Climate Leadership Gala 2018 Wrap-Up

What a night! 2018’s Climate Leadership gala was full of inspiring speeches and motivating conversations about action on climate, citizen science, and plans for the 50th anniversary of Earth day in 2020. (More gala photos here.) We presented 2018’s Climate Visionary Award to Nancy Pfund, Founder and Managing Partner of DBL Partners and the 2018 Women and the Green Economy (WAGE) Leadership Award to Kathy Bushkin Calvin, President and CEO of the UN Foundation. Kathleen Matthews was our emcee, and we heard inspiring remarks by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire; Andrew Revkin, strategic adviser for environmental and science journalism at the National Geographic Society; NFL veteran and philanthropist Ovie Mughelli; and Denis Hayes, President of the Bullitt Foundation, Board Chair Emeritus of Earth Day Network, and organizer of the first Earth Day 1970.

Honoring Women

“Nancy Pfund is a global leader in the growing field of impact investing and has been instrumental in helping to tap the power of ven­ture cap­i­tal to pro­mote social and envi­ron­men­tal change. Kathy Calvin has had a distinguished career in business, technology and media. Since joining the UN Foundation she been instrumental in promoting the inclusion of women in all sectors,” said EDN President, Kathleen Rogers. Others on stage also used the opportunity to spotlight women leadership roles.

“To protect the planet, we need to protect womens’ rights. We can’t have environmentalism without feminism… girls and women are on the front lines of #climatechange solutions…” – @Kathy_Calvin at our #ClimateLeadership18 gala pic.twitter.com/OnSDNMG6nG

— Earth Day Network (@EarthDayNetwork) May 9, 2018

If it’s addressing carbon and disrupting industries that have operated the same way for a century, it’s ripe for investment. @NancyPfundDBL @EarthDayNetwork pic.twitter.com/Sz9gQJ4HCU

— KatherineHand (@kmachand) May 9, 2018

We need a “21st century economy that addresses 21st century needs…” and climate needs to be invested in – @NancyPfundDBL at #ClimateLeadership18 pic.twitter.com/ROG2sSg4vK

— Earth Day Network (@EarthDayNetwork) May 9, 2018

“And you can’t be a feminist without being an environmentalist”; Earth Day now led by women — Denis Hayes @BullittFound @EarthDayNetwork

— Meaghan Parker (@meagham) May 9, 2018

#Women are more likely to advocate for policies that protect the environment, promote nonviolent conflict resolution, and fight for families — @SenatorShaheen @EarthDayNetwork Climate Leadership Gala pic.twitter.com/myBSEeOquy

— Meaghan Parker (@meagham) May 9, 2018

.@Kathy_Calvin on @SenatorShaheen at #ClimateLeadership18 gala: “She made the glass ceilings energy-efficient!” #ActOnClimate #womeninclimate

— Earth Day Network (@EarthDayNetwork) May 9, 2018

(Here’s the written speech from Kathy Calvin of the UN Foundation.)

More Inspiring Speeches

“We can all help make a difference” @oviemughelli34 at the @EarthDayNetwork #ClimateLeadership18 Gala #EarthChallenge2020 #Sport4Climate pic.twitter.com/BdkKZE52WF

— Connect4Climate (@Connect4Climate) May 9, 2018

At @EarthDayNetwork gala & @oviemughelli34’s talk was amazing! The story how his baby couldn’t go home because of air quality was powerful

— Margaux Avedisian (@MargauxWithAnX) May 9, 2018

“Why aren’t more athletes involved in the environment?” @oviemughelli of Athletes for the Earth @EarthDayNetwork climate Leadership Gala

— Meaghan Parker (@meagham) May 8, 2018

Up next at #ClimateLeadership18: @oviemughelli34, @NFL veteran and eco-Athlete, Founder of @OMFGREEN: “We don’t want to wear gas masks to play sports outside….” – fighting for air quality and the environment is our responsibility. pic.twitter.com/RAgIdFQtni

— Earth Day Network (@EarthDayNetwork) May 8, 2018

Acting on Climate

The Climate Leadership Gala was launched in 2010 to honor those who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership on climate issues. Past WAGE Leadership award winners include Rachel Kyte, CEO of Sustainable Energy for All, Lisa Jackson, former Administrator, USEPA, Connie Hedegaard, EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Ambassador Melanne Verveer, US Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues. Previous Climate Visionary Award recipients include Paul Polman, Unilever CEO, Mindy Lubber, president of Ceres, and Elon Musk of SpaceX and Tesla (presented by Sir Richard Branson).

More Shared Highlights from the Climate Leadership Gala

Thanks to the Earth Day Network for this honor and to Senator Bennet for his kind intro and leadership. Shout out and congrats to @Kathy_Calvin as well! #impinv https://t.co/1xZFpW7Rhn

— Nancy Pfund (@NancyPfundDBL) May 9, 2018

Thank you @EarthDayNetwork for tonight’s Women and the Green Economy Leadership Award! It’s an honor to stand together with powerful women like @Kathleenedn, @SenatorShaheen, and @NancyPfundDBL fighting for people and the planet! pic.twitter.com/uFq4h7YE4Y

— Kathy Calvin (@Kathy_Calvin) May 9, 2018

“The environmental, development, & human rights agendas are connected, and lasting progress on any of them requires progress on all of them.”

Thank you to the @EarthDayNetwork for honoring our President & CEO @Kathy_Calvin with the Women and the Green Economy Leadership Award! pic.twitter.com/7lwgfZhghU — UN Foundation (@unfoundation) May 9, 2018

On stage at #climateleadership18: EDN’s President @Kathleenedn: “The definition of environment is what surrounds you” pic.twitter.com/QbxsHFCkVU

— Earth Day Network (@EarthDayNetwork) May 8, 2018

.@EarthDayNetwork #ClimateLeadershipGala Together we are turning the tide on #plasticpollution! pic.twitter.com/caNMoXtOg3

— Plastic Pollutes (@PlasticPollutes) May 9, 2018

So grateful to @EarthDayNetwork for almost 5 decades of hard work protecting our planet. #ClimateLeadership18 https://t.co/H1NXz3fpub

— Lisa A. Hayes (@awashingtongirl) May 9, 2018

@EdnaAdan & dan @ImpactPPA honored at @EarthDayNetwork gala.Edna starts hospitals in Africa& dan creates renewable energy on the blockchain pic.twitter.com/Fxc6ZFivX2

— Margaux Avedisian (@MargauxWithAnX) May 9, 2018

.@KM4MD, our emcee for the #climateleadership18 gala: “we are moving forward and will have so much to celebrate on the 50th anniversary of #EarthDay” pic.twitter.com/1FjdsyodTW

— Earth Day Network (@EarthDayNetwork) May 8, 2018

Fun night with @NatGeo colleagues to celebrate fellow Trustee @NancyPfundDBL as she was honored by @EarthDayNetwork for her remarkable achievements and contributions to our planet. #SoDeserved #SoProud pic.twitter.com/FowfhRfZ0u

— Jean Case (@jeancase) May 9, 2018

@NancyPfundDBL your remarks during the @EarthDayNetwork Gala should be turned into a class on responsible green investment. https://t.co/VLBdY2k4Af

— Valeria Merino (@valeriamerino) May 9, 2018

Great remarks by @Revkin at #ClimateLeadership18 on his 30 years on the #climate beat and using social media to tackle tough issues and to cut through the noise to create change. pic.twitter.com/qAiON9BR96

— Earth Day Network (@EarthDayNetwork) May 9, 2018

Tags:

• Earth Day Network
• Gala