CLIMATE WEEK NYC 2026

The Cities and Counties
Getting Ahead of Climate Migration

An inside look at the first places preparing to receive people on the move due to climate change.

Midtown Manhattan, New York, NY (exact address shared upon RSVP)

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

1:00 – 2:30 PM ET

RSVP by September 18, 2026 · Refreshments will be provided

About the Session

Climate change is already reshaping where Americans live — and a handful of places are responding first. In communities such as Cincinnati, OH and Washtenaw County, MI, leaders are building the country's first plans to welcome and support people on the move due to climate change, while simultaneously increasing support to those already in their communities. National climate adaptation experts are helping translate these and other local efforts into broader policy lessons and frameworks.

Join some of the key people leading this work for a candid conversation about what they're doing, what they're learning, and what every city and county will eventually have to figure out. The first movers are in the room. Come meet them.

Speakers

Opening remarks from Taryn Higashi (Executive Director, Unbound Philanthropy) and closing remarks from Commissioner Brigid Shea (Travis County, Texas).

Panelists

Oliver Kroner

Director, Office of Environment & Sustainability
City of Cincinnati, Ohio

Leading one of the first big-city strategies to prepare for climate-driven population growth.

As featured in The New York Times: A City with a Plan

Beth Gibbons

Director, Resilience Office
Washtenaw County, Michigan

Building one of the nation's first county-level approaches to preparing for demographic change, including climate movers.

Dr. Adelle Thomas

Senior Director, Climate Adaptation, Environmental Health
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

Driving NRDC's climate adaptation work and shaping the national policy conversation on planned relocation and disaster resilience.

Moderator

David Lubell

Senior Climate Mobility and Cities Fellow
ICLEI USA

Deepening connections across city networks, local governments, practitioners, community leaders, and funders to grow a more coordinated, collaborative and impactful climate mobility ecosystem.