The Future of Climate Talent
A Climate Week NYC Game Show
LinkedInʻs Global Green Skills Report tells us that in the last year the demand for green talent has grown 2x faster than the supply of people to do the work. At Climate Week NYC we explored what is already being done and what we will do together.
From climate tech companies to investors and large corporations, a movement is growing to build a diverse and inclusive pipeline of climate talent ready to meet the new workforce needs. We’ve seen this movement firsthand through Elemental’s portfolio companies and internship program (EDICT: Empowering Diverse Climate Talent), which has drawn talent from college sophomores to doctoral students from 25 states. 84% identified as Black, Indigenous People of Color and 73% identified as women or non-binary individuals.
Elemental and LinkedIn invite you to meet some of our future climate leaders and the inspiring employers who are providing meaningful career pathways across the climate field. We brought a discussion and data around the future of our workforce to life via a game show!
Get Involved in EDICT
Empowering Diverse Climate Talent (EDICT) creates a diverse pipeline of talent for the climate sector, working with both employers to create inclusive cultures where new talent can succeed, and with youth to develop new skills and unlock powerful networks for rising leaders from traditionally excluded groups.
Former EDICT interns and employers describe what makes the program special in How to Build a Climate Sector as Diverse as the Communities It Serves.
If you are a college student or recent graduate, sign up to be notified when applications open. If you are an employer interested in hosting an EDICT intern, sign up and we will be in touch about how you can participate.
The Host
Colin Jost
Colin Jost serves as a head writer for Saturday Night Live. He started writing for SNL in 2005 and has been co-anchor of “Weekend Update” since 2014.
Colin co-hosted the special editions of “Weekend Update” that aired on MSNBC during the 2016 Republican and Democratic National Conventions as well as the primetime “Weekend Update Summer Edition” in 2017. In 2018, Colin and co-anchor Michael Che hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards. Additionally, he wrote and starred in the Paramount/Netflix film Staten Island Summer, based on his days as a lifeguard.
Colin has won five Writers Guild Awards, two Peabody Awards and has been nominated for 12 Emmy Awards for his writing on SNL. He graduated from Harvard University and is from Staten Island, N.Y.
Meet the Contestants
Kawika Pegram
Kawika Pegram, a 2022 EDICT Intern at the Blue Planet Foundation, cut his teeth on climate action as a community organizer. This sparked his determination to pursue real, lasting policy change.
Palak Jauhari
A high school research project on natural cosmetics got 2023 EDICT Intern Palak Jauhari interested in ways to decarbonize industrial processes. Now, she’s hooked on solar.
Devin Hampton
Devin Hampton is the CEO of UtilityAPI. He also is the original co-founder of EDICT.
Nneka Kibuule
Nneka Kibuule is Principal at Aligned Climate Capital and founder of Greentech Noir. She also was formerly a Director of Innovation at Elemental.
The LinkedIn Global Green Skills Report
This event was produced in partnership with LinkedIn, featuring insights from the LinkedIn Global Green Skills Report.
Employers recognize that sustainability is no longer optional — and they’re on the hunt for candidates with green skills. LinkedIn job postings requiring at least one green skill grew by a median of 15.2% between February 2022 and February 2023.
With the growth in demand for these skills outpacing the increase in supply, there’s never been a better time to add green skills to your portfolio.
See how the world of work is changing to adapt to the green economy and what you need to do to prepare yourself and your employees. Take a LinkedIn Learning course to help you gain the skills needed to drive sustainability in your organization, personal life, and as a leader.