Where to be
Rescheduled: These are the can't-miss events to attend each day during Houston Climate Week
Editor's note — This story has been updated and republished to reflect the new dates and details of Houston Climate Week.
The city of Houston is kicking off its rescheduled Houston Climate Week after the original week was postponed by threats of Hurricane Laura. The week-long virtual program supports Mayor Sylvester Turner's Climate Action Plan, which launched in April in response to Hurricane Harvey and other recent major climate events.
"We recognized how we just couldn't continue to do things as we had done them in the past — Harvey was a game changer," Turner says at the opening conversation of Houston Climate Week. "It set us up for enacting the city's first Climate Action Plan."
Every day between Monday, September 14, to Friday, September 18, the city will host two to three virtual events. For the full schedule, click here. Below are the can't-miss events on the agenda.
Monday, September 14 — CLIMATE CHANGE: What does the future hold for Houston?
Katharine Hayhoe, climate specialist at Texas Tech University, will discuss future climate patterns and findings from her Houston Climate Impact Assessment.
The conversation begins at 1 pm on Monday, September 14, and those who register for the event can join online.
Tuesday, September 15 — ENERGY TRANSITION: Making Houston a Global Leader in Energy Innovation
A panel of experts have been tasked with discussing innovation in the energy industry. Joining the conversation is Kelsey Hultberg of Sunnova Energy, Juliana Garaizar of Greentown Labs Houston, Jose Beceiro of Global Energy 2.0, and Carolyn Seto of IHS Markit.
The conversation begins at 11 am on Tuesday, September 15, and those who register for the event can join online.
Wednesday, September 16 — TRANSPORTATION: Taking the Car Out of Carbon Emissions
Nearly half of Houston's greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation and 96 percent of commuters drive alone. Kimberly Williams, David Fields, Jonathan Brooks, and Kurt Barrow will explore pathways to a greener, safer, and more equitable mobility future for Houstonians.
The conversation begins at 11 am on Wednesday, September 16, and those who register for the event can join online.
Thursday, September 17 — RESILIENCE: 2020: The COVID, Climate, & Equity Connection
Whether it is climate change or COVID-19, a city's primary responsibility is to protect our most vulnerable. For Houston, that means fighting a global pandemic in the middle of a heat wave and hurricane season. This year has reinforced the connection between climate and community health. Community recovery and resilience leaders will discuss the impact COVID-19 and climate change have on Houston's most vulnerable populations and how to build more sustainable, resilient, and complete communities.
The conversation begins at 1 pm on Thursday, September 17, and those who register for the event can join online.
Friday, September 18 — CLOSING CONVERSATION: Partnerships and Pathways to Decarbonize Cities
Round out the week of programing with a final discussion with Mayor Turner, who will be joined by David Lawler of BP America, and Daniel Yergin of IHS Markit. They will be discussing the importance of partnerships in Houston's commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050.
The conversation begins at 1 pm on Friday, September 18, and those who register for the event can join online.