C4E Presents – Details, episodes & analysis

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

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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

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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

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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

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You can find all our episodes at www.stonybrook.edu/c4e or wherever you stream audio.

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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

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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

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Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/c4e/newsletters.php

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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

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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 sediba”, 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

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C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth.

Host: Heather Lynch

Editor: J.D. Allen

Program Manager: Jennifer Gilday

Oliver Shipley tracks sharks in the New York Bight. Host Heather Lynch and Shipley, an assistant professor in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University, discuss the use of isotopes in marine food web studies, shark population trends, the reasons behind the recent rise in shark sightings off Long Island, and the implications of offshore wind farms on marine species. Shipley provides insights into balancing environmental impacts and the integration of scientific research in effective marine conservation strategies.

Learn more with:

• "Energetic connectivity of diverse elasmobranch populations–implications for ecological resilience" by Shipley, O. N., Matich, P., Hussey, N. E., Brooks, A. M., Chapman, D., Frisk, M. G., ... & Gallagher, A. J.
• "Performance of a fine-scale acoustic positioning system for monitoring temperate fish behavior in relation to offshore marine developments" by Shipley, O. N., Nicoll, A., Cerrato, R. M., Dunton, K. J., Peterson, B. J., Sclafani, M., ... & Frisk, M. G.
• “Telemetry-validated nitrogen stable isotope clocks identify ocean-to-estuarine habitat shifts in  mobile organisms” by Shipley, O. N., Newton, A. L., Frisk, M. G., Henkes, G. A., LaBelle, J. S., Camhi, M. D., et al.
• “A contemporary framework for studying animal niches using bulk  stable isotope ratios” by Shipley, O. N., Matich, P.

Skip ahead to the chapter that interests you:

• 00:29 Introduction to Shark Research
• 01:22 Understanding Isotopes in Marine Science
• 08:15 Diving into Shark Populations and Behavior
• 11:04 Shark Sightings and Public Perception
• 18:33 Global Shark Decline and Conservation Efforts
• 21:02 Impact of Coastal Development on Marine Life
• 21:39 Rising Shark Consumption and Its Implications
• 24:01 Bioaccumulation of Toxins in Sharks
• 29:33 Offshore Wind Farms and Marine Life
• 37:19 Concluding Thoughts and Future Research

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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

Arek Zenel-Walasek, an environmental studies major, discusses his photo contribution "South of Montauk" .

Between seasons, C4E is spotlighting the creativity of Stony Brook University students who were featured in an ambitious student-led project "⁠Nature State of Mind: SUNY Students Reflect on Our Environment ⁠"

Hear more about how the project was organized in ⁠Nature State of Mind #1⁠.

Released in March 2024, the collection is the cumulation of a collaborative effort spanning 13 SUNY schools and 70 student artists and writers across New York State. In it, through writing, photography, artwork and more, SUNY students capture the diversity of New York State’s rich environment.

C4E Presents is a production of Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth.

Host: Heather Lynch

Editor: J.D. Allen

Program manager: Jennifer Gilday