I’m writing to you from New York, the city that never sleeps, yet also doesn’t wake early (just try getting a non-Starbucks coffee before 6:30 AM). I’m here to tell you that Climate Week planning is an endurance race, and you need to start thinking about 2025 now.
It’s decentralized
Climate Week NYC is less of a conference and more of a loosely connected series of events held throughout the city. Sure, there’s The Nest Climate Campus over at the Javits Center, which is a good starting point, but many of the more interesting events are held throughout the city.
This leads to two sets of challenges. The first is that you need to find the other events. You can’t simply search for “Climate Week NYC” and get a master list of events to register for. You need to keep your eyes open and follow other people who are planning to attend. The other challenge is that many of the events are listed as “location revealed with event confirmation” or similar language. This means that you will inevitably find that you have scheduled yourself for a series of things that can’t possibly work together. For example:
- 8:00 AM: Panel discussion, Midtown
- 9:00 AM: Interesting speaker, Brooklyn
- 10:00 AM: Workshop, Governors Island
Getting from Midtown to the venue in Brooklyn takes 45 minutes. Brooklyn to Governors Island is a two-ferry combination that takes an hour. You see the problem. (Also, do not trust Google Maps with this, because it tells me that I should walk from Lower Manhattan to Governors Island. I’m all for walking, but any walking route across water really should have a bridge.)
My approach is to register for all the things, map out my calendar, plot the most reasonable path for the day, and then decline the events that I can’t physically get to.
Most events have waitlists
Just because you sign up for the Cool Event doesn’t guarantee you a spot. Most registrations require you to provide your LinkedIn profile so you can be vetted beforehand. One event got more than 600 applications for a venue that seated about 40 people.
Knowing this, it’s important to be respectful of the waitlist. If you can’t attend, contact the host to withdraw. Someone else will absolutely want your spot.
Seek out outdoor events
I don’t know about you, but I don’t love conference rooms and auditoriums. That’s why I was thrilled to find a Birding and Bagels event in Central Park. Was it out of my way? Of course. But it was probably my favorite event of the year. Casual networking, fresh air, and the beauty of Central Park.
Don’t expect to rely on taxis or buses
Due to the influx of people — and specifically the number of dignitaries with motorcades at the UN General Assembly meeting — the streets are particularly gridlocked. If you have any hope of getting where you need to be, it will not be using surface transportation. The only way to get from here to there is either taking the subway or walking.
The NYC subway is incredibly convenient. It goes almost anywhere, and doesn’t require a special app or fare card. Just tap your phone or credit card and go. MTA caps your 7-day spend at $34, so after 12 rides you’ll be traveling for free, which is less than you’d spend on a taxi. Just make sure that you use the same card every time.
Wear comfortable shoes
Look, I understand that it’s New York and your inclination is to dress fashionably. I gave up on that this year in favor of sneakers. Why? Maybe I learned from the Great Doc Martens Bleeding Heels Debacle of 2023. Mostly it’s because I just don’t feel like suffering for the sake of fashion.
In the first two days, I logged nearly 40,000 steps. This is not something you want to attempt in heels. You want cushion and support.
Good luck with hotels
Climate Week is held at the same time as the UN General Assembly meeting. This draws upwards of 100,000 people to the city at once. This is less than ideal in terms of room availability, particularly in midtown where you’ll have the best access to everything. I have already pre-booked a refundable room reservation for September 2025.
Pre-book restaurant reservations
Again, it’s a busy time in the city. If you plan ahead, you have a good chance of enjoying a sit-down meal at the venue of your choosing. If you wait until mid-afternoon to figure out what to do for your evening meal, you’ll end up at the food court in Grand Central Station. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, especially since Veselka now has an outpost there. But after a long day, a leisurely meal has its benefits.
I hope that these tips help you to plan your 2025 Climate Week experience!