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NWF Staff Promote Solutions, Action, and Optimism at New York Climate Week 2025
The Climate and Resilience Education Task Force team at a New York Climate Week event they co-hosted at the American Museum of Natural History Sept. 26.
NWF staff showed up in force for New York Climate Week 2025: the Federation and our affiliates hosted or co-hosted six separate events, exploring everything from climate education strategies to fighting deforestation to renewable energy infrastructure.
This year’s Climate Week featured the biggest lineup in the program’s 16-year history. That growth is a testament, as Climate and Land Use Program Manager Edie Juno put it, “to the energy and ‘stubborn optimism’ that many in this movement have—there are ups and downs but nevertheless, we persist!”
Many NWF-ers—including Diane Pataki, Shannon Heyck-Williams, Marcus Sibley, Mustafa Santiago Ali, Emily Fano, Edie Juno, Abby Jordan, Samantha Miller, Luana Luna, Tenzin Sherpa and others—gave remarks, participated in panel discussions, and facilitated or participated in events.
Climate Week highlights
1. A night at the museum: “Climate Education in Action”
NWF’s Climate and Resilience Education Task Force co-hosted a major evening event at the American Museum of Natural History on Sept. 26. Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe gave the keynote address, and a panel of climate educators took the stage to explain how they infuse climate education into classroom lessons. Some brought students: a group of third graders stole the show as they impressively explained how their climate resiliency projects reduced stormwater runoff.
NWF Climate Education Director Emily Fano provided closing remarks, highlighting how youth-led advocacy brought about a new statewide instructional requirement for climate education in New York: “Young people are living through extreme weather events… that are adversely impacting their learning and mental health,” said Fano. “Students are rightfully demanding an interdisciplinary, solutions-focused climate education that will prepare them for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
NWF staff, interns, and volunteers collected hundreds of postcards that will be mailed to New York Governor Kathy Hochul requesting funding for the new climate education requirement, which is supported by 83% of New Yorkers.
2. Supporting the next generation of conservation leaders
At a gathering of thousands of climate advocates, experts, decision-makers, and business leaders, NWF helped lift up youth voices from around the world and created opportunities for young people interested in environmental careers. A few examples:
- In the lead-up to Climate Week, NWF hosted the annual EcoCareers Summit, a two-day virtual event preparing students and young professionals for climate and biodiversity careers with keynotes, panel discussions, and interactive workshops.
- Mustafa Santiago Ali joined in a Sept. 24 session called “Our Common Future.” The event brought together young leaders from across the globe to highlight their work on the ground and explore steps to build additional partnerships to win on climate change, environmental justice, and conservation.
- NY/NJ/CT DCP Marcus Sibley spoke on a Sept. 25 panel hosted by Green Jobs Board, titled “Find Your Green Mentor/Mentee.” Hosted at the Nest Climate Campus, the event also featured World Wildlife Federation Climate Change SVP Marcene Mitchell, Black Girl Environmentalist Director of Programming Elsa Mengistu, Green Jobs Board Co-Founder Kristy Drutman, and Queer Brown Vegan Founder Isaias Hernandez.
- Emily gave a short spark talk about NWF’s climate education programs at an American Museum of Natural History event on Sept. 25 called “Climate Resilience in Action.”
3. Forging ahead on state-level climate action
Throughout Climate Week, NWF staffers worked with partners to lift up critical state-level climate initiatives and policies in New York and New Jersey in addition to global solutions. Marcus flagged the NY TREES Act and the NJ Climate Superfund Act as two campaigns that he, Edie, and others were able to advance during sessions.
During Climate Week New Jersey, Acting Governor Tahesha Way signed A5563/S4361 into law. This new legislation establishes a Summer Termination Program which protects vulnerable residents from utility service discontinuation during extreme heat. “It was an honor to join NJ Senators, Assemblymembers, Faith and fellow Environmental & Climate Justice Leaders in Trenton for the historic moment,” Marcus wrote after the signing.
4. NWF expertise in high demand
NWF staff were all over the event lineup, providing insight and expertise during both public events and invite-only sessions. For a sampling:
- Marcus joined a Sept. 23 panel event titled “Climate Change and Generational Trauma” hosted by Climate Revolution Action Network. He discussed how climate change and generational trauma intersect, and what it means for building resilience across communities, alongside NJ Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, Climate Revolution Action Network ED Ben Dziobek, and NJ Working Families Power State Director Antoinette Miles.
- Diane Pataki, Edie Juno, and Shannon Heyck-Williams hosted a closed-door expert visioning session on the integration of renewable energy and nature-based solutions, with representatives from academia, science associations, conservation NGOs, state governments, Tribal alliances, and clean energy developers. They’re excited about the new partnerships formed and plan to continue working with the participants on projects ahead to advance win-win-win solutions for the climate, people, and wildlife. The Doris Duke Foundation generously hosted the session as part of the NYCW Treehouse.
- NWF co-organized an event with Environmental Advocates NY and the World Wildlife Fund about opportunities to use procurement policy to address international tropical deforestation. The discussion focused on efforts by state-level officials, businesses, and civil society to trace and remove illegality and unsustainability from everyday products to benefit nature, people, and the climate.
5. Lunch with the legendary Barbara Bramble & other notable noshes
A highlight of the week for Marcus, Edie, and Luana—meeting up for lunch with the recently retired, always iconic International Team VP, Barbara Bramble.
Emily Fano, Diane Pataki, and Abby Jordan also gathered with education colleagues from New York, New Jersey, and beyond for dinner at the start of Climate Week on 9/22.
6. Let’s keep the momentum going
If you enjoyed learning about the important work Federation staff accomplished during Climate Week, subscribe to one or more of NWF’s e-Newsletters for more updates. While you’re at it, check out this action alert to add your voice to the growing—and stubbornly optimistic—movement to protect nature and support clean energy.
