Duke Showcases Innovation and Global Connections at Climate Week NYC

Moderator with four panelists at The Nest main stage during Climate Week

At Climate Week New York City 2025, two themes resonated throughout Duke University’s presence: innovation and connections.

Duke experts participated in nearly a dozen events across the week — connecting climate to finance, health, oceans, technology and more. The event coincides annually with the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Vice President and Vice Provost for Climate and Sustainability Toddi Steelman noted that Duke’s engagement this year reflected the university’s growing Climate Commitment, launched in 2022. The Climate Commitment Three-Year Plan (2025-2028) was unveiled at the start of Climate Week.

Climate Week Opportunities to Build Connections

group on tour of wind energy exhibit — Toddi Steelman and Brian Murray, right, on a tour of Equinor’s exhibition space on wind energy, with plans to deliver offshore electricity to New York City’s grid. Photo by Jason Elliott.

“When we have opportunities like Climate Week NYC to engage meaningfully, those opportunities spark innovation and build connections that drive lasting change,” Steelman said. “From our students to faculty, alumni, partners and experts — this week brought Duke leaders together to take ideas to the next level.”

Nicholas Institute Director Brian Murray added that energy innovation remains a central focus: nuclear power and energy storage are gaining momentum in decarbonization efforts, and the sector faces a growing demand for skilled talent. “Fortunately, Duke is creating pathways to equip the workforce for a cleaner energy future,” Murray said.

How to Meet Growing AI Demand

The rapid expansion of data centers to serve AI is reshaping U.S. energy systems. Jackson Ewing, director of energy and climate policy at the Nicholas Institute of Energy, Environment & Sustainability at Duke University, led a panel, “AI-Ready Grids: Integrating Hyperscale Loads Faster, Cleaner, Cheaper,” exploring new approaches to data center planning for load growth. Panelists included David Dardis (Constellation), Caroline Golin (Envision Energy Advisors), and Tyler Norris (Duke University).

“The good news is that we could add a lot of new electricity load if it's able to be a little bit flexible,” Norris said. “Our research shows opportunities to expand beyond what we thought possible. Our Duke study demonstrates that existing U.S. power system capacity could accommodate significant load additions with modest flexibility measures.”

panel at The Nest main stage — Jackson Ewing, director of energy and climate policy at the Nicholas Institute of Energy, Environment & Sustainability at Duke University, led a panel, “AI-Ready Grids: Integrating Hyperscale Loads Faster, Cleaner, Cheaper,” exploring new approaches to data center planning for load growth. Panelists included David Dardis (Constellation), Caroline Golin (Envision Energy Advisors), and Tyler Norris (Duke University). Photo by David Degner.

Technology to Improve Energy Systems and Conservation

Three Duke innovators in the inaugural New York Climate Exchange Climate Tech Fellows program presented their projects on Governors Island. Attendees arrived by a short ride on the new hybrid-electric ferry from Manhattan.

Mauricio Hernandez presented GridSeer, an AI-driven platform for smarter forecasting, reliability and risk analysis in energy systems.
Ty Roach shared Coral Reef Arks, a scalable technology for coral restoration, with installations planned at Biosphere 2.
Shannon Parker introduced Reefcycle, a low-carbon bio-cement for coral restoration, coastal infrastructure and construction.

Ty Roach presenting — Mauricio Hernandez presenting GridSeer

Ocean Innovations

Duke experts also explored ocean-focused climate solutions. A panel moderated by Elizabeth Losos, executive In residence in the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, along with The New York Climate Exchange, examined marine debt-for-nature swaps — a financing tool combining debt relief and conservation. The panel, including Leah Carriere (The Nature Conservancy); Angelique Pouponneau (Alliance of Small Island States); Braeden Mayer (Enosis Capital); and Johnny Briggs (The Pew Charitable Trusts), explored what has worked in countries including Ecuador, Seychelles, Belize and beyond — and what is needed for the future to help countries and ocean conservation.

“Marine debt-for-nature swaps are like AI right now — they’re what investors want to see because of their impact and return,” said Mayer.

Duke participants also toured Equinor’s exhibition space on wind energy, learning about the Empire Wind project with plans to deliver offshore electricity to New York City’s grid.

Panel at Climate Week NYC on marine debt for nature swaps with audience — Liz Losos of Duke moderated a panel on marine debt-for-nature swaps, organized with the New York Climate Exchange on Governor's Island.

Stronger, Resilient Infrastructure

Losos also moderated a panel on frameworks to strengthen local infrastructure resilience, featuring Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.

“This summer we hit 118 degrees — twice — breaking the record for each day. When it’s 118, recess is canceled, and playground equipment becomes hazardous. We have 8-year-olds asking, ‘Why haven’t you all done better?’ We have to protect recess,” Gallego said.

Duke Climate Leader in Residence Victoria Salinas delivered closing remarks at STV’s Building Strong Futures: Unlocking Funding through Risk Reduction. The event included city leaders, funders and resilience experts to explore how innovative financing models and bold partnerships can advance resilience.

“We shouldn’t forget why this matters deeply. A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck North Carolina and the Southeast U.S., bringing record-breaking rainfall, widespread flooding and landslides, over $50 billion to $60 billion in damage, and over 100 lives lost. Communities there continue to recover — and the scale of loss and disruption underscores why risk reduction isn’t abstract, but urgent before the next disaster,” Salinas said.

University Climate Leadership

Steelman delivered opening remarks at a conversation bringing together climate leaders James Stock (Harvard University) and Shalanda Baker (University of Michigan) in discussion with host Dean Alexis Abramson (Columbia Climate School). Over the past several years, Steelman has co-led efforts to bring together fellow vice provosts and vice presidents in climate and sustainability in higher education.

Leaders from New York University, Drexel University, University of Miami, University of Michigan, Colorado State University, Dartmouth College, Yale University, University of California-Berkeley, Columbia University, Washington University in St. Louis and Duke meet regularly to share best practices in climate and sustainability in higher education. During their first in-person gathering at Climate Week, hosted at NYU, they focused on the value of their network for students and communities they serve.

“Every day, our universities are anticipating crises and disasters through the research happening every day. We all offer educational programs for students to learn by doing, and to meet the need of society in the moment, and to answer real-world questions,” Steelman said.

group of university climate leaders — Climate leadership from New York University, Drexel University, University of Miami, University of Michigan, Colorado State University, Dartmouth College, Yale University, University of California-Berkeley, Columbia University, Washington University in St. Louis and Duke University.

Alumni Connections

Duke alumni also played a prominent role at Climate Week NYC.

Several Duke alumni toured the sustainable features of the 555 Greenwich Street Office Building, hosted by Michael Izzo, industry advisory board member of the Climate & Sustainability Engineering Master of Engineering at Duke. Alumna Elizabeth Mitchell helped create FiDi Seaport Climate Resilience Plan Pop-Up in the Seaport District (12 Fulton Street) with the goal to transform the waterfront to protect Lower Manhattan and build a more resilient future for all.

The cap to Duke at Climate Week NYC was an alumni gathering. As the sun set over the NYC skyline, more than 50 alumni who are passionate about climate and sustainability came together at an event made possible through the generosity of both alumni and the Office of Alumni. “Duke is everywhere in the world making a difference. We were thrilled to connect with so many Duke alumni this week in NYC and look forward to reuniting often,” Steelman said.

Three people talking and sharing information in a circle — Networking at The Nest during Climate Week NYC. Photo by David Degner.