{"685485":{"#nid":"685485","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech\u2019s Growing Climate Innovation Footprint: Reflections from Climate Week NYC ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBeril Toktay, Regents\u2019 Professor and Brady Family Chair, Scheller College of Business\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cem\u003EExecutive Director, Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBoard of Directors, New York Climate Exchange\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI returned from\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.climateweeknyc.org\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClimate Week NYC\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;energized by what I witnessed: Georgia Tech faculty, students, and startups showcasing the breadth and depth of our climate innovation work on one of the world\u0027s biggest stages.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClimate Week NYC brings together more than 900 events, but what stood out wasn\u2019t the scale \u2014 it was the substance. Across five\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nyclimateexchange.org\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENew York Climate Exchange\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;partner events, the Georgia Tech community demonstrated something essential. Georgia Tech bridges research and real-world impact where it matters most \u2014 in people\u2019s lives.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/luma.com\/d38ftasf\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESuper South\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;event, we flipped the script on where climate innovation happens and demonstrated the Southeast as a climate tech powerhouse. Too often, conversations about climate tech center on coastal hubs. But Georgia Tech-affiliated entrepreneurs\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/arch.gatech.edu\/people\/tarek-rakha\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETarek Rakha\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lamarr.ai\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELamarr.AI\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E),\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/myalovegriesbaum\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMya Love Griesbaum\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mycorrhizafashion.com\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMycorrhiza Fashion\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E),\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/joe-metzler-concepcion\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJoe Metzler\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.metzev.com\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMetzev\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E),\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/lauramstoy\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELaura Stoy\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(Ph.D. ECE 2021,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.rivaliachemical.com\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERivalia Chemical\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E),\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/charliecichetti\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECharlie Cichetti\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(MGT 2004,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/o.lu.ma\/xhmHeIkrCq?cid=zgv124vi6diwjrh\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESkema\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E),\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/joseph-mooney-33528313a\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJoseph Mooney\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(research engineer, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/o.lu.ma\/8v06uSVSCO?cid=zgv124vi6diwjrh\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWattAir\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E),\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/lewismotion\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELewis Motion\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(MBA 2017,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/o.lu.ma\/C8lQkdLdDf?cid=zgv124vi6diwjrh\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWEAV3D\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E), and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ramtinmotahar\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERamtin Motahar\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(IE 2004, ECON 2004, M.S. AE 2017,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.joulea.com\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJoulea\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E)\u0026nbsp;showed that the Southeast isn\u2019t just participating in the clean energy transition \u2014 we\u2019re leading it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.climateweeknyc.org\/events\/climate-tech-showcase-supporting-early-stage-climate-tech-innovation\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClimate Tech Fellowship Showcase\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;was personal. Seeing two Georgia Tech teams \u2014 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.chbe.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/patricia-stathatou\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPatricia Stathatou\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ae.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/christos-e-athanasiou\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChristos Athanasiou\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019s yeast-based water purification system, and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/xiao-liu\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EXiao Liu\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019s AI-powered wildfire management platform \u2014 selected for the inaugural cohort reminded me why partnerships like the New York Climate Exchange matter. These early-stage innovators need more than good ideas. They need networks, mentorship, and funding pathways. NYCE provides those connections.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom flooding to batteries, two symposia highlighted GT faculty doing research that matters. At\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/aecom.com\/cw-nyc-2025\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWeathering the Future\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ce.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/iris-tien\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIris Tien\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;joined experts from AECOM, NVIDIA, and the NYC Department of Environmental Protection to discuss integrating resilience into urban infrastructure. Her work on coastal adaptation and infrastructure resilience addresses real vulnerabilities that cities face today. The\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/global-battery-alliance_batterybenchmarks-activity-7378350034167177216-HlSS?utm_source=share\u0026amp;utm_medium=member_desktop\u0026amp;rcm=ACoAAAF48nIBc11QoKdQbFKeg8r0Etcpqa5e7Ag\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGlobal Battery Alliance Leadership Meeting\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/luma.com\/k4kmurei\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUrban Battery Forum\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003Ebrought\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ce.gatech.edu\/directory\/person\/yuanzhi-tang\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EYuanzhi Tang\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;into conversations about building sustainable, circular battery value chains. As EVs scale and stationary storage grows, how we manage battery lifecycles \u2014 from securing raw resources to manufacturing to second-life reuse\/recycling \u2014 will determine how we balance electrification, sustainability, environmental considerations, and economics; more details can be found in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/static1.squarespace.com\/static\/6871137ee404181e610ad3cd\/t\/68d3ffb80c27e66b122018f8\/1758724024399\/NYCE_BatteryCirculatory_v3_WEB.pdf\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENYCE report\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;on battery circularity co-authored by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/wyatt-williams\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWyatt Williams\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(M.S. CEE 2024, MBA 2024).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/nicole-kennard\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENicole Kennard\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019s leadership in the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/engineering.nyu.edu\/events\/2025\/09\/24\/climate-storytelling-community-engaged-workshop\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClimate Storytelling Workshop\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;reinforced something I believe deeply: Technical solutions alone won\u2019t solve the climate crisis. We need approaches that center community voices, acknowledge environmental justice concerns, and build trust. This became particularly clear in Kennard\u2019s lecture for NYU\u2019s Center for Urban Science and Progress: \u0022\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/luma.com\/4o75m8fz\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFood, Place, and Belonging: From Global Visions to Local Sustainability\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0022 Presented with\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/janelle-wright\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJanelle Wright\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(M CP 2022) from the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.wawa-online.org\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWest Atlanta Watershed Alliance\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, this lecture demonstrated how sustainable food systems can draw on global frameworks but must center community values and honor the history of place.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA few insights emerged from the week:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E1. Geography matters \u2014 and so does bridging it.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;Collaborative platforms like NYCE that create genuine partnerships across regions will be more effective in achieving Georgia Tech\u2019s vision of doing climate work that is grounded in Georgia and global in impact.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2. Visibility accelerates impact.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;Several faculty and entrepreneurs told me that Climate Week NYC opened doors \u2014 to investors, to funders, to partners, and to media. Platforms like NYCE amplify work that might otherwise stay local.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E3. Students are passionate about climate opportunities.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;Every conversation about internships, fellowships, and experiential learning generated immediate interest. We need to build more pathways for students like\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/rohan-datta\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERohan Datta\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/amanda-ehrenhalt-41938723a\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAmanda Ehrenhalt\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;to engage in climate work across both New York and Atlanta ecosystems \u2014 creating opportunities for hands-on experience, knowledge diffusion across regions, and the professional networks that will define their careers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4. Our community extends far beyond campus.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003EMeeting alumnus\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/people\/alan-warren-physmath-78\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlan Warren\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(PHYS 1978) drove this message home. Alan brings a unique vantage point on coastal resilience challenges faced in New York \u2014 and he\u2019s energized by what our partnership can achieve. His offer to serve as Georgia Tech\u2019s \u201cenvoy\u201d in NYC, connecting our climate work to networks and opportunities there, is exactly the kind of volunteer leadership that accelerates impact. Alan\u2019s own inspirational story of resilience and regeneration makes his commitment to climate resilience work even more meaningful.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELooking ahead, I see Georgia Tech\u2019s partnership with the NYCE creating a powerful platform: NYCE amplifies our work through capital and convening; Georgia Tech anchors deployment with Southeast roots and global reach. Working alongside a distinguished board led by incoming chair \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/andrea-goldsmith-02811a7\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAndrea Goldsmith\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, president of Stony Brook University, gives me confidence in this direction.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/president.gatech.edu\/about\/biography\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPresident\u0026nbsp;\u00c1ngel Cabrera\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;met with Goldsmith this week and reaffirmed our shared vision for bridging research and impact.\u0026nbsp;\u201cGeorgia Tech\u2019s mission has always been about translating knowledge into progress that serves society,\u201d said Cabrera. \u201cThe New York Climate Exchange partnership exemplifies this commitment to innovative solutions that can be scaled to create real human impact. By connecting our strengths in community-engaged climate research with networks that can amplify and accelerate solutions, we\u2019re living our motto of Progress and Service as we address one of humanity\u2019s most urgent challenges.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/sustainability\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;(BBISS) convenes faculty, students, and partners to address sustainability challenges through research, education, and collaboration. Connect with BBISS on\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/georgia-tech-bbiss\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELinkedIn\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u0026nbsp;to be part of the ongoing discussion and\/or reach out to Susan Ryan (susan.ryan@gatech.edu) to be added to BBISS\u2019 climate science and solutions community of practice.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EClimate Week NYC brings together 900+ events, but what stood out wasn\u2019t the scale\u2014it was the substance. Across five \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nyclimateexchange.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENew York Climate Exchange\u003C\/a\u003E partner events, the Georgia Tech community demonstrated something essential: Georgia Tech bridges research and real-world impact where it matters most \u2013 in people\u2019s lives.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Across five New York Climate Exchange partner events, the Georgia Tech community demonstrated something essential: Georgia Tech bridges research and real-world impact where it matters most \u2013 in people\u2019s lives."}],"uid":"27338","created_gmt":"2025-10-03 15:39:46","changed_gmt":"2025-10-09 19:51:16","author":"Brent Verrill","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-10-03T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-10-03T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678255":{"id":"678255","type":"image","title":"NYCE_2025_Collage.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECollage of four images taken at the New York Climate Exchange 2025 events with Georgia Tech participants.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1759506006","gmt_created":"2025-10-03 15:40:06","changed":"1759506006","gmt_changed":"2025-10-03 15:40:06","alt":"Collage of four images taken at the New York Climate Exchange 2025 events with Georgia Tech participants.","file":{"fid":"262255","name":"NYCE_2025_Collage.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/03\/NYCE_2025_Collage.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/03\/NYCE_2025_Collage.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1762951,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/03\/NYCE_2025_Collage.jpg?itok=0ResI8BF"}}},"media_ids":["678255"],"groups":[{"id":"244191","name":"Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems"}],"categories":[{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"144","name":"Energy"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"154","name":"Environment"},{"id":"132","name":"Institute Leadership"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"188360","name":"go-bbiss"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:brent.verrill@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EBrent Verrill\u003C\/a\u003E, Research Communications Program Manager, BBISS\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["brent.verrill@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}