September 21-28, 2025. Kevin Reed, associate provost for climate and sustainability programming at Stony Brook University and chief climate scientist at The New York Climate Exchange, highlighted the significance of this opportunity: “Climate Week NYC represents a unique convergence of scientific innovation, technology development, and real-world implementation. For our Stony Brook community, it’s an invaluable opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research, connect with global leaders in climate science, and translate our academic expertise into actionable solutions,” Reed said. “I encourage our students, faculty, and staff to participate actively—these conversations happening right in our backyard will shape the climate strategies of tomorrow.”
More than 20 events are scheduled throughout the week. These include demonstrations of new climate technologies and discussions on urban resilience strategies. Organizers have expanded participation beyond traditional panels by including film screenings, author talks, trivia nights on climate topics, and other interactive formats.
A highlight will be a showcase featuring the first group of Climate Tech Fellows from The New York Climate Exchange. This cohort includes innovators from Stony Brook University as well as partner institutions working on projects such as grid resilience improvements, hydrogen storage advancements, coral restoration efforts, and wildfire management tools.
Another session co-hosted by IBM and The Exchange will present a collaboration between IBM Impact Accelerator and Texas A&M AgriLife Research. The project features SWAT VEXA (Soil & Water Assessment Tool Virtual Extension Assistant), which uses artificial intelligence to provide tailored water and soil data for farmers and land managers to support sustainable decisions.
Attendees can also view a documentary about how scientists and artists observe climate impacts worldwide without knowing their destinations ahead of time. Afterward, there will be hands-on activities designed to help participants document local effects of climate change. Transportation from Stony Brook to Governors Island is available for registered attendees.
The university encourages all members interested in clean energy innovation or sustainability topics to get involved during the week’s events.
For more details about specific sessions or registration information, individuals are directed to visit the provided event links.
