Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled the Understanding and Preparing for Our Changing Climate report, a vital initiative aimed at arming New Yorkers with essential data and insights on climate resilience and preparedness. Led by the NY Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the initiative represents collaborative efforts of eight technical working groups, including experts and representatives from diverse communities nationwide. Notably, Associate BCC Professor Dr. Cheila Cullen, The Graduate Center, and the CREST Institute at CUNY made significant contributions to the project. With Dr. Cullen’s expertise in environmental science, Earth data science, machine learning, and statistics, she focused her efforts on the transportation sector.

“Climate conditions significantly influence the efficiency of the transportation sector in New York State. Residents, communities, businesses, and institutions have already witnessed climate-related impacts on transportation, with more anticipated in the future. The report delves into the effects of climate change on different transportation modes in the state, shedding light on vulnerabilities among communities, workers, regions, and businesses. Special emphasis was placed on issues of equity and environmental justice, providing insight into the broader implications of climate change on transportation in NY State,” Dr. Cullen shared.

The unveiling of the report not only underscores the State’s commitment to strengthening resilience against climate change but also aligns seamlessly with the 2024 State of the State initiative, which Gov. Hochul will be delivering at BCC on Thursday, Feb. 15. Scheduled for submission to the prestigious Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences academic journal, the report signifies a monumental contribution to advancing the understanding of climate change and its impacts across various facets of life and business within New York State.