On the final day of New York Climate Week, the Icarus Complex Team were invited to join Creatives for Climate Career Mini Summit, hosted by The Marketplace of the Future, and in partnership with Green Jobs Board, Climate Justice & Just Transition Collaborative and The Carmack Collective.

Showcasing a variety of tradespeople, organisations and food stalls, all pioneering climate solutions within their craft, the atmosphere was buzzing and felt like the perfect unwind from the hectic and immersive Climate Week – with an array of young creative and cultural leaders, building connections and forming communities, whilst sharing their experiences from the week.

The series of panels and speakers, hosted by Amer Jandali, Founder of The Marketplace for the Future, Lucy von Sturmer, Founder of Creatives for Climate, and Kristy Drutman, Co-Founder of Green Jobs Board, provided an educational afternoon, spanning career transitions, cultural transformations and creativity for climate action.

The afternoon kicked off with a discussion on the future of sustainable jobs and navigating transitions  within the workplace, inviting: Daniel Hill, Creator of OpenDoorClimate & Director at Environmental Defense Fund, Gareth Gransaull, Co-Executive Director at ReGeneration and Aiyana Bodi, Manager at Project Drawdown, to share their experiences. There was a focus on the importance for young creatives finding their community within the sector. 

The idea being that a community of like-minded people with similar aspirations would help create systems change within a workplace.

Daniel Hill said, “[it takes] Those working in the space being a lot more open to those wanting to work in the space”,  emphasising the importance for creatives currently working within fields of sustainability and climate change, to be open to those wanting to join the sector. He also advised young people to develop a bank of topic-specific language, stressing the importance of this when connecting with professionals.

The idea being that a community of like-minded people with similar aspirations would help create systems change within a workplace.

Gareth  Gransaull, from ReGeneration,  a platform that leverages young people to stray away from customary career paths, described the organisation as being for “those that don’t fit the mould, and want to reconsider what their career could look like. We aim to try to move people away from working with fossil fuel enablers.” 

All panelists drew attention to the importance of developing softer skills, as well as adaptability as this could also be a useful tool in trying to adapt to current roles but shifting company culture. Aiyana noted that, “success stories come from being really annoying and persistent, always being able to have your voice and bringing it up with lots of people in lots of situations.” While some employees might feel undervalued within the workplace, the biggest driver of change is when concerns are voiced as that can lead to forming bonds with like-minded individuals. 

Hill closed the panel with some practical advice, “you probably have more knowledge than you think you do, just try to be hands-on within your workplace”. 

The second panel focused on the drivers needed to accelerate creativity for system change. It was moderated by Rachel Bouton, Senior Manager at Grist, and featured: Farhana Yamin, Director of the Climate Justice & Just Transition Collaborative, Heather Fipps, Co-Founder of The Hollywood Climate Summit, Isaias Hernandez, Founder of ‘Queer Brown Vegan’ and Jessie Bluedorn, Founder & Director of The Carmack Collective. They spoke of the agency that every sector has to change the system and facilitate change. Farhana Yamin said, “The biggest thing that people can do [is question] how is what I am doing changing the value system underneath?” 

“The biggest thing that people can do [is question] how is what I am doing changing the value system underneath?” 

She went on to give the example of consumption, encouraging a reflection on whether, as individuals, we are still feeding consumption as a way of feeling validated and having a worthy life. If the answer is yes to this, then we are in fact not participating in system change but re-enforcing the fundamental hold that the system has on us. 

Next on the agenda was a deep dive into marketing, advertising + PR with Lameya Chaudhury, the Head of Social Impact and Client Partner at Lucky Generals. She talked of how their agency drives to make positive change, not just for their clients but for the world at large, and showcased their campaign film ‘Oblivia Coalmine’, for Make My Money Matter. The project demands the trillions of pounds invested in UK pensions goes towards building a better world, rather than being invested in unethical industries. This summarised the role that creatives have to employ their skills to drive the fundamental systems change needed within the job market to move towards greener workplaces. 

Below are a list of tools highlighted throughout the day that may be of use to young creatives looking to step into sustainable roles: 

The Green Jobs Board https://www.greenjobsboard.us/

ReGeneration https://www.re-generation.ca/

Creatives for Climate https://www.creativesforclimate.co/

Marketplace of the Future https://www.marketplaceofthefuture.com/