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NYC WATER AND CLIMATE III
CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER ARE INEXTRICABLY LINKED. What we do with water in cities can impact climate change, and climate change can impact water and exacerbate water scarcity in cities where people are already lacking access to safe drinking water. For the third year in a row, Cobalt Water Global hosted an official Climate Week NYC event - a water charity event - to make these links, help those without access to safe drinking water and sanitation, share with the community what is being done in NYC and globally in terms of Climate Action in the water sector, illuminate the importance of the topic in meeting UN Sustainable Development Goal 6, and inform citizens on how they can better use water to help mitigate climate change.
The one-of-a-kind virtual event kicked off with a panel discussion by international water experts to highlight the interconnectedness of water and climate change, and to discuss pandemic-era Climate Action / Inequality with Water at both global and local-NYC levels. To keep the glocal (global + local) water connection grooving, the panel was followed by a virtual dance party and Live DJ sponsored by Visual Conductor, experiential design studio / virtual events. What a night!
Our annual water charity event helps Water for People deliver safe drinking water and sanitation in developing countries, where lack of safe drinking water can be exacerbated by climate change. Giving back to those impacted by water scarcity and climate change is very important to us at Cobalt Water Global. As we continue our work in the water sector focusing on Climate Action with AI, we will also continue to support bringing clean water and sanitation to communities lacking these basic needs.
Sad you missed this exciting event?! Check out our panelists and program below:
The one-of-a-kind virtual event kicked off with a panel discussion by international water experts to highlight the interconnectedness of water and climate change, and to discuss pandemic-era Climate Action / Inequality with Water at both global and local-NYC levels. To keep the glocal (global + local) water connection grooving, the panel was followed by a virtual dance party and Live DJ sponsored by Visual Conductor, experiential design studio / virtual events. What a night!
Our annual water charity event helps Water for People deliver safe drinking water and sanitation in developing countries, where lack of safe drinking water can be exacerbated by climate change. Giving back to those impacted by water scarcity and climate change is very important to us at Cobalt Water Global. As we continue our work in the water sector focusing on Climate Action with AI, we will also continue to support bringing clean water and sanitation to communities lacking these basic needs.
Sad you missed this exciting event?! Check out our panelists and program below:
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Opening Remarks
-Jose Porro, CEO for Cobalt Water Global (NYC) Jose discussed the important topic of Climate Change and shared how CWG is scaling AI to take climate action in the water sector. He went on to share CWG’s goal to help, both locally and globally, communities address water crises. - Chad Arnold, Chief Development Officer for Water for People (USA) Chad introduced us to the mission of Water For People and the impact of the climate crisis on water scarcity. He also shared their response and sustainability modeling, such as the Everyone Forever model, and Destination 2030 for achieving UN SDG 6. |
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Part One: Tackling climate change and climate inequality with water in the pandemic era
- Diane d'Arras, President of the International Water Association (UK)
The panel discussion got underway with Diane explaining the longtime importance of climate mitigation in the water sector, and the more recent active mobilization of the water sector for climate action. The water sector can have a significant impact on climate change through the development and implementation of water-wise cities, which are resilient to climate change. 📽Watch it here!
- Dr. Suresh Kumar Rohilla, Director - Water Program & School of Water & Waste for Centre for Science and Environment (India)
Dr. Rohilla discussed decentralized water systems in India and their role in reducing GHGs, facilitating and promoting wiser use of water, in addition to providing a preventative approach for climate mitigation. His work and the CSE have developed energy efficiency policies for the Indian water sector and for reducing GHG emissions. 📽Watch it here!
- Sören Rued, WaCCliM Project Director for Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) (GER)
Sören introduced us to the WaCCliM (Water and Wastewater Companies for Climate Mitigation) project designed to identify what is needed by water utilities to reduce emissions of modern water services in developing countries beyond reductions in energy use and taking a holistic approach recognizing the opportunities within the whole urban water cycle. WaCCliM developed a roadmap to reduce GHG emissions, improve climate resiliency, and implement of Climate Smart measures for water utilities through pilots in Mexico, Peru, Thailand, and Jordan.
- Stefan Weijers, Policy and Innovation Manager for Waterboard De Dommel
Stefan provided insight into the role of Waterboards for guaranteeing both water quality and also water quantity, emphasizing the importance of spatial planning in climate mitigation and adaptation. He discussed the role of water sector GHG reduction and increased renewable consumption in the circular economy objective. 📽Watch it!
- Andrea Parker, Executive Director for Gowanus Canal Conservancy (USA)
Andrea discussed the complex hydrological issues of the Gowanus Canal, and that they continue to get worse as the climate continues to change. She further discussed how integrated water management strategies can be required and incorporated into new developments, as well as existing buildings and spaces, to mitigate and prevent new developments from adding sewage to the current crisis. 📽Watch it!
- Julia Kumari Drapkin, Founder/CEO for ISeeChange (USA)
Julia explained that to combat and mitigate the effects of climate change in our own communities, there must be a new way of public engagement and climate modeling for the next generation. She discussed the importance of mobilizing community stories and data, and utilizing it as a singular product to inform public planning infrastructure design, monitoring and evaluation, and emergency preparedness. 📽Watch it!
Moderator:
- Jose Porro, Cobalt Water Global
Part Two: Climate Action with data - Startup Spotlight
- Kelly Ruigrok, Founder/CEO of Data for Good (NL)
Kelly discussed her work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and SDG Alliance of the Netherlands to create a Mission Control Center – a platform for people, companies, and countries to communicate on the goals related to SDG 7 and SDG12 in addition to providing a way to quantify goals and track goal achievements. 📽Watch it!
- Julia Kumari Drapkin, ISeeChange (USA)
Found that federal research on flooded areas were a mismatch, and suggested that community members are a lot more reliable and cheaper than dataspace sensors. “Neighborhood systems require neighborhood level data,” and the public is your greatest asset and stands to be the most vulnerable in terms of the impact from these projects’ effectiveness within their neighborhoods. 📽Watch it!
Moderator:
- Roni Deitz, Urban and Community Resilience Community Practice Lead for Arcadis (NYC)
Closing Remarks
- Diane d'Arras, International Water Association (UK)
- Kelly Ruigrok, Founder/CEO of Data for Good (NL)
Kelly discussed her work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and SDG Alliance of the Netherlands to create a Mission Control Center – a platform for people, companies, and countries to communicate on the goals related to SDG 7 and SDG12 in addition to providing a way to quantify goals and track goal achievements. 📽Watch it!
- Julia Kumari Drapkin, ISeeChange (USA)
Found that federal research on flooded areas were a mismatch, and suggested that community members are a lot more reliable and cheaper than dataspace sensors. “Neighborhood systems require neighborhood level data,” and the public is your greatest asset and stands to be the most vulnerable in terms of the impact from these projects’ effectiveness within their neighborhoods. 📽Watch it!
Moderator:
- Roni Deitz, Urban and Community Resilience Community Practice Lead for Arcadis (NYC)
Closing Remarks
- Diane d'Arras, International Water Association (UK)
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One-of-kind Virtual Dance Party
The rad closing of Climate Week NYC 2020 was right here, with Cobalt Water Global! Powered by dancIN' featuring DJ Eli Fola (@eli.fola), a Nigeria born, New York based multidisciplinary artist, saxophonist, DJ, producer and talking drummer. He is the creator and pioneer of the genre and live set Yoruba Tech Soul—a fusion of traditional Nigerian sounds, electronic, jazz, house, and classical music. The evening was something else and DJ Eli Fola did not disappoint! Our sincerest thank you to everyone who made this event possible, raised the temperature on climate awareness and Climate Action in the water sector, and to our spotlight dancers! |
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Check out our official flyer and Sponsors here.
Sponsors include: Arcadis , Visual Conductor , I See Change , Data for Good , CHA , Techstars , Good Growth Capital , and Innovative Event Services
This event was part of the Clean Transport, Buildings and Infrastructure program of Climate Week NYC.
To see a summary of last year's event, click here.
Sponsors include: Arcadis , Visual Conductor , I See Change , Data for Good , CHA , Techstars , Good Growth Capital , and Innovative Event Services
This event was part of the Clean Transport, Buildings and Infrastructure program of Climate Week NYC.
To see a summary of last year's event, click here.