South Street Seaport Museum announces Climate Week Kickoff: The Ocean Awakens Conference

South Street Seaport Museum announces Climate Week Kickoff: The Ocean Awakens Conference, set for September 21, 2026 from 2PM through 8PM. Book tickets at https://southstreetseaportmuseum.org/climate-week-nyc/.

The annual climate event, Climate Week NYC, returns with over 1,000 events, activations, campaigns, and engagement opportunities across New York City aimed to advocate for ongoing climate change awareness and solutions. Climate Week NYC is organized by the Climate Group in conjunction with the United Nations and the City of New York.

Join the Seaport Museum and Plastic Odyssey aboard the 1885 tall ship Wavertree for The Ocean Awakens, a one-of-a-kind conference bringing together leaders from the corporate, startup, and nonprofit sectors for an afternoon dedicated to the ocean. This half-day program features lively panel discussions, short screenings, and a networking reception—all open to the public.

This year’s program will explore plastics and their cascading impacts on health, biodiversity, and climate; marine restoration and protection; the new wave of maritime technology; policy and advocacy; extreme field action; and art, media, and storytelling.

The full schedule flows from corporate engagement and innovation to the tangible impact of restoration and research, and closes with storytelling to mobilize audiences. Topics will include sustainable supply chains, plastic circularity, regenerative practices, and the role of culture in driving climate action. By creating a single, high-visibility hub during Climate Week NYC, the event aims to amplify ocean solutions, spark collaboration, and inspire concrete commitments.