Dive into a year of accomplishments at IBES, where community-engaged scholarship, cutting-edge research, student-led projects and events, and more highlight the many ways that our community is rising to meet the 21st century’s climate, sustainability, and environmental challenges.

This research was part of Daniel Perret's doctoral dissertation at Brown with Dov Sax, IBES and EEOB professor and coauthor on the paper.

This episode of The Weekly Catch features commentary from IBES and Sociology Professor Timmons Roberts.

A review of "Elemental: How Five Elements Changed Earth’s Past and Will Shape Our Future," by IBES and EEOB Professor Stephen Porder.

Students deepened their knowledge of course topics by working in the field and hearing from an experienced quahogger.

This article features "Elemental" by IBES Professor Stephen Porder and "The Quickening" by IBES Fellow Elizabeth Rush.

This environmental studies and IAPA concentrator seeks to create direct change in city politics.

A new report from the Climate and Development lab, a student-faculty think tank led by IBES Professor Timmons Roberts.

IBES Affiliate Erica Walker, founder of the Community Noise Lab at Brown’s School of Public Health, was interviewed about the lab’s work to test household water quality in Jackson, Mississippi.

IBES Associate Professor James Kellner is involved in the project described in this article.

Marine ecologist Jon Witman is driven to pursue permanent protection of Cashes Ledge, a unique ecosystem and natural laboratory in the heart of the Gulf of Maine.

Elizabeth Rush, IBES Fellow and Assistant Professor of the Practice of English, was a guest on this episode of the On Point radio show.

IBES Lecturer Mindi Schneider, instructor of "Commodity Natures" and a volunteer at the Creative Reuse Center of Rhode Island, commented that "Keeping things close to our hearts keeps them out of the landfill."

Professor Meredith Hastings joined a panel of experts to discuss climate change and solutions here in Rhode Island.

Visiting Professor of Environment and Society Robert Brulle offered commentary on a study comparing fossil fuel companies’ advertising claims and actions.

IBES and Sociology Professor Timmons Roberts offered commentary on the phasing out of fossil fuels and nations that are blocking change.

IBES and History Associate Professor Bathsheba Demuth provided commentary on the various factors contributing to a decline in salmon in the Yukon River. 

IBES and Sociology Professor Timmons Roberts offered commentary on offshore wind farms, explaining that they are crucial to cutting energy emissions and mitigating climate change.

Meet Dr. Sonam Futi Sherpa, a new postdoctoral researcher in IBES! Sherpa is working with Professor Laurence C. Smith's Northern Change Research Laboratory, using a NASA SWOT satellite mission to observe water and the proglacial environment. Read this Q&A (edited for length and clarity) to learn more about Sherpa's work and what she looks forward to doing at Brown.

Stephen Porder — Associate Provost for Sustainability and Professor in IBES and EEOB — clarifies some common misunderstandings about electric vehicles and their environmental impact in this opinion piece.

Ahead of COP 28, an issue paper from the Climate Social Science Network (housed at IBES) reviews the history of Saudi Arabia’s role in global climate negotiations. It finds the Saudi Arabian state regards the UN climate talks and IPCC as diplomatic areas where it must slow, obstruct and – if need be – block progress. Co-authored by IBES and Sociology Professor Timmons Roberts.

Building upon her undergrad experiences, this IBES alum now creates mission-driven environmental change at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Written by Voss Postdoc Jayson Maurice Porter, this piece serves as a multi-species family history about how diasporic Black folks stay connected to the ocean and each other.

Continued coverage of a new research paper co-authored by Daniel Ibarra, Assistant Professor in IBES and DEEPS.

IBES Affiliate and Associate Professor of History Lukas Rieppel offered extensive commentary about the preparation of fossils, noting that they exist as bits of naturally shaped organic material and as “multimedia sculpture.”

IBES Postdoc Sonam Sherpa, who grew up in Nepal, provided scientific insights on a recent earthquake that devastated the western region of Jajarkot.

IBES Director Kim Cobb said that the U.S. needs to embrace the “transformative adaptations” that NCA5 promotes as essential to withstanding coming climate risks.

IBES Director Kim Cobb offered commentary on the Fifth National Climate Assessment, noting, "at the center of the report are people ... who have escalating risks associated with climate change as well as clear opportunities for win-win climate action."

Elizabeth Fussell (Professor in Population Studies and Environment and Society, Research) is among the authors of NCA5. You can read her work in Chapter 20, "Social Systems and Justice," which is the report's first-ever chapter dedicated to social science.

The UEL, a former "alternative technology laboratory," houses IBES' undergraduate component.

Jayanthi’s undergraduate experiences and commitment to knowledge-sharing position her as an environmental advocate, ready to champion sustainability for policymakers.

This article includes commentary from IBES Director Kim Cobb.

New research from Rachel Wetts, Assistant Professor in IBES and Sociology

IBES is proud to have supported the inaugural College Climate Gathering! Hosted by Sunrise Brown, the conference brought together more than 160 students from over 40 universities.

IBES and Biology Professor Stephen Porder discussed his new book, "Elemental," on the Science Friday podcast.

In her travels to the Yukon, Demuth delves into the region's environmental heritage through the stories of those who sustain it.

IBES and Biology Professor Dov Sax offered commentary on habitat fragmentation, plant migration, and the challenges of forecasting in the face of climate change.

IBES and DEEPS Professor Daniel Ibarra is among the authors of a new study asserting that Venus may once have had plate tectonics that could have made it more hospitable to life.

Featuring commentary from IBES Senior Lecturer Dawn King.

Undergrad Fanny Vavrovsky said that the seminar offered “an actual path towards some kind of meaningful change that I can enact in the future.”

“That’s a theme for all the IBES events. These people are really cool, really engaged in what they’re doing, talking about projects that they actually care about and making an impact,” she added.

Commentary from IBES and Sociology Professor Timmons Roberts.

Stephen Porder, IBES and EEOB Professor and Associate Provost for Sustainability, discussed the financial and environmental costs of electric vehicles.

The Rhode Island senator sat down with IBES Affiliate and Political Science Professor Jeff Colgan on October 20.