LA Climate Tech Cities: Dec 9 - 16
Holiday Markets, Documentaries, Year-End Parties and more events!
Hi friends,
As we find ourselves in this short window to catch up on work and chores before diving back into the holiday season and New Year festivities, it’s also a great time to connect and celebrate with the climate community. The week is packed with exciting opportunities, including thought-provoking documentaries, end-of-year celebrations, 2025 planning sessions, and vibrant networking events. Here are our top event picks this week:
Start the week on Tuesday with the ☕️ Climate Cafe, an informal, supportive, small group to express your emotions about climate change, without pressure or judgment.
On Friday, attend a 🎬 Screening: Great Pacific Garbage Patch Documentary followed by a live Q&A with the man who discovered it.
On Sunday, learn about birds that call the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve their home at 🦃 Wings on the Move.
As always, scroll down for the full list of upcoming events.
With gratitude,
Maëlys, Niqat, Raiven & The Climate Tech Cities Team
This Week’s Events
🎶 Musical Premiere of Pyrus™, Wood from Food Waste: Tue, Dec 10
☕️ Climate Cafe: Tue, Dec 10
🏢 USGBC California’s 20th Annual Green Gala & California Green Building Awards: Wed, Dec 11
🚆 German-American Mobility Dialogue in LA: Wed, Dec 11
📈 USC Viterbi Oceanside Chat - Commercializing Deep Tech: Wed, Dec 11
🌐 LARC December 2024 Network Meeting: Thu, Dec 12
🎄 B Local LA x Parks Project Holiday Night Market + Circularity Panel: Thu, Dec 12
📜 Action and Impact: Shaping the Future of Climate and Science Policy: Thu, Dec 12
📽️ Cal State LA Community Impact Media Documentaries: Thu, Dec 12
📓 Tailwind Playbook Launch Webinar: Thu, Dec 12
🍻 Farewell to 2024" Happy Hour Hang: Thu, Dec 12
🎬 Screening: Great Pacific Garbage Patch Documentary: Fri, Dec 13
🧬 eDNA Sampling Community Science Event: Sat, Dec 14
🌻 Weekend Workshops at Arlington Garden: Sat, Dec 14
🌿 Weather, Climate, and California Native Plants: Sat, Dec 14
🌷 California Lilac Mini-Workshop: Sun, Dec 15
🦃 Wings on the Move: Sun, Dec 15
👔 Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice, and the Environment: Mon, Dec 16
🍸 YPE Year-End Happy Hour: Mon, Dec 16
Read on for more details about this week’s happenings.
Community Shoutouts
Claim $25 to back solar projects on Renewables.org
Renewables.org is offering Climate Tech Cities 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.
Climate Friendly Gifting
A couple of weeks ago, we shared some climate-friendly gift ideas to spark your creativity while shopping for friends and loved ones. If you're still on the hunt for the perfect gift, don’t miss the lovely Nicole Kelner’s Crowdsourced Climate-Friendly Gift Guide! With over 250 ideas, it’s packed with inspiration to help you find thoughtful and sustainable options.
Opportunities
Upcoming and Rolling Deadlines
🌇 LACI Incubation C10 (Due Dec 12)
🏛 Earth Lawyers Fellowship 2025 (Due Jan 15)
💻 Techstars Accelerator Program (Rolling Applications)
👉 Would you like to feature a grant opportunity, fellowship application, or incubation program in the LA Climate Tech Cities newsletter? Reach out to us with the info.
Upcoming Events
🛶 FoLAR Habitat Restoration Day: Sat, Dec 21
🇺🇳 UNA-OC Monthly Meeting: Sat, Dec 21
🔧 Repair Cafe: Tue, Dec 24
🌿 Botany Workshop: Container Gardening: Sat, Jan 4
🌀 2025 Inland SoCal OASIS™ Climate Action Conference: Wed, Jan 15
0️⃣ Net Zero Accelerator (NZA) Annual Demo Day: Thu, Jan 16
🧵 Repurposed Blanket Sewing Workshop: Sun, Jan 19
💧 Talking Water with Konda Mason: Thu, Jan 30
🏳️🌈 Queer Decarb Summit: Feb 18 -19
This Week in Depth
🎶 Musical Premiere of Pyrus™, Wood from Food Waste
When: Tuesday, December 10th from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), 525 South Hewitt Street #Suite 150 Los Angeles, CA 90013
Organized by LACI. Enjoy an unforgettable evening of music and sustainability as local artist Irene Diaz graces the amphitheater with her soulful vocals and plays the first guitar fitted with a fretboard made from Pyrus™. Irene's performance, combined with presentations also happening at this event, will scope out an exciting future for musical instrument building — one where rainforests are no longer ravaged by loggers for their endangered, high-value hardwood. (Spoiler: It's a highly underrated environmental problem).
☕️ Climate Cafe
When: Tuesday, December 10th from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Where: Sustainabowl, 8338 Lincoln Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90045
If you experience worry, anger, fear, sadness, powerlessness and hope about climate change, you are not alone! The Climate Café is an opportunity to connect in an informal, supportive, small group to express our emotions about climate change, without pressure or judgment. This is not an action-oriented gathering nor a therapy group, but a safe space to talk and feel in community, rather than in isolation. Please register as space is limited to foster an intimate experience. No purchase is necessary, but please consider supporting Sustainabowl by enjoying one of their delicious smoothies or bowls.
🏢 USGBC California’s 20th Annual Green Gala & California Green Building Awards
When: Wednesday, December 11th, time details to be shared post registration.
Where: Taglyan Complex, 1201 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90038
USGBC-CA will be honoring the visionaries transforming the way we build, live, and engage with our world through the California Green Building Awards and Community Awards. These trailblazing projects and community leaders are redefining sustainability, creating healthier, more resilient communities while addressing challenges like climate change and protecting our coastlines. This evening is not just recognition—it’s an invitation to deepen our resolve, connect with like-minded individuals, and ignite a renewed sense of purpose to build a greener, healthier future for generations to come.
🚆 German-American Mobility Dialogue in LA
When: Wednesday, December 11th from 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Where: U.S. Bank Tower, 633 W 5th St Los Angeles, CA 90071
Join Representative for German Business for an exciting half-day workshop in Los Angeles, where thought leaders from Germany and the USA will come together to explore innovative solutions for the city's mobility challenges, especially in the light of the upcoming 2028 Olympics. Germany, known for its expertise in sustainable mobility, will share insights on electric vehicles, alternative fuels, and public transport. At the same time, LA's dynamic spirit offers a unique opportunity to collaborate on practical, impactful solutions for a smarter, greener transportation future. Seize the opportunity to connect, learn, and shape the future of urban mobility in LA!
🌐 LARC December 2024 Network Meeting
When: Thursday, December 12th from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Where: Online
Attend LARC’s monthly network meeting to connect with climate leaders from across Los Angeles. The meeting will cover network updates, a presentation on the Public Exchange Infrastructure Equity Project with Santina L. Contreras, Ph.D, an interactive exercise and disucss priorities for 2025.
🎄 B Local LA x Parks Project Holiday Night Market + Circularity Panel
When: Thursday, December 12th from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Where: Parks Project Discovery Center, 8540 Washington Boulevard Culver City, CA 90232
Let’s celebrate the season of giving by embracing sustainability and building a brighter future together. It's also a great opportunity to connect with community leaders, change-makers, and B Local LA members who are all passionate about creating positive change. Organized by B Local LA, the event will include a Circularity panel, networking opportunities and a holiday night market.
📜 Action and Impact: Shaping the Future of Climate and Science Policy
When: Thursday, December 12th from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Where: Emerson College LA Center, 5960 Sunset Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90028
The fourth Action and Impact event will focus on how individuals and nonprofit organizations can get involved to drive climate policy. Join the Policy Academy for an expert panel (see website for detailed list), including; Marta Segura (Chief Heat Officer for the City of Los Angeles), Leah Thomas (author of The Intersectional Environmentalist), Robert Lempert (professor and Director of Longer Range Global Policy and the Future Human Condition at RAND) and Tracy Quinn (President and CEO of Heal the Bay). The event will also feature policy presentations from Aspen alumni who have created an impact in their organizations and communities, a networking reception, and more!
📽️ Cal State LA Community Impact Media Documentaries
When: Thursday, December 12th from 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Where: Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles, 901 East 3rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90013
Join us at Hauser & Wirth Downtown Los Angeles for a screening of three student-directed short films, the culmination of the fall semester of the innovative Cal State LA course Community Impact Media. The films feature organizations dedicated to implementing initiatives to reduce carbon footprints through sustainable practices and community engagement: CicLAvia, Los Angeles Arts Climate Coalition (LA ACC) and Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles (PSR-LA).
📓 Tailwind Playbook Launch Webinar
When: Thursday, December 12th, 9:00 AM onwards
Where: Online
Join the Tailwind team and partners for a lively discussion of key findings from the Playbook on Adaptation and Resilience Innovation. The Playbook will provide a first of a kind view into the state of innovation on climate adaptation and resilience globally. The Playbook will provide critical insights for innovators and investors on demand, supply, capital, an innovation roadmap and recommendations for growth.
🍻 Farewell to 2024: Happy Hour Hang
When: Thursday, December 12th, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Where: All Season Brewing Company, 800 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036, USA
Join HeyClimate to say "bye" to 2024 as they get themselves into the holiday season and get ready for 2025. This will be their final event of year and they want to cheers with all their founding members and local partners! Enjoy the brewery's variety of food and drink options and hang with fellow members sharing good conversation and good vibes. The brewery has some arcade games, so you can try your hand at some of those as well!
🎬 Screening: Great Pacific Garbage Patch Documentary
When: Friday, December 13th from 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Sports Basement Long Beach, 2100 North Bellflower Boulevard Long Beach, CA 90815
Captain Charles Moore discovered what has become known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in 1997, and has been researching and educating about the dangers of plastic pollution since. Join Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research for a documentary on the massive accumulation of trash in the Pacific Ocean followed by live Q&A with the man who discovered it.
🧬 eDNA Sampling Community Science Event
When: Saturday, December 14th from 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Where: Register for precise location details
Interested in meeting volunteers and participating in cutting-edge science? Heal The Bay are excited to reintroduce a fun and social event that will reoccur monthly in the Malibu MPA transects! Heal the Bay is partnering with UCLA again to collect seawater samples in Malibu for an eDNA scientific testing program with PhD candidate Moriah Byrd. All marine life leaves traces of DNA in their environment. eDNA water testing analyzes the quantification of biodiversity in a standardized way within a marine ecosystem, making it an incredible tool to monitor Marine Protected Areas. Sign the Heal the Bay eDNA Waiver and attend a volunteer orientation before attending this event.
🌻 Weekend Workshops at Arlington Garden
When: Saturday, December 14th from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: Arlington Garden in Pasadena, 275 ARLINGTON DR Pasadena, CA 91105
Weekend Workshops is the weekend program at Arlington Garden. Workshops include volunteer projects, speaker or panel events, and small tutorials focused on topics related to our mission, regenerative gardening, and the cultural heritage of gardening. No prior experience is necessary for volunteer projects, but space is limited. Registration is strongly encouraged. Please bring water (there is a water bottle refill station but no drinking fountain), weather appropriate clothing, sunscreen, and gloves.
🌿 Weather, Climate, and California Native Plants
When: Saturday, December 14th from 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Where: Theodore Payne Foundation, 10459 Tuxford Street Los Angeles, CA 91352
Join the Theodore Payne Foundation to explore the changing weather patterns and climates that shape plant communities and landscapes across our region and our state. Learn how to read the clouds and the colorful dramas playing out in our sky and to sense and anticipate daily and seasonal changes in the weather that impact our plants and our lives. Meet professor emeritus, naturalist, and author William Selby and talk about his most recent publication, The California Sky Watcher. Bring your questions to this “everything you’ve always wanted to know about our weather and climate” event. The event will be followed by a book signing.
🪻 California Lilac Mini-Workshop
When: Sunday, December 15th from 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Where: California Botanic Garden, 1500 N College Ave, Claremont, CA 91711
This mini-class will provide tips and tricks for starting your own native plant bird garden. This event is a part of the programming under CalBG's new Bird & Butterfly Garden.
🦃 Wings on the Move
When: Sunday, December 15th from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Where: 6100 Woodley Ave Los Angeles, CA 91604 United States
Join FoLAR and San Fernando Valley Audubon Society for an educational walk about the birds that call the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve their home, or their home only for the season. This walk will talk about what birds migrate to the area during the winter time and hopefully see some of them in flight! We will provide binoculars, but feel free to bring your own!
👔 Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice, and the Environment
When: Monday, December 16th from 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Where: Civic Center Parking Structure (SMI Room), 333 Civic Center Dr, Santa Monica, CA 90401
The event is an open member meeting for the Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice and the Environment. It acts in an advisory capacity on sustainability, environmental programs and policy issues. The Commission closely monitors the Santa Monica’s Sustainable City Plan and advises the Council on plan implementation. The Commission on Sustainability, Environment Justice, and the environment is an expert panel made up of seven (7) members selected by the Santa Monica City Council.
🍸 YPE Year-End Happy Hour
When: Monday, December 16th from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: KingsRow Gastropub, 20 East Colorado Boulevard, #Suite 102 Pasadena, CA 91105
Wrap up the year with Young Professionals in Energy (YPE) at our annual year-end happy hour! Expect a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere to network with energy and climate professionals from diverse sectors. Whether you're looking to expand your professional circle, discuss the latest trends in energy and climate change, or simply enjoy great company over drinks, this event is for you. This is the perfect way to celebrate another year of progress and innovation while building relationships that drive positive change. Don't miss out—RSVP today!