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Positivity. If there is one word that can summarize the inaugural LA Climate Week, it’s this one. Throughout the dozens of events that took place between September 8 and 15, hundreds of organizers and thousands of attendees came together over themes of hope, encouragement and optimism to provide a refreshing take on climate change. While maybe not at the scale of the longer-running NYC Climate Week, the City of Angels did itself proud.
Given the location, it was no surprise that two of the city’s biggest resources, the beach and the entertainment industry, were heavily featured. One event, held at the chic Rita House, featured professional content creators showcasing their climate-themed works, while another saw a reuseable fashion show take place adjacent to the Santa Monica beach.
Though some of the engagements remained disappointingly superficial, other events were able to generate in-depth discussions and interactions. A notable example was the “Earthbound Brief” workshop, put on by 180LA. Organizers asked attendees to work, in real-time, in teams to come up with a campaign strategy for increasing composting efforts in southern California. Participants then had two weeks to generate ideas before a winner was selected. This small but effective experiment showcased the ability of individuals from a wide range of expertise to generate meaningful collective action on an important issue.
While the week’s feel-good nature created a welcoming vibe, most events tended to avoid some of the more difficult issues that will require tough decisions and communal sacrifice. Scientists and engineers working in the climate space need to make themselves part of these conversations so that their technical expertise can be incorporated into discussions of potential impacts. With that in mind, look for Connecting Genetics to Climate to make an appearance in 2025!
Did you happen to attend any of the LA Climate Week events? Is your city hosting a climate week (or do you want them to)? Share your thoughts below!
