Practical tips from a #ClimateWeekNYC first timer

In an effort to offer an alternative perspective to the post #ClimateWeekNYC reflections flooding our feeds, I thought it might be helpful to share some practical tips from attending for the first time. I feel very fortunate to have been able to access such a forum for the benefit of my organisational mission and represent a growing movement, especially just 100 days into my new role. Leveraging networks and connections, old and new to intentionally drive forward action towards actually putting People and Planet First. However, if after recovering from the PTSD of attending this time, there are some things I would do differently next time, and here are some of them:

1.?Timings: I knew there would be a lot of trekking around from one meeting to another but do not underestimate this, add in buffer time for distances between venues and clearing security access. I have never seen so much security in my life when I was attempting to access UN HQ, it felt like a cross between boarding an international flight and visiting someone in a class A prison. Also make sure you incorporate ‘down time’ to recharge each day, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

2. Flat Shoes and Umbrellas: ?Make sure you have decent shoes and don’t be embarrassed to switch to trainers (or ‘sneakers’ for my US counterparts), sometimes fashion has to be forgone and actually I had a lot of respect for the fully committed trainer wearers. And also take an umbrella, even though rain was not forecast, we experienced many seasons in one week; wind, rain, fluctuating temperatures, and so on.

3. FOMO – ‘Fear of Missing Out’: With 600+ events you cannot be at everything. Be really focused on the arenas and communities you need to engage with during the week, adding most value to your specific goals and also where you can add the most value in return. I had to triage my schedule every evening and adapt based on new opportunities that organically developed as the week progressed and my levels of fatigue.

4. Grandstanding: It’s jarring when people are pitching at you, focused on getting their agenda across and quickly assessing if you are worth their precious time or not. Shifting to focusing on more intentional networking and creating real human connection is much more authentic and genuine in my humble opinion. I advocate for listening more and finding the commonalities that bind us.

5.?Spin: Saying you are doing good, even if you truly believe it, is not actually always verifiable. Spotting and sifting out the spinners is critical to truly solving the climate crisis. Focusing effort on the like-minded truth-tellers will bode better for the future and your wellbeing.

6. Buzzword Bingo: As the week marched on, I started to twitch as I repetitively heard jargon and buzz words such as – ‘collaboration’, ‘trust’, ‘partnerships’ and ‘impact’, to the point where I somewhat cynically started to give myself a point each time I heard one. Many of the audiences I was part of are all already converted to these values so a deeper conversation is perfectly appropriate. I’m not saying I disagree with any of these principles but focusing on the ‘how?’ and ‘why?’ of each of these statements will shift us forward faster.

7. Healthy Habits: Although most of the events cater, one of the first things I did when I arrived was go to a 7-11 and stock up on healthy food (including my daily life source of bananas), ensuring I had a way to stave off the hunger when my body clock would wake me at 4am and attempt to protect my immune system from the inevitable germs of work travel and joining such a large international crowd. Also, for those that know me well, will be aware of my recent exercise kick, finding the time to be active is important to maintaining stamina and mental health. Even though I was walking miles every day, I was able to squeeze in a sunrise run round Midtown and was convinced by a friend to join a HIIT boxing class at the end of the week, great way to get the residual stress out before travelling home and shifting gears.

8. Loneliness: Although New York is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, I can see how lonely it could be living there. Surrounded by millions of people all the time but with little interpersonal interaction. I was fortunate that I had buddied up with a colleague to take on climate week but I can see how attending alone could be quite lonely. So, if possible, I highly recommend buddying up with someone on a similar wavelength to you, you will be grateful for the camaraderie and company, even if you feel like you can’t handle one more conversation without exploding.

9. Reducing Mental Load: Preparation and planning is key to staying in control of this rollercoaster. I was pleased with how organised pre-climate week Hina was in terms of organising my schedule including key events and bilateral meetings, printing out documents, etc. But I was equally pleased that I planned and tested transitional outfits (with accessories) to take me from breakfast meetings through day time events and to networking receptions each evening, and took photos so I didn’t have to think about it when I rose at dawn and raced to the first breakfast meeting of each day. It may seem somewhat superficial but definitely helped reduce the mental load. Another key tip I suggest is ensuring you note down all follow ups in real-time to make it easier to process, prioritise and action thereafter, as it will all merge into one soup on your return.

10. Navigation: Although New York’s grid-like formation is helpful for getting around, it still takes practice to get to grips with it, along with the hordes of people and constant stopping and starting at traffic lights. For out-of-town visitors, make sure you have unlimited data roaming on your phone to assist navigation or pick up a sim card on arrival. One of the biggest challenges I witnessed, was people who had come from the global south without adequate technological access to help get them get around – a major barrier to inclusivity that could be easily solved.

On balance, don’t get me wrong, it was 100% worthwhile attending on both a professional and personal level but I think it is important to recognise the reality of the ‘circus’ and peek a little behind the curtain of this exclusive moment in time. Now on to getting over the last of the jet lag and all the follow ups!

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