01 April 2025 3 minute read
On September 23rd from the 25th, thanks to Spelman’s Inaugural Sustainable Spelman Office, I had the opportunity to attend Climate Week in New York City. For those unfamiliar, Climate Week NYC is an annual gathering of world leaders, activists, and changemakers working to accelerate climate action on a global scale. It coincides with the United Nations General Assembly and serves as a wake-up call for governments, corporations, and individuals alike.
As a senior Computer Science major, food studies minor, I came to this conference with the anticipation of learning about ways people are using technology to decarbonize industries, specifically our food systems. Knowing that the intersection of technology and sustainability offers immense potential to mitigate the climate crisis, I left New York learning of different ways people are tackling this issue.
I attended the Nest Climate Campus, where panelists from corporate, nonprofit, and policy backgrounds laid bare the scale of the climate crisis. The most impactful discussion for me was “Why Solving Climate Change May Depend on What We Eat and How We Grow It.” It was a reminder that one-third of global carbon emissions come from our food systems—something as basic as how we grow and consume food is pushing us toward catastrophe because of unsustainable farming practices leading to the degradation of our soil – Earth's primary carbon sequester. The urgency was undeniable. We must decarbonize the food industry to preserve not only the environment but our very ability to feed future generations. In a separate panel, another conversation around sustainability and AI began. There are many solutions to the climate crisis that utilize AI, such as making accurate climate projections, optimizing resources, and real time monitorization. However, that poses the question whether AI applications are actually productive to the fight to change considering the immense energy that data centers consume.
But the conversation doesn’t end with food systems or AI. At Columbia University, I attended a Climate Justice Panel that highlighted another devastating consequence of climate inaction—climate refugees. With natural disasters intensifying, entire communities are being displaced. The panelists stressed that climate justice is social justice, and the path forward must involve reparations, not just for marginalized communities but for the Earth itself. They reminded us that climate change is no longer an abstract issue—it's here, and it’s a matter of life and death for millions of people.
This past weekend, we saw first hand the effects of Hurricane Helene. In a sense this Climate Week, like many others, was a parable into the near future. Who knew that just 24 hours after landing in Atlanta, I would observe the effects of climate change? The truth is, if we don’t take collective action, school closures, power outages, and home loss will be routine. Collective action is the only way forward, and we all have a role to play. Whether it’s in tech, fashion, education, or any other industry, sustainability must be integrated into every facet of our lives. Our action starts at home, in our communities, and on our campus. At Spelman, we are pushing for a composting initiative that will convert food waste into rich nutrients instead of letting it rot in landfills. Landfills are a major contributor to methane emissions—a greenhouse gas 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide. This is just one example of how small, local actions can make a huge impact. You don’t need to have a formal title like “Climate Litigator” or a “Sustainability Contractor” to get involved. It starts with something as simple as showing up—going to city meetings, supporting local sustainability projects, and using your voice to demand change like the many other leaders and panelists at Climate Week.
At Spelman, I’m inspired by the work of alums like Christina Watley ‘11, whose dedication to sustainability has paved the way for students like me to engage in these critical conversations. I am also inspired by my classmates and fellow Sustainability Associates Olivia Robinson ‘25, Zanyah Williams ‘25, and Lamia Lopez ‘25 who are leading initiatives on campus around food waste, energy conservation, and growing the Sustainable Spelman Office. Finally, I want to highlight Iesha Baldwin ’19, who, after serving as a Sustainable Spelman Intern, became Spelman’s inaugural Sustainability Coordinator, demonstrating her commitment to sustainable action. Alums like Christina and Iesha exemplify the power of collective action, and without their efforts, my sponsored experience at Climate Week would not have been possible. I encourage more alumni who are passionate about sustainability to join in this collective effort, paving the way for future students and continuing to push for meaningful change. A notable organization that is doing this work is Girl + Environment. While in New York, I had the opportunity to attend Black Girl Climate Dinner in partnership with Girl + Environment where I met phenomenal folks from organizers, farmers, and educators passionate about their role in this movement.
In the end, Climate Week was more than just an educational experience—it was a rallying cry. The climate crisis isn’t waiting for us to catch up. It’s here, and it’s happening now.