Happy Commencement, Class of 2026! Families, friends, and alumni are invited to watch along today around 2:30 p.m. as our Environmental Sciences and Studies graduates cross the stage and begin a new chapter: http://bit.ly/IBES-DC-26

Join us tomorrow for IBES' Commencement Forum, "Ocean Health, Our Health"! Can't make it in person? Watch along via livestream: livestream.brown.edu/ibes @miriamgoldstein.bsky.social @usoceanprotection.bsky.social @baylorfk.bsky.social @rebecca-altman.bsky.social @kimcobb.bsky.social

Elizabeth Fussell, a research professor in IBES and the Population Studies and Training Center, offered commentary on how projected sea-level rise in coastal Louisiana may impact the region’s population. @fridagarza.bsky.social @grist.org reports ⤵️

Supported by IBES faculty and alumni mentors, a team of Brown undergraduates advanced to the finals of a global impact investing competition last month, placing third overall against dozens of graduate teams from around the world. Learn more:

For a member of Congress, RI Senator Sheldon Whitehouse is uniquely outspoken about climate change, the Providence Journal reports. IBES Prof & @cssn.org Executive Director @timmonsroberts.bsky.social offered commentary, noting that Whitehouse should serve as an example for other lawmakers.

Truffles are famous for their intense flavor, and their expensive price. This week on Possibly we explain why a warming planet, and increasing droughts, might be driving those prices even higher. Listen at the link below, or wherever you get your podcasts

Through collaborations with IBES faculty affiliate @maratimes.bsky.social and IBES-based air monitoring project Breathe Providence, South Providence residents are working to understand how pollution is affecting their community. Read the full story from @ecorinews.bsky.social:

A study led by IBES graduate affiliate Andrea Mason (Earth, environmental, and planetary sciences) found that a 2012 wildfire in the Rwenzori Mountains was the first at the range’s highest elevations in 12 millennia — offering new insight into climate, fire and human activity in alpine ecosystems.

Trump’s War Is Punishing the Poor, Starting at the Gas Pump — Jeff Colgan wrote an opinion piece for New York Times Opinion on the rising energy costs of the war with Iran, citing Climate Solutions Lab's real-time tracking tool. https://ow.ly/xV6x50Z0nb0

Just over a week away! Join us in person or online for IBES' 2026 Commencement Forum, "Ocean Health, Our Health," ft. @miriamgoldstein.bsky.social @usoceanprotection.bsky.social, @baylorfk.bsky.social, @rebecca-altman.bsky.social, and @kimcobb.bsky.social. events.brown.edu/ibes/event/3...

IBES and Biology Prof Stephen Porder "was encouraged to see the deforestation rates in the Amazon fall," @insideclimatenews.org notes in a new article. "However, he said the region has seen lower rates and 'really the number needs to go to 0 very quickly.'"

Meet IBES Voss Fellow Liza Marcus ’26! As a member of Professor Meredith Hastings's lab, Marcus is unraveling the complex chemistry of nitrogen oxides and ozone in the atmosphere — work that could improve air quality predictions and inform environmental policy. Learn more:

IBES Director @kimcobb.bsky.social spoke to @fteva.bsky.social @financialtimes.com about increasing wildfire risk. “We’re going to have to be able to tackle multiple threats at once,” such as coastal flooding, hurricanes, & other climate disasters, Cobb said. “We don’t have the luxury of waiting.”

“Reducing your footprint” has become one of the most familiar ways to talk about climate change, but why did that framing catch on? And what does it leave out? This week on Possibly, we talk to @kimcobb.bsky.social, the director of @brown-ibes.bsky.social, to explain.

“We know there are consistent, harmful things about the PFAS family,” @brown-epi.bsky.social @brownpublichealth.bsky.social Prof & IBES affiliate Joseph Braun told @sierraclub.org. “Which is why we should reduce their use, particularly when there are alternatives.”

Watson Ph.D. fellow Juben Rabbani is turning his research on the EV transition into art. His multimedia exhibition, now on display through summer 2026, explores the impact of the EV transition on California's Salton Sea region. Read the full story: https://ow.ly/BYz150YUF7x

#ArtatWatson presents: The Future Was Already Buried Here: Making and Unmaking Futures — Watson PhD fellow Juben Rabbani discussed his exhibition exploring the EV transition and California's Salton Sea. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjWxdRiW2t4

Check out the highlights from our #SustainableED conference in @carolinepreston.bsky.social's round-up of the cutting-edge research happening at the intersection of EducationXClimate in the @hechingerreport.org. hechingerreport.org/data-centers... @edsustainable.bsky.social

Thank you to everyone who made our first annual SustainableED Conference a huge success! We're already excited to reconvene next year and encourage you to sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about future events: mailchi.mp/annenbergins... 📸 Annamaria Luecht

Congratulations to Daniel Perret PhD '21, IBES & Biology Professor Dov Sax, and Margaret Evans, whose paper, “A species’ response to spatial climatic variation does not predict its response to climate change,” has won the George Mercer Award for an Outstanding Paper by An Early-Career Researcher!

With colorful windsocks and a gazebo, Providence artist Eli Nixon developed an art installation to bring attention to the air quality around the Port of Providence. This week on Possibly we take a closer look. Listen to our latest episode now: www.oceanstatemedia.org/news-and-cul...

@brownphysics.bsky.social prof and IBES affiliate @bradmarston.bsky.social discussed physics' role in addressing climate change during an April talk at @jhu.edu. “We have to change our behavior, what we value, in order to make a difference,” Marston told his audience. Learn more:

Listen to ENVS concentrator Ashley McKinnon '26 discuss her focused her engaged honors thesis research, which she conducted in partnership with the Fishery Friendly Climate Action Campaign 🎣

Join IBES on May 23 for "Ocean Health, Our Health," ft. National Ocean Protection Coalition (NOPC)'s Miriam Goldstein'03, DEEPS Prof Baylor Fox-Kemper, writer Rebecca Altman, PhD'08, & IBES Director Kim Cobb. https://events.brown.edu/ibes/event/329892-ibes-commencement-forum-ocean-health-our-health

IBES faculty affiliate Chris Rea (@watsonschoolbrown.bsky.social @climatesollab.bsky.social @brownsociology.bsky.social) offered commentary about the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, a law that channels tax revenue from firearms, ammo & archery equipment to state wildlife agencies ⤵️ @vox.com

Across RI, IBES faculty and students are working side by side with local community members to turn environmental challenges into actionable solutions: https://ibes.brown.edu/news/2026-04-21/faculty-community ecoRI News Audubon Society of Rhode Island The Climate and Development Lab

Researchers at the Brown University School of Public Health and the Columbia University School of Public Health found that urban communities isolated by roadways and traffic patterns are associated with more schizophrenia-related hospital visits.

This week on Possibly we’re taking a look at the ships that carry our goods around the world. What would it look like to take fossil fuels out of the equation? Can you run a cargo ship on batteries? Listen to our latest episode wherever you get your podcasts thepublicsradio.org/possibly-pod...

Last week, renowned ornithologist, conservationist, and educator Stephen Kress, PhD, drew an impressive crowd as he discussed the restoration of seabird populations in Maine and around the world. National Audubon Society Learn more and watch a recording of the seminar:

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our screening and discussion of "Without Shade, Without Rest" earlier this week! Read The Brown Daily Herald's coverage ⤵️ @watsonschoolbrown.bsky.social @climatesollab.bsky.social @immokaleeworkers.bsky.social @working-films.bsky.social

“Revolution Wind is great news for Rhode Island,” said Professor Jeff Colgan. “It’s good news for the environment … it’s good news for lower electricity prices for Rhode Islanders, and it’s good news for energy security.” “could save New England ratepayers.. $500 million a year in energy costs”

A research team at Brown called Breathe Providence is asking people to track what they smell, in an effort to better understand air pollution in Rhode Island. This week on Possibly we're asking how tracking unpleasant smells can improve our air quality. www.oceanstatemedia.org/news-and-cul...

I talked to @grist.org about how diesel fuel prices are quietly costing the USA billions, thanks to its war on Iran. Based on our new Iran War Energy Cost Tracker at iranwarcost.watson.brown.edu grist.org/business/the...

The SustainableED Conference program includes 12 research presentations, 2 keynote conversations, and 3 breakout sessions from experts representing 16 institutions! Only limited spaces remain to register. Register: bit.ly/41D3Bcx More info: bit.ly/4lYQfAG

Tomorrow at 4:30pm! Join us in person or online at livestream.brown.edu/ibes to hear from ornithologist Stephen Kress.

This week on Possibly: Activists are migrating a tree north from Florida. Is that a good idea? With assisted migration, humans help move plant species into areas more suitable for their growth. But are there potential downsides to this human-led movement?

Meet IBES Voss Fellow Sofia Kassalow ’26, an ENVS concentrator and pre-veterinary student! As a member of Associate Professor Tyler Kartzinel's lab, Kassalow analyzes samples of parasitic worms found in tropical mammals to expand a scientific database for use by researchers 🦥 Learn more:

I spoke with @robinsonmeyer.bsky.social for his great story @heatmap.news this morning about the staggering fuel costs of the Iran war coming directly from US households heatmap.news/energy/iran-...

Join us on April 20 to watch and discuss "Without Shade, Without Rest," a new doc about the fight for heat protection for outdoor workers in Florida. Learn more + register: https://tinyurl.com/withoutshade Watson School at Brown Climate Solutions Lab Coalition of Immokalee Workers Working Films

Great to speak with @frankiegraziano.bsky.social on public radio this morning about the role of oil in US actions against Iran and Venezuela. @climatesollab.bsky.social @brown-ibes.bsky.social www.ctpublic.org/show/the-whe...

Possibly co-founder Stephen Porder has been on a home energy efficiency journey. On this week's episode of Possibly, we check in to see how his latest addition, new windows, are impacting the energy efficiency and comfort of the home.

Matt Severson ’11 is in a unique leadership position that’s redefining how sustainability solutions are financed​. Now, he’s sharing lessons learned with the next generation​ of Brown students. Read more from Brown Alumni & Friends: alumni-friends.brown.edu/news/2026-03...

Revolution Wind has started delivering electricity to the New England grid, @browndailyherald.bsky.social reports, with commentary from IBES faculty affiliates @jeffcolgan.bsky.social & @bradmarston.bsky.social: @watsonschoolbrown.bsky.social @climatesollab.bsky.social @brownphysics.bsky.social

The Center for Environmental Humanities at Brown (CEHAB) presents “Extractive Zones in the Digital Age,” a hybrid symposium April 9/10, gathering scholars, artists & activists to consider the scope/scale of mining & extractive zones in the digital age. Register to attend: buff.ly/MEQ43I9

Join IBES for "Saving Seabirds: New Lessons from Puffins" with ornithologist and educator Stephen Kress! 🗓️Thurs, April 16 ⏰4:30pm seminar | 5:30pm reception 📍Smith-Buonanno Hall & online 🌱Part of the Brown Seminar Series on Environment & Society ➕Learn more & register: https://tinyurl.com/yahtnttf

Continued coverage: A new dashboard from the RI Network for Environmental Sensing & Technology—part of a larger IBES-based initiative on coastal climate resiliency—provides real-time data on water levels, air quality, and temperature to better inform stakeholders. @browndailyherald.bsky.social

‼️ REGISTRATION NOW OPEN ‼️ Limited spots are now available to attend the SustainableED Conference on May 1 in Providence, RI! Join us for an intimate event connecting ed x climate research to practice. Register: bit.ly/41D3Bcx More info: bit.ly/4lYQfAG

In Los Angeles, a new crop of curbside libraries are helping communities recover after last year’s wildfires. But instead of books, these libraries are full of seeds. This week on Possibly, reporter Janek Schaller talks to the organizer of these new libraries popping up around LA.

With awards in research mentorship and teaching, @brown.edu has recognized Profs Meredith Hastings & Myles Lennon for their outstanding support of students in the classroom, the lab, and beyond. @brownanthro.bsky.social Learn more and read reflections from the professors' students and colleagues:

How are the plastic and fossil fuel industries connected? This week on Possibly, we’re taking a closer look at how plastics have given the fossil fuel industry a new business platform — with hardly anyone noticing they’re even in the market.