A Run/Walk "Panel" for Climate Action
A peek inside our first event, Climate Strides NYC!
A few months ago, I posted a podcast episode in which I joked about coming to NYC for a comedy show (the show was that week’s guest, Heemz’s, at The Stand) - mentioning, of course, that I would be happy to sit front and center as my laugh (I’ve been told) carries for miles.
Upon listening to the episode, a dear friend and Footprints co-mentor Brittany Blitzer texted me and said - “I think you should come and we should do an event.”
I booked my flights that week. When Britt has an idea, it’s on.
Photo credit: Annelise Mecca
Flash forward to March 8th (International Women’s Day!), and the Climate Strides event is in full swing. People from all over the city have convened to discuss climate solutions while walking, running or rolling (we had a few scooters present).
We centered our activation around the reservoir in Central Park - the walkers went one way, and the runners went the other, meeting up a few times along the bridle path as different speakers shared their backgrounds and experience each time. We also had prompts for everyone to discuss as we moved together (what was your “aha” moment on climate? What is your favorite climate solution?). We were so lucky to have Protect Our Winters supporting the event and giving us plenty of swag :)
Photo credit: Annelise Mecca
We had speakers from across the climate space:
Hema Lochan (Heemz), environmental justice attorney and ultrarunner who talked about their work on coal plant cases (specifically, shutting them down) and about the importance of listening to those directly impacted by climate change.
Marion Marigo, a Senior Biodiversity Officer at UNDP and runner, working on spatial data for National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) in countries globally, talked about the importance of local nature-based solutions and traditional ecological knowledge.
Adam Met, a musician (the “A” in AJR) and founder and Executive Director of Planet Reimagined (which works on creative ways to design climate solutions to implement as policy) talked about a new bipartisan bill introduced last week (that his organization led!) to create a clean energy future for the US.
Amanda Stecco, a social media and content strategist who is also a run group organizer and activist, talked about centering Indigenous voices and decolonization as the most effective climate solutions.
Ian Rosenberger, an entrepreneur and ultrarunner (and CEO of Day Owl, a recycled backpack company), talked about his work in Haiti to bring economic development opportunities to community members, realizing his aha moment on climate was that we must work towards a future where we *all* get our basic needs met, together.
Photo credit: Annelise Mecca
From each of these talks, the biggest theme I saw emerging was hope (which I know is a contentious word in the climate community, but still!). As we gathered in a time that feels scary and uncertain, it felt like we were generating our own source of optimism and forward momentum as a community, building off the work and ideas of each other.
As our speaker Heemz said, “any solution is a climate solution if we all work together.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself, Heemz.
Thank you all for joining! And thank you again to Protect Our Winters for supporting and for the work they do galvanizing outdoor recreators around bipartisan climate action.
Photo credit: Annelise Mecca
PS: The comedy show was amazing, by the way - I know you were wondering. Heemz crushed.
~want to support future events like this so you too can join? Check out the WTCTA Patreon~