October 4, 2024 | New York
Over three days this September, more than 75 speakers from Switzerland, the US, and beyond stepped into a boxing ring in New York’s East Village to join in the fight of the century: the fight for our planet. From September 25 to 27, the Climate Ring, presented by Swissnex, welcomed heavyweights and rising stars from education, research, innovation, and the arts, highlighting Swiss contributions to global climate efforts. Over twelve rounds, presenters took on climate change from every angle – from fashion to food systems, and sustainable aviation to coastal adaptation.
The Climate Ring was the flagship initiative of Swissnex’s presence at this year’s Climate Week NYC, which drew 1200 attendees to 16 events. Running in parallel with the UN General Assembly high-level week, Climate Week is the largest climate festival of its kind, encompassing more than 900 events. In addition to the twelve rounds of the Climate Ring, Swissnex also hosted the Climate, Nature and Business Reception in partnership with the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York, Climeworks, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, which featured David Crane, Undersecretary for Infrastructure at the U.S. Department of Energy, and Adil Najam, president of WWF International, as speakers. Alongside these, Swissnex hosted a social for other Climate Week event organizers in collaboration with Climate Group, a reception for alumni of Swiss universities in New York, and a high-level multistakeholder meeting related regarding next year’s COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
All of these events came together around a single theme: the fight for the planet. “We were inspired by the metaphor of boxing because it represents many of the same qualities we need to take on climate change: persistence and resilience in the face of setbacks, and the ability to adapt under pressure. To represent that fighting spirit, we decided to host our events in a real boxing ring.” said Benjamin Bollmann, CEO of Swissnex in Boston and New York. The venue made an impression on speakers and audience members alike. “I was excited to see the ring, to get in the ring. It brings up this sense of wanting to fight and speak,” said Valentin Abend, founder and director of Climate Words and a graduate of the Academy of Architecture at Università della Svizzera italiana. “I think that’s what this is all about, to open a space that’s different than a usual talk, and make it more dynamic, more profound.”
The setting created unique opportunities to engage with attendees. “I think it’s been the most exciting venue that I’ve been to at Climate Week,” said Ulrike Pfreundt, co-founder of rrreefs, a Zurich-based startup using 3D-printing to restore coral reefs. “I loved the intimacy of the atmosphere.” Several rounds featured interactive activities bringing speakers and attendees together to collectively brainstorm solutions to climate challenges in their personal lives. “I wanted people to walk out of this room and say ‘I have an idea of something I can do in my community,’” said Jennifer Giroux, a social impact strategist and University of Basel graduate, who hosted a workshop on community action. “I love the dynamism of that, and I think that’s ultimately the fight that’s ahead – it’s us all finding a thread of what we can do individually and together.”
The Climate Ring showcased many Swiss companies who are developing and facilitating innovative climate solutions, from carbon capture pioneers Climeworks to the third cohort of Climate Collider, the startup exchange program powered by Swissnex and Swiss Innovation Agency Innosuisse.
Alongside conversations about technical nature-based solutions, policy, and local action, the Climate Ring explored the intersection of climate and the arts. Throughout the week, attendees viewed on-site exhibits of climate-focused fashion, design, and augmented reality works by student artists at Geneva University of Art and Design (HEAD), the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), and the Institut auf dem Rosenberg. The penultimate round included a walking tour to exhibits at Swiss Institute and Storefront for Art and Architecture. The programming was “very enriching, and very diverse,” said Raúl Egloff Alcaide, lecturer at HEAD. “It’s a lot about new technologies, but also about how we can make a change in the creative industries.”
The final round, Glam Slam for the Planet, closed the week out with a celebration of the strength, joy, and community that can be found in the fight for a better future. The evening featured a climate-themed show by drag wrestling collective Choke Hole, and a cocktail reception hosted by Susanne Bartsch, the Swiss-born “Queen of New York nightlife.” “This is the campest, most amazing event that I’ve been to in a while, and I love that it’s Switzerland, and it’s all about climate awareness,” said Bartsch. “I love the sense of humor and the fun – the Swiss are bringing it!”
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Climate Ring: Highlights 2024