How to Win the Climate Fight Locally + the Data Centers “Solutions Salon”

New Funding Models, New Partners and New Storytelling Strategies

Presented at DC Climate Week

As federal climate funding is dramatically cut, local leaders at the city and state levels are stepping up with fresh approaches and creative alliances. Join us for a dynamic, interactive expert conversation on how communities and sustainability leaders can continue - and eventually expand - climate and sustainability successes in a shifting landscape. You’ll hear successful case studies from cities leading sustainability efforts across the region, learn about the latest opportunities for funding climate-related projects, and walk away with strategies to successfully reframe narratives and storytelling in an era of anti-climate, partisan politics. Foundations, funding officers and development leaders will learn more about innovative alternative financing to fill the federal gap. Sustainability leaders, innovators and communicators will discover immediate tactics to win hearts and minds. Community members will discover ways to promote sustainability where they live. And the cherry on top: an interactive “data center solutions salon” will equip you with the latest answers on the most acute climate topic in the region.

Speakers:

Michael Shank, New York University John Toner, Head of Impact Strategy, Lemon Tree ProductionsRob Phocas, Southeast Sustainability Directors NetworkAva Richardson, Director of Sustainability, Baltimore

What You’ll Learn:

How sustainability and environmental officials are winning and what’s required to keep up the fightHow to reframe the narrative and build stories to win the climate conversationHow to build coalitions across aisle that move the needleNew funding pathways for climate projects

The Data Center “Solutions Salon”

Nearly every region is navigating the construction of data centers. Many see them as polluting harbingers of jobs loss and extraction. Others see them as enabling smarter clean energy infrastructure and economic development. Others are still learning. DC Climate week is the chance to equip ourselves with answers and better questions for local decision makers.

In this session, we will lead an interactive “data center solutions salon” sharing the latest data on data centers like resource use and policy trends alongside interactive audience discussion. The outcome will be a crowd-sourced snapshot guide on:

What demands community members should make around AI and data centersWhat questions state and local officials should be askingPolicy recommendations for climate-friendly vision for data center

Schedule:

1:30 PM: Doors open, networking2:00-3:00 PM: New Funding, New Partnerships, New Storytelling Panel3:00-3:45: Break and networking4:00-5:00 PM: Data Centers “Solutions Salon”

DC Climate Week is not responsible for this event. It is organized by the organizing group, and being listed on the DCCW calendar is not an endorsement of content or partners.