NY Climate Tech: January 16 - January 23, 2023
NY Climate Tech: January 16 - January 23, 2023
An eventful Wednesday, gas vs. electric stoves, and our next meetup!
Hi friends,
There’s something for everyone in the NY Climate Tech Community this week - especially if you’re looking for an exciting Wednesday! Several groups are hosting online forums on decarbonization fundamentals, low-carbon ammonia, and the climate mobilization act. Afterwards, head to Green Drinks in Brooklyn or the New York CDR Happy Hour in Manhattan. If you’re looking for dry January options, there’s a speaker series on designing for energy by the American Institute of Architects or the Green Catwalk (which is exactly what it sounds like - a catwalk of the latest and greatest environmental sustainability and green infrastructure solutions). Finish off the week celebrating the graduates of Green City Force, one of NYC’s best programs to train the next generation of stewards focused on climate equity and environmental justice. If you’re heading upstate this weekend, don’t forget to check out David Pogue’s book talk on preparing for climate change.
Our next meetup is Thursday, Jan 26th: we’re still locking down a location, but RSVP and we’ll let you know as soon as it’s set. And while you’re at it - help us build the NY Climate Tech community in 2023 and beyond! Volunteer applications for several fabulous roles are open until Friday, January 20. We’re excited to work with you!
Cheers,
Alec and Sonam
Hot Take: The debate on stoves is on fire, literally.
Twitter wars illustrated by the one and only Alfred Wu!
Last week, the internet went ablaze. On Monday, the US Consumer Product Safety Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. said the federal agency was considering a nationwide ban on the installation of new gas stoves amid health concerns - and yet another scientific fact became a huge political firestorm. A slew of people on the right lashed out against the agency, crying “gods, guns, and gas stoves” while scientists, activists, and everyday citizens shared the facts:
When turned on, gas stoves release nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde that far outstrip air quality standards set by the EPA.
When turned off, gas stoves leak methane, which is considered more potent than carbon dioxide. Across the US, this is equivalent to half a million gas powered vehicles on the roads every year.
Indoor air pollution is particularly harmful to the lungs and can also impair cognitive ability.
A recent peer-reviewed study by RMI estimates that 12.7% of child asthma cases are attributed to a household’s gas stove.
Several studies in the UK dating back 50+ years show the link between gas and asthma - the science is confirmed again and again.
Cities across the country are taking matters into their own hands. New York, Seattle, and Los Angeles have already outlawed gas stoves in new construction buildings and New York State is considering a statewide ban starting in 2025.
The stats, thanks to the Energy Information Administration Residential Energy Consumption Survey
Currently, gas stoves are used in approximately 40% of US homes and 80% of restaurants. Americans who decide to switch from gas to electric can receive up to $840 as a part of the clean energy incentives introduced through the Inflation Reduction Act and several states might have additional programs that layer on the federal benefits.
The climate tech transition - from my Brooklyn block to yours!
And the best part: electric stoves work wonders! Induction technology has been around since its debut at the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago and there are several startups like Impulse Labs and Copper bringing next gen, battery powered appliances to your kitchen. Don’t just take my word - hear it from Eric Ripert, chef of Le Bernardin, one of the world’s best restaurants: “It’s so much more precise than watching a flame,” he told The New York Times. “You can really focus on your cooking and pay attention to what’s inside the pan, not what’s underneath it.”
NY Climate Tech taste test event, anyone?
By Sonam Velani
✨ Get Involved in Building the Climate Tech Community ✨
We have big plans for 2023 and are looking for help! Interested in volunteering? Apply for one of our six volunteer roles:
Check the listings and reply to this email with a short cover letter + your resume / LinkedIn to apply! You’ve got until Friday, January 20!
Events This Week
🏙 NYC Decarbonization: Fundamentals: Wed, Jan 18
🧪 How Low-Carbon Ammonia Can Help Fight Climate Change: Wed, Jan 18
📄 Climate Mobilization Act Primer: Wed, Jan 18
🍻 Green Drinks Brooklyn: Wed, Jan 18
⬇️ 2023 NYCDR Happy Hour: Wed, Jan 18
✍️ Good Trouble: A Speaker Series: Wed, Jan 18
🐈 Monthly Forum - Green Catwalk: Wed, Jan 18
🌱 Green City Force Graduation: Fri, Jan 20
🌊 How to Prepare for Climate Change w/David Pogue: Sat, Jan 21
Read on for more details about this week’s happenings and upcoming events this month
Upcoming Events
🏙 Global Sustainable Cities at NYU: Mon, Jan 23
🎨 Ben Davis: Art in the After-Culture: Mon, Jan 23
🌇 Climate Mobilization Act Series: The IRA Meets New York: Tue, Jan 24
🍀 Green For Blue 1: Wed, Jan 25
🗑 Exploring "Throw-Away" Culture: A Fireside Chat: Wed, Jan 25
♻️ Sanitation Foundation's ZERO WASTE WORKSHOP: Wed, Jan 25
👩🎨 Dreaming a Regenerative Future: An Eco-Art Workshop: Wed, Jan 25
🗽 NY Climate Tech Meetup: Thu, Jan 26
💃 Dance Symposium: Dance and Ecology: Fri, Jan 27
🚽 Jessica Leigh Hester presents Sewer, with Angela Chen: Fri, Jan 27
🍄 Sculpting With Mycelium: Sun, Jan 29
🪴 PLANT-O-RAMA 2023: Mon, Jan 30
💡 NYU Social Innovation Symposium: Fri, Feb 10
Events This Week
🏙 NYC Decarbonization: Fundamentals
When: Wed, Jan 18th from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Where: Online
ASHRAE NY’s Decarbonization event will begin with a short Keynote address from ASHRAE President Elect Ginger Scoggins: a summary of COP27, followed by a discussion of ASHRAE’s position on decarbonization and the major trends to electrify buildings. This will be followed up by a detailed discussion of available rebates, incentives, and programs to assist NYC building designers, contractors, and operators to pay for the changes required to protect their investments and to operate their facilities sustainably and resiliently.
🧪 How Low-Carbon Ammonia Can Help Fight Climate Change
When: Wed, Jan 18th from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Where: Online
In November, a team including several scholars from the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs released the ICEF Low-Carbon Ammonia Roadmap, which explores a number of topics including low-carbon ammonia production options, infrastructure needs, potential uses for low-carbon ammonia, and policy options.
📄 Climate Mobilization Act Primer
When: Wed, Jan 18th from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Where: Online
Get informed on New York City climate legislation and its impact on buildings. Register now for the Climate Mobilization Act Primer, a one-hour seminar examining the basic principles of the Climate Mobilization Act and offering actionable guidance for building decision makers.
🍻 Green Drinks Brooklyn
When: Wed, Jan 18th from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Where: Estuary Brasserie & Bar, 159 Bridge Park Drive, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Is your work related to the environment or sustainability? Are you interested in sustainability or environmental issues. Do you want to meet some like minded folks and share your thoughts and passion. Come down to Estuary at ONE15 Brooklyn Marina for Happy Hour drinks. We'll have a few folks introduce themselves and their work. Tell anyone from NGOs, academia, government, business or anyone interested in the environment/sustainability issues and ask them to bring a friend!
⬇️ 2023 NYCDR Happy Hour
When: Wed, Jan 18th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Where: 222 W Houston St, New York, NY 10014
We hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and are off to a great start to the new year. Last year was an exceptional one for carbontech and carbon removal and we're eager to continue to build on that momentum and keep making progress in growing this ecosystem. Like a freshly regenerated DAC sorbent, we're ready to go again in 2023. Come join us for carbon tech/carbon removal networking and drinks on Wednesday, January 18th at Houston Hall on 222 W Houston St.
✍️ Good Trouble: A Speaker Series
When: Wed, Jan 18th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Where: City Tech - New Academic Building, 285 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
“Good Trouble: Creativity + Collaboration” features architects, academics and change makers - and considers solutions to some of the most pressing problems in the built environment. This week's edition is Design for Energy: How can designers approach daylight through both a quantitative and qualitative lens, as well as through social, economic and justice frames? The AIA framework for design excellence serves as an anchor and a springboard to explore sustainability, inclusivity and resilience in our borough, our city, and beyond. Refreshments will be served in the Tillary Lobby at 6:00 PM and talks start promptly at 6:30 PM. This series is generously sponsored and supported by KPF and Henning Larsen.
🐈 Monthly Forum - Green Catwalk
When: Wed, Jan 18th at 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Where: AirStage on Broadway, 1450 Broadway, New York, NY 10018
GreenHomeNYC is kicking off 2023 with our annual Green Catwalk forum featuring an eclectic lineup of professionals. This is a great opportunity to learn about new technologies, innovations, and policies happening in the New York City environmental sustainability and green infrastructure sphere. Our panel speakers will talk about recent projects and share their insights into a range of industries, including community solar, energy consulting, transactive energy, urban composting, risk assessment, energy storage safety, and more.
🌱 Green City Force Graduation
When: Fri, Jan 20th at 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Where: Roulette Intermedium, 509 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn
The Graduation Ceremony for the Green City Task Force. We are working toward a “green city” rooted in social, economic, and environmental justice. We view young adults from frontline communities as the essential force for driving the emergence of sustainable and resilient cities—by transforming their own lives, leading community transition, and promoting the values of a new regenerative and inclusive economy.
🌊 How to Prepare for Climate Change w/David Pogue
When: Sat, Jan 21st from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Where: Hudson Valley Books for Humanity, 67 Central Avenue, Ossining, NY 10562
CBS Sunday Morning correspondent David Pogue will be with us to talk about his book, How to Prepare for Climate Change: A Practical Guide to Surviving the Chaos. Pogue walks readers through what to grow, what to eat, how to build, how to insure, where to invest, how to prepare your children and pets, and even where to consider relocating when the time comes.
Join the Fun!
Submit Events
We know all of you are cooking up great events across New York 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 - starting right here in our hometown of New York! 🗽 What started as an 8-person mid-pandemic outdoor dinner has since morphed into a 2,500+ 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!