Image - program title and speaker names
Past Event

Climate One x SFCW: Grist, Drawdown and Jenny Odell

Climate One will be celebrating SF Climate Week with a series of programs featuring California's leading voices in state and local policy, climate justice, arts and culture. The week will feature interviews, Q&As and performances that acknowledge today’s challenging political reality, while showcasing what’s doable and sparks joy in the climate community.

​We’ll be updating the event listing with more programs and speakers as they get confirmed, so stay tuned!

​​Tuesday's programs include:

​11–11:45 a.m. | Cutting Through the Noise: Climate Solutions at a Crossroads, with Grist and Project Drawdown

​Climate solutions in the United States are moving forward despite dwindling federal support and funding for climate work. From state-level leaders and organizers to climate-focused companies, climate solutions are continuing to be rolled out and implemented across the country. Amid this, how do we determine which solutions are most urgently needed to stop climate change? And how do we cut through the noise to elevate them—and the diverse leaders championing them—in the public imagination?

​Join Climate One’s Kousha Navidar in conversation with Jonathan Foley, executive director of Project Drawdown, and Nikhil Swaminathan, CEO of Grist, on how science and evocative, fact-based storytelling can spotlight the solutions our world needs most.

11:45–11:50 a.m. | Stretch-and-Dance Break 

As we prepare to welcome our next guest on stage, we’ll take a short stretch-and-dance break to a climate-themed music video featuring Will Hammond Jr. and Mike Roberts.

​11:50 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Jenny Odell on Nature, Capitalism and Life Beyond The Clock

​The capitalist system, focused on profit, efficiency, and productivity, often sacrifices long-term ecological health for short-term gains. But is there a way to redefine progress in a way that is compatible with the planet’s well-being?

​Join KQED’s Mina Kim in conversation with Oakland’s own Jenny Odell, visionary author and artist, as they discuss how we can reimagine our relationship with nature in a world driven by quarterly profits.

12:30–2 p.m. | Action Lounge, Book Signing and Refreshments

Following the events onstage, join us in our Action Lounge to meet local organizations (Fixit Clinic, Climate Reality Project and more!) to learn about various pathways to climate actions we can take as consumers and civically engaged residents. Meet our guests Nikhil Swaminathan and Jonathan Foley, and stop in to get your copy of Saving Time signed by author Jenny Odell (copies available for purchase on-site). Plus, we’ll be sharing climate-friendly treats alongside stunning views of the Bay Bridge!

Notes

See more Climate One programs at Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California.

April 22, 2025

The Commonwealth Club of California
110 The Embarcadero
Taube Family Auditorium
San Francisco, CA 94105
United States

Speakers
Image - Jonathan Foley

Jonathan Foley

Executive Director, Project Drawdown

Image - Nikhil Swaminathan

Nikhil Swaminathan

Chief Executive Officer, Grist

Image - Jenny Odell

Jenny Odell

Artist; Writer

Image - Will Hammond, Jr.

Will Hammond, Jr.

Educator; Musician

Image - Mike Roberts

Mike Roberts

Musician; Climate Advocate

Image - Kousha Navidar

Kousha Navidar

Co-Host and Producer, Climate One—Moderator

Image - Mina Kim

Mina Kim

Co-Host, Forum, KQED—Moderator