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SUNY ESF Faculty, Alumnus Appointed to State Climate Impacts Assessment Project
Several environmental experts from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) have been appointed to the state's Climate Impacts Assessment project by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The group will determine how climate change will affect state communities, ecosystems, and the economy.
The multi-year study, led by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), aims to provide science-based analysis to better understand the impact of climate change across the state. Specifically, the project includes:
- Up-to-date projections of future climate conditions in New York state
- In-depth economic impact assessments
- A peer-reviewed technical report on impacts and adaptation strategies
"Climate change is here, it's real, and no state has felt its impact more than New York," said Hochul. "From hurricanes like Sandy and Ida to seven feet of snow in Buffalo, we have seen our weather continue to grow more extreme each year."
The research effort – announced Nov. 4 – comprises experts from the United States and Canada and includes eight working groups. ESF-associated experts are:
- Dr. Steven Shaw, associate professor in the Department of Environmental Resources Engineering, co-chair of the Water Resources working group
- Dr. Lemir Teron, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Studies, member of the Energy working group
- Dr. Doug Burns (Ph.D. '99), research hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), co-chair of the Ecosystem working group
- Dr. Robert Malmsheimer, professor in the Department of Sustainable Resources Management, sector advisor supporting the Ecosystems Technical working group
Dr. Endong Wang, associate professor in the Department of Sustainable Resources Management, Sector Advisor for the Buildings Technical working group
"ESF is honored to assist in this critical statewide effort to assess the impacts of climate change in New York. Our faculty and alumni are leading the charge to address climate change and the devastating impact it has on our communities," said ESF President Joanie Mahoney.
The project serves as a complement to the 2019 State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which, among other goals, seeks to achieve zero emission in the electricity sector by 2040 and achieve 70% renewable energy generation by 2030.
About SUNY ESF
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.