NY Climate Tech: February 6 - February 12, 2023
Eggs and exercise in between conferences and clinks at climate happy hours!
Hi friends,
Start off the week with a fundraiser for RETI Center, an incredible nonprofit in Redhook focused on climate education, careers, and resilience, or start at home with an online info session on building compost with the DSNY. On Tuesday, make your career switch with Greenhome NYC’s "non-STEM" careers in sustainability or climate careers in marketing with Climatebase x USV. If neither of those is quite right, take the day to learn about offshore wind at the Equinor Supply Chain Expo. On Wednesday, dial into a panel talk on transition in the food industry hosted by Columbia, hear Alec pitch at Entrepreneurs Roundtable, or nerd out about energy at the DER Taskforce Happy Hour. On Thursday, head to Pratt for a public policy focused forum on energy hosted by a wide array of community groups and the Public Advocate, or go to celebrate at the Out in Climate February Happy Hour. Wrap up the week with the NYU Social Innovation Symposium on Friday, then go stretch on Saturday with Women in Climate Investing & Finance yoga and finish the weekend with a class by Alex Nathanson on Sustainable Energy for Artists and Arts Organizations.
Cheers,
Alec and Sonam
Hot Take: Eggs are $7.99 (if in stock…)
Yes, this is a photo from the local grocery store. Chances are, it’s the same story in your neck of the woods.
There are a plethora of reasons why a dozen eggs are ringing in at $7.99 (if they are even in stock), from a highly potent strain of avian flu that has affected more than 57 million chickens, to 30% increase in the price of feed due to severe drought, to even accusations of collusion among suppliers. All in all, egg prices have increased 138% YoY according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Undoubtedly, some of these factors are due to climate change and its impacts on natural systems around us. But beyond that, what are the longer lasting implications for consumer behavior and what types of ‘eggs’ we might choose going forward?
I’m the first to admit my love of eggs, particularly buttery scrambled eggs my grandpa used to make me as a child. But as I’ve grown older and become more aware of the impact of climate change on our food systems writ large, I’ve begun to reevaluate my choices. A few years ago we switched to JUST Egg at our home - no, this is not a paid promotional piece, and we still use regular eggs for baking, the occasional sunny side up, and much else!
These plant-based eggs are made of mung bean and canola oil, with a dash of turmeric to give its yellow color and natural thickeners to make this concoction actually ‘feel’ like eggs. Mung bean is a drought resistant crop that can be produced through regenerative agriculture practices. When compared to chicken eggs, JUST Eggs use less water and land, and generate even fewer GHG emissions. As of last year, the company had sold the equivalent of 250 million eggs, saving 43.6 million kg of CO2, 9.1 billion gallons of water, and 13,446 acres of land. It even went to Congress to tout these stats.
JUST Egg’s clever ad truck outside of Congress in 2022. Source: VegOut Media
Back in the day when a dozen eggs were $1.99 instead of $7.99, plant-based eggs really couldn’t compete. But now it has far surpassed price parity, they are having their cake and eating it too. JUST Egg has become the second-fastest growing egg brand in the US since its launch in 2018. Andrew Noyes, the VP of global communications has said that the team has expanded distribution and increased shelf space in supermarkets to meet demand, clocking in at a 17% increase in sales over the course of 2022 with similarly strong figures in the new year.
Seems like all that extra revenue is going towards hiring some great ad agencies - I hope the trend continues ;)
Community Shout Outs
🌎 Climate Tech Cities
NY Climate Tech is expanding! We started as an 8-person dinner and now have almost 3,000 members in our community. We’ve had people across the world reach out to us to start their own chapters - so we’re launching a new Climate Tech Cities organization to kick of 2023! If you have friends who are interested in becoming chapter leads, please share the word! Here’s to a global network of local communities making a positive impact!
🙋🏽♀️ Community Board Applications
Community Board applications are live! If you’re interested in getting more involved with local government, learn more about what Community Boards do and consider applying using their online application form.
📣Uptown Chats with WEACT
Our friends at WEACT for Environmental Justice have launched an awesome new podcast! Join Jaron Burke and Lonnie Portis every month as they explore issues in their community through the eyes of everyday people, and discuss how environmental justice is showing up in the news. It’s not just for experts, it’s for everyone! The latest episode brings us a fascinating conversation with Nando Rodriguez of BroSis, a local organization at the forefront of social justice, educating, organizing, and training young people to build the future they want to live in!
Events This Week
💙 Deep Blue Love Annual Fundraiser @ RETI Center: Mon, Feb 6
🗑 Building Compost Volunteer Program Virtual Info Session: Mon, Feb 6
✅ Equinor Supply Chain Expo – New York City: Tue, Feb 7
📣 Climate Careers in Marketing with Climatebase x USV: Tue, Feb 7
👩💻 Green Careers Event - "non-STEM" Careers in Sustainability: Tue, Feb 7
🥙 Transition in the Food Industry: A Solutions Approach: Wed, Feb 8
📈 Entrepreneurs Roundtable: Wed, Feb 8
⚡️ NYC DER Taskforce Happy Hour: Wed, Feb 8
🏳️🌈 Out in Climate - NYC February Happy Hour: Thu, Feb 9
⚡️ New York State of Energy: Hybrid Forum: Thu, Feb 9
🤝 NYU’s 13th Annual Social Innovation Symposium: Better Together: Fri, Feb 10
🧘♀️ NYC Women in Climate Investing & Finance - Wellness & Yoga: Sat, Feb 11
💡 Sustainable Energy for Artists and Arts Organizations: Sun, Feb 12
Read on for more details about this week’s happenings and upcoming events this month
Upcoming Events
🎲 Climate Fresk at Eat Offbeat (Chelsea Market): Wed, Feb 15
🌐 Just and Sustainable Economy Gathering- NYC: Wed, Feb 15
🍻 Green Drinks Brooklyn: Wed, Feb 15
🏗 From Field to Form: An Intro to Building with Plants &Earth: Wed, Feb 15
🌏 The Role of Carbon Capture in Meeting Net-Zero Carbon Goals: Thu, Feb 16
🇬🇧 London For Sustainability - Reception for the NYC community: Thu, Feb 16
✊ How to Save a Planet (Before it is Too Late): Thu, Feb 16
📖 Bookmaking with Bioplastics: Collage, Fuse, Weave: Sun, Feb 19
🌎 SILC's Sustainability Professionals Networking Event: Tue, Feb 21
⛓ Renewable Launch: Sat, Feb 25
Events This Week
💙 Deep Blue Love Annual Fundraiser @ RETI Center
When: Mon, Feb 6th from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Where: Da Claudio, 21 Ann Street, New York, NY 10038
The event will be filled with love and joy while we raise funds for the RETI Center's programs focused on climate innovation. Join us for an evening of cocktails, music, and an auction filled with watery experiences like a cocktail sail and an evening at the RETI Field Station. You will not want to miss this high energy winter event to support a better future for those who need it most.
🗑 Building Compost Volunteer Program Virtual Info Session
When: Mon, Feb 6th from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Where: Online
Want curbside composting but your building hasn't signed up? Join us at the info session on Department of Sanitation’s Building Compost Volunteer Program and other options to sign up your building for Curbside Composting Program! After a presentation on the Program, we will also have a quick Q&A session. Invite your neighbors!
✅ Equinor Supply Chain Expo – New York City
When: Tue, Feb 7th from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Where: CUNY Graduate Center, 365 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Equinor Renewables US is connecting small business in New York to opportunity in the State’s new renewable energy industry. More than 100 small businesses —many of them minority and women-owned — attended Equinor’s kick off Supply Chain Expo in the Capital Region. The Expo comes to New York City on Tuesday, February 7. Participants will have a chance to interact with Equinor Renewables US representatives, meet awarded Tier 1 contractors involved in Equinor projects in New York, hear from leaders in New York’s renewable energy landscape, and find out how to prepare for opportunities in upcoming renewable energy projects.
📣 Climate Careers in Marketing with Climatebase x USV
When: Tue, Feb 7th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Where: Register for Address
In order to meet the challenges of the climate crisis, the next decade is going to require a mass mobilization of talent into the climate space. While that’s true across the board, one area of particular need is marketing leadership. Please join Climatebase and USV for a happy hour bringing together senior marketers in (or interested in) climate and the companies looking to hire them. Space is limited and admission into the event requires approval from the hosts. We will admit guests on a rolling basis. Attendees must either be senior marketers or climate companies that are actively hiring.
👩💻 Green Careers Event - "non-STEM" Careers in Sustainability
When: Tue, Feb 7th from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Where: Fujitsu Airstage, 1450 Broadway, 42nd Floor, New York, NY 10018
So you don't have a STEM degree, but you want a career in sustainability? Green careers in New York City are expected to increase in demand over the coming years for both specialized sustainability firms and non-sustainability firms. Come listen to how these professionals have transitioned into sustainability without a science or engineering background! Below is a list of our speakers.
🥙 Transition in the Food Industry: A Solutions Approach
When: Wed, Feb 8th from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Where: Online
Speakers include: Robert Boer, Director, Blue Horizon Franco Fubini, CEO, Natoora Jed Lynch, CFO, 80 Acres Farms Albert Sparrow, Global Head of Agri & Foodtech - ESG Sustainable Tech, Santander Matt Myers, Managing Partner, Climate Tech Circle Ignacio Neri, MS Sustainability Management '23, Columbia Climate School. This webinar is hosted by ENVENT, Columbia's Environmental Entrepreneurs student organization.
📈 Entrepreneurs Roundtable
When: Wed, Feb 8th from 6:30 PM to 7:45 PM
Where: Rise New York, 43 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010
"Entrepreneurs Roundtable" monthly events are free community events open to entrepreneurs and investors in New York City. The event series has been going on every month in NYC since 2008. Our goal is to help New York City startup ecosystem grow and connect the entrepreneurial community with each other for learning and networking opportunities. Every event features an active early-stage investor with 5 startups pitching to them for feedback and fundraising followed by community networking.
⚡️ NYC DER Taskforce Happy Hour
When: Wed, Feb 8th from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Where: Urban Energy, 116 Ainslie Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Hey DER TF! Join us at Urban Energy's office for our monthly hang on the second Wednesday of each month. There isn't a reoccurring agenda, but we may have guests or topics to discuss for a particular events.
🏳️🌈 Out in Climate - NYC February Happy Hour
When: Thu, Feb 9th from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Where: Energy Impact Partners, 600 3rd Avenue 38th Floor, New York, NY 10016
Out in Climate is a non-profit dedicated to building a community for LGBTQ+ professionals in the climate space (e.g., policy, renewables, investing, corporate sustainability, environmental law). Our mission is to foster networking, community-building, and mentoring, and to help connect folks with opportunities and resources in the space. Join our community and subscribe to our future events at outinclimate.com
⚡️ New York State of Energy: Hybrid Forum
When: Thu, Feb 9th from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Where: Memorial Hall at Pratt Institute, 205 Ryerson Street, Brooklyn, NY 11205
The Office of the Public Advocate, the New York Public Interest Research Group, and partners are very proud to sponsor and host the 2023 New York State of Energy forum at Pratt Institute. Join our hybrid forum on current legislation and policies in the New York State Assembly & Senate, the effects of fossil fuel infrastructure on low-income and frontline communities, and how advocacy groups are organizing to eliminate this infrastructure.
🤝 NYU’s 13th Annual Social Innovation Symposium: Better Together
When: Fri, Feb 10th from 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Where: 44 West 4th Street, New York, NY 10012
This year’s conference theme is “Better Together” and will focus on how no single industry or function can make lasting social or environmental change on their own. In order to drive the level of innovation and transformation required to address our world’s most pressing issues, we have to break down silos and collaborate across our organizations, industries and sectors. The 2023 Social Innovation Symposium will bring together thought leaders from the public, private and social sectors to discuss how partnering across traditional departmental and sector divides can lead to more efficient and impactful transformations.
🧘♀️ NYC Women in Climate Investing & Finance - Wellness & Yoga Event
When: Sat, Feb 11th from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Where: Sui Yoga & Café, 180 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10013
Women in Climate Investing & Finance is hosting a wellness and yoga event for like-minded women working within Climate Investing & Finance. Our goal is to build and foster a community of empowered women working to fight climate change. Please consider attending and joining us if you are working in clean and renewable energy investing, sustainable energy and infrastructure, climate tech, energy transition, and ESG!
💡 Sustainable Energy for Artists and Arts Organizations
When: Sun, Feb 12th from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Where: Online
This workshop is an introduction to sustainable energy designed specifically for artists and arts organizations. We will discuss the opportunities for incorporating sustainable energy into art contexts, with a particular focus on solar power. This will include using sustainable energy as both a power supply and as an integrated part of the work.
Join the Fun!
Submit Events
We know all of you are cooking up great events that highlight the latest and greatest in our collective effort to save our city - and our planet! 🌍 We would love to spread the word. Please share any event details and we'll add them to the list.
Share Your Ideas
We're excited to grow the Climate Tech community in cities across the globe! What started as an 8-person mid-pandemic outdoor dinner has since morphed into a 3,000+ strong and ever-growing group of rockstars trying to change the world. We aim to be a community resource - built for and by our community. Share your thoughts!