March 7, 2024 | Madeline Papcun ’24 (CLAS)

UConn Experts Discuss Climate Change’s Impact on Connecticut

As part of the UConn Foundation’s Impact Series, four researchers, including two from CLAS, discussed their research on climate change in Connecticut — and what the state can do about its impacts

Panelists sit at a table during the first installment of the UConn Impact series.

Researchers studying climate change spoke to UConn alumni and community members on a panel at the UConn School of Law on Feb. 8, 2024, as the first installment of the UConn Impact series. (Matthew Hodgkins/UConn Foundation)

As part of the UConn Foundation’s Impact Series, four researchers, including two from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, discussed their research on climate change in Connecticut on Feb. 8. The professors discussed its local impacts and what the state can do about them. 

The talk, titled “Climate Change in Connecticut: Threats and Responses” was moderated by Professor-in-Residence Joe MacDougald, executive director of UConn Law’s Center for Energy and Environmental Law.

The panel included Professor and Head of Geography, Sustainability, Community and Urban Studies Anji Seth, who studies how regional climates are likely to evolve under global warming, and Professor of Marine Sciences James O’Donnell, executive director of the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation, who studies ocean circulation.

Also on the panel were Paschaline Nsiah-Asare, a teaching fellow at the UConn School of Law and an attorney with a special interest in comparative energy and environmental policy, and Emmanouil Anagnostou, Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering in UConn’s College of Engineering.

The event gave attendees the opportunity to learn about the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change in Connecticut and the proactive responses led by UConn.

Panelists spoke about the interdisciplinary perspectives of climate science, energy and resilience policy, and environmental justice. Seth emphasized that though we are already adapting to the impacts of climate change, it is still “never, ever” too late to mitigate.

“Everything that we can do will help,” she said. “There’s no point at which we give up, because the more [carbon dioxide] we put into the atmosphere, the worse things are going to get.”  

The next UConn Foundation Impact Series event will take place on May 22 at the UConn Health Center. Check back with the Impact Series web page for updates.  

Interim Dean Ofer Harel speaks with an attendee of the first UConn Impact series event.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Interim Dean Ofer Harel speaks with an attendee of the first UConn Impact series event on Feb. 8, 2024 at the UConn School of Law. Harel said the event would provide “a glimpse of how UConn is making a difference in our state, our nation, and our world through groundbreaking research and collaboration to solve some of the greatest challenges facing our communities.” (Matthew Hodgkins/UConn Foundation)
Joe MacDougald sits at table during panel discussion.
Joe MacDougald ’96 (LAW) is a professor-in-residence of law and the executive director of UConn Law’s Center for Energy and Environmental Law. “I think you’ll be impressed with the scope of the way we approach climate change and climate policy at the University, but also in the way that we are impacting the state,” he said. (Matthew Hodgkins/UConn Foundation)
James O’Donnell speaks to CLAS Interim Dean Ofer Harel.
James O’Donnell speaks to CLAS Interim Dean Ofer Harel at the Feb. 8, 2024 event. O’Donnell highlighted that his work is not just to do academic science work, but to also provide solutions and policy advice to legislators and leaders around the state regarding Connecticut’s response to climate change. (Matthew Hodgkins/UConn Foundation)
Emmanouil Anagnostou answers a question from the audience.
At the Feb. 8, 2024 UConn Impact series event, Emmanouil Anagnostou answers a question from the audience. He noted that UConn students are “eager” to see the state take steps to mitigate climate change. (Matthew Hodgkins/UConn Foundation)
Paschaline Nsiah-Asare sits at a table during a panel discussion.
During the Climate Change in Connecticut: Threats and Responses event on Feb. 8. 2024, Paschaline Nsiah-Asare, a teaching fellow at the UConn School of Law and an attorney with a special interest in comparative energy and environmental policy, emphasized the need for climate justice. “In Connecticut, we all know the impacts from climate change impact a marginal section in our community in terms of health and sea levels rising and other issues,” she said. (Matthew Hodgkins/UConn Foundation)
Panelists Anji Seth and Nsiah-Asare engage in a conversation.
Panelists Anji Seth and Nsiah-Asare engage in a conversation at the Feb. 8, 2024 event at the UConn School of Law Starr Hall. Seth co-led the writing of a physical climate change assessment for Connecticut that led to the Governor‘s climate change steering committee. (Matthew Hodgkins/UConn Foundation)
Charlie Whynacht holding a microphone.
Charlie Whynacht, of Glastonbury, Conn., asked the panel on Feb. 8, 2024 what they’ve noticed students at UConn think about the future regarding climate change. (Matthew Hodgkins/UConn Foundation)
Anji Seth sits a table during panel discussion.
During the Feb. 8, 2024 panel, Seth answered an audience question highlighting, as she’s noticed, a “very real” student anxiety regarding climate change. “But I think the best thing we can do is make changes so that they can feel more hopeful,” she said. (Matthew Hodgkins/UConn Foundation)