By Alliance for Sustainability President Terry Gips
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the climate crisis? How would you like to be overwhelmed by inspiration of thousands of extraordinary heroes, sheroes, businesses, governments, foundations, NGOs and diverse leaders from all over the world coming together to solve the most daunting challenge we face? That is Climate Week NYC. I was privileged to take part in this annual gathering of global leaders in conjunction with the opening of the UN General Assembly, Sep 22-29. Most events were free and many were live-streamed and recorded.
There were 900+ events across NYC, a 50% increase over last year, according to the event organizer Climate Week NYC. Speaker Joel Makower of Trellis aptly referred to it as a “1,000-ring circus” that’s “exhausting and exhilarating.” My biggest takeaways were how every industry imaginable was present and embracing sustainability with a commitment to addressing the climate crisis. Surprisingly, I felt there was very little greenwashing and an immense amount of positive energy, connection, collaboration and solutions.
Uplifting Highlights from Climate Week 2024
I focused on several receptions and the hub of activity, the multi-storied Nest Climate Campus in the massive Javits Center with its exhibition, media center, Main Stage presentations and numerous gatherings. There was a veritable who’s who of climate champions, starting with the Opening Ceremony. Bahamas Prime Minister Philip E. Davis has been battling at the frontlines: “I watch the tides rise higher each year, feel the storms grow stronger and witness first– hand the relentless advance of a warming world.”
Many governments and businesses use Climate Week to announce major new initiatives. The Environmental Justice Climate Corps was launched during the week by the Biden-Harris Administration through a new partnership between the EPA and AmeriCorps. It will create pathways for young people into environmental justice careers while addressing climate challenges in underserved communities.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, accompanied by actor Lou Diamond Philips, announced the state is suing ExxonMobil for what he called a “decades-long campaign of deception that caused and exacerbated the global plastics pollution crisis”, in a press briefing during The Hub Live.
Hope and Action from the State of Washington and Its Inspiring Governor
One of the most inspiring programs was the interview of Washington State Governor Jay Inslee by Marcene Mitchell, Senior VP of Climate Change, WWF. He shared about his state’s impressive Climate Commitment Act, which puts a cap on carbon pollution that gets lowered every year till they reach zero.
“The rights [to emit carbon] are then auctioned on a market with revenues going into a fund that pays for access to EVs, charging stations, solar panels, air filtration systems for schools, fire prevention and low carbon solutions,” he explained. “We want to recycle the money to our own people to help them,” Inslee added. “Some wealthy people don’t like it. They believe climate change is a hoax.” Inslee shared how he is currently fighting an upcoming ballot initiative to block the Act.
The Governor spoke about a suite of climate policies they’ve implemented, including building codes, a low-carbon fuel standard and subsidies for other areas. Inslee helped create a Governors Climate Alliance and said addressing climate is the “greatest economic opportunity for the US. The demand will be there and we need to support that effort, starting with making sure we have people with the skills. Everyone needs a shot at the clean energy economy.”
He said he feels the biggest challenges we face are with:
- Adequate transmission lines
- Concern by local communities about the visible intrusion of solar panels and wind turbines
- Fear – “It’s the biggest challenge. There are many peddlers of fear.”
Inslee concluded with an upbeat comment: “I’ve been at this about 30 years” and emphasized how important it is to recognize “the thrill and enjoyment of this lucky opportunity amongst the challenges. When you do something big, nothing is easy. The setbacks are a recognition of how important our battle is. Do something to make a difference. No humans have ever had such an opportunity to make such a difference for so many generations to come.”
My Dessert at Climate Week NYC: Two Incredible Receptions
After so many mind-filling workshops and convocations throughout every day, Climate Week attendees “took a break” every evening and hopped from one reception or special event after another into the night.
I attended the Skoll Foundation Reception with some of the world’s most inspiring and impactful social entrepreneurs supported by Skoll and the other major funders who fuel their work. It didn’t matter which way I turned in the space packed with more than 400 leaders. Each had an extraordinary story filling me with hope. And even more important, numerous partnerships were formed.
I also got to experience the glitz of famed fashionista icon Diane von Furstenberg’s gorgeous gallery where she hosted a reception for Daughters for Earth, which is led by energetic Zainab Salbi. She called for women to rise now through a fund supporting their efforts to protect and restore our Earth. It was wonderful being with so many of my Social Venture Network inspirations and then hearing from Diane herself about why we need to see the light in the darkness.
Conclusion: Moving from Darkness to the Light
I have renewed energy to continue our work at the Alliance to transform our lives and world, knowing that we are aligned with thousands of others around the world. Despite the darkness we’re facing, it’s hard to not have hope listening to the extraordinary grassroots, business, government and other leaders who are making a difference in every possible sector. We CAN do this!