Climate Week at NYU Wagner: Six Events Exploring Timely, Global Issues
Copy by Graylin Lucas; photography by Claire Chen, Kimberly Gonzalez, Tori Herrera, and Cristianna Watson.
NYU Wagner hosted six events in our event space as part of Climate Week NYC, bringing together leading policy experts from across the globe for conversations about critical issues in climate policy and the latest emerging solutions.
Climate Crossroads — From Forests and Food Systems to Finance and Carbon Markets
Policymakers and global experts, including partners from O Mundo Que Queremos and ECCON Soluções Ambientais in Brazil, discussed policy solutions for sustainable economic development with a focus on applications for agriculture. Six panels honed in on key topics ranging from the role of small farmers in building resilient food systems to opportunities for decarbonization through effective waste management. The global experts brought their perspective to demonstrate how tropical countries are at the forefront of the global climate agenda and can serve as models for sustainable economies worldwide.
Climate Solutions From and For the Amazon Region: Radical Collaboration Based On Science, Local Knowledge And Networks
In this panel, scientists, local leaders from Brazil, and policymakers took a close look at the challenges and opportunities facing the Amazon, including an analysis of recurrent forest fires in the Amazon and their global implications. Drawing from the Amazon’s rich base of Indigenous and local knowledge, the panel also explored ideas on how global policymakers can form solutions rooted in Indigenous and nature-based practices.
Panelists:
- Ane Alencar, Director of Science, IPAM
- Carlos Nobre, Co-Chair, Science Panel for the Amazon
- Emma Torres, VP of the Americas & Strategic Partnerships, SDSN
- Lívia Pagotto, Executive Secretary, Amazon Concertation
- Rachel Biderman, Secretariat Strategic Advisor, Pan-Amazon Network for Bioeconomy
- Denis Minev, Private Sector Special Envoy for COP30
Resilient Futures: Mobilizing Innovation, Investment & Indigenous Systems Change
Innovators and thought leaders in the budding green technology field explored how to strengthen climate resiliency through technological solutions, discussing tools for decarbonization, regenerative agriculture, and Indigenous and nature-based practices. Panelists noted that in a struggling ecosystem, small acts can go a long way, urging attendees to think about ways they can make an impact in their own worlds.
Speakers:
- Co-Convenor: Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri - Founder, Shakti Regeneration Institute, The Regeneration Generation & Open Origin
- Co-Convenor: Emma Limor, Co-Founder, Nirvana Carbon
- Carlos Nobre - Chair, International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme & Senior Scientist, Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research
- Charlotte Pera - CEO, ClimateWorks Foundation
- Ann Dunkin, CEO, Dunkin Global Advisors & Former CIO, U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- WarīNkwī Flores - Founder, Kinray Hub
- Valcléia Lima - Senior Leader, Fundação Amazonas Sustentável
- Wesley Powell - Founder & CEO, Open Origin
- Poonacha Machaiah - CEO, The Chopra Foundation & Co-Founder, Cyberhuman.ai
- Frederique Van Der Wal - Founder, Frederique’s Choice
- David Nieh - Former Head of Urban Planning & Development, China Vanke
- Dror Benshetrit - Founder, Studio Dror & Super Nature Labs
- Shaun Paul - CEO, Ejido Verde
- Beatrix Ost - Artist, author, and cultural philosopher
- Mary Ann Thompson Frenk - Co-Founder, Memnosyn Institute
- Andy Russel - Founder, Trigger Media & Million Minds Project
- Lucian Tarnowski, Founding Creator, United Planet & Curator, Up Game
Climate Leadership In Uncertain Times
Business leaders are crucial players in the global push for sustainable economic development, now more than ever. Panelists tackled questions about the challenges of leveraging the role of director, founder, or CEO to be a champion of climate advocacy and education. This discussion was situated in the context of the rise of AI, the growing number of environmentally-conscious consumers, and intensified geopolitical pressure for sustainable growth.
Moderator:
- Amber Stryker, founder and CEO, Bespoke ESG
Panelists:
- Alison Mehslak, director of impact, Seed Health
- Helen Nwosu, award-winning social impact and sustainability executive
- Allison Ranshous, vice president, social impact and sustainability, Weber Shandwick
Mass Transit & Climate Change: Capital Programs
A distinguished panel of public transportation experts, including Dean Polly Trottenberg, explored the role of mass transit in combating climate change. It was an apt opportunity to examine local climate policy in New York City, home of the largest and busiest public transportation system in America. Local experts highlighted the environmental benefits of capital improvement projects and emphasized the need for partnership with the federal government to fund the MTA’s climate resiliency goals.
Moderator:
-
Ernest Tollerson, Board Member and Chair Emeritus, Riverkeeper, and RPA board member
Panelists:
- Polly Trottenberg, Dean, NYU Wagner
- Jamie Torres-Springer, President, MTA Construction & Development
- Sam Donelson, Executive Vice President & Regional Chief Executive, US East & LATAM, AECOM
- Michael Wojnar, Special Counselor to the Executive Director, Port Authority of NY & NJ
From Ambition To Action: Financing Ocean And Island Solutions For Communities, Climate, And Nature
Shifting the focus to Small Island Developing States (SIDS), our panelists highlighted successful partnerships in the Caribbean and Pacific and their implications for the global climate agenda. The discussion explored how environmental challenges facing oceans, climate, and biodiversity are interconnected. Attendees took away an understanding of why investing in SIDS benefits people and climates worldwide.
Moderator:
- Ashleigh McGovern, Conservation International
Panelists:
- Hon. Mosese Bulitavu, Fiji’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change
- Angelique Pouponneau, Alliance of Small Island States
- Tamaisha Eytle, Future Barbados
- Léonie Weerakoon, Kinetik
- Susana Waqainabete-Tuisese, Conservation International