“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.”
— Winston Churchill
By Nicole Coursey
When I first stepped off the ferry onto Governor’s Island, I was struck by a strange stillness. The rows of empty housing blocks and patches of dry grass gave the island an almost forgotten air—a remnant of a past era. Once a vital military base and later a Coast Guard outpost, the island was vacated in the 1990s and left largely dormant for decades. Today, its quietness stands in sharp contrast to the vision now taking shape: a future hub for climate innovation and research.
That physical transformation—from abandonment to rebirth—captures the essence of what New York Climate Week represented this year: the reimagining of our economic, social, and environmental systems for a sustainable future.
Governor’s Island is set to become the home of the New York Climate Exchange, a partnership led by Stony Brook University and other institutions that will host research, education, and accelerator programs. Its reinvention is a reminder that renewal—whether ecological, financial, or societal—often begins in the places we once overlooked. In many ways, this mirrors the work of sustainable finance: identifying neglected assets, redesigning value systems, and reinvesting in the health of our shared environment.
Photo: Newlab's New Climate Futures event at Brooklyn Navy Yard
Over three days at Climate Week NYC, I witnessed this ethos brought to life. Startups presented technologies that redefined what progress can look like: yeast strains that purify water, cement that enables coral reef regeneration, and portable air filtration systems engineered for construction sites. Each innovation represented more than technical ingenuity—it reflected the market’s growing recognition that long-term value depends on ecological balance. The conversation has moved beyond mitigation toward regeneration, from reducing harm to creating resilience.
A recurring theme throughout the week was the demand for stability in sustainability—the need for consistent policy frameworks and long-term investment strategies to scale climate solutions. Speakers reminded us that financial systems, like ecosystems, rely on equilibrium. When funding fluctuates with political cycles, the capacity for meaningful innovation falters. Yet, amid this uncertainty, one truth emerged: resilience lies in real value creation. The companies positioned to endure are those addressing essential needs—clean energy, resilient infrastructure, and equitable access to resources.
Another insight that resonated deeply was how entrepreneurs are transforming waste into opportunity. From Dynamic Industries, which harvests valuable metals from decommissioned solar panels, to REPLA, which converts discarded plastics into raw materials for new products, these ventures exemplify circular thinking. They embody a principle central to both environmental stewardship and ESG investing: efficiency is not just a metric—it is a moral imperative.
Reclaiming what was once seen as waste challenges us to reconsider how value itself is defined in a sustainable economy. This mindset reflects the very foundation of ESG investing—aligning profitability with planetary stewardship.
Photo: Wind Solar Transmission: Eric Gimon, Michelle Solomon, Mike O'Boyle
Beyond technology, what struck me most was the diversity of people driving this transformation. I met founders of accelerators in Africa, corporate innovators reimagining legacy brands, and students like myself eager to bridge disciplines. Their perspectives reinforced a central idea: there is no singular path to climate impact, only a shared direction. Each conversation reflected the interconnected nature of the transition—from energy grids and supply chains to capital flows and community engagement.
Walking through the streets of New York at the end of each day, I felt the momentum of collective ambition. Climate Week reminded me that optimism is not naïveté—it is a discipline. It requires acknowledging the scale of our challenges while believing in our capacity to design better systems.
For investors, policymakers, and citizens alike, the challenge is clear: we must transform desolation into possibility, inefficiency into innovation, and complacency into collaboration. The revitalization of Governor’s Island stands as both a metaphor and a mandate. Sustainable progress depends on our willingness to see potential where others see decline, and to invest—intellectually, financially, and morally—in that renewal.
The future is already under construction. The question is whether we will help shape it or simply watch it take form.
Images Attributions:
“The New York Climate Exchange.” Governors Island, Trust for Governors Island, www.govisland.com/climate-solutions/the-new-york-climate-exchange. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
“The New York Model for Cities: Building Climate Tech Innovation Ecosystems.” ImpactAlpha, impactalpha.com/the-new-york-model-for-cities-building-climate-tech-innovation-ecosystems/ . Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
Gimon, Eric, Michelle Solomon, and Mike O’Boyle. The Coal Cost Crossover 3.0. Energy Innovation, 30 Jan. 2023, energyinnovation.org/report/the-coal-cost-crossover-3-0/. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Etho Capital, LLC.