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.”

Covering our changing climate and how we're adapting ? We're here to help.

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 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.

Aug 11, 2026

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Could President Trump’s Approval Ratings Rebound?

Newsweek interviewed Meena Bose, professor of political science, executive dean of the Public Policy and Public Service program, the Kalikow Chair in Presidential Studies and director of the Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency, about President Donald Trump’s falling approval ratings due to voter frustration over the economy and inflation. Dr. Bose told Newsweek that the long-term consequences of a president’s leadership and policies are “most significant” in determining their legacy. “A president’s long-term legacy for leadership and policy making is most important for determining historic favorability. The passage of time and the assessment of the totality of a presidency also can lead to more favorable ratings, or at least split ones in different policy or political areas, but this is no guarantee,” she said.