Seattle Climate Tech: Nov 18 - Nov 25
Climate coworking, future of nuclear power panel, UW Sustainability Action Plan Update, Founders Live competition, "Bad River" documentary screening, and more this week!
Hi Friends,
Happy unofficial start to rainy season 🌧️. This week we celebrate the defeat of Initiative 2117, which was rejected by nearly a 2-1 margin by Washington voters. Together we’ve protected our path forward to a healthier future for generations of Washingtonians.
The evenings may be getting darker but there are still many great events to attend. Join us for a coworking day, a panel on the future of nuclear power, the community kickoff of the University of Washington’s 2025 sustainability action plan, a screening of the documentary “Bad River,” and more.
Stay safe this evening (11/19) and keep an eye on your local weather advisory. Strong easterly winds, with high gusts, are predicted across the greater Seattle area due to an intense low-pressure system developing off the coast.
Lastly, don’t miss two startup funding opportunities from Scale for ClimateTech and NextEra Energy.
As always, scroll down for the full list of upcoming events.
Cheers,
Asha, Maya, and the Climate Tech Cities Team
Events This Week
📝 Climate Problem-Solving Workshop & Coworking: Tue, Nov 19
♻️ Biomanufacturing Center to Fight Climate Change: Tue, Nov 19
⚛️ YPIN - Nuclear Power and the Future of Global Energy Policy: Tue, Nov 19
🐾 UW Sustainability Action Plan 2025 Update: Community Kickoff: Wed, Nov 20
🧵 Remake Seattle Community Monthly Meeting: Wed, Nov 20
🌊 PME Networking Reception with Maritime Blue: Wed, Nov 20
🎤 Founders Live Seattle: Thur, Nov 21
🚜 21 Acres Farm Walk: Sat, Nov 23
🎞️ “Bad River” Screening & Panel: Sat, Nov 23
Read on for more details about this week’s happenings and upcoming events
☀️Community Shoutout: Back solar projects globally on Renewables.org
Renewables.org is offering CTC subscribers $25 free to get started with their Global South solar investing nonprofit. When you back solar projects on Renewables.org, your funds help build the world’s highest carbon impact renewables across India and Africa. The best part is you get repaid to your Renewables.org account where you can choose to withdraw funds, or redeploy them for even more impact.
Upcoming Events
🎲 Green Games, Bold Futures: A Climate Games Event: Tues, Dec 3
🏙️ Sustainable Bellevue Townhall: Plan Update Launch: Wed, Dec 4
🌲 WA Conservation Action Carbon Friendly Forestry Conference: Fri, Dec 6
🥪 Climate Investor Lunch, sponsored by SNØCAP: Tues, Dec 10
💡 AI Tools for Renewable Energy Training: A Practical Workshop: Tues, Dec 10
🔋 PNW Battery Collaborative: Site Visit to the WA Clean Energy Testbeds: Wed, Dec 11
🪡 Mending Lab with Karen LePage: Wed, Dec 11
Opportunities
🚀 Scale For ClimateTech: Applications are now open for Cohort 6 of Scale For ClimateTech. Participating companies receive immersive training on manufacturing and access to an extensive network of mentors, experts, investors, manufacturers, suppliers, and more – all dedicated to supporting business growth and commercialization and making manufacturing easier. While you don’t have to be based in NYC to apply, applicants must share in the application how they have the potential to impact NY state (having customers in NY, having vendors in NY, etc.). The application deadline is November 30th, 2024.
⚡NextEra Energy: Startups, NextEra Energy Investments is ready to fuel your growth with up to $1 million in seed funding! The 2025 NextEra Energy Investments Seed Competition offers up to $1M in seed capital for cutting-edge solutions in cybersecurity, data & AI, decarbonization, and energy transition. What’s in it for you? Up to $1M to fuel your next phase of growth, an opportunity to collaborate with the largest renewable energy generator, and access to NextEra’s vast network, expertise, and infrastructure to turn your tech into a market leader. Applications are due December 1st, 2024.
This Week in Depth
📝 climate problem-solving workshop & coworking
When: Tue, Nov 19th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Where: 505 1st Ave S, Seattle
Make friends and do work in a joyful community space!
Soapbox Project is back at it — we're a third place for climate solutions, and we want to connect, learn, and take action with you. Plant-based lunch will be provided by Ojaswe and the idea jam, a workshop matching climate problem-solvers with relevant skill holders, will be facilitated by Karan Patel!
♻️ Biomanufacturing center to fight climate change
When: Tue, Nov 19th from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Where: 9Zero Climate Innovation Hub, Seattle
This event will be centered around raising resources to build out the circular economy in Washington State, focusing on plastics, packaging, and waste. There are multiple large grant opportunities such as the NSF Engines ($150M), DOE Biorefinery Grant ($100M), and Economic Development Authority grants that could be used to fund this effort. We will present the opportunity, describe currently engaged stakeholders, and challenges to date. Attendees will be asked to provide “asks” for a circular economy effort in the state.
⚛️ YPIN – Nuclear Power and the Future of Global Energy Policy
When: Tue, Nov 19th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Where: 9Zero Climate Innovation Hub, Seattle
Join us for a dynamic discussion on the future of nuclear power and its impact on global energy policy, featuring experts Toby Dalton, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Lindsey Gehrig, Nonproliferation Policy Advisor at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
This event will examine the current state of nuclear energy in the U.S. and internationally, highlighting key challenges such as the regulatory environment, geopolitical tensions, and national security concerns. Dalton and Gehrig will also explore how the rapid expansion of civil nuclear systems, evolving technology, and new applications are reshaping the nuclear ecosystem. Together, we'll discuss whether current international frameworks are equipped to handle these changes and the role of nuclear energy in addressing both energy security and climate change.
🐾 UW Sustainability Action Plan 2025 Update: Community Kickoff
When: Wed, Nov 20th from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Where: Oak Hall Denny Room, University of Washington, Seattle campus
As we conclude our current five-year Sustainability Action Plan cycle in the 2024-2025 academic year, we are excited to embark on the development of a new, ambitious plan that will guide us towards a 2050 sustainability vision. This new plan will address the unique needs of our tri-campus community, focusing on campus operations, academics and learning, and community partnerships.
At these community kickoff events, you'll:
Learn about our process for creating the new Sustainability Action Plan
Share your vision for a sustainable UW
Influence the direction of UW's commitment to sustainability
Note: If you can’t make the in-person event, a virtual event will be held via zoom on Dec 3rd from 2-4pm.
🧵 Remake Seattle Community Monthly Meeting
When: Wed, Nov 20th from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Where: 1716 Harvard Avenue, Seattle
Remake is a non-profit organization advocating for climate justice and fair labor in the clothing industry. We are a community of fashion designers, enthusiasts, policymakers, students, teachers, and people working together to make the industry more equitable and sustainable - and having fun while doing it!
Meetings are free, open to the public, and held every 3rd Wednesday of the month at Seattle Central College with a virtual option. Please RSVP to confirm your attendance and receive a free parking pass.
🌊 PME Networking Reception with Maritime Blue
When: Wed, Nov 20th from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Where: 450 Alaskan Way S, Seattle
Attend a networking reception with Maritime Blue members, partners, and staff after the first day of the Pacific Marine Expo. If you are not already familiar with Maritime Blue, they are a Seattle-based non-profit committed to the development of maritime business, technology, and practices that promote a sustainable future contributing to economic growth, ecological health, and thriving communities. Their areas of focus are: Maritime Decarbonization, Renewable Ocean Energy, Sustainable Fishing & Seafood, Ocean Health & Sustainability, and the Digital Transformation.
🎤 Founders Live Seattle
When: Thur, Nov 21st at 6:00 PM
Where: 9Zero Climate Innovation Hub, Seattle
Founders Live is an unforgettable happy hour competition sweeping the globe.
5 founders
99-second pitches
4 minutes of audience Q&A
YOUR VOTES decide the winner!
Given that we'll be at the Climate Hub, bring your toughest sustainability questions! As you listen to the pitches, consider both the business potential and environmental impact. Challenge each founder to reflect on how their venture addresses sustainability challenges and contributes to climate solutions. So bring your friends and coworkers, grab some food and drink, get to know your local entrepreneurs, and vote for what you think will be the next big thing… built in the PNW.
🚜 21 Acres Farm Walk
When: Sat, Nov 23rd from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Where: 21 Acres Center for Local Food and Sustainable Living, Woodinville
Join us for an in-person tour on the 21 Acres Farm to explore how agroecology, soil health and land stewardship can build resilient local food economies and support direct climate action. Walk along and visit our organic fields, wetlands, solar-powered projects, and much more.
🎞️ “Bad River” Screening & Panel
When: Sat, Nov 23rd at 5:00 PM
Where: Wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House, University of Washington, Seattle campus
Join us at wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House for a special screening of “Bad River,” the critically acclaimed new documentary film. Narrated by Quannah ChasingHorse and Academy-Award nominee Edward Norton, “Bad River” chronicles the efforts of the Bad River Band’s ongoing fight for sovereignty, which unfolds in a groundbreaking way through a series of shocking revelations, devastating losses, and a powerful legacy of defiance and resilience.
Stay after the screening for an in-depth discussion of Indigenous water rights, Indigenous health and Native sovereignty with:
Michelle Johnson-Jennings (Choctaw), Professor, School of Social Work; Director, Environmentally Based Health & Land-based Healing, IWRI, appears in “Bad River”
Clarita Lefthand-Begay, ’08, ’14 (Navajo), Assistant Professor, Information School; Director, Tribal Water Security Project
Paul Ward, ’91, ’96, ’11 (Yakama), Federal Government Relations Director, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
Mary Mazzio, “Bad River” Writer and Director
Cecilia Gobin, ’11 (Tulalip), panel moderator, Conservation Policy Analyst, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
🌎 Climate Tech Cities and Streetlife Ventures Startup and Talent Platforms
Climate Tech Cities and Streetlife Ventures are launching new platforms to support climate founders, funders, and career transitioners! There is no shortage of great companies raising money for their groundbreaking ideas, great investors looking to support with capital, and great talent living the mantra that every job is a climate job. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Join the Fun!
Submit Events
We know all of you are cooking up great events across that highlight the latest and greatest in our collective effort to save our city - and our planet! 🌍 We would love to spread the word. Please share any event details and we'll add them to the list!
Climate Tech Cities
We are expanding! We started as an 8-person dinner and now have over 4,000 members in our community. We’ve had people across the world reach out to us to start their own chapters - so we’re launching a new Climate Tech Cities organization this year! If you have friends who are interested in becoming chapter leads, please share the word. Here’s to a global network of local communities making a positive impact!