Science & Society: Visions of Climate Futures

As producer of Pioneer Works' Science & Society series since its launch in 2018, I have worked closely with host Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson to design this and other evenings, which she hosted and I produced.

Produced as part of Climate Week NYC — a celebration of marine biologist and policy expert Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson's What If We Get It Right?, featuring a conversation with Indigenous rights and climate strategist Jade Begay and lawyer and climate justice organizer Colette Pichon Battle, before a full-house live audience of nearly 500 attendees.

What if we get it right? That was the question at the heart of this evening. What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures was a book directly inspired by and built from Pioneer Works' Science & Society series, which Ayana helped initiate. Ayana curated and hosted the conversation, urging the audience to envision the world we could build if we act on the solutions already available to us.

The evening was designed to feel as expansive as the question itself. Magician Nicole Cardoza opened the night, sparking thoughts on possibility and transformation. A projection of artist Jeffrey Gibson's work animated part of the garden. I also produced accompanying Second Sundays activations, including What is the Future of Red Hook? — an interactive climate-imagination exercise designed by Gita Nandan and the Red Hook Art Project's Emerging Art Council, inviting participants to envision possible climate futures for their own neighborhood. It was on display as part of the main event.

One attendee captured it simply: "Clever and funny and touching and thought-provoking and educational."