Students in the Environmental Science and Policy course choose a relevant topic to explore over the course of the semester.  The spring 2025 class chose to study the social and ecological impacts of changing weather patterns due to climate change. Under that broad topic, students form small groups  to take a deep dive into related subtopics. These small groups research, analyze and then write high quality papers on their subtopics. 

In the spring 2025 class the subtopics focused on changing weather patterns and:

• Agriculture in the Midwest

• Coral disease

• Urban development

• Invasive species spread

• Ecological impacts & climate anxiety related to increased hurricanes

The abstracts below provide additional information about student projects.

 Everyone loves to take a trip to the city. Whether it be for sightseeing, shopping, or to experience a new culture, cities and urban areas are a popular tourist destination. But many visitors don’t enjoy the changing weather events that are affecting our urban areas. But why are these changes happening?

Climate change has been the perpetrator of the changing weather patterns in cities and urban areas. Our earth and climate are changing at a rate we can’t keep up with. Of the changing weather patterns, extreme heat and extreme precipitation have affected urban areas the most. But why does this matter? Take extreme heart for example. As global temperatures continue to rise, urban areas will experience more dramatic changes than other areas. This is because of how dense urban areas are, and the dark construction materials used in cities. The close proximity and dense, dark building materials traps heat, making the city warmer than it should be. This trapped heat drives up the overall temperature of the area, increasing heat waves, droughts, and heat related illnesses and heat strokes.

The biggest change we can make is in our adaptation strategies. To adapt to these challenges, developers and policy makers in our cities need to think about how to limit the city's impact on climate change and develop sustainable, long-lasting infrastructure. Our research found this to be most effective through the development and integration of green and grey infrastructure. Green infrastructure means using nature—like trees, parks, and gardens—to help cool cities and manage rainwater, while gray infrastructure includes things like roads, drains, and buildings that make up the backbone of our cities. Taking a hybrid approach that integrates green infrastructure into existing gray infrastructure offers the most cost-effective, sustainable, and equitable path forward to fighting climate change.

Climate change and shifting weather patterns have numerous negative effects on human-related systems, most notably seen in the increased intensity and frequency of extreme weather events. Examples of extreme weather include flooding, hurricanes, heat waves, and blizzards. However, the impact of changing climate conditions on ecosystems is often less visible, yet it is crucial to consider their overall health, as it significantly influences human life. In New England, both the average air temperature and the rate of rainfall are expected to rise. These climate changes place stress on native ecosystems and facilitate the spread of invasive species. These species typically come from regions with similar climates and are often generalists that can better tolerate environmental changes. Moreover, outside their native range, they spread more easily due to the absence of natural predators.  

Invasive species such as the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA), common reed, Japanese barberry, and oriental bittersweet thrive in New England’s warming environment, benefiting from higher temperatures, increased precipitation, and changing seasons. As a result of these combined factors, invasive species can displace native ones. The loss of native species and the resulting reduction in biodiversity can significantly impact human life. For instance, the farming industry could suffer from a decline in valuable pollinator species. Additionally, outdoor recreational activities that rely on native ecosystems, such as hunting, hiking, and foraging, would be adversely affected. To prevent invasive species from taking over in New England, we need to address both their spread and the broader issue of climate change. 

As we become increasingly aware of our changing climate, effects on our environment have begun to manifest across the globe. One of the most severe impacts is the increase in extreme weather events, particularly hurricanes or tropical cyclones. Climate change has caused an increase in temperature and precipitation, and in the past few decades, these shifts have caused hurricanes to become more frequent and severe. These storms can leave communities in shambles, having serious consequences for the mental health of affected residents and those watching these events unfold across the world. The effects of these hurricanes on the environment are also dramatic, and they compound with already occurring threats from climate change, amplifying threats to biodiversity, habitats, and overall ecosystem resilience. Some habitats that get hit the hardest typically include coastal and forest ecosystems, which provide essential ecosystem services, as well as a habitat for a diversity of species. Many species are able to adapt to changing conditions, but in the case of hurricane-level disturbances in the face of a changing climate, many are not– this variable in species resilience can open a niche for invasive species to thrive and dominate. Hurricanes are not just impacting the environment, with links between climate anxiety, other eco-mental conditions, and the increasing intensity and frequency of extreme hurricanes being observed in recent years. Many people have deep connections with specific natural places, and when these environments are threatened or removed it can be traumatic. When dealing with these intense emotions and experiences, individuals can employ several strategies to cope, including participating in climate action and healing impacted green spaces.

Ecosystems provide many vital functions in our world. From carbon sequestration to nutrient cycling, even the smallest organism plays an important role. What then happens when these ecosystems are negatively impacted? A category five hurricane that struck the Florida Keys caused extensive damage, including converting much of the mangrove forests into mudflats. In other scenarios, high wind speeds can cause high levels of large-scale tree death in tropical forests or increased precipitation can cause dangerous phytoplankton blooms in coastal bays and estuaries. All of these impacts threaten the health of these ecosystems, which can cause negative impacts and even death for the wildlife species that live there. In addition to this, these biomes all provide critical ecosystem services that society relies on. These include flood protection, water purification, and carbon capture. Many industries, such as fisheries and timber harvesting, also rely on the resources provided by these habitats, increasing their functional economic value. Finally, the cultural and spiritual value drawn from the environment by individuals cannot be understated, and many people find comfort and inspiration from the natural world. When these environments are removed in a violent, instantaneous way, it can feel traumatic. Sometimes in as little as hours, these storms can erase landscapes that people have known for lifetimes, turning these places of identity into debris fields and acting as a stark reminder of the overwhelming problem climate change poses.