| Project Drawdown®

Project Drawdown shares action-packed agenda for Climate Week NYC

Submitted by Drawdown Admin on Mon, 08/31/2026 - 08:17

August 31, 2026

Project Drawdown will lead and participate in several events from September 20 to 27, including presenting at Solutions House, a leading venue for moving solutions from the margins to the mainstream. More than 100,000 people attended events at Climate Week NYC 2025 – and this year will be bigger than ever!

Below is a rundown of where we will be in the city and how you can sign up to attend.

Monday, September 21

The Live Edit: Startups x Storytellers
5:50–6:40 p.m. ET
SVA Theatre, 333 W 23rd St, New York

Climate startups are tackling some of the world’s biggest problems, but is their story breaking through to customers, investors, and everyday people?

In The Live Edit, four founders step beyond the pitch deck and into a live creative studio. Working in real time with a storytelling professional to transform a complicated product into a compelling story.

Part story lab, part live development room, and part audience-powered magic, The Live Edit reveals what can happen when climate innovation meets the people who know how to make people care.

Join Matt Scott, Project Drawdown’s Director of Storytelling & Engagement, for this dynamic event – part of the larger Narrative Change Summit. The Summit brings together filmmakers and entrepreneurs, major studios and creators, journalists and philanthropists, and scientists and leaders in communications and marketing.

Register for this in-person event here.

Tuesday, September 22

Addressing Blind Spots in Agrifood Transitions
8:00–11:30 a.m. ET
Jay Conference Empire, 8 West 38th Street, 3rd Floor, New York

Daria Sheik, Science Program Coordinator, will serve as a facilitator for this invite-only, solutions-focused workshop, organized by Arc and in partnership with Ceres, FAIRR, Project Drawdown, and WBCSD. Discussions will unpack unanswered, decision-critical questions on corporate transition in the agrifood sector.

The workshop brings together experts from civil society, industry, philanthropy, finance, and policy in a series of parallel roundtables, each focused on a key ‘blind spot’ for financial decision-makers in understanding the credibility and coherence of corporate transition plans and progress, or for companies in making the internal business case for transition.

Request to attend this in-person event here. Space is limited, and all registrations are subject to approval.

Supercharging climate action: How more precise science-based capital deployment can maximize impacts
10:00–11:00 a.m. ET
Solutions House, 42 E 33rd Street, New York

Capital is rapidly accelerating climate solutions around the world. But the ultimate impact of those investments will be influenced not only by how much capital is deployed, but also by how precisely capital is deployed. Join Project Drawdown to explore how climate investments can be far more strategic – and impactful – when we pay attention to time, location, co-benefits, and more.

Jonathan Foley, Ph.D., Executive Director, and Lauren Gifford, Ph.D., Senior Advisor, Climate Philanthropy and Investing, will introduce Drawdown Capital, a new initiative providing evidence-based insights for philanthropists, private investors, and their advisors. Stephan Nicoleau, Project Drawdown’s Board Chair, will then facilitate an engaging conversation with Foley and Gifford exploring real-world examples of how capital deployed with precision can move beyond good intentions to deliver supercharged impact.

Request to attend this in-person event here. Space is limited, and all registrations are subject to approval.

Green Jobs Pavilion
4:10–4:45 p.m. ET
Project Farmhouse, 76 East 13th Street, New York

Join Matt Scott, Director of Storytelling & Engagement, for “Climate Storytelling & the Arts,” a panel discussion on the intersection of climate, storytelling, and the arts. The panel is part of The Green Jobs Pavilion, a three-day summit featuring panels, workshops, career coaching, and opportunities to connect directly with employers across climate sectors.

Tuesday’s programming explores themes including climatetech, business, finance, women in leadership, and storytelling. The Green Jobs Pavilion brings together job seekers, employers, and leaders to foster innovation, education, diversity, and collaboration while helping participants build the tools, information, and connections to support their professional development and career journeys.

Purchase a ticket for this in-person event here.

The Jargon Detox, or how not to talk about climate - with TED Countdown and the Sustainable Entertainment Alliance
4:30–5:30 p.m. ET
Solutions House, 2 Park Avenue, New York

Climate language often loses people. Terms like net zero, Paris-aligned, 1.5°C and nature-based solutions may be precise, but they mean little to most audiences.

In this interactive ‘game show’ session, participants will be challenged to speak on climate topics for 60 seconds without jargon. It’s all in good fun, but it makes a serious point: if people can’t understand us, how can we expect them to act?

Kate Marvel, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Climate Science will take the stage with TED Countdown for a conversation about when technical language is a gift, and when it’s a pitfall, before challenging audience members to put their own communication skills to the test.

Request to attend this in-person event here. Space is limited, and all registrations are subject to approval.

Wednesday, September 23

Superpollutant Action Summit: Aligning Capital, Policy, and Innovation for the Fastest Wins in Climate
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET
Register for address

The Superpollutant Action Summit, convened by the Beyond Alliance, is a first-of-its-kind gathering of high-level leaders across business, science, government, and civil society for a full day to accelerate action on the pollutants driving the most near-term warming: methane, black carbon, N₂O, and HFCs.

Rapid reductions over the next decade could meaningfully bend the warming curve before mid-century, making this one of the fastest and most immediate levers available for climate progress, with the added benefit of real air quality and health gains along the way.

Jonathan Foley, Ph.D., Executive Director, will kick off the day with opening remarks exploring the untapped potential of emergency brake climate solutions and how they can accelerate progress. Throughout the day, attendees can expect candid, actionable plenary conversations on where science, policy, and capital meet, thematic breakouts, a look at what it will take to finance faster action at scale, and a showcase of real solutions from the innovators and project developers building them.

Request to attend this in-person event here. Space is limited, and all registrations are subject to approval.

Climate Forward
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET
The Times Center, 242 West 41st Street, New York

This fifth annual Climate Forward event from The New York Times provides a forum for the exchange of climate solutions and ideas and holds newsmakers and industry leaders accountable before a live audience. Kate Marvel, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Climate Science, will lead a mainstage conversation as leading journalists engage world leaders, activists, policymakers, and scientists on the most pressing climate and energy questions of the moment.

This year’s theme is “Power Hungry.” The event will investigate a once-in-a-generation race to build new energy sources in response to AI’s growing energy demands. Through live conversations and firsthand reporting, the event will examine who is leading the energy transition, what it means for a warming world, and how new approaches can help shape a more sustainable future.

Apply and purchase tickets here.

Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative
7:30–8:45 a.m. and 10:30–11:30 a.m. ET
Register for address

The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting returns on September 22–23, 2026, bringing together leaders from business, government, philanthropy, and civil society for engaging conversations about what’s working and how we can bridge divides to solve our most urgent crises.

Kate Marvel, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Climate Science, will join Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton and leaders from Columbia University for a breakfast conversation exploring solutions at the nexus of women and climate, from finance and global diplomacy to humanitarian relief, the energy sector, and resilience. The discussion will consider how we can partner to scale this work for greater impact.

Later that morning, Marvel will take the stage alongside other leaders from science, government, philanthropy, and industry to explore how we can sustain and scale bold scientific breakthroughs, and collaboratively forge the future we deserve.

Purchase a premium ticket for the annual meeting here.

Women & Allies in Climate Happy Hour
4:00–6:00 p.m. ET
149 W 27th Street, Floor 3, New York

Join The Nature Conservancy’s Women & Allies in Climate group for a happy hour with network members and partners! Enjoy drinks, appetizers, and conversation, with remarks from Matt Scott, Director of Storytelling & Engagement.

This gathering is hosted in partnership with CARE-WWF Alliance, with support from Project Drawdown and Planet Women.

RSVP here by September 8.

Thursday, September 24

Climate Week Panel Series hosted by AP Fund for Journalism
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. ET
200 Liberty Street, 19th Floor, New York

The Associated Press (AP) and AP Fund for Journalism are hosting a panel series featuring insightful discussions about how AP covers and communicates critical climate issues. Designed for anyone passionate about high-quality, independent journalism and its vital role in covering climate change, the series will explore how journalists can effectively engage audiences on some of the most pressing issues of our time.

Jonathan Foley, Ph.D., Executive Director, will join the opening panel, exploring how to talk about climate change in ways that resonate broadly with people. The conversation will be moderated by Peter Prengaman, AP’s Global Climate and Environmental News Director.

Following the opening panel, attendees can stay for two additional conversations exploring humanity’s relationship with nature and how the energy transition may be shaped by the Iran War. The series will also offer opportunities to connect and network with fellow attendees.

This in-person session is private and by invitation only. All three sessions will also be livestreamed for the public on the Associated Press's YouTube channel here.

Climate Solutions Investing: A Systems Perspective
9:15–10:00 a.m. ET
66 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001

As part of Climate Week NYC, the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), together with HSBC Asset Management, is convening a curated group of asset owners, managers, and climate finance leaders for an interactive discussion on climate solutions investing, with contributions from the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC).

This highly interactive session will begin with reflections from asset owners applying the GIIN's Climate Solutions Investing Framework, followed by discussions focused on the energy and nature sectors. Participants will explore how different parts of a system depend on one another, hear from investors operating across those systems, and examine where capital gaps, dependencies, and opportunities exist.

Lauren Gifford, Ph.D., Senior Advisor, Climate Philanthropy and Investing, will join the 9:15 am ET panel on systems thinking and climate solutions investing. This conversation will be part of a wider day of programming.

Register for this in-person event here.

Closing the Funding Gap: Mobilizing Capital for Effective Climate Solutions
2:00–4:00 p.m. ET
Doris Duke Treehouse, 444 Madison Avenue, New York

Project Drawdown, Vibrant Data Labs, and Redwoods Collective are bringing together a small group of climate funders, investors, scientists, and systems thinkers for a candid, closed-door conversation around a question: How do we get more capital to climate solutions that can actually drive change?

We'll explore how science, data, and strategic partnerships can help funders and investors make smarter, more targeted decisions about where capital can have the greatest climate impact.

The conversation will be led by Maria Franco of Redwoods Collective, Eric Berlow, Ph.D., of Vibrant Data Labs, and Lauren Gifford, Ph.D., of Project Drawdown. Stephan Nicoleau, Director of the Project Drawdown Board, will moderate.

This session will deliberately be kept to a small group size and will bring together bright, deep thinkers with different perspectives and experience to wrestle with the question together and come away with ideas that are both innovative and actionable.

This session is private and by invitation only.

Saturday, September 26

Marketplace of the Future
12:00–10:00 p.m. ET
Register for address

Now in its 10th year, Marketplace of the Future (MOTF) reimagines the 1939 New York World's Fair – once dubbed "The World of Tomorrow" for debuting inventions such as the fluorescent light bulb, air conditioning, and television. MOTF brings that same spirit to climate solutions – novel now, normal soon.

Wander through climate solution exhibitors, catch "infotainment"-style talks and panels, and settle in for the live music and plant-based food. Expect art, participatory experiences, film screenings, and evening entertainment throughout – with plenty of room to network along the way.

Stop by the Project Drawdown table and meet Aiyana Bodi, Development Manager, Major Gifts; Hannah Jurist-Schoen, Senior Creative Manager; and Daria Sheik, Science Program Coordinator. They'll be on hand to talk about two of our core programs, Drawdown Explorer and SHIFT.

Register for this in-person event here.

About Project Drawdown

Project Drawdown is the world’s leading resource for climate solutions. By advancing science-based climate solutions, fostering bold climate leadership, and promoting new narratives and voices, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization is helping the world stop climate change as quickly, safely, and equitably as possible. Learn more at drawdown.org.

An image of the NYC skyline with the words Project Drawdown and Climate Week NYC in the clouds

Off

This September, Project Drawdown will once again take part in Climate Week NYC – a dynamic platform for collaborating on climate action with changemakers from around the world.

Climate Week NYC is one of the world’s premier annual climate gatherings and offers a critical space for accelerating solutions. With more than 1,000 events across the city, leaders from government, academia, business, philanthropy, and more will come together to advance the bold strategies and solutions needed to stop the climate crisis.

Include in Home Insights and News Feed

Read more about Project Drawdown shares action-packed agenda for Climate Week NYC

Here’s why ensuring health and education is important for climate mitigation

Health and education are part of a holistic approach to a thriving planet. They are fundamental human rights and are essential to ensuring global equity and well-being. They are also pillars of climate action, but as scholarship in demography and public health shows, these connections can’t be measured by direct cause-and-effect and are far more nuanced than a single metric can capture.

Read more about Here’s why ensuring health and education is important for climate mitigation

Stephanie Azubike, Ph.D.

Research Fellow

Supercharge: Advancing Science-Based Solutions to Climate Change

Is climate change unfolding faster and fiercer than scientists expected?

It’s been a summer of heat and fire. Three severe heat domes have settled over the United States in a month, sending temperatures skyrocketing over and over again. The skies over vast swathes of the Northeast and Midwest are hazy with smoke blown in from wildfires across Canada and Minnesota. Europe is sweating in its fourth heatwave of the summer as France and Spain grapple with raging infernos.

Read more about Is climate change unfolding faster and fiercer than scientists expected?

After nearly 2,000 hours studying climate action, here's how I think policy can be more impactful

One of the most common questions I receive after presenting on Project Drawdown’s climate solutions is ‘if people know all the solutions, why aren’t we implementing them?’

Read more about After nearly 2,000 hours studying climate action, here's how I think policy can be more impactful

How much beef is too much for climate?

Protein is having a moment. These days, you can find it in cookies, pizza, soda – and even flavored water.

Read more about How much beef is too much for climate?

Reversing soil degradation 10% could feed 70 million more, global analysis finds

Submitted by Drawdown Admin on Fri, 07/24/2026 - 10:23

July 24, 2026

Off

Key Takeaways

Human-caused damage to soils is a limiting factor for food production on agricultural lands.
Soil degradation can be slowed or reversed.
Reversing degradation by 10% could make it possible to feed 70 million more people while also enhancing soils’ ability to pull greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and reducing pressure to turn forests into farmland.

Erosion, dehydration, compaction, and other forms of soil degradation are jeopardizing food supplies for broad swaths of the world's population, according to a study recently published at Nature Food by researchers at the University of Bonn, the University of Minnesota / Project Drawdown, the University of Basel, and Hamburg University of Technology. If human-made soil degradation were reversed by 10%, Earth’s arable land could feed an extra 70 million or so people.

“Reversing yield loss from land degradation contributes to a virtuous cycle,” says coauthor and Project Drawdown Senior Scientist James Gerber, Ph.D., who developed spatial yield models for the study. “Improving soil quality often leads to increased carbon in the soils, and the resulting increase in yields can reduce pressures on natural land, helping to avoid emissions from deforestation.”

Many current farming practices are damaging soil quality. This problem is being exacerbated by human-made crises such as climate change, with storms and heavy rainfall causing fertile topsoil to be blown or washed away. In addition, groundwater levels are falling, not least because precipitation often comes in such heavy concentrations that it simply runs off instead of seeping into the ground.

Degraded soil is known to be less fertile. However, until now the severity of this effect and its impact on crop yields have been unclear.

“Now, for the first time, we’ve attempted to quantify the consequences of degradation for all the arable land around the world,” says coauthor Hadi Hadi, Ph.D., of the University of Bonn.

The researchers started by asking how high yields could be without any degradation. To find an answer, they first divided all arable land into squares 10 kilometers (6 miles) long and wide, then compared yields across squares with similar climates. Adjusting their figures to account for differences in the use of fertilizer, irrigation, and other cultivation factors enabled the researchers to identify areas with particularly high yields. Many of these were also those that had sustained hardly any soil damage.

“These areas give us a benchmark for what’s possible in soils that haven't been degraded,” explains coauthor David Wuepper, Ph.D., of the University of Bonn.

For each 10 × 10 km parcel, the researchers calculated a specific “yield gap” and correlated it with five parameters connected with soil degradation: erosion, dehydration, compaction by heavy agricultural machinery, loss of carbon dioxide in the soil, and minimal vegetation cover.

With the aid of complex AI-powered evaluation methods, the researchers were able to use the yield gap they had identified to calculate the degree of soil degradation in each parcel. This then allowed them to estimate that a 10% reduction in degradation would make it possible to feed more than 70 million more people.

“Overall, the findings show how important soil quality is to the supply of agricultural produce,” says Wuepper.

Grounds for hope in this regard have been furnished by another recent study by his working group, in which researchers were able to demonstrate that soil degradation can be slowed or reversed through regulations and payments at the national level.

“Reducing land degradation can be a win-win, and this study helps to quantify just how much of a win, both for food security and climate mitigation,” Gerber says.

Adapted with permission from a University of Bonn press release.

About Project Drawdown

Include in Home Insights and News Feed