A curated agenda to inspire bold thinking at the intersection of climate, health, infrastructure, technology, and education.
Since 2009, Climate Week NYC has convened leaders across sectors, sharing ideas and inspiring action to address the climate crisis. The official theme for the 2024 convening is to the point: “The time is now.”
The consequences of a changing climate are no longer a distant threat; the impacts on ecosystems, economies, and human lives are already here. Effectively addressing these impacts will require response and adaptation in every sector and industry. From straining healthcare systems and supply chains to reshaping urban landscapes and the future of work, the climate crisis demands attention from leaders in all sectors.
Climate Week NYC (September 22-29), held in partnership with the United Nations General Assembly, offers a unique chance to gain new insights, draw inspiration, and connect with a global community of leaders committed to achieving a sustainable future for our planet. With a packed official program and over 600 affiliate events, there are many opportunities to learn and engage. We’ve compiled a short list of can’t-miss events — including a special Climate Week edition of our Lab Session event series — that explore climate intersections and spotlight bold ideas.
Monday, September 23
Connecting Climate Change and Health: Closing the Action Gap, hosted by Kaiser Permanente and the World Economic Forum. Climate and health are inseparable, but how can the health sector translate this awareness into concrete action? The virtual session will provide actionable strategies for health systems, communities, policymakers, and corporations to transform climate and health initiatives from ideas into impactful actions.
Solve Challenge Finals, hosted by MIT Solve. At this annual event, global policy leaders, investors, and industry leaders will have an opportunity to meet the 30 promising innovators that make up MIT Solve’s latest cohort. Selected from over 2,200 applicants representing 130 countries, innovators will pitch their ideas for a chance to catalyze scale with funding from a $1 million prize pool.
8th NYC Green School Conference 2024, hosted by Green Mentors Inc. The UNESCO Greening Education Partnership aims to green 50% of all schools by 2030. This day-long event will feature workshops, interactive panels, and student showcases alongside a sustainability expo and networking opportunities. Participants will engage in policy dialogues on shaping the future of green education and learn more about education as a key tool in the global effort to address climate change.
Tuesday, September 24
Temperature Check: Navigating Political Risk for ClimateTech, hosted by Cap Table Coalition. Even the best ideas will need to contend with political realities. Experts from Orrick and J.P. Morgan will join political strategists and pioneers of the Inflation Reduction Act for a conversation about how the 2024 election may impact climate tech innovation in the U.S.
Educating for Climate Action Summit, hosted by The Wild Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Smithsonian Institution, and additional partners. This summit welcomes educators for a series of sessions exploring crucial themes in climate change education. Participants will learn about topics ranging from Indigenous perspectives on climate education to the importance of building a climate-ready workforce. Celebrate the critical role of educators in the response to climate change and leave with new connections and actionable strategies.
The Space Between Climate & AI, hosted by IDEO. Artificial intelligence holds potential to transform industries and accelerate progress across a range of challenges. This session will invite attendees to think about the cutting-edge space where AI meets climate action, offering real-world stories from organizations using AI to address climate challenges.
Wednesday, September 25
The New York Climate Exchange Climate Tech Showcase, hosted by the New York Climate Exchange. Held on Governors Island, this climate tech showcase will spotlight over 20 startups from the Climate Exchange partner network, along with “spark talks” featuring leaders from the New York climate tech ecosystem. If you attend, be sure to say hello to Luminary Labs Partner and President Janna Gilbert, who will be speaking on a panel about how prizes, community-based pilots and other programs are advancing climate solutions.
Newsweek Horizons “AI: Climate Hero or Climate Villain?”, hosted by Newsweek. This event gets to the heart of the tension: AI-powered solutions can revolutionize approaches to climate challenges, but the large computing power needed requires enormous amounts of energy. Leaders from the tech and energy sectors will discuss how AI can be deployed in responsible and sustainable ways. Luminary Labs Director Rebecca Meyer will also be in attendance.
Earth Observation for Climate, hosted by TerraWatch Space. Monitoring and observation can be critical tools in the fight to understand and address the climate crisis. This multidisciplinary gathering spotlights the crucial role of Earth observation in climate change efforts, focusing on greenhouse gas monitoring, carbon markets, and nature and biodiversity tracking.
Thursday, September 26
Extreme Heat & Health Innovation, hosted by Tailwind, CHILL, and the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Extreme heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the United States, yet America lacks sufficient tech and policy solutions to keep communities safe. This session will bring together innovators, investors, and medical experts to explore cutting-edge heat tech solutions to mitigate the severe public health impacts of rising temperatures and underscore the demand for novel and scalable solutions. Chethan Sarabu, one of our Lab Session speakers, will moderate a panel on the demand for innovative solutions.
Mass Transit & Climate Change, hosted by the NYU Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management. Transportation is the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for about 28% of the U.S. total; public transportation offers solutions that can promote equitable transit-oriented development and enhance urban resilience in the face of rising environmental challenges. This expert panel — moderated by Sarah Kaufman, Director of the Rudin Center and another Lab Session panelist — will highlight strategies for adapting and expanding transit systems, offering the MTA’s Climate Resilience Roadmap as an example.
Reducing Extreme Heat Mortality: Introducing Project HEATWAVE, hosted by NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York Climate Exchange, and SilverLining. Policymakers, doctors, and innovators will need to collaborate to design the tools needed to manage heat-related risks and prevent deaths. Project HEATWAVE, an interdisciplinary initiative from NYU Langone to develop a comprehensive framework for projecting, analyzing, and managing responses to extreme heat events, offers an inspiring example of collaboration in action.
Friday, September 27
Haiti Tech Summit, hosted by Global Startup Ecosystem (GSE), IBM Cloud, AWS, and the Haiti Tech Foundation. Sometimes called the “Davos of the Caribbean,” this annual event unites entrepreneurs, investors, pioneers, and creatives to tackle pressing challenges through technology. This year’s summit will bring together 300 global leaders to explore themes such as economic development, the future of work, artificial intelligence, and space technologies. Luminary Labs Founding Partner and CEO Sara Holoubek will speak on a panel about sustainability and corporate innovation at 1:00 p.m.
Health Systems Implementing Climate Action Inaugural Meeting, hosted by The New York Academy of Medicine and Yale Center on Climate Change and Health. The transformation of our health systems will be a critical part of climate adaptation, and that will include discovering ways to reduce the carbon footprint of healthcare delivery. This convening explores health system climate readiness, bringing together business and healthcare leaders to discuss the latest research and practical findings on low-carbon, resilient healthcare delivery.
This is only a small selection of what’s on offer during Climate Week NYC and the UN General Assembly. Explore the full Climate Week NYC events calendar and these other resources to make the most of your time this September:
If you’re in the city the weekend before the official start of Climate Week, consider catching a screening as part of the Climate Film Festival. Supported by the Guardian US, the festival aims to rewrite the narrative on climate change by harnessing the power of motion pictures. See the full program for screening times and ticketing.
