Highlights, insights, and New York moments from Climate Week NYC

Read on to learn from our on-the-ground team members about this year’s highlights, insights, and overlooked topics (and, of course, their most “New York” moment!)

What was a highlight from the week?

I heard from so many people who use our work in their jobs, classrooms, and everyday life.

Kate Marvel, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Climate Science

I love seeing how Project Drawdown’s science is supporting so many different aspects of the larger climate movement and the broader climate community. Everywhere we went, we heard how Project Drawdown was helping climate work around the world! 

Jonathan Foley, Ph.D., Executive Director

For me, it was learning how trusted Project Drawdown is across sectors, individuals, and organizations. We work so hard on the science team (and beyond) to ensure the information we are putting out is as rigorous as possible, and knowing that our internal endeavor for scientific integrity is recognized by others is so rewarding!

Daria Sheik, Science Program Coordinator

Seeing so many great examples of storytelling and culture-shifting communication in action. There has been a lot of talk for a long time about the importance of storytelling, and it seems we are finally seeing that on a grander and broader scale!

Hannah Jurist-Schoen, Senior Creative Manager

What is one thing you learned?

There’s truly something for everyone at Climate Week NYC. Regardless of your skills, experience level, identity, or role, there’s a place for you to find like-minded people with similar barriers and opportunities at your fingertips. It’s a good reminder that none of us are doing it alone.

Matt Scott, Director, Storytelling and Engagement

We know climate action is a long journey, but we also know how to address the climate crisis, and lots of folks are working to mobilize positive change.

Lauren Gifford, Ph.D., Senior Advisor, Climate Philanthropy and Investing

People are much more interested in uplifting solutions to climate change than you might find in the media! Most conversations focus on actionable steps we can take to solve specific climate-related problems rather than focusing on how big and scary climate change is.

Daria Sheik, Science Program Coordinator

There are so many people working on or interested in climate outside the immediate climate space. It’s incredibly energizing to know that there are climate-passionate people across every sector and industry!

Aiyana Bodi, Development Manager, Major Gifts

What was a favorite event?

The Beyond Alliance event launching a whole new approach to superpollutants and climate change. They were big fans of our “emergency brake” concept, and really showed how Project Drawdown’s science is being put into action.

Jonathan Foley, Ph.D., Executive Director

I may be biased since it’s related to what I’m currently working on, but it was thrilling to launch our Drawdown Capital initiative at an event with our partners Vibrant Data Labs and Redwoods Collective at the Doris Duke Treehouse.

Elena Essa, Program Manager, Global Strategic Partnerships

GlobalRise and the Climate Film Festival showcased their current cohort of fellows who are imagining new narratives to illuminate climate justice in NYC – it was inspiring to see filmmakers stepping into climate, but also climate professionals stepping into film! I love seeing this type of cross-pollination of worlds.

Aiyana Bodi, Development Manager, Major Gifts

Our convening with Climate Arc and others about agrifood transitions. Specifically, we talked about how we can use data we already have to inform solution implementation. Often, we get stuck in the narrative that we need more data to drive action (and filling data gaps is so important!), but we must also focus on what we can get done with the data we have now.

Daria Sheik, Science Program Coordinator

What was missing from the conversations you heard?

There was way too much “we need to reconceptualize climate change as a multifaceted challenge” and not enough “we need to get people heat pumps.”

Kate Marvel, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Climate Science

I’d love to hear more discussion of how to “widen the tent” and make sure the conversations in NYC reach not only the climate community but communities everywhere.

Matt Scott, Director, Storytelling and Engagement

We know the power of shifting culture when it works for the “other” side, but remain so hesitant to invest in our own storytelling. How can we work together to get more funding for climate communications?

Hannah Jurist-Schoen, Senior Creative Manager

There are still deep disconnects between what climate solutions people allocating capital are discussing and the reality of on-the-ground implementation. We need more capital, but we also need more precise capital deployment to stop climate change.

Lauren Gifford, Ph.D., Senior Advisor, Climate Philanthropy and Investing

Honestly, so many panels stay in a very conceptual space, or conversations are recycled year after year, without offering concrete solutions or advice. There should be a rule: If you bring a challenge up at an event, you have to show progress on it if you want to bring it up again the following year.

Aiyana Bodi, Development Manager, Major Gifts

What solutions were you most excited to learn about or see take center stage?

I’m excited to see how “emergency brake” solutions – especially around methane and other superpollutants – are gaining traction around the world. 

Jonathan Foley, Ph.D., Executive Director

I love forest protection and renewable energy as much as the next person, but I appreciate when effective solutions that seem boring – alternative refrigerants or clinker substitution – take center stage.

Kate Marvel, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Climate Science

Regardless of the specific solution, I loved seeing communities come together to bring solutions to life. Climate change doesn’t need a lone hero to address it, and I saw numerous examples of collaborative solutions on display.

Matt Scott, Director, Storytelling and Engagement

I’m a fan of the unsexy climate solutions! It’s great to hear how they were discussed behind closed doors, but I’d love to get more people excited about, say, landfill management. Not just because it’s kind of funny, but because the co-benefits of these solutions are important – things like health and justice. 

Hannah Jurist-Schoen, Senior Creative Manager
 

I was at a half-day event on food loss and waste. It was awesome to see how the private sector, communities, nonprofits, government, and food industry are all coming together to solve an issue where the solution also directly helps people in need.

Daria Sheik, Science Program Coordinator

What was your most “New York” moment?

I saw a huge dead rat on the platform at Grand Central. I bet it saw all the different climate solutions that are ready to deploy and dropped dead from sheer excitement.

Kate Marvel, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Climate Science

Spending a few moments in Central Park to get some fresh air and connection back to nature, reminding me why we do this work.

Jonathan Foley, Ph.D., Executive Director

Probably the blisters on my feet at the end of the week (shoutout to nonmotorized transportation, always happy to get more steps in).

Daria Sheik, Science Program Coordinator

Meeting Project Drawdown folks downtown in the West Village for drinks, followed by a stop at Ten Ichi Mart for half-priced sushi after 8 pm.

Elena Essa, Program Manager, Global Strategic Partnerships

Is there one org or speaker you’d like to shout out for a great event?

Kristy Drutman (aka Browngirl Green) and Usman Fahimullah, who organized the Green Jobs Pavilion and created a space for newcomers to go from wanting to do something about climate to actually finding their roles.

Matt Scott, Director, Storytelling and Engagement

Shoutout to our board chair, Stephan Nicoleau, who did an amazing job moderating multiple events for Project Drawdown and Drawdown Capital. Well done!

Elena Essa, Program Manager, Global Strategic Partnerships

Conveners like Solutions House, TED, and more play such a critical role in facilitating so many great conversations.

Jonathan Foley, Ph.D., Executive Director

This wasn’t an event, but I met with NYC’s Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, and it was so inspiring to see how holistically they are thinking about the people of New York and how to make this city more climate-friendly and resilient.

Daria Sheik, Science Program Coordinator

About Project Drawdown 

Project Drawdown is the world’s leading guide to science-based climate solutions. Our mission is to drive meaningful climate action around the world. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Project Drawdown is funded by individual and institutional donations. 

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