WATCH | Ornithologist Stephen Kress on seabird conservation and restoration As part of the Brown Seminar Series on Environment and Society, renowned ornithologist, conservationist, and educator Stephen Kress, PhD, spoke to a packed audience about his inspiring “Project Puffin,” which successfully restored Atlantic puffins and other seabirds to coastal Maine.

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”

How can smell improve Rhode Island’s Air Quality? 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

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...

The spike in diesel prices is quietly costing you billions Diesel fuel powers a wide swath of the economy, so even if you don't even drive, “you're probably feeling it in ways you don't realize.”

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 Sustainable Education Research Initiative, Research at the Intersection of Education and the Environment, 2026 Conference Program - May 1st - Providence, RI Lists even timing and speakers throughout the day.

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.

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?

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 Voss Fellow Sofia Kassalow ’26: Turning DNA from parasitic worms into a publicly accessible database Kassalow, an Environmental Sciences & Studies concentrator on the conservation science and natural systems track, analyzes samples of parasitic worms found in tropical mammals to expand a scientific d...

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

How fossil fuels shape US foreign policy Connecticut residents are feeling pain at the pump as oil prices once again take center stage in national politics. What policy decisions put the U.S. back in this place?

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...

Should you replace your windows for energy efficiency? Possibly co-founder Stephen Porder has been on a home energy efficiency journey. We check in to see how his latest addition, new windows, are impacting the energy efficiency and comfort of the home

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.

Investing in climate solutions—and future changemakers Matt Severson ’11 found his purpose at Brown and learned how to work and collaborate across areas. Now, he’s leading a successful career in sustainable finance. His next project: helping current Brown...

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 begins to deliver power to New England grid The 704-megawatt offshore wind farm comes amid rising oil and gas costs tied to the ongoing war in Iran.

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

Text: Extractive Zones in the Digital Age; Image: Video still from Glacial Resurgence — Prelude (2025) by Teresa Borasino

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

Poster for Stephen Kress's seminar on saving seabirds, including a picture of Kress holding a baby puffin. Background: puffins on grass.

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

How a network of environmental sensors aims to help people better understand their communities The R.I. Network for Environmental Sensing and Technology dashboard provides real time data on meteorology, air quality monitoring and flood management.

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

A banner image featuring a bear statue surrounding by brick buildings and flowering trees. Text in the foreground: "First Annual SustainableED Conference: Research at the Intersection of Education and the Environment. May 1st, 2026. Providence, RI"

‼️ 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

What are seed libraries? 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

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.

IBES faculty members win University teaching and mentorship awards The Brown community recognized Professors Meredith Hastings and Myles Lennon for their outstanding support of students in the classroom, the lab, and beyond.

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

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.

IBES Prof @timmonsroberts.bsky.social spoke out against proposed cuts to RI climate and energy programs, asking why legislators would walk back on 20 years of progress and calling the proposition “a quite dramatic throwing overboard.” ecori.org/growing-legi...

As R.I.’s weather intensifies, Brown University’s free real-time dashboard warns residents when flood waters hit - The Boston Globe A series of sensors placed around the state send immediate alerts when water reaches a road or a building, says research associate Sol Cooperdock.

Rhode Islanders can sign up for alerts from a new real-time dashboard that warns residents when flood levels reach flood stage in flood-prone areas near rivers and overland.

As R.I.’s weather intensifies, Brown University’s free real-time dashboard warns residents when flood waters hit - The Boston Globe A series of sensors placed around the state send immediate alerts when water reaches a road or a building, says research associate Sol Cooperdock.

A Brown University researcher is wiring the state with low-cost sensors that let residents and emergency managers know, in real-time, how high water is rising and how bad the air has become in their neighborhoods.

Brown’s first Climate Week, led by IBES, sparks campus-wide climate conversations What does it take to confront the climate crisis, and where do we all fit in? This March, Brown students, faculty, staff, and community members came together across the campus to explore a wide range ...

Hundreds of Brown community members came together for Climate Week 2026, transforming lecture halls and auditoriums into forums for exchange.

Topics ranged from student career aspirations to sustainable finance, and from environmental justice to decarbonization strategies.

Read the full recap:

“The argument for energy security and cost are now not on the side of fossil fuels,” IBES Visiting Prof Robert Brulle told @grist.org. “I’m sure that the PR companies...being hired by the oil companies are going to have to do some real interesting work to continue to justify fossil fuel expansion.”

IBES welcomes Melissa VanSickle as Program Manager for key campus-wide climate initiatives VanSickle brings expertise in climate, health, and community engagement to support Equitable Climate Futures and the Academic Climate Leadership Group.

IBES has named Melissa VanSickle as Program Manager for Equitable Climate Futures and the Academic Climate Leadership Group—two interdisciplinary, University-wide initiatives working to elevate Brown’s leadership in addressing climate challenges.

Welcome, Melissa!

Learn more:

What is extended producer responsibility? - TPR: The Public's Radio Plastic products cost us, even after we’re done with them — That’s because municipal recycling is paid with taxpayer money. But could the companies that made these products be responsible for paying f...

Plastic products cost us, even after we’re done with them —That’s because municipal recycling is paid with taxpayer money.

This week on Possibly we take a look at a new approach where the companies that made these products are responsible for paying for their disposal.

Could a global economy dependent on renewable energy see less war? Experts explain A mass transition to green energy could help to quell future international conflicts that stem from the control of oil, energy and climate change experts told ABC News.

Embracing renewable energy "could mitigate a major cause of international conflict in a future that moves away from fossil fuels," ABC News reports.

IBES Prof Stephen Porder weighed in on the efficacy of solar power, noting that war need not be "the price we pay" for our energy.

Read on: