**Climate Week NYC: Balancing Urgency Amid Global Challenges**
By: Patricia Pina, Head of Product Research & Innovation, [Clarity AI](https://clarity.ai/)
Climate Week NYC, the world’s largest climate event, is commencing once again. Thousands of government leaders, ministers, business executives, academics, and civil society representatives are convening to influence decision-making on climate change, one of the most significant challenges of our time.
However, what is the tangible value of such gatherings? Considering the current global landscape, does it remain sensible to organise and attend Climate Week NYC as if circumstances have not evolved? Additionally, is climate change still our predominant challenge?
**Climate in the Shadow of Global Crises**
Recent news may suggest otherwise. An Israeli strike in Doha has unsettled Gulf stability. Poland reported Russian drones in its airspace, raising concerns within the EU and NATO. France has descended further into political turmoil following the resignation of Prime Minister François Bayrou. Meanwhile, global markets are fluctuating ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s rate decision, and China’s economy is showing signs of fresh weakness.
This is just a snapshot of the instability shaping today’s world. Against this backdrop, it is natural to question whether advancing the climate agenda should remain a priority.
**When Nature Strikes Back**
Yet, this summer served as a stark reminder of why the climate agenda must stay front and centre: heatwaves across Europe resulted in thousands of deaths. East Asia endured [monsoon floods](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/north-china-posts-longest-rainy-season-since-1961-country-faces-hottest-summer-2025-09-09) of unprecedented duration and intensity. In Spain, [wildfires](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd6n8qqlj8go) consumed over 400,000 hectares, exceeding sixty times the size of Manhattan, and ten times more than last summer.
These events hit close to home. In August, I hiked with my family in the Picos de Europa, a dramatic mountain range in northern Spain. The breathtaking views were later marred by wildfires that scorched a significant portion of the same landscape. Experiencing such beauty and then hearing of its destruction was a reminder of how rapidly climate change is transforming our world.
**Net Zero is Not Dead**
Experiences like this explain the shift in discourse towards physical risks and adaptation. The realities around us make these risks impossible to ignore, affecting us all. Nonetheless, the need to transition to a low-carbon economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions remains urgent, alongside the risk that companies are not adapting swiftly enough.
In recent years, there has been a drift of participants leaving Net Zero initiatives, with some companies quietly diluting their commitments. This has led some to declare Net Zero “dead.” However, such a conclusion is misguided. We cannot afford to abandon this goal.
Net Zero refers to the balance between greenhouse gases emitted and the amount removed from the atmosphere. Until this balance is achieved — with no additional greenhouse gases added — the Earth will continue to warm. That is a matter of physics. Whether Net Zero is reached in 2050, 2060, or later, one fact remains: it is not optional. The sooner we achieve it, the less severe the social and economic impacts will be.
**My Wish List for Climate Week**
For years, we have relied on the financial sector to drive decarbonisation by reallocating capital. Today, it is clear that the financial sector alone cannot effect this change without public sector leadership.
My hope for this NYC Climate Week — and beyond — is for governments to elevate their efforts beyond electoral cycles. I hold what may seem a naïve aspiration: that policymakers will legislate not only for immediate challenges but also for future crises we know will arise if we fail to act today. Policies should be grounded in science and evidence. Why is it so difficult for them to demonstrate leadership?
Perhaps the answer lies in a question posed by a professor during my studies at Harvard Kennedy School of Government: *Who is interested in politics?* Most of us did not raise our hands. He challenged us: if you are not interested in politics, then who will be?
Too often, we view politicians as a distant “other,” yet they possess the power to shape our world. The direction we move in depends on who we elect. Let us hold them accountable, engage in political discourse, and exert pressure in the right direction. We also wield power through our votes, actions, and voices.
This week may serve as an opportunity for us
You must be logged in to post a comment.