Academic Year 2013-2014

In late October 2012, Hurricane Sandy made landfall in New Jersey -- impacting New Jersey in profound ways. This conference, open to the public, was held in commemoration of the first anniversary of that event and examined the factors leading up to the storm, its impacts, the response and recovery, and the implications for future vulnerability.

The conference highlighted the scholarship that Rutgers' faculty and staff continue to bring to the climate change arena. The keynote address was delivered by Joseph J. Seneca, professor of environmental economics and policy at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, on "Sandy, Climate Policy, and Rutgers: An Overview."

Panelists represented a wide cross-section of faculty and staff from such departments as Marine and Coastal Sciences, Human Ecology, Social Work, Geography, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Latino and Hispanic Caribbean Studies, and Mathematics. The welcome was delivered by Richard L. Edwards, executive vice president for academic affairs.

Agenda and Presentations

9:30	Welcome Richard L. Edwards, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Rutgers University
9:45-10:15	Sandy, Climate Policy, and Rutgers: An Overview Joseph J. Seneca, University Professor, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy pdf Seneca Presentation (pdf)
10:15-11:20	Panel 1 Against All Odds: How Well Do We Understand the Factors That Led to Hurricane Sandy and Associated Impacts? Moderator: Jennifer Francis, Research Professor, Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences Panelists in order of presentation: David A. Robinson, Professor, Department of Geography Joshua T. Kohut, Assistant Professor, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences Benjamin P. Horton, Professor, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences Robert Kopp, Assistant Professor, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Kenneth G. Miller, Distinguished Professor, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Cymie Payne, Assistant Professor, Department of Human Ecology pdf Panel 1 Presentation (pdfs)
11:20-11:35	BREAK
11:35-12:40	Panel 2 Hurricane Sandy Response and Recovery: Experiences From The Field Moderator: James K. Mitchell, Professor, Department of Geography Panelists in order of presentation: Patricia Findley, Associate Professor, School of Social Work Michael J. Kennish, Research Professor, Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences Richard G. Lathrop, Jr., Professor, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources Ali Maher, Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering David Bushek, Associate Professor, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences Tony Nelessen, Professor, Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy pdf Panel 2 Presentation (pdfs) Nelessen Presentation (short video)
12:45-1:45	LUNCH
1:45-2:50	Panel 3 What Does Climate Change Indicate For Future Vulnerability of Natural and Social Systems? Moderator: Pamela McElwee, Assistant Professor, Department of Human Ecology Panelists in order of presentation: Anthony J. Broccoli, Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences Åsa Rennermalm, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography Norbert P. Psuty, Professor Emeritus, Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences Malin L. Pinsky, Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology Evolution and Natural Resources Tania del Mar Lopez-Marrero, Assistant Professor, Departments of Geography & Latino and Hispanic Caribbean Studies Oscar Schofield, Professor, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences Fred S. Roberts, Distinguished Professor, Department of Mathematics pdf Panel 3 Presentation (pdfs)
3:00-3:30	Ask The Experts: What Are Your Questions About Climate Change? Co-Moderators: Professor Anthony J. Broccoli, Co-Director Rutgers Climate Institute Professor Laura C. Schneider, Department of Geography