Harnessing the Power of Entrepreneurship and Art in the Climate Fight

Building an equitable climate future is everyone’s business.

That’s the message of COAL + ICE, an exhibition of photos and videos that lays bare the devastating consequences of the climate crisis and shines a light on the possibilities — if we all take action.

It was also the theme of a conversation Acumen hosted at Asia Society, where COAL + ICE is on display, on July 23rd, about the exhibition and the power of entrepreneurship in tackling climate and poverty.

“We have to structure the right kind of capital connected to the right kind of character to make real change,” said Jacqueline Novogratz, Acumen founder and CEO, “so that as we confront the climate crisis, we are ensuring a just transition — we are ensuring those people who are too often overlooked and underestimated are included.”

Novogratz was joined in conversation by Shaiza Rizavi, co-CEO at Gilder, Gagnon, Howe & Co., and Steph Speirs, founder and former CEO of Solstice. 

“Everyone has something to bring to the climate change fight, because it’s an all-hands-on-deck problem. What we can bring is this belief that this future that we can’t see yet is infinitely possible, but only if we are able to get other people to join the mission.”

Steph Speirs, founder and former CEO of Solstice

Before an audience of 250 people, the speakers imagined a just transition to clean energy that includes people living in poverty and the 700 million people globally without access to electricity.

For nearly two decades, Acumen has invested in companies that deliver off-grid solar energy to low-income communities that have low electrification rates. Acumen’s Hardest-to-Reach initiative aims to help sub-Saharan Africa achieve universal energy access.

“If you want a world that is fully interdependent, where people can have more dignity and solve their own problems, they need electricity,” Novogratz said.

The discussion also highlighted the role of the COAL + ICE exhibition and art in inspiring deeper engagement with the climate crisis and sparking action. The exhibition is co-curated by Magnum photographer Susan Meiselas and international exhibition designer Jeroen de Vries, and led by Orville Schell, Asia Society Vice President and Arthur Ross Director of the Center on U.S.-China Relations.
It is on view at Asia Society Museum in New York through Aug. 11. Learn more here.