This September, I had the pleasure of attending Climate Week events in both Los Angeles and New York. Initially, I planned to recap each week separately but found it more insightful to compare and contrast the experiences across both cities.
Climate Week serves as a platform for global and local collaboration on climate solutions. Through partnerships with numerous organizations and venues, each city hosted hundreds of events. LA Climate Week ran from September 8–16, 2024, while New York Climate Week took place from September 19–21, 2024.
Los Angeles
As a lifelong Angeleno, I’m keenly aware of Los Angeles’ unique environmental challenges, from its car dependency and reliance on imported water to an imperfect public transit system. With these issues top of mind, I was thrilled to attend the inaugural LA Climate Week, organized by the Collidescope Foundation in partnership with Terra.do and various sponsors.
Throughout the week, I attended numerous events across LA County. The opening and closing ceremonies (along with other events) were held at House of Cocotte in the Arts District, a beautiful space that’s home to a restaurant with delicious food.
I was able to attend the events listed below:
“Intro to Ultralight Backpacking” by Articles in Common
“Shifting Climate Narratives: Transforming LA’s Entertainment Industry To Catalyze Climate Action” held at the Rita House
“Climate Careers: TED Talks & Networking Mixer,” was held at UCLA’s Anderson school of Business.
At the Intersections: Climate Art Gallery at Youth Advocates for Change Studio
Sustainable Business Market - House of Cocotte
Healing Lahaina: Film Preview & Panel held at the Parks Project Discovery Center
Ecopolis: LA Climate Week Closing Ceremony at House of Cocotte
Every venue added to the event’s vibrancy, especially Rita House, with its rich history and engaging panel discussions, and the Parks Project Discovery Center, which beautifully celebrates the outdoors. At the Youth Advocates gallery, my wife and I presented our wildfire-focused exhibit “scorched,” making this an especially personal and memorable experience.
LA Climate Week offered a powerful sense of community and purpose. Many of the conversations touched on a shared vision for a sustainable Los Angeles, especially with the upcoming 2028 Olympics. While there’s much work to do, I left feeling optimistic about LA Climate Week’s future.
New York
After a short break, I headed to New York City. Events ranged from art galleries to UN assemblies, filling the city with climate energy and activism. This was my first time attending Climate Week in New York, and as a third-time visitor to the city, I was eager to experience a working week with a sustainability focus.
I was able to attend the events and spaces listed below:
Earth Sessions at 100 Sutton
“Putting Climate on Both Sides of the Camera” at the Firehouse Cinema
Climate Science Fair at the Highline
White House Effect Screening and The Mad Men of Big Oil by Drilled at the DGA Theater
Sustainable TV and Film Production at the Solutions House
Sustainable Events Summit at the Nest Climate Campus
Symbioscene at Farm.One
Sustainable Storytelling: On and Off Camera - Climate Imaginarium, Governors Island
“A City in the Forest” Fundraiser Screening
New York’s density and extensive transit system made it easy to hop from event to event, especially between Manhattan and Brooklyn, where I noticed a distinct vibe. Manhattan’s events leaned toward industry-level discussions, while Brooklyn hosted more art-centered, community-driven gatherings.
One memorable moment was watching The White House Effect documentary, followed by a speech from Al Gore. This impactful film delved into the frustrating history of U.S. climate policy, bringing the week’s discussions into a clear, urgent focus.
Being able to plug into local events in New York while meeting impact focused individuals was an unforgettable experience. I learned so much more about the city, its people, and its challenges in the face of climate change.
Contrasting Experiences
Navigating New York’s public transit system underscored a significant difference between the two cities. In New York, I could attend multiple events without a car, a feat that’s challenging in LA, where public transit has yet to meet similar standards. New York’s walkability also led to spontaneous encounters and new friendships, making each night an adventure that often ended in midnight meals at places like Thai Diner.
Another key difference was the level of maturity between the two Climate Weeks. New York’s Climate Week, now in its 15th year, had an established scope and diverse participation, partly thanks to the UN assembly’s presence. LA Climate Week, on the other hand, is just beginning, with an exciting potential for growth and a strong local focus.
Shared Themes
Despite their differences, both cities share climate challenges that foster similar conversations on issues like gentrification, food insecurity, and sustainable housing. It was striking to see how concerns familiar to Los Angeles also resonated with New Yorkers. Additionally, seeing familiar faces at events in both cities added a comforting reunion-like quality, underscoring the solidarity within the climate movement.
An unexpected highlight throughout both Climate Weeks was discovering Rebel Cheese, a gourmet vegan cheese brand that has continued to win me over with its delicious creations (this is not an ad). After the “Mad Men of Big Oil” panel in Manhattan, I was handed a log of chévere, which I ate in its entirety with the help of a paper cup full of crackers. As a lifelong foodie, especially for cheese, eating four servings of cheese by myself at 11 PM was possibly the highpoint of my experience this past September.
As far as new faces, at every event I attended in both cities, I connected with a number of incredible artists, speakers, founders, and activists who had unique perspectives and a true passion to create change in their respective fields. The combination of locals and visitors from out of state (or out of the country) varied, which highlighted both the local and global impact of the summits.
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on the month of September, I’m struck by the profound impact these events and connections have had on my life. The climate-focused communities of artists, activists, and professionals in both cities continue to inspire me. For anyone interested, I highly recommend participating in Climate Week programming in your area. And if your community doesn’t yet have climate-focused events, consider starting one—it’s a transformative way to connect with like-minded individuals and contribute to a growing global movement.
About the Author:
Stevie Gray
Born and raised in Miracle Mile, Los Angeles, Stevie Gray is a non-fiction storyteller and film production sustainability professional determined to produce solutions-forward work that evokes systemic change. In his travels, Stevie has witnessed the intense effects of our species on Earth's ecosystems, fueling his commitment to share intersectional stories that have local and global impact. Stevie hopes to motivate readers to work towards dismantling the harmful systems that have brought us to this point in our history.
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