All Hands On Deck: Building a Disaster-Resilient and Prepared City

Southwest Neighborhood Assembly in collaboration with DC Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster invite you to “All Hands on Deck: Building a Disaster-Resilient and Prepared City,” an open house on Monday, September 29, 7 pm - 9 pm.

Speakers from:

  • United Way National Capital Area
  • Department of Energy and the Environment
  • DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency
  • Up to 40 nonprofit disaster and environmental groups and local government agencies showcasing their work in environmental protection, disaster preparedness, and disaster response

Location:
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater
1101 Sixth St SW, Washington, DC 20024

For more information and/or to help volunteer, contact Ben Curran (202) 294-7043 [email protected]

DC Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
Southwest Neighborhood Assembly
District of Columbia
09/29/2025 at 07:00PM

Healthy Building Policy Summit

The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), in partnership with Georgetown University’s Global Cities Initiative, is proud to host its second annual Healthy Building Policy Summit in Washington, D.C., on September 29. This landmark, full-day event is dedicated to exploring the critical role of policy at all levels of government in transforming workplaces, buildings and cities to improve health, build resilience and foster thriving communities.

The Summit will focus on critical topics and timely issues impacting the built environment including indoor air quality, the evidence-based return on investment (ROI) of healthy buildings, as well as the influence of legislation on market transformation. Other key topics include access to healthy environments, the leadership role of cities and states, and the contribution of professional organizations and technical standards in advancing healthy building initiatives.

Join us at our annual policy summit, exploring opportunities to advance healthy buildings.

Location:
McCourt School of Public Policy
125 E Street NW Washington, DC 20001

9:00 AM - 9:45 AM

Registration + Coffee

9:45 AM - 9:55 AM

Opening Remarks

  • Jason Hartke, IWBI
  • Dr. Christopher King, Dean, School of Health, Georgetown

9:55 AM - 10:10 AM

Opening Plenary

  • Dr. Richard Carmona, 17th U.S. Surgeon General

10:10 AM - 10:55 AM

Panel: Unlocking Policy Solutions to Accelerate Healthy Indoor Air

  • Nora Wang Esram, CEO, New Building Institute
  • Sean McCrady, Vice President of Software & Advisory, UL
  • Dr. Georgia Lagoudas, Brown University School of Public
  • Jonathan Gritz, SVP of Energy Solutions, WellStat

Poor indoor air quality represents a pervasive public health crisis–one that demands urgent, coordinated global action. With Americans spending 90% of their time indoors–often breathing air more polluted than outside–the need for bold, coordinated policy has never been more urgent.

10:55 AM - 11:10 AM

Movement Break

11:15 AM - 12:05 PM

Panel: Investing in Health Pays Back: Lessons from the Field

  • Whitney Austin Gray, SVP of Research,IWBI
  • Denise Hauck, President, Department of Defense, Corvias
  • Susan Chung, Associate Director,HKS
  • Serene Almomen, Co-Founder and CEO, Attune

While the benefits of people-centric practices have long been established in public health and building science research, recent studies outline a clear connection between these investments and enhanced business performance, increased asset value and higher financial returns. Discover how research-backed strategies strengthen the business case for health investments.

12:05 PM - 12:15 PM

Georgetown’s Commitment to Health and Sustainability: A Campus Perspective

  • Rachel Kohli, Director of Campus Planning, Georgetown

12:15 PM - 1:15 PM

Networking Lunch

1:15 PM - 2:05 PM

Fireside Chat: Built for Health: The Path to Scale

  • Erin Billups, National Health Reporter, Spectrum News
  • Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBI
  • U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D, NY)

From cutting-edge technology to legislative momentum, this conversation explores how buildings have become a defining opportunity to transform how we live, work and thrive.

2:05 PM - 2:50 PM

Panel: How the Private Sector is Raising the Bar on Healthy Buildings

  • Chris Pyke, GRESB
  • Tanya Eagle, Director of Sustainable Buildings, JLL
  • Wendy Feldman Block, Savills

Across industries, pioneering companies are turning buildings into engines of health, productivity and business performance. By showcasing what’s possible–and profitable–the private sector is setting a new standard. This panel dives into how policy can accelerate adoption and bring these benefits to communities everywhere.

2:50 PM - 3:10 PM

A Special Conversation with ASHRAE President William McQuade

  • Erika Heet, Editor-In-Chief, BuildingGreen
  • William McQuade, President, ASHRAE

3:10 PM - 3:40 PM

Movement Break

3:40 PM - 4:30 PM

Panel: Unleashing innovation to propel the healthy buildings movement

  • Cameron Oskvig, NAS
  • Trisha Miller, VP and Market Dev., Aeroseal

Cities and states are proving that big change starts at home. From bold building codes to public-private partnerships, local leaders are advancing health-first policies that are reshaping neighborhoods and inspiring national action. This panel highlights the power of place-based leadership to drive scalable impact.

4:30 PM - 5:20 PM

Panel: The role of states and cities in pioneering healthy building policy

  • Uwe Brandes, Georgetown
  • Kazukiyo Kumagai, California Department of Public Health
  • Elizabeth Beardsley, Senior Policy Counsel, USGBC
  • Seydina Fall, Senior Lecturer, Johns Hopkins University

Technology is reshaping the way we think about our spaces: enabling healthier, more responsive buildings at a pace once thought impossible. From real-time air quality monitoring to AI-driven design, innovation is fueling a healthier built environment.

5:20 PM - 5:30 PM

Closing Remarks

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Networking Reception + Tour

Hosted at the Daikin Sustainability & Innovation Center

The International WELL Building Institute
District of Columbia
09/29/2025 at 09:00AM

OPC Water Summit

Calling all Water Warriors! Join us at The Office of the People’s Counsel’s Water Summit on Monday, September 29, 2025, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library located at 901 G Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20001.

Be a part of the change for a sustainable future!

Hear from local and national environmental leaders, witness groundbreaking demonstrations, and connect with passionate advocates from around the region.

This engaging and interactive summit will bring community partners together with industry experts, dynamic panelists, utility officials, and social service providers. Our luncheon keynote speaker will close out the day with a call to action to empower consumers with the tools to be “water smart”.

Water is our right — help us protect it. Register now and let your voice be heard!

Why Attend? How will the OPC Community Water Summit Benefit You?

  • To empower communities, policymakers, and industry leaders with actionable knowledge.
  • Learn about water discount programs to help lower your water bill.
  • Learn how to read your water bill.
  • Learn how to save money on your water bill with water conservation tips.
  • Learn how water services are aligned to electricity and gas.
  • Participate in utility discount clinic and get help with completing applications for utility discount and affordability programs.
  • Hear from dynamic keynote speakers.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with passionate professionals, organizations, and decision-makers in the utility sector and water industry.
  • Youth & Community Engagement: Special sessions designed to amplify the voices of young leaders with a call to action as Ambassadors.

What You’ll Get!!!

  • Raffle giveaway
  • Free lunch
  • Bag of Swag items for attending
  • Meet with Water influencers
  • Consumer education. Walk away empowered from Community Water Summit
  • Network with tabletop vendors
  • Engage in break out and panel sessions
  • Participate in live interactive demonstrations
  • Use your voice at the interactive roundtable discussions
  • Receive one-on-one technical assistance for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and other utility discount programs at the technical clinic. (Please Note: Applications will not be processed on-site)
Office of the People's Counsel, DC
District of Columbia
09/29/2025 at 09:00AM

Achieving Affordability in an Uncertain Future: Equitable Residential Decarbonization Models that Deliver

How can we deliver affordability for residents today while building equitable decarbonization and electrification programs that are scalable for the future? Leaders are increasingly questioning whether residential building decarbonization and affordability can coexist—or if they are fundamentally at odds. Equitable residential decarbonization and electrification is especially challenging, and we are at a moment when scalable models are essential. This includes reliable funding sources, which are under pressure as states and municipalities face uncertain financial futures.

This lively, in-person panel discussion will explore four distinct program models for equitable residential building decarbonization and electrification, examining their structures, strengths, and key takeaways. We’ll also discuss the importance of strong coalitions, co-governance, and effective media strategies in driving success.

Our Models:

  • Mobile Home Park organizing and heat pump conversions using union labor in Maine to save residents on monthly utility costs and keep rents affordable.
  • Aggregated residential electrification and solar in DC to keep long-term residents in their homes and zero their utility bills.
  • Affordable Housing electrification and efficiency in NYC for multifamily buildings.
  • Neighborhood-scale decarbonization in Richmond, CA for low-income residents in partnership with labor.

Opening remarks

  • Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato

Speakers:

  • Maine State Representative Kilton M. Webb
  • Bomee Jung with Cadence OneFive Inc
  • Sidra Siddiqui with Washington Interfaith Network
  • City of Richmond CA’s Environmental Manager Samantha Carr.

RSVP

136 East 24th Street #2nd floor New York, NY 10010

Building Power Resource Center
New York
09/25/2025 at 04:30PM

Zohran for Climate Mayor

Join us at Climate Week for Zohran!

It’s time for a Climate Mayor in NYC! Will you join us this Climate Week to party & fundraise to elect Zohran Mamdani?!

Zohran Mamdani made history this spring when he won the Democratic primary for mayor as a 33-year old Muslim democratic socialist with bold plans to make the city affordable. He beat back one of the most corrupt politicians in the state - Andrew Cuomo - once already, and we’re going to make sure he does so again this fall.

Global climate leaders and organizers will converge in NYC for Climate Week in September, just 6 weeks before the city elects its next mayor. The climate movement must get behind Mamdani, a visionary leader that NYC needs.

Join us at Sounds of Brazil (Legendary S.O.B.’s, 204 Varick Street) on Wed 9/24 at 7:30-11 PM to party, fundraise, and hear from local speakers and electeds on why the climate movement needs to elect Zohran this November!

RSVP today!

Tickets benefit New Yorkers for Lower Costs, a PAC backing Mamdani.

The party will have a DJ and partners include: Lead Locally PAC, Oil Change USA, Make Polluters Pay Action, and more.

Mamdani is running on the populist climate justice plan we need to win and thrive. It centers affordability - ensuring clean energy is accessible to all, public transit is expanded and free, and works to incentivize the climate transition while making people’s lives more affordable.

His platform is a model for climate candidates across the country. That’s why we’re bringing together Climate Week attendees and local organizers to fundraise for his campaign, and have a blast while we’re at it because in these dark times, partying is political.

Lead Locally
New York
09/24/2025 at 07:30PM

Who Will Lead?

With the 10-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement and COP 30 approaching, join us for a discussion at Climate Week NYC with former Vice President Al Gore on opportunities for ambitious global leadership to accelerate climate action in Belém and beyond.

RSVP. This event has reached capacity.

Climate Reality Project
New York
09/24/2025 at 08:00AM

State Climate Happy Hour: Progress No Matter What

The federal landscape of climate progress has changed dramatically since the beginning of this year, with seemingly every day a new rollback, funding loss, or regulatory block. In spite of this federal retreat, states continue to lead the way on climate action with innovative new funding mechanisms, proposals to streamline clean energy projects, and policies to lower energy bills.

​Please join Climate Cabinet Education, Data for Progress, Evergreen Collaborative, and the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators for our third annual NYC Climate Week happy hour celebrating state climate action. Hear from state leaders about how their states are approaching climate action in this moment and connect with your fellow partners on collaborative efforts to support state work.

​Announced Speakers:

  • Senator Brian Kavanagh, New York
  • Delegate Lorig Charkoudian, Maryland
  • ​Assemblymember Howard Watts, Nevada

Amity Hall Downtown

Climate Cabinet
Evergreen Action
New York
09/23/2025 at 06:00PM

Axios Climate House: Tom Steyer

Join Axios House for a newsworthy conversation with investor and climate advocate Tom Steyer on reimagining energy and climate impact through the lens of private capital. We’ll discuss the business of decarbonization, the role of innovation in accelerating the clean energy transition, and how strategic investment can drive climate solutions at scale.

  • 1:15pm ET | Doors open
  • 1:30pm - 1:45pm ET | Ben Geman interviews Tom Steyer
  • 1:45pm - 2:15pm ET | Networking reception
Axios
New York
09/23/2025 at 01:30PM

Axios Climate House: Sheldon Whitehouse

Join Axios House for a wide-ranging conversation with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on the growing cost of climate change. We’ll explore the current policy issues for improving climate resilience and advancing federal policies to protect communities and the economy in a warming world.

  • 11:30am ET | Doors open
  • 11:45am - 12:00pm ET | Amy Harder interviews Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
  • 12:00pm - 12:30pm ET | Networking reception
Axios
New York
09/23/2025 at 11:45AM

Weathering the Storm: Insurance, Housing & Climate Costs

Disasters linked to climate pollution are growing more devastating, with rising premiums and costly home damages creating a crisis for consumers and the insurance industry. Strategies to address these rising costs and improve the ability to rebuild after a disaster are imperative to build climate resilience.

Join Axios House in NYC at Climate Week and the UN General Assembly for “Weathering the Storm: Insurance, Housing & Climate Costs,” an event convening policy, finance and environmental experts for conversations that will look at ways to address the growing costs of climate change, and the financial impacts on consumers’ wallets, the insurance industry and the housing market.

  • 10:30am ET | Doors open
  • 11:00am - 11:40am ET | Mainstage conversations
  • 11:40am - 12:00pm ET | Networking reception

Axios senior economics reporter Courtenay Brown will interview separately:

  • David Burt, Founder & CEO, DeltaTerra Capital
  • Abby Ross, CEO, The Resiliency Company
  • Jeremy Porter, PhD, Chief Economist, First Street

Nicholas Johnston will interview:

  • John Marshall, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Potential Energy Coalition

335 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017

Axios
New York
09/23/2025 at 11:00AM