World political leaders are gathering in New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), with a significant focus on the climate crisis during the opening of Climate Week. This year’s event, which runs alongside the UNGA, comes in the wake of a series of extreme weather events, including prolonged heatwaves in Europe and the U.S., devastating wildfires in Africa, severe flooding in Asia, and a powerful El Niño weather pattern. Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, delivered the opening keynote, while Iceland’s Prime Minister, Kristrún Frostadóttir, gave the closing remarks. Both leaders spoke about the impacts of climate change on their countries, strategies to move away from fossil fuels, and the need to support other nations in making similar transitions. Albanese emphasized the scientific warnings about the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related events, and highlighted Australia’s efforts to assist Pacific island nations in their fight against climate change. Frostadóttir discussed Iceland’s long-term shift to geothermal energy, which was initially driven by the global oil crisis in the 1970s. She explained that Iceland’s move to geothermal power was made possible through political support, financial planning, and cross-party cooperation. Today, nearly all homes in Iceland are heated using renewable energy, with more than 90% of that energy coming from geothermal sources. On the opening day of Climate Week, there was little mention of the U.S. government’s recent actions that have hindered climate progress, including the Trump administration’s allocation of nearly $4 billion in taxpayer funds to halt offshore wind projects and its efforts to relax emissions standards for vehicles and coal-fired power plants. Instead, speakers focused on the security and economic benefits of transitioning to renewable energy. Selwin Hart, assistant secretary general for climate action at the United Nations, said that the Iran war had served as a wake-up call for countries, businesses, and individuals to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and speed up the transition to cleaner energy. Retired British Army Lieutenant General Richard Nugee noted that militaries must adapt to changing environmental conditions, such as rising temperatures in the Gulf region, and suggested that investing in climate adaptation technologies could offer strategic advantages, even though renewable energy may have limitations for large military vehicles. The UK’s foreign minister, Ed Miliband, highlighted the risks of continued reliance on fossil fuels in light of recent geopolitical tensions, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the U.S. involvement in Iran. He described the instability caused by fossil fuel dependence as a “roller coaster” and stressed the need to integrate climate and environmental considerations into national security planning. Meanwhile, the private sector is increasingly recognizing the economic benefits of transitioning to renewable energy. Karen Pflug, the chief sustainability officer at Ingka Group, the largest retailer of IKEA stores, noted that energy efficiency has saved millions of dollars annually. She also mentioned a new solar park in South Carolina with 178,000 solar panels, which she said makes good business sense regardless of political climate. Leaders across the political and business spectrum emphasized the urgency of transitioning to renewable energy sooner rather than later. Frostadóttir said the only real question left is how to move forward faster than the disruptions that are yet to come, stressing that resilience should be built before a crisis tests it. Climate Week, held annually in New York since 2009, is expected to be the largest yet, with over 100,000 attendees from politics, business, and activism. However, organizers noted a growing trend of “climate hushing,” where business leaders and politicians are avoiding open discussions on the climate crisis amid a focus on wars, inflation, and economic challenges. Helen Clarkson, CEO of the Climate Group, pointed out that while climate change has been more evident than ever this summer, many leaders remain reluctant to address it. She emphasized that people care about both the cost of living and the climate, and that leaders must have the courage to connect these issues and make the case to the public.