Climathon invites cities to participate in the 24-hour climate action

Organised by Climate-KIC, Climathon brings together the challenges of the world’s cities with the people who have the passion and ability to solve them. The 2017 edition of the global 24-hour climate change hackathon will take place simultaneously in over 146 cities around the world on 27 October and is set to be the biggest event of its kind in history.

Representatives of startup incubators, city hall, local businesses, universities or other organisations are hereby invited to register via the Climathon website to be the host for their city and receive a detailed guide on how to organise the hackathon. Registration for cities closes on 1 August 2017.

To take part in the 24-hour Climathon, each city sets its own climate challenge which reflects what is affecting their urban life the most. Challenges vary from air quality, mobility, water and waste management, and extreme weather events.

Younger generations with sustainable climate solutions
Since 2015, students, entrepreneurs, big thinkers, technical experts and app developers around the world have been taking action as part of the global Climathon movement by coming up with innovative solutions to city climate challenges in 24-hour marathon sessions.

In the upcoming Climathon, innovators – including students, startups, entrepreneurs, big thinkers and developers – will tackle the climate challenge within 24-hours, before pitching their ideas in front of a local jury. These ideas can develop into tangible sustainable solutions and businesses that address city climate challenges across the globe. Registration for innovators closes on 15 Cctober 2017.

“Young people have a vital role in tackling global challenges such as climate change. We need to ensure they can participate fully in making the change Europe needs. With this in mind, the EIT’s Climate-KIC Climathon can make a big contribution to training a new generation of entrepreneurs and innovators”, said Tibor Navracsics, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, responsible for the EIT.

“The science of climate change is indisputable, but the problem often seems so removed from everyday reality that organisations have for many years struggled to engage citizens,” said Ebrahim Mohamed, Director of Education at Climate-KIC.

“The Climathon changes this, providing the critical impetus for city citizens, innovators, business experts and policy makers to come together in a global climate movement to solve one of the most pressing issues of our time,” Mohamed said.

Picture: lukasbieri/Pixabay

(RAN)