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  • First Climate Teach-In of 2025: Exploring the “How” of Sustainability Transformations

    Dr. Robin Leichenko speaks to the crowd.

    On the evening of January 27, the School of Science welcomed guest speaker Dr. Robin Leichenko, Distinguished Professor and Dean of Social & Behavioral Sciences at Rutgers University, for the first Climate Teach-In of 2025. Dr. Leichenko spoke to the three spheres of sustainability: the practical, personal, and political dimensions of sustainable transformation. Her research at Rutgers University on the “cChallenge” encourages students to make a sustainable commitment in their lives for 30 days, an activity that the audience of more than 60 students and teachers could benefit from replicating in their own lives and classrooms. As evidenced in questionnaires and surveys, students make practical changes in their lives toward a more sustainable lifestyle, leading to personal and even political transformations as they communicate their thoughts, experiences, and results with others. This research demonstrated the need to provide space and opportunities in our classrooms where students can put their sustainable knowledge into practice and the ripple effect this has in their own lives and communities. This study began before the COVID pandemic and continued into its inception, resulting in elevated awareness on the intersections of climate change, public health, and sustainable transformations for those participants.

    Dr. Leichenko clarified that “Transformations are possible and are underway,” and that a significant part of that is in scaling transformation—making small changes that add up. Using a case study in promoting cycling trails in rural areas, Leichenko expanded on how these spheres become relevant in our communities. Cycling infrastructure is a great example for how successful efforts in scaling transformation can benefit a community, it’s economy, and the people within it so long as it reflects and depends on the communities’ input for development. The most effective transformations, as Leichenko explained, have to prioritize members in those local communities who are closest to the issue.

    The event concluded with a Q&A session on Dr. Leichenko’s research, her experience as a Distinguished Professor and Dean at Rutgers, and her observations on sustainable initiatives on campus and in student’s lives.

    Dr. Leichenko stands in front of a presentation slide displaying sample prompts from her research on the spheres of sustainability.

  • The Final Climate Teach-In of 2024 – Climate Crisis: Town Hall

    The Climate Crisis: Town Hall was a successful event with a strong turnout of nearly fifty attendees. To begin the event, student representatives from the College Democrats and College Republicans delivered presentations on climate policies promoted by each party. The College Republicans focused their presentation on down ballot races and specific topics pertinent to New Jersey. The College Democrats looked more closely at presidential policies of the Biden-Harris administration and the failings of the Republican party at large in productively responding to the climate crisis.

    Each of the expert panelists then delivered a constructive explanation of how their field related to the climate crisis. Effectively, this panel demonstrated the cross-disciplinary nature of finding climate solutions: the environmental, cultural, social, economic, and political aspects in mitigating and adapting to this crisis. The audience came prepared with plenty of questions on topics like the Paris Agreement, the ethics of green energy solutions such as electric vehicles, ways to promote the credibility of scientists, and representing climate change as a non-partisan issue, to name a few. Overall, the highlight of this event was the preservation of civil discourse and critical yet respectful discussion.

    Below is a collection of photos from the event.

    Dr. Duckett (first on the left) introduces the panelists and provides opening remarks for the event.
    A TV monitor at the event with a graphic encouraging the audience to register to vote, including a QR code to vote.org
    A wide-shot of the audience and the panel of experts taken from the back of the room.
    Owen Bros from the College Democrats goes over some beneficial changes made by the Biden-Harris Administration in combatting climate change.
    Giavanna Cangialosi from the College Republicans presents important figures on climate change before going into detail on party policies.
    Dr. Peter Jacques (second from left) addresses some intergovernmental concerns after a student poses a question on the Paris Agreement.
    Dr. Jeffrey (second from left) addresses a question on carbon taxes and pricing.
    A student (center) proposes a question to the panel surrounded by an engaged and smiling audience.
    Dr. Comiskey (second from right) provides his opinion on energy sourcing globally, both renewable and non-renewable sources.