NY Climate Tech: Apr 22 - Apr 28
Food, biotech, sustainable capital, green careers, the energy transition, films, art, and more events this week!
Hi friends,
Earth Week is here! While SF Climate Week may be occupying quite a few of you, there’s plenty going on in NY. Here are our picks for the week:
Start the week today with something nourishing at 🥕 FoodNiche Summit NYC (two days) and 🧬 NY Climate Biotech: Fermenting Connections
On Wednesday, dig into finance at 💸 Climate Capital & Sustainable Solutions: Diverse Perspectives on Funding the Climate Crisis
Also on Wednesday, learn about sustainable careers at 🙋♀️ She Goes Green: Career Paths in Sustainability
Friday, swing by NYU for a talk from Micah Kotch on ⚡️ Accelerating the Energy Transition with Industrial Impact
We’re also thrilled to present our sister organization Climate Film Fest’s Earth Week programs:
Join CFF at Asia Society on Wednesday for 🌄 KING COAL. A lyrical tapestry of a place and people, KING COAL meditates on the complex history and future of the coal industry, the communities it has shaped, and the myths it has created. Tickets here, $15, waiver available (email team@climatefilmfest.com).
Head to Harlem on Friday for 🔥 Cooked: Survival by Zip Code for a deep dive into extreme heat and environmental justice with panelists from WE ACT, NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice, Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, and South Bronx Unite. Tickets here, free!
Finally, we’ve been behind on our monthly meetups (back soon!) but are happy to be supporting and hope to see you at the 🔌 Newlab Clean Mobility meetup next week!
Alec, Sonam, and the Climate Tech Cities Team
This Week’s Events
🥕 FoodNiche Summit NYC: Mon, Apr 22
🌇 Where Nature Meets City: Three Short Films and Discussions: Mon, Apr 22
🧵 Harlems Fashion Row 3rd Annual Sustainability Forum: Mon, Apr 22
🧬 NY Climate Biotech: Fermenting Connections: Mon, Apr 22
🇫🇷 Climate Fresk: A (Serious) Game To Learn About Climate Change: Mon, Apr 22
🌎 Healthy Earth Day Happy Hour: Mon, Apr 22
✅ Sustainability Programs Final Capstone Briefings: Spring 2024: Tue, Apr 23
🧩 Catalyzing Net Zero: How Corporate and Government Commitments are Accelerating Climate Investment and Innovation: Tue, Apr 23
⚖️ Equity and Justice in the Green Transition: Tue, Apr 23
🎵 The Climate Opera Project: Tue, Apr 23
☕️ 2024 Climate Café at the Brooklyn Public Library: Wed, Apr 24
🙋♀️ She Goes Green: Career Paths in Sustainability: Wed, Apr 24
🌄 Climate Film Fest presents: KING COAL: Wed, April 24
💸 Climate Capital & Sustainable Solutions: Diverse Perspectives on Funding the Climate Crisis: Wed, Apr 24
✍️ Tertulia 02: Thu, Apr 25
⚡️ Accelerating the Energy Transition with Industrial Impact with Micah Kotch: Fri, Apr 26
🔥 Climate Film Fest presents: Cooked: Survival by Zip Code: Fri, April 26
👖Sip & Swap: An Earth Month Clothing Swap and Fireside Chat: Sat, Apr 27
🎞️ CCA Film Screening: Sat, Apr 27
🚴♂️ Cycle to Save Wildlife: Sat, Apr 27
🖼️ Art in a Changing Climate: Sat, Apr 27
🎨 Art & Action Chats: Sun, Apr 28
🔌 Newlab Clean Mobility: Tue, Apr 30
🌅 Guest Post: The Spotlight
The Spotlight series takes a fresh look at works of climate cinema
By Aashika Balaji
As part of our Earth Week programming, CFF is excited to collaborate with WE ACT for Environmental Justice to screen Cooked: Survival by Zip Code (2020, dir. Judith Helfand) on April 26th at the Maysles Documentary Center. Cooked is a documentary about one of the deadliest heatwaves in U.S. history, which took place in Chicago during the summer of 1995. Over the span of just one week, 739 people died from the effects of extreme heat. But what’s even more striking about this figure is that the majority of the people who lost their lives were poor, elderly, and African American.
Cooked frames heatwaves as what they increasingly are: natural disasters that are exacerbated by climate change. With 2023 being the hottest year on record, the frequency and intensity of natural disasters has increased, and we’ve seen the same pattern reflected with heatwaves. In major U.S. urban areas, they’re happening more often, for longer stretches, and at a much more severe level. As revealed in the documentary, heatwaves kill more Americans than any other natural disaster, and communities of color are the most impacted by far.
Cooked asks an important question: when heatwaves strike, who’s actually guaranteed safety in U.S. cities, and who isn't? As natural disaster preparedness becomes more relevant, we have to consider the issue through the lens of privilege and equity. Many communities of color in urban areas don’t have access to the tools that are necessary to defend themselves from extreme heat, whether that be reliable AC, backup generators, or even the ability to keep their windows open due to safety concerns.
Last year, NYC was ranked as the most intense heat island in the country, and so implementing state-wide extreme heat mitigation measures is critical. Our screening collaborator WE ACT is working with South Bronx Unite, Earthjustice, Groundwork Hudson Valley, New York Disaster Interfaith Services, NRDC, and HeartShare Human Service through the NYS Extreme Heat Coalition, formed to protect heat-vulnerable urban communities throughout New York State. You can learn more about the Extreme Heat Coalition’s incredible work and how you can take action or get access to resources to address extreme heat in New York State.
About WE ACT
WE ACT for Environmental Justice is a community-based organization headquartered in Harlem with a Federal Policy Office in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to build healthy communities by ensuring that people of color and low-income participate meaningfully in the creation of equitable environmental policies and practices. A recognized leader in the environmental justice movement, WE ACT has been organizing and advocating at the city, state, and federal levels for the environmental health and protection of Northern Manhattan communities since its founding in 1988. You can learn more at weact.org and follow them on Twitter/X and Instagram at @weact4ej.
Aashika Balaji is CFF’s volunteer Community Engagement lead and manages the relationships with community groups around New York City, which is a critical part of CFF’s environmental justice platform. She’s been working in the climate space for 3 years as a Senior Program Associate at The Clean Fight, a nonprofit climate tech accelerator based in New York City.
🌎 Climate Tech Cities and Streetlife Ventures Startup and Talent Platforms
Climate Tech Cities and Streetlife Ventures are launching new platforms to support climate founders, funders, and career transitioners! There is no shortage of great companies raising money for their groundbreaking ideas, great investors looking to support with capital, and great talent living the mantra that every job is a climate job. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Community Shoutouts
🧑🌾 Regenerative NYC: Apr 23
Join us as we unite a diverse spectrum of voices, including farmers, students, academics, NGOs, startup founders, business leaders, bankers, investors, and more to initiate a groundbreaking conversation on regenerative agriculture. Our mission is to educate through scientific evidence, foster collaboration, and cultivate a community dedicated to driving positive change through regenerative agriculture.
🤖 TechDay: May 10
TechDay is back this year with exciting events to bring together NYC’s most innovative startups, investors, tech talent and more. The TechDay Expo will take place on May 10 at Javits Center. For more info on TechDay’s Expo and upcoming Founder Summits in 2024.
Opportunities
🚀 Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator: Apr 23
We are New York City’s largest accelerator program. ERA has NYC’s deepest and strongest mentor network with 500+ expert investors, technologists, product specialists, marketers, customer acquisition strategists, sales execs, and more, across all major industries represented in NYC.
✨ Peerless Pitch Competition: Apr 26
Peerless is a pitch competition announced today awarding $1M to help Black, Latine, Native American, and female founders scale their vision from the early stage. NYCEDC is proud to support AlleyCorp (Venture Access Alliance member), Management Leadership for Tomorrow, and several other VCs on the effort.
🏙️ URBAN-X: Apr 30
For founders building businesses in areas such as Mobility, Buildings, Energy, Circularity, and Community. Within those sectors, we are specifically interested in solutions that have an aspect of scalable climate mitigation and adaptation.
👩🔬 The Greenhouse: Apr 30
The Greenhouse is a collaborative innovation program based on the conviction that women's voices, ideas, and approaches are critical to helping us address climate change, adapt, and thrive. The program will guide you through key steps of the founder journey, supported by virtual innovation workshops, small group feedback and collaboration sessions, and interactive conversations with leading women in climate.
🌇 Urban Future Prize Competition: May 1
The Urban Future Lab is pleased to announce, for the eighth consecutive year, the Urban Future Prize Competition, which seeks to find the brightest climatetech startups and, through the generous support of The New York Community Trust, MUFG Bank, and NYU Tandon School of Engineering, award two winners with $50,000 cash prizes. These awardees will also receive admission into the ACRE Incubator, New York's longest-running and most successful climatetech program
🦚 Ray of Hope Accelerator from the Biomimicry Institute: May 3
We accelerate the growth of nature-inspired startups to scale systemic solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Each selected startup receives $15,000 in non-dilutive funding and over $50,000 worth of in-kind services. This incudes tailored coaching, investor introductions, a 4-day Nature Retreat, and comprehensive training materials covering topics such as Impact and Sustainability Business Training, Innovation Storytelling & Amplification, DEI, and Founder Mental Health.
Upcoming
💸 The Innovation Prize — InnSure: May 30
🏹 AI Poverty Challenge: May 30
💻 IRCAI and AWS Compute for Climate Fellowship | IRCAI: Jun 7
Upcoming Events
🌐 Applied: Vol 4: Wed, May 1
🌿 ESG Panel Discussion: Thu, May 2
💰 Is the finance industry ready for the great wealth transfer?: Thu, May 2
👩🎨 Free Climate Art Workshop with Nicole Kelner: Fri, May 3
🌳 Climate Hackathon in the Park: Sat, May 4
🏥 Health, Healthcare And... Climate Action Conference: Mon, May 6
⚡️ New Lab Pilot Showcase: Tue, May 7
💸 VC Talks NYC: Fundraising for Green Startups at IndieBio/SOSV: Wed, May 8
🚀 ClimateLaunchpad US — Fireside Chat & Mixer: Wed, May 8
🌐 The Decentralization of the Real World: Thu, May 9
🌳 Mass Timber Sustainability: Making a case for Developers and Owners: Wed, May 15
🍸 Leaders in Impact Happy Hour: Wed, May 15
💨 2024 Wind-Win Startup Showdown: Wed, May 15
🌊 NYC OceanTech Summit: Thu, May 16
🌎 Tom Steyer with David Wallace-Wells: Winning the Climate War: Wed, May 22
🎨 The 2024 Arts & Climate Incubator Tickets: Mon, Jun 10
This Week in Depth
🥕 FoodNiche Summit NYC
When: April 22 · 5pm - April 23 · 5pm EDT
Where: Cornell Tech University, 2 West Loop Road, New York, NY 10044
Connect with food industry stakeholders for networking and thought-provoking discussions on building a healthier, sustainable food system!
🌇 Where Nature Meets City: Three Short Films and Discussions
When: Monday, April 22, 2024, 7:00PM to 8:30PM (EDT)
Where: HOERLE Lecture Hall, UL105 — The New School University Center, 63 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10003
Celebrate Earth Day by joining us in-person for an eye-opening event about the crucial role of nature in crafting cities that overcome climate change. This evening will feature three short films. After each film, members of the Urban Systems Lab will share insights on how integrating nature into cities can help make them more resilient.
🧵 Harlems Fashion Row 3rd Annual Sustainability Forum
When: Monday, April 22 · 1 - 5pm EDT
Where: NeueHouse Madison Square 110 East 25th Street New York, NY 10010
This annual event transcends the traditional confines of the runway, with a dual focus on empowering designers of color and reshaping our relationship with clothing to benefit both people and the planet. Dive into immersive experiences featuring thought-provoking panels, engaging discussions, and hands-on workshops guided by industry leaders.
🧬 NY Climate Biotech: Fermenting Connections
When: Monday, April 22 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Where: TBD
Time for a happy hour focused on bringing the NY Climate Biotech community together. For anyone working to engineer biology to improve planetary health, this will serve as an opportunity to build connections and share stories as we push forward the biorevolution.
🇫🇷 Climate Fresk: A (Serious) Game To Learn About Climate Change
When: Monday, April 22 · 5:30 - 8:30pm EDT
Where: Consulate General of France, 934 5th Avenue New York, NY 10021
What do you know about climate change? On the occasion of Earth Day on April 22, the Consulate General of France in New York is organizing Climate Fresk workshops in collaboration with the New York team of the association. Sign up now to participate and understand everything about this phenomenon that affects us all.
🌎 Healthy Earth Day Happy Hour
When: Register for Address
Where: Monday, April 22 from 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Join us on Earth Day to celebrate our health and our planet, with a multi-disciplinary community of technologists and builders, healthcare and climate leaders, and funders in NYC. Together, we’ll work to answer: How can we activate to safeguard our planet and fight for a brighter, healthier future together?
✅ Sustainability Programs Final Capstone Briefings: Spring 2024
When: Tuesday, April 23 · 6 - 9pm EDT
Where: The Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life 606 West 115th Street New York, NY 10025
The Integrative Capstone Workshop serves as the culminating educational experience for students in the M.S. in Sustainability Management & Sustainability Science Programs. The course is designed to integrate the distinct fields of the programs' curriculum and skills the students have acquired throughout the programs to tackle real-world sustainability challenges.
🧩 Catalyzing Net Zero: How Corporate and Government Commitments are Accelerating Climate Investment and Innovation
When: Apr 23, 2024 01:45 PM
Where: Online
Commonweal Ventures, an early-stage VC firm based in New York City, is hosting a virtual event (4/23 at 1:45pm ET) on recent corporate and government net-zero commitments, titled Catalyzing Net Zero: How Corporate and Government Commitments are Accelerating Climate Investment and Innovation. Nate Loewentheil, Commonweal’s Managing Partner, will host Carol Browner, former EPA Administrator and White House climate advisor; Brandon Middaugh, Senior Director of Microsoft's Climate Innovation Fund; and Meredith Berger, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment and Chief Sustainability Officer to discuss how public and private sector commitments around clean energy and decarbonization are reshaping markets and accelerating innovation.
⚖️ Equity and Justice in the Green Transition
When: Tuesday, April 23 from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Where: The New School Tishman Auditorium, 63 5th AvenueNew York, NY, 10003
Communities across the U.S. are taking community-driven climate action by updating their infrastructure to reduce emissions and make urban life safer, healthier, and greener for everyone. But equity advocates want to make sure that the process of “greening” America’s infrastructure prioritizes those who are most impacted by climate change and pollution. From updating electrical systems in dense residential areas, to ensuring that communities of color are prepared for the boom in climate-related careers, advocates are working toward building cities in which everyone can thrive.
🎵 The Climate Opera Project
When: Tuesday, April 23 from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Where: BAM Fisher Hall, Brooklyn, NY
The Climate Opera Project is a collection of four short operas celebrating Earth Day 2024 depicting unlikely heroes reeling from the cataclysm of human-influenced natural disasters. From a revengeful polar bear watching its home disappear to a water-stealing cactus, these operas tackle issues of the environment with humor and hope.
🌄 Climate Film Fest presents: KING COAL
When: Wednesday, April 24th at 6:00 PM
Where: Asia Society, 725 Park Avenue New York, NY 10021
A lyrical tapestry of a place and people, 🌄 KING COAL (2023, dir. Elaine McMillion Sheldon) meditates on the complex history and future of the coal industry, the communities it has shaped, and the myths it has created. We’re thrilled to partner with Asia Society’s COAL + ICE exhibition for this screening, and the director will be calling in for a Q&A after the film. Tickets here.
☕️ 2024 Climate Café at the Brooklyn Public Library
When: Wednesday, April 24 · 6 - 7:45pm EDT
Where: Brooklyn Public Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn, NY 11238
Join us for the first Climate Cafe at the Brooklyn Library of 2024 to discuss everything related to the climate crisis (including how it makes us feel). Whether you're a concerned citizen, an activist, or just curious about the topic, this community-organized space is for you. As 70% of young people feel climate anxiety and 56% believe humanity is doomed, we urgently need spaces to navigate our climate emotions and translate them into action.
🙋♀️ She Goes Green: Career Paths in Sustainability
When: Wednesday, April 24 · 5 - 8pm EDT
Where: New York Genome Center, 101 6th Avenue New York, NY 10013
Join Women.NYC Network and Columbia University's Women in Energy Initiative for She Goes Green: Career Paths in Sustainability on Wednesday, April 24 at 5:00 PM. Connect with inspiring women leaders shaping the future of sustainability and chart your course for a fulfilling career in the booming green economy.
💸 Climate Capital & Sustainable Solutions: Diverse Perspectives on Funding the Climate Crisis
When: Wednesday, April 24 from 6:30 PM-9:30 PM
Where: St. Bartholomew's Church, 325 Park Ave New York, NY 10022
Join us for an engaging and insightful discussion in the beautiful St Bart’s Church featuring UChicago alumni leaders exploring challenges and opportunities in funding climate solutions. Drawing from diverse backgrounds spanning finance, technology, international development, philanthropy, and policy, our panelists will offer unique perspectives and strategies for addressing one of the most critical issues of our time. The panel will be followed by a networking reception, connecting alumni across a spectrum of industries.
✍️ Tertulia 02
When: Thursday, April 25 · 5:30 - 9pm EDT
Where: 11 West 42nd Street #6 New York, NY 10036
Tertulia 02 aims to further this dialogue, focusing on the critical intersection of climate resilience, decarbonization policies, and the unique role Latino designers play in this evolving narrative. The prompt for this event reflects on our dual roles: as stewards of a rich, diverse heritage facing unique environmental challenges, and as contributors to New York’s innovative climate action landscape.
⚡️ Accelerating the Energy Transition with Industrial Impact with Micah Kotch
When: Friday, April 26 · 12 - 1pm EDT
Where: 370 Jay Street Brooklyn, NY 11201
Discover how startups are transforming transportation, real estate, supply chain, and energy with AI, robotics, automation, and more.
🔥 Climate Film Fest presents: Cooked: Survival by Zip Code
When: Friday, April 26th, Reception from 6:00 - 7:00PM, Screening at 7:00PM
Where: 343 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10027
Cooked: Survival by Zip Code (2020, dir. Judith Helfland) tells the story of Chicago’s 1995 heatwave, the most traumatic in U.S. history, in which 739 citizens died over the course of just a single week, most of them poor, elderly, and African American. We’re honored to show this film with WE ACT, and the screening will be followed by a talk with an incredible panel: Elijah Hutchinson (NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice), Kim Knowlton (Columbia University), Leslie Vasquez (South Bronx Unite), and moderated by Caleb Smith (WE ACT), with an introduction by Peggy Shepard (WE ACT). Tickets here.
👖Sip & Swap: An Earth Month Clothing Swap and Fireside Chat
When: Precycle Prospect Heights, 593 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Where: Saturday, April 27th from 2-4pm
Clean out your closets and bring your gently used clothing items to exchange with fellow members of the sustainability community. $20 ticket gets you access to the swap as well as carbon-neutral beer, sustainable wine, and snacks to enjoy during our fireside chat with Precycle Founder & CEO, Katerina Bogatireva.
🎞️ CCA Film Screening
When: Saturday, April 27 · 12 - 2pm EDT
Where: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main Street Queens, NY 11355
Join the Human Impacts Institute and immerse yourself in a collection of thought-provoking films that highlight the urgent need for climate action while celebrating the resilience and hope of communities worldwide. From the lush landscapes of Brazil to the nomadic traditions of Kazakhstan, these films offer powerful insights into the human impact on the environment and the collective efforts to create a sustainable future.
🚴♂️ Cycle to Save Wildlife
When: Saturday, April 27th at 12:30 PM
Where: Cyclebar Noho, 51 Astor Place, New YOrk
Join Wild Tomorrow and a room of fellow animal lovers for a spin class at CycleBar in NOHO, NYC. Let’s cycle to save wildlife! Proceeds will benefit Wild Tomorrow’s conservation work protecting and restoring habitat to save threatened species in southern Africa. Learn more about our work saving habitat here.
🖼️ Art in a Changing Climate
When: Saturday, April 27 · 1 - 2:30pm EDT
Where: Harvestworks Art and Technology Building on Governors Island
Join an interactive discussion with four artists/educators on the challenge of making art in the face of climate change, engaging with themes ranging from solarpunk to permacomputing. How can we make art in a sustainable way? How might sustainable practices open up new artistic possibilities rather than be seen as constraints? How can we make code / digital art that can be enjoyed a thousand years from now? In the face of climate change, how might we make a turn from environmental pessimism to the radical optimism of solarpunk and other movements?
🎨 Art & Action Chats
When: Sunday, April 28 · 3 - 4pm EDT
Where: 38 Washington Street Brooklyn, NY 11201
Every Sunday, starting on April 28th until May 19th, the Human Impacts Institute invites you to be part of inspiring discussions and to get a local view on global issues. Our art and action chats bring together unlikely allies to investigate tough topics in creative and engaging ways. Join this year's Creative Climate Awards artists and local climate leaders in conversations about hope, justice, and action. Learn from frontline leaders on how to engage on the most pressing issue of our times. Get inspired to take climate action with us!