It’s officially 2020. As we begin another decade in the anthropocene, building your sustainability practice is more urgent than ever. To start the first year of this decade off right, check out some of the inspiring and educational climate-focused events happening in New York City this month.
1. Manhattan Trash Talk
On January 16th, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer is hosting a discussion around New York’s goal of reaching zero waste to landfill by 2030. Multiple speakers, including a New York Lawyers for Public Interest Environmental Justice lawyer and the President of the Frederick Samuel Houses Resident Association will present projects in various stages of development. This event will be held at the Harlem JCC on 118th street from 6:30-8:30 pm and is free, but you can register here.
2. Package Free: Future of Retail Tour
Package Free is a Brooklyn boutique that sources products only from people and companies devoted to low or no waste packaging, and their store is chock full of reusable versions of things you throw away thoughtlessly every day. This informational tour is sure to be full of tips on how to replace disposable products with reusable ones, and will be at Package Free on Grand Street on the 13th, from 2:30-3 pm. It’s free, but you can register here.
3. Cupping& Coffee Tasting + Discussion
Bird & Branch, a midtown coffee shop with a mission, is hosting Cupping&, a coffee tasting and discussion of sustainability in coffee production, distribution, and sales. Reuben Villagomez, one of the founders of Zero Carbon Coffee, the only coffee company that purchases carbon offsets for all the coffeeit sells, will be leading a panel discussion after the coffee tasting. The event costs $5 (buy tickets here), and is happening at Bird & Branch on 45th street on January 27th, from 6:00-8:00 pm.
4. Vegan Soap Making Workshop
Spend an evening making your own bar of vegan soap at Ethel’s Club on January 29th! This workshop also includes discussions about how to reduce your overall soap usage, the health benefits of natural soaps, and the environmental impact of traditionally mass produced, plastic-packaged soap. This event is free, but you can register here.
5. Sustainable Social & Green Drinks
Because we love you, we’re finishing off this list with a party! On January 8th, One15 Brooklyn Marina is hosting a free happy hour intended to inspire discussions of sustainability between people working in climate-focused startups, NGOs, academia, government, and any layperson who is interested. The theme is green energy, and speakers will include the founders of Brooklyn Solarworks and Greenbanc. Happy hour at Estuary Brasserie in Brooklyn Bridge Park lasts until 7 pm, and dinner will be for sale at their community table afterward.
Leave a comment