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Shedding Light on a Warming World

September 18, 2009

Ten weeks before leaders of 192 nations will gather in Copenhagen to try to hammer out an agreement on controlling greenhouse gas emissions, business, government leaders, experts and activists will come to New York for discussions, demonstrations and presentations about climate change.

Opportunities to volunteer, to turn oneself into a human hourglass and other slightly offbeat activities will accompany the more conventional forums, films and lectures.

On Saturday, for example, New Yorkers can volunteer for environmental projects around the city, such as cleaning up the Prospect Park lake or "cooling" roofs in Long Island City by painting them white. On Sunday, Dr, Robert Lang will create an origami rainforest in Greeley Square Park.

From Monday through Friday, the http://www.actioncenter.org/ Mercy Corp Action Center in Lower Manhattan will present an exhibition on how climate change could change the map of New York. Harrison Ford will appear with the president of Guyana on Monday to build support for protecting tropical forests. At 12:18 that afternoon organizers hope to sound a literal "wake up call" as people will ring bells and make noise to show world leaders "that the world is ready for a bold climate deal." Brooklyn Borough Hall hosts a "Green Brooklyn … Green City' fair and symposium on Thursday, and as the week draws to a close, a five-day "climate ride," billed as a fundraiser and a conference on wheels, heads off for Washington, D.C.

Of course, the week will have its lectures too with experts and luminaries discussing and debating such topics as U.S. and Chinese cooperation in developing clean energy, the climate bill now in Congress, the prospects for a global climate agreement, solar energy in the developing world, food and climate change, and more.

Many events are free and open to the public. Some require reservations.

For a full listing, go here.

Climate Week is sponsored by the Climate Group, the United Nations, the UN Foundation, the City of New York, the government of Denmark, Tck Tck Tck Campaign and Carbon Disclosure Project.

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