New York Climate Week 2026
September 20-27
Each September, world leaders gather in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), creating a critical global moment for governments, civil society, philanthropy, business, and more to address the world’s most pressing challenges. Alongside UNGA, Climate Week NYC brings thousands of leaders together to accelerate action on climate change and advance solutions for people and the planet.
For the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), UNGA and Climate Week NYC provide an important opportunity to put nature at the center of global conversations. Drawing on our science and conservation work around the world, WCS convenes partners, policymakers, funders, and conservation leaders to advance policies and mobilize funding that address the interconnected climate, biodiversity, and health crises—and recognize that protecting nature is essential to a stable climate and a healthy future for people and wildlife.
We are participating in a number of events through out the week. Check back here for updates.
UN General Assembly, Climate Week, and Nature: Frequently Asked Questions
What is WCS’s role during the United Nations General Assembly?
Each year, the United Nations General Assembly brings world leaders and decision-makers to New York City to address some of the most pressing global challenges. For WCS, it is an important opportunity to engage with governments, partners, funders, and other leaders and make the case that protecting nature is essential to addressing interconnected challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss, and global health.
How does protecting wildlife future-proof nature and local communities?
Nature is one of our most powerful allies in addressing climate change. Healthy forests, peatlands, wetlands, grasslands, and oceans absorb and store carbon, generate rainfall, regulate temperatures and weather patterns, and help protect people and wildlife from climate impacts.
What is ecological integrity, and why does it matter?
Ecological integrity means keeping the whole ecosystem healthy—its species, habitats, ecological processes, and connections. Ecosystems with high ecological integrity are better able to withstand climate stresses, adapt to change, recover from disturbance, and continue providing benefits for people, wildlife, and the climate.
Why does WCS focus on particular places?
Not all places have equal importance for the global climate. WCS focuses on protecting and restoring some of the world's most important natural systems—from forests that influence rainfall and temperature across continents to peatlands that store vast amounts of carbon and marine ecosystems that help regulate our oceans.
How does protecting wildlife contribute to climate resilience?
Wildlife is an essential part of healthy, functioning ecosystems. Protecting species and the ecological roles they play helps keep forests, grasslands, wetlands, and oceans functioning as complete systems, strengthening their ability to withstand and recover from climate change.
What is WCS's approach to climate change?
WCS works to protect and restore the places where conservation can deliver significant benefits for climate, biodiversity, and people. By focusing on the ecological integrity of whole landscapes and seascapes, we help strengthen nature's resilience—its capacity to withstand climate pressures, recover from disturbance, and continue regulating the systems on which life depends.
Friday, September 25, and Saturday, September 26
AQUA COSMOS: The Hudson Canyon
Presented through the New York City Department of Transportation’s art program, WCS is teaming with internationally recognized multimedia artist Anita Glesta to premiere a monumental 18-minute immersive projection that will transform the Brooklyn Bridge into a gateway to one of the world's most extraordinary marine environments. Free to attend.
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