Reflections from Climate Week NYC 2024: Ubuntu, Systems Thinking, and Climate Innovation

Last week at Climate Week NYC felt like a deep dive into the intersections of tech, policy, nature, and collective action. What made this year stand out wasn’t just the impressive list of events but the diversity of thought and expertise on display.

I left the week energized by the breadth of talent and insight, and more optimistic than ever about the future of climate solutions. Here are some of the highlight moments that helped me update my mental frameworks.

Cool Climate Collective: Expanding the Climate Dialogue

Our Cool Climate Collective co-hosted event was a perfect example of breaking through the usual climate tech echo chamber. With an audience comprising of not just tech-oriented investors and operators, but with folks from the UN and a panel of innovators and storytellers, the conversations moved beyond the latest tech fixes to touch on broader policy challenges and societal impacts.

One key takeaway for me was the need to constantly challenge the lens through which we view climate tech. If we keep the conversation siloed, focused solely on technology, we miss the larger, systemic issues that need addressing.

It was clear from our discussions that true solutions require a multi-disciplinary approach. Tech innovation, while critical, must be paired with policy frameworks, geopolitical understanding, and societal engagement if we are to create lasting impact.

Third Sphere: Exits in Climate Tech—A Long-Term View

One of the most thought-provoking events was hosted by Third Sphere , where they dove into the topic of exits in climate tech. They discussed everything from SPACs to IPOs, but the most brilliant line of the night was this: “An IPO is not an exit, it’s just a financing event.”

This struck a chord with me because it’s a reminder that if we’re building businesses designed to last and create real, systemic change, we need to stop seeing IPOs as the end goal. Instead, we need to adopt a long-term lens, ensuring that climate tech companies continue to innovate and push boundaries well beyond their initial public offering. Building for impact means thinking about longevity, not just the short-term financial return.

William McDonough: Systems Thinking for a Regenerative Future

One of my personal highlights from the week was listening to William McDonough speak at Regeneration’s AGM. He has an unmatched ability to dissect the flaws in our economic and design systems, particularly when he talks about “designing for a regenerative biosphere and a circular technosphere”

This concept stuck with me because it’s not just about patching up broken systems—it’s about reimagining them entirely.

McDonough’s talk is now one of my top three 'talks' I'd recommend for people to update their mental models in how our markets work and the larger planetary ecosystem we co-exist with. It's up there with Johan Rockström's Tipping Points of Climate Change & Al Gore's TED talks.

Also I recommend McDonoush's presentation not because it was filled with futuristic ideas, but because it was grounded in a systems-thinking approach that I believe is essential for creating a sustainable future.

Water Symposium: A Journey Through Aquatasting

On the more eclectic side, I had the unique experience of attending the Water Symposium at Columbia University, where I participated in an aquatasting led by a water sommelier. Yes, you read that right—a water sommelier.

It was a fascinating journey around the world through water hardness, total dissolved solids (TDS), and natural mineralization. It was a reminder that even something as simple as water is deeply complex and deserves attention. The event highlighted how our relationship with natural resources is not just about scarcity or abundance but about understanding the intricacies of these systems and appreciating their diversity.

OLO X Nia Tero: A Transformative Experience

Another highlight was the Olo X Nia Tero experience at Goals House — an event so profound that words don’t quite do it justice. It reawakened my sense of connection to nature and reminded me that sometimes, the most impactful moments are those that reconnect us to the natural world.

This wasn’t about tech or data; it was about feeling that deeper bond with the planet and recognizing that this connection might be the catalyst we need to inspire real change. If more people could experience something like this, I genuinely believe it would shift how we approach climate solutions—less about solving problems and more about nurturing our relationship with the Earth.

Climate on the Edge: Sparking Frontier Conversations

One unexpected yet exciting experience was meeting people in the wild who had already listened to Climate on the Edge , the podcast we launched less than a month ago.

It was incredibly rewarding to see that the discussions we’re having—on frontier solutions, carbon removal, and cutting-edge climate tech—are already sparking conversations. Knowing that people are resonating with these topics gives me hope that we can broaden the scope of climate action and continue pushing boundaries in innovative ways.

Catching Up with Friends: Geopolitics and Climate Risk

It was also a week of more informal yet meaningful exchanges. I had a chance to catch up with friends from the UN, discussing everything from geopolitics to game theory.

It was a reminder that the climate crisis is intertwined with so many other global challenges, including security and conflict risk. While these discussions weren’t formal panels or expertly curated deep dives, they were a good reminder that solving climate issues requires thinking not just about the environment but about how global systems—political, economic, and social—interact with it.

Our Oceans: Storytelling as a Catalyst for Change

Another standout moment from Climate Week was attending an early screening of clips from Our Oceans, an upcoming Netflix docuseries that dives into the untold stories of the planet’s five majestic oceans.

What struck me wasn’t just the mesmerizing footage captured by Emmy® Award-winning filmmaker James Honeyborne and his team, but the depth of impact this project has already made.

Beyond the stunning visuals, there are 20 scientific papers in the works based on discoveries made during the filming process. It’s an incredible reminder of how visual storytelling can drive not only public engagement but also tangible scientific progress.

During the post-screening discussion with James Honeyborne and marine biologist Danni Washington , the passion for both ocean conservation and storytelling was palpable. It highlighted the power of narratives to bring scientific discoveries to life in a way that resonates with a broad audience. These stories don’t just inform—they inspire action and foster a deeper connection to the natural world.

The event reinforced a recurring theme for me from the week: Once we can imagine a greater future, we can make it happen. Storytellers like Honeyborne and Washington play a critical role in helping us imagine that future—one where we are more deeply connected to our oceans and more driven to protect them.

As we continue to tackle the climate crisis, we need more of these storytellers—those who can blend scientific discovery with compelling narratives that move people to action. With projects like Our Oceans leading the way, I’m hopeful that we can spark the imagination needed to create a more sustainable future.

Ubuntu: Collective Action for a Shared Future

At the heart of everything this week was the concept of ubuntu—“I am because we are.” The week wasn’t just about individual breakthroughs but about collective energy and shared purpose.

The diversity of voices and expertise made me realize once again that we can’t solve this crisis in isolation. We need each other—engineers, policymakers, storytellers, and entrepreneurs—to make this happen. Ubuntu embodies that interconnectedness, and it was the guiding spirit of the week.

In closing, Climate Week NYC 2024 left me with a renewed sense of optimism, not just for the tech solutions we’re developing or the policy frameworks being shaped, but for the ability of humans to come together around a shared cause.

We are all in this together, and it’s that collective action that will define the future of our planet. Until next time, let’s keep pushing forward—together. 🌍