Who Decides? Community Power, Urgency, and the Realities of Climate Decision-Making

As storms, heat, and flooding intensify, cities are under pressure to act quickly — but what happens when urgency collides with community voice? This panel digs into one of the hardest questions in climate resilience: when should agencies slow down to listen, and when does delay put lives at risk? We’ll explore the line between NIMBYism and legitimate community concerns, the pitfalls of top‑down planning, and the power of community‑led decision-making. A must‑attend for anyone shaping climate policy on the ground. SPEAKERS Belinda Chiu, Senior Advisor, Environmental Justice, NYC Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice Nick Nyhan, Founder, The City Sponge Natalie Vena, Assistant Professor of Urban Studies, Queens College Olivia Griffin, Moderator, Communications and Development Associate, Waterfront Alliance