A study coauthored by Voss postdoctoral fellow Elodie Freymann ’18 sheds light on how African elephants deliberately find and use medicinal plants.
Institute at Brown for Environment and Society
IBES in the News
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Ocean State Media
Possibly Podcast: Why are there metals in our river water?
IBES and DEEPS Assistant Professor Daniel Ibarra, whose lab runs the Urban Water Pollution Project, discussed heavy metal pollution in waterways and soil.
Visiting Professor of Environment and Society Robert Brulle commented on fossil fuel dependence.
Adjunct IBES Professor Rebecca Altman offered commentary on the impacts of fossil fuel exposure.
The Brown Daily Herald
Climate@Brown engages faculty in climate strategy planning in town halls
IBES Director Kim Cobb, chair of the new Climate@Brown initiative, offered commentary for this article, alongside IBES professor Stephen Porder and affiliate faculty member Kyle Denison Martin.
The New York Times
Germophobe primates want to avoid getting sick, too
IBES Voss Postdoc Elodie Freymann offered commentary for this article about monkeys becoming significantly more cautious of food sources.
The Blue Book
Education in the age of climate change
IBES affiliate Matthew Kraft, a Professor of Education and Economics at Brown, penned this article about the importance of climate education.
October 8, 2026
Swearer Center
Meredith Hastings named Swearer Center Faculty Fellow
The Brown professor and community-engaged researcher will help advance university-wide efforts to strengthen support for community-engaged scholarship.
Jeff Colgan, an IBES affiliate, professor at the Watson School, and director of Brown's Climate Solutions Lab, offered commentary for this article, noting “the national security advantages of clean technologies like EVs, batteries, and renewable energy.”
Scientific American
2026 has been a record hot year for the U.S.—it can only get worse
IBES Director Kim Cobb offered commentary about record-breaking heat in 2026 and projections for 2027.
University of Washington Press Blog
Bathsheba Demuth Joins Weyerhaeuser Environmental Books at UW Press as Series Editor
Associate Professor of History & Environment and Society Bathsheba Demuth succeeds Paul S. Sutter, who led the Weyerhaeuser Environmental Books series since 2014.
The Brown Daily Herald
R.I. files two lawsuits challenging changes in Endangered Species Act implementation
IBES faculty members Tyler Kartzinel and Dov Sax offered insights into the greatest threats to endangered species.
This story features commentary from IBES affiliate Jeff Colgan, a professor at the Watson School, and cites data from his Climate Solutions Lab.
A recent study by IBES' Climate and Development Lab study provided new insights on the legal battle over climate superfund legislation. CDL researcher Trevor Culhane provided commentary.
Robert Brulle, a visiting professor of environment and society, offered commentary on the federal government’s strategy for bringing colleges into closer alignment with conservative principles.
IBES affiliate Ankur Shah, an associate professor of medicine, provided commentary about how climate change is driving demand for kidney-related treatment, and how that treatment could in turn affect the environment.
This article covers research conducted by Voss Postdoc Elodie Freymann.
Voss Postdoc Elodie Freymann is among the lead researchers of a new study, which found that African elephants use dozens of different medicinal plants to treat themselves and their families when they're sick.
Sierra Magazine
Corals Face an Existential Threat as the Super El Niño Heats Up
This article features the research of IBES affiliate Jon Witman, professor emeritus in ecology, evolution, and organismal biology.
This article features research and commentary from IBES affiliate Jeff Colgan, director of Brown's Climate Solutions Lab and a professor at the Watson School.
This article features the research and training conducted by Associate Professor Tyler Kartzinel's Genomic Opportunities Lab.
This episode of PNAS's Science Sessions Podcast features the research of IBES faculty affiliate Matthew Kraft, Professor of Education and Economics and Director of the Sustainable Education Research Initiative.
Knowable Magazine
NASA’s TEMPO satellite enables better monitoring of bad air days
Associate Professor Allan Just offered commentary about how new technology can inform accurate epidemiologic health models and recommendations for communities exposed to pollution.
The Wall Street Journal
Americans Have Spent $100 Billion More on Fuel During the Iran War
This article focuses on research from Brown's Climate Solutions Lab, led by faculty affiliate Jeff Colgan at the Watson School of International and Public Affairs.
Rhode Island Voices: A Podcast for the RI Life Index
Green Space & Climate Change
IBES and Epidemiology Associate Professor Allan Just explored how climate change and access to green space are shaping health and well-being across Rhode Island.
September 14, 2026
News from Brown
Study: Young military veterans have higher ‘forever chemical’ levels than non-veterans
A study led by Brown University researchers provides evidence that younger military veterans should consider getting screened for elevated PFAS levels and related health conditions.
This episode of NPR's science podcast, Short Wave, features insights from IBES Voss Postdoc Elodie Freymann, a primatologist who studies self-medication in chimpanzees.
IBES Director Kim Cobb offered commentary for this article, describing how El Niño functions and potential impacts.
September 8, 2026
News from Brown
At 263rd Convocation, Brown’s new students are encouraged to embrace humility, ask questions
As Brown officially commenced its 2026-27 academic year, University leaders urged nearly 3,300 new students to be curious, courageous and embrace the unique opportunities of a Brown education.
Brown Alumni Magazine
Politics of oil
Jeff Colgan is an IBES affiliate, professor at the Watson School, and director of Brown's Climate Solutions Lab. He discussed CSL's Iran War Energy Cost Tracker, which documents what the war is costing American consumers based on the extra expense of gasoline and diesel.
Brown Alumni Magazine
A sea star named pop tart
Jennifer Adler '11, who taught IBES' Science Journalism class last year, wrote this article about how sea stars can help reforest the ocean.
IBES Professor Stephen Porder penned this opinion piece, assessing the costs and benefits of clearing trees to make room for solar panels.
Brown Alumni Magazine
The Godfather of Surfonomics
Chad Nelsen ’92, CEO of the Surfrider Foundation, has spent more than a decade showing how protecting the ocean can also protect the economy.
Oregon Capital Chronicle
Oil lobby tanking climate Superfund bills in Oregon, 11 states despite public support, study finds
This story reports on research from IBES' Climate and Development Lab, led by Professor Timmons Roberts, that found activists and lobbyists used debunked claims to fight climate Superfund bills.
The Hechinger Report
When natural disasters strike, these camps give kids a safe place to recover
IBES affiliate and Professor of Education Matthew Kraft, founding director of the Sustainable Education Research Initiative, was interviewed about the impact of natural disasters on school attendance.
Smithsonian Magazine
Female Treefrogs Experience ‘Choice Overload’ Amid Too Many Mating Calls From Males
Voss Postdoc Luke Larter offered commentary on a new study on the implications of noise on frog mate choice.
West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Noise pollution from data centers is coming. The gas-powered xAI model is spreading
IBES affiliate Erica Walker, an assistant professor of epidemiology and director of Brown's Community Noise Lab, offered commentary about the noise and environmental impacts of data center growth across the country.
Inside Climate News
Global Warming Intensifies El Niño, Galápagos Coral Fossils Show
IBES Director Kim Cobb offered commentary for this article.
Scientific American
Climate change is supercharging El Niños, coral records show
IBES Director Kim Cobb offered commentary about new research linking climate change to more intense El Niños.
IBES Director Kim Cobb commented on a new study of El Niños, warning that their intensification could drive more severe weather events.
This story reports on research by Professor Timmons Roberts and Research Associate Trevor Culhane, leading researchers of the Climate and Development Lab, who found that activists and lobbyists used debunked claims to fight climate superfund bills.
IBES Director Kim Cobb offered commentary about new research that connects single corporate emitters to specific heatwaves and areas of extreme rainfall.
August 11, 2026
News from Brown
New research shows nearly half of U.S. pre-K-12 schools are near environmental hazard sites
A study by Brown University researchers found that 44% of pre-K-12 schools in the U.S. are within a mile of a known environmental hazard site, a distance at which negative exposure effects are well documented.
IBES affiliate Katelyn Moretti, an assistant professor of emergency medicine, offered insights on the health risks that hotter summers bring about.
August 6, 2026
From the Division of Research
Announcing the 2026 Internal Funding Awardees
Awards include the 2026 Division of Research Seed Program and the Richard B. Salomon Faculty Research Awards.
This op-ed features previous commentary from IBES Director Kim Cobb, noting that expert insights like hers make for compelling, trustworthy journalism.
The New York Times
Forever Chemicals Are Everywhere. Here’s How to Limit Your Exposure.
IBES affiliate Joseph Braun, a professor of epidemiology and director of Brown’s Center for Climate, Environment and Health, discussed actions people can take to reduce their exposure to PFAS.
July 27, 2026
News from Brown
Video: Brown biologist Tyler Kartzinel on how to fight the spotted lanternfly invasion
In a video interview, the associate professor of ecology, evolution and organismal biology explains how to squash individual pests as well as curb their population growth.
IBES affiliate Jon Witman, a professor emeritus of ecology, evolution and organismal biology, offered commentary on how El Niño climate cycles affect marine ecosystems in the Galápagos.
This article covers a new study that IBES affiliate Kenny Breuer, a professor of engineering, worked on.