From a dot on the map, to Climate Week: Reflections from Climate Week NYC 2025
By Kerese Elliott, Blue Planet Alliance Global Youth Ambassador
This year’s Climate Week NYC 2025 was a reminder that small islands carry big voices and that the ocean, our greatest teacher, continues to call us to action. Over a week of high-level discussions, collaborative sessions, and intimate dinners, one message echoed true: the time for collective, climate-smart transformation is now.
From UNOC to Belém
The first event I attended as a speaker and had a speaking engagement for was “From UNOC to Belém: Elevating Ocean Priorities in the Climate Agenda - High Level Lunch.”. This event saw the likes of global leaders, scientists, CSOs, and island representatives as they explored the deep connections between ocean health and climate resilience. We also heard from Ambassador Peter Thomson - UN Special Envoy On The Ocean who gave the Keynote Address for this luncheon.
The afternoon’s session featured youths who were doing incredible work in their own space and afforded us the opportunity to speak on such. I was happy for this opportunity as I sat on this panel and listened to the enthusiasm and love everyone had for their work. I spoke on my Blue Planet Alliance Ambassadorship and the Youth for SDGs Program which left me feeling reinvigorated. The luncheon underscored that protecting the ocean means safeguarding our economies, cultures, and ways of life and it reminded me that as a person from the Caribbean, this is not just science, this is survival.
The Caribbean Co Lab: Innovation with Heart
Hosted by the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator (CCSA), the NYCW Caribbean Co Lab brought together changemakers from across the region to reimagine what a resilient Caribbean future could look like. The conversations revolved around technology, policy, and people, how innovation must be both high-tech and deeply human. This was a much needed session amongst the hustle and bustle of climate week as West Indians get to laugh, eat and network in a setting that felt like home. This, for us West Indians, is how ideas are born and connections formed, through discussion over plantain and salt fish whilst Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry” hums in the background. Ms. Raquel Moses, CEO of CCSA mentioned that the event’s goal was to bring changemakers together to share ideas and network. The session proved that there are many influential West Indian people fighting this climate fight and the Caribbean is not waiting to be saved; we are leading with solutions rooted in community and creativity.
An Evening of Global Solidarity
The Global Ambassador and Partner Dinner hosted by Blue Planet Alliance united like-minded groups and individuals for a moment of connection and gratitude. Partners reflected on shared progress, from advancing renewable energy to amplifying youth voices in climate negotiations. They also expressed their eagerness to partner with groups in the room as this has to be the way forward. Ambassadors had the pleasure of all uniting and speaking on their journey with Blue Planet Alliance and the projects which we individually work on. The atmosphere was one of optimism, as ambassadors and partners pledged to continue bridging global goals with local realities while expressing gratitude for the continued opportunities through Blue Planet Alliance.
Meeting Al Gore: Truth and Tenacity
One of the week’s highlights was the Climate Reality Project meet and greet with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. His message was clear: the truth of the climate crisis must drive us toward transformation, not despair. For young leaders and island advocates, his words reignited purpose, to keep telling our stories and to ground activism in both data and humanity.
The Future of Living Systems
In partnership with KINETIK, CUTCO, and the University of Guam, the “Future of Living Systems” event offered a captivating exploration of how art, science, and culture intersect within the climate conversation. During Blue Planet Alliance’s interactive afternoon session, participants were divided into groups, each assigned a country and challenged to develop creative solutions to a series of real-world sustainability issues.
The exercise encouraged everyone to think beyond traditional definitions of sustainability and to see it not only as an environmental duty, but as a way of living, creating, and coexisting in harmony with the planet and one another.
Tides of Innovation: Caribbean Solutions for a Climate-Smart Future
The Tides of Innovation event celebrated the creativity and determination of thinkers, creators, and entrepreneurs driving real climate solutions. From sustainable start-up concepts to breakthroughs in climate-smart agriculture, the event was a powerful reminder that the world, and its youth, are overflowing with talent, ideas, and innovation. Investing in these bright minds is, without a doubt, an investment in the planet’s future.
Hosted by Kneyone Murray of Kneyzus Energy, the showcase marked a dual celebration: five years of the company’s impactful journey and its recognition as a UN Decade of Ocean Science Certified initiative. The event featured powerful panel discussions between youth leaders, funders, and representatives of partner organizations, each offering insights into their work and its importance to the global climate movement.
During Climate Week, this conversation felt especially timely. Many young innovators have expressed feelings of discouragement or frustration when facing funding challenges. Yet, Tides of Innovation stood as a beacon of hope, proving that with commitment, hard work, and resilience, meaningful change is not only possible, but already happening.
Climate Impact Talks
The week concluded on an inspiring note with the Climate Impact Talks, a series of conversations hosted by Earth X and Blue Planet Alliance as it sought to focus on measuring true impact through improved liveslives improved and ecosystems restored. Speakers such as Henk Rogers and Senator Chris Lee from Hawaii underscored the importance of accountability, inclusion, and ensuring that those most affected by the climate crisis have a seat at the table where decisions are made.
The event featured an overview from Peace Boat US, Blue Planet Alliance Ambassadors and the Youth for SDG Scholars, whose voices called to action everyone in the room to continue doing their part to save Earth but also assist a youth in having a seat at the table. Their stories reminded everyone that climate action is not just about policies and projects, but about people, communities, cultures, and future generations.
Adding a vibrant close to the evening, local DJs infused the space with rhythm and optimism, creating a moment of connection that perfectly captured the spirit of the week: collaboration, creativity, and hope in motion.
As Climate Week 2025 came to a close, one thing was certain: the Caribbean is not just adapting, we’re redefining what climate leadership looks like. From the ocean’s edge to the global stage, our stories, solutions, and spirit continue to rise similar to the tides that connect us all.
