Your Guide to the First-Ever “Climate Week” in Los Angeles

From hikes to sustainable cocktails to comedy shows, climate change-related events are set to take place in Los Angeles from September 8-15 as part of the city’s first Climate Week.

Inspired by New York City’s Climate Week NYC (which has been described as the “Burning Man for climate geeks”), organizers hope the mix of fun, flashy events with more serious, policy-focused discussions will encourage Angelenos to get involved in climate action and connect them with leaders.

“Climate and sustainability spaces function as echo chambers,” said JC Arce, co-executive director of the Collidescope Foundation, which organizes the nonprofit LA Climate Week. “The real impact is reaching a broader audience.”

Many big names in the Los Angeles climate activist scene are on the speaker list, including deputy and vice mayors, a White House adviser and even musician Billie Eilish’s mother, Maggie Baird, who founded a nonprofit focused on food insecurity and climate change in 2020.

With more than 100 events spread over eight days, here’s everything you need to know about Los Angeles Climate Week 2024:

How to participate

At least 5,000 people are expected to attend the festivities across the city. All events are open to the public and most are free.

“We want to be able to reach as many people as possible,” said Samantha Lau, an ambassador for the nonprofit Plant Based Treaty, which is organizing nine events. “There’s an event for everyone.”

Lau hopes this week will mobilize Los Angeles residents. “You have nothing to lose by visiting us,” she said. “All the events created are for the community, by the community.”

Registration for events is available on the LA Climate Week website.

What to expect

LA Climate Week aims to break the fatalism that often surrounds the topic of climate change with fun and exciting experiences.

On Wednesday, a group of comedians will perform a stand-up comedy show on the theme of climate change.

Skylar King, who is performing at the show, said she had a week of long conversations with her fellow performers about how to joke about climate change without desensitizing people to the seriousness of the issue.

“There were some reservations about how we could make this a space that talked about such a serious and depressing subject while also serving the purpose of being a comedy show,” King said.

For some organizers, finding the fun in climate change work is like navigating uncharted waters. Yet for them, it’s essential work to combat burnout and restore hope to their peers.

After Climate Week

Organizers want LA Climate Week’s impact to last longer than just one week. They want to create a coalition of people concerned about climate that they hope will inspire meaningful action.

The New York version of the event has been criticized for allowing companies to virtue signal sustainability.

LA Climate Week officials are trying to create a contrast. They plan to focus on building meaningful connections in local communities and with nonprofits and continue their work throughout the year.

“LA Climate Week is amazing, it’s exciting,” Arce said, “but there’s still so much work that we’re doing throughout the year ahead.”

Significant events

Sunday, September 8, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Quartier des Arts: Opening ceremony with green carpet, trippy black hole simulation and vegan buffet ($50)

Monday, September 9 at 5:30 p.m. in West Hollywood: Climate Action Town Hall.

Monday, September 9 at 6:30 p.m. in Santa Monica: Casual run of a few kilometers along the beach

Tuesday, September 10 at 6 p.m. in Highland Park: Presidential Debate Viewing Party

Tuesday, September 10 at 6 p.m. in the Quartier des Arts: Sustainable fashion show

Wednesday, September 11, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. in Hollywood: Laugh for the Planet comedy show, featuring Skylar King ($15 with two-drink minimum)

Thursday, September 12, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Culver City: Climate art gallery

Thursday, September 12 at 7 p.m. in East Hollywood: 5K climate run with free soft serve at the end

Saturday, September 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Quartier des Arts: Clean Energy Show and Sustainable Business Market

Saturday, September 14 at 11 a.m. in Santa Monica: Climate March for the Oceans

Saturday, September 14 at 7 p.m. in Santa Monica: Climate Peril in Patagonia

Sunday, September 15 at 12:30 p.m. in Malibu: Exploring Tidal Pools with Heal the Bay