Expert Spotlight: Cities Ranked for Climate Resiliency

May 28, 2024

1 min

USA Today Homefront interviewed Jase Bernhardt, associate professor and director of Sustainability Studies in the Department of Geology, Environment and Sustainability, for its feature on the top-ranking cities for climate resiliency.

Dr. Bernhardt was asked to explain initiatives or incentives that can be implemented by cities to address vulnerabilities to climate change.

He said, “Cities in the U.S. should be most concerned with investing in solutions to the unique challenges they face in a changing climate. Such initiatives might include green roofs to reduce the urban heat island effect and planting more trees to absorb excess water and limit flooding.”

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Jase Bernhardt is an associate professor in the Department of the Geology, Environment and Sustainability at Hofstra University and also director of the department's MA Sustainability program. He's also an expert on hurricane preparedness.

Jase is available to speak with media about these topics - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.

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Jase Bernhardt

Associate Professor of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability

Dr. Bernhardt's current research is focused on using VR technology to teach about dangerous weather conditions.

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Aug 28, 2026

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ICE Arrests Decline on Long Island

Lawrence Levy, associate vice president and executive dean of Hofstra University’s National Center for Suburban Studies, was interviewed by Newsday about the decline in ICE arrests on Long Island. This stands in contrast to the rest of the country where nearly 50,000 people were arrested in July, the highest number since President Donald Trump’s second term. Levy said the trend, if the data is accurate, suggests that organized opposition to aggressive immigration enforcement by Latino and non-Latino residents and organizations may be having an impact.

Aug 17, 2026

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Can President’s Visit Sway LI Voters in Governor’s Race?

Lawrence Levy, associate vice president and executive dean of Hofstra University’s National Center for Suburban Studies, was interviewed by Newsday about President Donald Trump’s planned visit to Long Island on August 14 to show support for local law enforcement and boost Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s gubernatorial campaign. “Nothing has been more damaging to Blakeman’s campaign, especially to his ability to attract moderate suburbanites, ubiquitous on Long Island, than President Trump’s plunging approval ratings,” Levy said. “So unless the president comes with bags of money for Blakeman’s underfunded campaign, it’s hard to imagine how the visit will be a net positive. If Blakeman doesn’t have his MAGA base already secure, he’s in more trouble than even the polls suggest.”

Aug 13, 2026

1 min

Why Flash Flooding Is of Increased Local Concern

Jase Bernhardt, associate professor of geology, environment, and sustainability, was interviewed by Newsday about the increased risk of flash flooding on Long Island. The article explains that flash flooding is caused by heavy rainfall in a short period. It’s often caused by thunderstorms in the summer, when there’s more moisture in the air than in cooler months. It can happen anywhere across the region, as opposed to storm surge flooding, which mostly impacts low-lying coastal areas. Any change in the frequency of flash flooding on Long Island is also a function of the way water moves on the ground and ultimately of urbanization, Dr. Bernhardt said. “Poor drainage, sewer systems” and impervious surfaces like “parkways, parking lots” and other types of development all play a role.