Trust for Governors Island and the New York Climate Exchange Announce Climate Week NYC 2026 on Governors Island
Sep 3, 2026 11:21 am
The Trust for Governors Island and The New York Climate Exchange have unveiled the lineup for Climate Week 2026 programming set for September 20 – 27, 2026, highlighting the Island’s growing role at the forefront of climate innovation in New York City. This year’s events include discussions, workshops, performances, climate tech demonstrations, guided tours, art exhibitions, a climate pep rally, and more programs exploring the intersections between science, nature, tech, policy, advocacy, art, and community.
“Climate Week is a shining example of what we’re growing here on Governors Island — an innovation destination where work, education, research, creativity, and play all happen side by side,” said Clare Newman, President and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. “This year, we’re proud to join with The New York Climate Exchange and all of our partners to present programming that shows the many ways climate issues touch all our lives and fosters connection across both disciplines and communities.”
“This week is a preview of what’s coming: leaders from business, government, academia, and communities in the same room, building the connections and partnerships that will define The New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island for decades to come,” said M. Sanjayan, CEO of The Exchange. “Climate Week shows what’s possible when people convene with purpose — our campus on Governors Island will make that possible every day, not just one week a year.”
Organized each year by the Climate Group, Climate Week NYC runs September 20 – 27, 2026, and is the largest annual climate event of its kind. Governors Island is at the forefront of researching and demonstrating solutions that can be scaled globally, making it a natural setting for the many events taking place during Climate Week. Its unique waterfront environment complements an award-winning park engineered for climate change; nearly one million annual visitors; opportunities for education, research, and piloting; public artworks engaging with climate issues; and a growing community of educational, nonprofit, and commercial tenants focused on climate solutions — including Billion Oyster Project, the Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, NYU Gallatin WetLab, and the soon-to-open Buttermilk Labs.
The Trust and the New York City Mayor’s Office have developed a vision to create the Center for Climate Solutions, an initiative on Governors Island to accelerate climate solutions for cities. In April 2023, The New York Climate Exchange, led by Stony Brook University and a consortium of partners, was selected as the initiative’s anchor institution following a two-year competitive process. The Exchange will develop a $700-million campus on the Island focused on advancing climate solutions and preparing New Yorkers for green jobs, expected to open in 2029.
Climate Week NYC 2026 events on Governors Island are organized by the Trust, the Island’s community of partners and tenants, and The Exchange and its core partners. A full schedule of events and presenting organizations can be found below and online at www.govisland.org/climate-week.
Governors Island is open daily year-round and is accessible by ferry from Manhattan and Brooklyn. For ferry schedules, operating hours, things to do, and other visitor information, visit www.govisland.org.
The Trust for Governors Island’s Climate programs are supported by Amazon, Con Edison, New York Community Trust, and Anonymous.
The Governors Island 2026 season is generously supported by the Blackstone Charitable Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Donald A. Pels Charitable Trust, and Rivian Foundation.
Climate Week NYC on Governors Island Schedule
Climate Tech Crawl, the Trust for Governors Island
Ongoing, digital via Bloomberg Connects
Download the free Bloomberg Connects app to access a self-guided tour through Governors Island’s climate innovations — from resiliency measures built into its landscapes to the latest in climate tech, to the future home of The New York Climate Exchange.
Previously, the Planet: A Climate Week Opening Gathering
September 19, 11AM-5PM | Climate Imaginarium, Colonels Row Building 406A
A meditation, plastic upcycling, and clothing upcycling workshop with artist Juliana Castaneda where participants can give second-hand items a new life.
Eco Arts Festival
September 20, 11AM-4PM | Climate Imaginarium x Artichoke Dance Company, Colonels Row Building 406A
A day of eco-inspired performances, installations, films and interactive workshops and activities that are free and open to the public.
The Art of Change: An Opening Ceremony for Climate Week NYC
September 21, 11AM-5PM | Climate Imaginarium x The Artivist Network, Colonels Row Building 406A
A public and participatory intervention led by the Artivist Network’s “Artivist-in-Residence” program that reimagines climate justice as an intersectional issue that requires the realignment of our relationship with nature.
Interdisciplinary Charette: Creative Solutions to Advance New York’s Resilience Priorities
September 22, 9AM-12PM | New York Climate Exchange x Waterfront Alliance x HNTB, LMCC’s Arts Center at Governors Island
Building on discussions held at the 2026 Waterfront Alliance Conference, government leaders, community organizations, designers, engineers, researchers, and industry representatives will come together to develop actionable recommendations for addressing climate challenges facing New York City and the surrounding region.
Activating Data Across Urban Environments
September 22, 1 – 3:30PM | New York Climate Exchange, LMCC’s Arts Center at Governors Island
A collaborative program that brings together the scientists, agencies, and community partners generating environmental data across New York City that uses Governors Island’s own environmental sensing efforts as a working case study, then opens into a broader conversation about how disparate data streams across NYC can be coordinated, shared, and activated.
Climate Solutions Showcase
September 23, 12 – 4PM | The Trust for Governors Island, LMCC’s Arts Center at Governors Island
Extreme heat and chronic flooding have become a new normal in New York City. On Governors Island, novel adaptation solutions that New Yorkers will depend on aren’t only concepts; they’re reality. From recyclable flood barriers to passive cooling technology, the Trust’s Climate Piloting Program supports more than two dozen innovative solutions that are paving the way for more resilient and sustainable cities. Participants will be able to see emerging tech in action, hear the founders pitch, and connect with the dynamic climate piloting ecosystem on Governors Island.
From the Farm to the City: Agricultural Enhanced Rock Weathering as a Climate Solution
September 23, 1 – 3PM | NYU Gallatin WetLab, Nolan Park Building 20
A session exploring enhanced rock weathering (ERW) as a Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technique featuring an overview of the process, an interactive demonstration, and discussion and analysis.
Climate Trivia & Happy Hour
September 23, 4 – 6PM | The Trust for Governors Island x Green Apple Trivia, Taco Vista
Unwind with drinks, harbor views, and tacos — all while putting your eco-knowledge to the test with climate trivia in partnership with Green Apple Trivia.
Climate Leaders Exchange
September 23 – 25 | New York Climate Exchange
The Climate Leaders Exchange launch event, Building Forward: Cities Advancing Energy Efficient Homes, is focused on urban leaders. This program brings together city staff and technical experts from across the country to share strategies, exchange peer insights, and advance actionable solutions — in this case, residential energy efficiency. Cities represented in this year’s Climate Week event include Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland, Columbus, Denver, Madison, New York City, Philadelphia, Portland, Raleigh, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Mental Health in a Disastrous Climate: Catalyzing Our Feelings to Mobilize Action for a Better Tomorrow
September 25, 11AM-1PM | Climate Imaginarium, Colonels Row Building 406A
A spirited conversation about the ways the climate crisis takes a toll on mental health, including discussions on how to cope during turbulent times while building connection with each other and the natural world and letting our emotions lead us to take action.
Earth Matter’s Second Bloom
September 25, 5:30 – 7:30PM | Earth Matter NY, The Lavender Field
A community gathering with the Island’s official composting partner, open to all who are curious about the role of compost and soil in a circular economy.
Homecoming: For the Harbor
September 26, 10:30AM‑3:30PM | LMCC x The New York Climate Exchange, LMCC’s Arts Center at Governors Island
A climate pep rally complete with artists, musicians, marching bands, cheerleaders, and art-making workshops, plus climate scientists and environmental advocates.
Meet the Climate Innovators & Walking Tour
September 26, 1 – 3:30PM | The Trust for Governors Island, Liggett Terrace
Several of the Trust’s climate piloting projects will be showcasing their products at Liggett Terrace, including Circular Economy Manufacturing, PooPoof, CarbonCLAIR, ThermoShade, True Flood Risk, Tensora Coastal, and Sunphade. Stop by after grabbing lunch from one of the Liggett Terrace food vendors, and stick around for a free walking tour at 2PM.
Climate Week Tree Tour
September 26, 11:45AM | The Trust for Governors Island, Soissons Landing Welcome Center
A walking tour that spotlights the role Governors Island’s 3,500+ trees play in its climate resiliency — storing carbon, reducing urban heat, managing stormwater, and providing important habitat for wildlife.
Climate Week Open Studios
September 26, 12 – 5PM | Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), LMCC’s Arts Center at Governors Island
LMCC invites the public into the workspaces and creative processes of the 2026 Cohort of Arts Center Residents.
What’s in the Cards? A Creative Climate Tarot Experience
September 26, 2 – 4PM | Climate Imaginarium, Colonels Row Building 406A
Climate change demands that we face the unknown. In this workshop, participants will create art inspired by nature and tarot while imagining solutions to face the future with resilience.
Plants Who Speak: Workshop & Ceremony, Jimena Vega & Sarah Walko
September 26, 2 – 4PM | Taiwanese American Arts Council, Nolan Park Building 17
Participants will walk through Governors Island, gather fallen leaves and natural materials, and create botanical monotypes using plants as inspiration. Through walking, observing, collecting, and creating, participants are invited to slow down, listen, and ask: What might plants tell us if we learn how to listen?
CARRY WATER: A Climate Week Performance by Chin-Chih Yang
September 26, 4 – 6PM | Taiwanese American Arts Council, Nolan Park Building 17
The artist will carry and deliver water to arts organizations throughout Nolan Park, reflecting on climate change, environmental responsibility, and our most essential resource. Through carrying and sharing water, Yang transforms an everyday necessity into a gesture of connection, community, and environmental awareness.
The Tree of Life Painting Workshop
September 27, 1 – 2:30PM | Taiwanese American Arts Council, Nolan Park Building 17
The Tree of Life is a universal symbol found in mythology, religion, and philosophy, connecting heaven, Earth, the underworld, and all forms of life. In this workshop, participants will create their own Tree of Life with colors, forms, and details from their imaginations.
Right to Flight: A Public Performance & Participatory Artwork
September 27, 1:30 – 4PM | Climate Imaginarium, Colonels Row Building 406A
A participatory public artwork and performance that responds to the hundreds of thousands of migratory birds killed each year through collisions with New York City’s glass buildings.
Leslie Wayne: The Unintended Blues
Fridays-Sundays, 12 – 5PM | Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), LMCC’s Arts Center at Governors Island
An exhibition documenting rising sea levels through aerial landscape paintings of vulnerable U.S. shorelines and melting icebergs in the Arctic Circle. In these works, Wayne captures the beauty of our natural environment and renders with graphic clarity one of our greatest existential threats.
SILVERS Exhibition
Weekends, 11 – 5PM | Forest for Trees Collective, Nolan Park Building 7B
An exhibition honoring matriarchal legacies by honors this matriarchal legacy by centering the voices of women over fifty who are leading environmental justice movements, stewarding land, and redefining sustainability through lived experience.
The Trust for Governors Island is the nonprofit corporation created by the City of New York that is responsible for the redevelopment and operation of 150 acres of Governors Island. The Trust's mission is to realize the full potential of Governors Island for the inspiration and enjoyment of all New Yorkers, demonstrating a bold vision for public space. For more information, visit www.govisland.org.
The New York Climate Exchange (“The Exchange”) is a new nonprofit designed to accelerate climate solutions. By leveraging the perspectives of a cross-sector network of diverse partners and New York City’s global influence, The Exchange engages in cutting-edge research, delivers impactful education and training, hosts world-class convenings, and scales climate technology solutions. The Exchange is developing a state-of-the-art climate campus on Governors Island that will bring climate scientists, educators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers under one roof—sparking the collaborations and breakthrough ideas we need to build a sustainable future. Learn more at www.nyclimateexchange.org.