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Upcoming events
Financing Hope for Coastal Communities
May 5, 2025 | 11:00am ET / 5:00pm CEST
A healthy ocean is critical to life on this planet. Yet, measures to ensure its integrity remain significantly underfunded in contrast to its importance. Join Markus Knigge of Blue Action Fund and Rare’s Rocky Sanchez Tirona to discuss the urgency of financing marine, area-based conservation in the lead-up to the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC). Hear from one of the largest funders dedicated to securing coastal ecosystems and livelihoods. Learn more about ocean action finance and how we can achieve the equitable implementation of the 30×30 target enshrined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
UN Climate Change Conference – COP30
Belem, Brazil | 2025
The next UN Climate Change Conference – COP30 – will be held in Belem, Brazil in 2025. Just a couple hundred kilometers away, communities along Brazil’s Amazon coast are leading the way in protecting mangroves, a vital nature-based solution to climate change. Meet some of the fishers and local leaders with whom Rare has partnered to safeguard mangroves and wildlife, while also meeting the needs of coastal communities.
Rare’s Vice President of Brazil Monique Barreto Galvao will be in Baku for COP29. If you would like to connect with her and about COP30, reach out at mgalvao@rare.org.
Ongoing events
Past events
Author talk with Earl Swift
Author talk with Earl Swift
Twelve miles off the coast of Virginia lies Tangier Island, a centuries-old fishing community known for supplying the world with the famous Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab. But climate change may make Tangier Island known for something else; scientists believe that by 2050, Tangier will have lost all of its habitable landmass to sea level rise, the first area within the United States to be completely eradicated by climate change.
Join us for an engaging author talk with Earl Swift on his 2018 book, Chesapeake Requiem: A Year with the Watermen of Vanishing Tangier Island. We’ll walk alongside Swift as he details his time with the folks who, for generations, have called Tangier Island home. We’ll explore a community whose skepticism about the science of climate change and their connection to a more traditional way of life does not diminish their desire to save their home. Chesapeake Requiem is a portrait of a community caught in between the past and the present, doubt and hope, and courage and despair.
Moderated by Kristi Marciano, Manager of Marketing & Communications, Rare
Webinar: A People-Centered Approach to Achieving the Global Biodiversity Framework
- Sakhile Silitshena, Head of Science, Policy and Governance at the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity
- Elma Kay, Managing Director of the Belize Maya Forest Corridor Trust
- Monica Varela, Vice President, Rare Colombia
- Kevin Green, Vice President, Rare’s Center for Behavior & the Environment
Rare Conversations
Rare Conversations is a virtual salon series featuring live, engaging conversations between Rare staff experts and special guests that explore how behavioral insights are expanding the field of conservation.
Past Conversations have featured:
- Alizé Carrère
- Roberta Katz
- Leidy Klotz
- Julie Packard
- Robert Frank
- Sarah Stein Greenberg
- Ryland Engelhart
- Wendy Paulson & Paul Butler
- Staci Roberts-Steele
- Annie Ryu
- Sarah Lazarovic
- Ma Jun
- Heather McTeer Toney COMING SOON
UN Climate Change Conference - COP29
Where to Find Rare at COP29
The following is a list of some of the events Rare is hosting or otherwise participating in during COP29.
Innovative financing in blue carbon ecosystems (November 16 – 11:30 am, Side Event Room 5) In partnership with Conservation International, Pew, and the International Partnership for Blue Carbon (IPBC), this event will explore financial mechanisms to protect restore, and manage coastal blue carbon ecosystems (mangroves, seagrasses and salt marshes) for mitigation and adaptation action, and how finance links to biodiversity outcomes.
Catalyzing sea change: Bridging science, finance, and local action for resilient coastal communities (November 19, 9 AM AZT, Ocean Pavilion) Hosted with FAO, the Green Climate Fund, Worldfish, and ORRAA, this event will highlight how community-led ecosystem management and nature-based solutions are building resilience in coastal communities and demonstrate the dual powers of science and finance for informing and enabling locally-led action.
Mangroves in NDCs: Scaling up implementation for climate, people, and nature (November 21, 12:30 PM AZT, NDC Partnership Pavilion) Hosted in partnership with High Level Champions Team and the Global Mangrove Alliance, this event will highlight how including mangrove-positive targets in countries’ national climate commitments can be an important catalyst to mobilize action and finance for mangrove conservation and restoration, and further enhance mitigation contributions.
Let’s talk about finance: An open discussion around challenges and opportunities for financing blue carbon projects (November 14, 4 PM AZT Commonwealth Pavilion) Hosted with the Commonwealth Blue Charter and ORRAA, this event will be a discussion around the challenges and opportunities around financing blue carbon project from early-stage project development to high-quality implementation.
RARE AT COP29
Climate Week NYC 2024
Where you will find us this week
Here are some of the events throughout the week in which members of Rare’s team are participating.
- Breaking Silos: Uniting Policy, Finance and Climate Action for Mangroves (Sept. 23) Rare Brazil VP Monique Barreto Galvao participates in a panel discussion on mangrove conservation.
- Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit (Sept. 23) On behalf of the Coastal 500, a 2023 Earthshot Prize finalist, Rare’s Rocky Sanchez Tirona will take the stage with other visionary leaders to discuss cutting-edge climate solutions.
- Climate Week Kick-off: Building our sustainable tomorrow (Sept. 23) Brooke Betts, head of Rare’s Social Media Lab, co-presents results of the first global study assessing adoption of and barriers to climate-friendly behaviors across 37 high-emitting, high-income countries.
- Charting the Future: Scaling the Small-Scale Fisheries Impact Bond for 30×30 Success (Sept. 24) Rare VP of Innovative Finance Kate Schweigart and partners will celebrate the launch of the world’s first impact bond for small-scale fisheries.
- Does Sustainability Storytelling Inspire Change? (Sept. 24) Ellis Watamanuk and Anirudh Tiwathia of Rare’s Entertainment Lab will present Rare’s recent research on films and shows like Don’t Look Up, Madam Secretary, And Just Like That, and more. The panel is hosted by Futerra and the Sustainable Entertainment Alliance.
- Fostering a Plant-Rich Culture (Sept. 24) As part of Food Day, hosted by Tilt Collective, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and Bezos Earth Fund, Rare’s Food & Climate lead Natalia Paine will join a panel to discuss shifting cultural norms around the food we eat.
Author Talk with Ben Goldfarb
Join us for an engaging author talk with Ben Goldfarb on his latest book, Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet. Discover how extensive road networks impact wildlife and ecosystems, and explore potential solutions to these challenges. Ben’s journey across the globe reveals the unseen effects of our “concrete tsunami” and highlights how we can mitigate the damage.
BE.Hive: Behavioral Insights to Environmental Impacts
A day spent discovering how behavioral insights can help tackle our biggest environmental challenges
On Tuesday, June 11, Rare hosted its fourth BE.Hive conference at Arena Stage in Washington, DC. The event brought together behavioral scientists, environmental practitioners, foundation officers, sustainable brand professionals and climate-conscious leaders from a range of sectors to explore people-centered environmental solutions and the measurable impact they can have. Nearly 300 people spent the day listening to spark talks, laughing at witticisms, and reflecting on what the community at the intersection of behavioral science and conservation has learned since the first BE.Hive gathering in 2019.
Rare at COP27
Ocean-Climate-Society: Challenges & opportunities for ocean mitigation, adaptation, finance & UNFCCC
Date: Nov. 15; 4:45 – 6:15 pm
Venue: Room 5- Memphis (300)
Hosts: Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), Blue Marine Foundation, European Bureau for Conservation and Development (EBCD), Rare, University of Strathclyde
Description: Ocean ecosystems & coastal communities are being impacted by climate change, but the ocean also offers adaptation & mitigation actions. We will show examples of ocean adaptation, incl. Africa & Asia-Pacific, blue finance; collaboration; equitably with communities & ocean integration in the UNFCCC.
Fishing for Climate Resilience: Unlocking the collective potential of vulnerable coastal communities for climate action
Date: Nov 10; 9:00AM – 10:15AM
Venue: Resilience Hub
Host: Rare, Global Island Partnership (GLISPA)
Description: The event will showcase the positive impact nature-based solutions (NbS) in coastal ecosystems have on vulnerable coastal communities and small-scale fishers, as well as government strategies at all levels to implement and scale adaptation strategies with NbS and Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA). Local champions and international stakeholders involved in the Fishing for Climate Resilience project will share their journey.
Our Ocean Conference
The Our Ocean Conference is an annual gathering of government leaders, international NGOs, scientists, and advocates to make commitments that protect the ocean. The Republic of Palau is hosting this year’s conference (a first for a small island developing state), and Rare will be at the table—elevating the voices of local leaders and coastal communities and sharing solutions for people and nature.
COP26 UN Climate Change Conference
Rare participated the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) from the 31st of October to the 12th of November 2021, in Glasgow in the UK.
Learn more about Rare’s perspective at COP26
Rare partnered in several events, both in-person and virtual, as part of our strategy to:
- Elevate the voices of local leaders and coastal community members to underline the role of locally-led solutions in addressing climate change.
- Demonstrate that small-scale and networked ecosystem-based approaches for fishers and farmers contribute as tangible solutions for climate actions.
- Build momentum around ocean-climate action, particularly by integrating the needs and views of local communities.
BE.Hive: Behavioral Solutions to Water Pollution
Three days of inspiration, insight, and opportunity
Rare’s Center for Behavior & the Environment hosted its 3rd BE.Hive, centered on the intersection between water pollution and behavioral science. Nearly 300 people from 38 countries tuned in live to hear from 30+ presenters about the latest behavioral insights, environmental inspirations, and best-in-class opportunities for applying the science of human behavior to reduce water pollution.
Training in Spanish: Behavior Centered Design for the Environment
Spanish Behavior-Centered Design for the Environment Training
Virtual
August 5-6, 2020
Join us for an interactive virtual training in Behavior Centered Design, delivered in Spanish. Guided by trainers from Rare’s Center for Behavior & the Environment, you will explore the fundamentals of behavior change theory and strategy by working through a real-world challenge, gaining a deep understanding of how to apply our approach to your work to generate more effective, lasting solutions.
The Ocean Race Summit
The Ocean Race Summit
The Summit brought together 200 ocean conservation experts and advocates including business leaders and policymakers, scientists and technicians, solutions innovators, athletes, skippers, ocean advocates, environmental justice campaigners, marketers and storytellers, behavioral scientists, sports psychologists, young wavemakers and those living and working with the ocean.
The goal for The Ocean Race Summit is to identify solutions and to facilitate meaningful action. Experts are exploring ways to apply behavioral science, sports psychology and marketing tools to make an impact. Kevin Green from Rare’s BE.Center joined the Science of Action session to share behavioral science insights to save our oceans.
Changing Social Norms: Behaviour Change for Climate
Changing Social Norms: Behaviour Change for Climate
Oxford Climate Society
Rare is delighted to join the Oxford Climate Society to share how our human nature and desire to be social can be used to spark climate-friendly behavior.
Research has established that mitigating climate change will largely depend on changing mindsets, behaviours and societal norms. So where do we start? The Covid-19 crisis has demonstrated that many people can work from home and significantly reduce their travel. How can we make some of these low-carbon behaviour changes more permanent post-Covid? How can other low-carbon behaviours become normal in society?
Featuring Elke Weber, Professor of Psychology and Gerhard R. Andlinger Professor of Energy and the Environment at Princeton University, and Rare’s Kevin Green, Vice President of the Center for Behavior & the Environment.
SXSW Via Zoom
Make It Personal: 7 Steps to Impact Climate Change
Webinar
The South by Southwest festival was canceled, so we went virtual!
In partnership with Zoom, Rare CEO Brett Jenks shared the 7 behaviors individual people can adopt to actually move the needle on climate change, and Rare’s bold new initiative to spark their adoption.
UN Climate Change Conference - COP 25
UN Climate Change Conference – COP 25
IFEMA – Feria de Madrid
Madrid, Spain
December 2 – December 13, 2019
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the international response to climate change. It is a treaty that sets out the basic responsibilities of the 196 Parties (States) plus the European Union to fight climate change.
Rare works with local and national partners to demonstrate how sub-national level, and local action are critical for long-term and sustainable commitment to the Nationally Determined Contribution’s (NDC) implementation.
Leveraging first results from our ongoing ‘Fishing for Climate Resilience’ project, Rare took Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in coastal communities to center stage. Together with various partners ranging from government, to academia and NGOs, we hosted 3 side events. With over 90 additional events discussing the important link between climate and oceans at the COP25, examples of Rare’s unique approach to community-led, nature-based solutions in small-scale fisheries were well received by many.
Webinar: The Local Lens
The Local Lens: Engaging Photography Through Participatory Photography
Online
October 29, 2019
For the coastal fishing community of Zavora, Mozambique, the ocean is a way of life. Yet coastal overfishing threatens this small and dynamic community on the southeastern coast. Working with renowned photojournalist Jason Houston, Rare gave cameras to four community members to document their lives and share their experiences through their own lens. What emerged was a personal look at the people of this extraordinary place along Mozambique’s Wild Coast. Click below to explore how participatory photography can be used as a powerful tool for practitioners looking to engage communities and better understand their world.
Our Ocean Norway
Since its inception, Our Ocean has helped put our oceans’ health at the top of national and international political agendas. The conference brings together heads of state, ministers, philanthropy, NGOs, corporations, scientists and other experts to commit to taking actions that protect and revitalize our oceans. Rare has regularly and actively participated in Our Ocean over the years, highlighting the work and progress made by our Fish Forever program. Click below for key takeaways from the week in Oslo.
BE.Hive on Campus
BE.Hive on Campus
Carlise, PA
October 5, 2019
Rare in collaboration with Dickinson College, presented BE.Hive on Campus: Climate Change Needs Behavior Change. This interactive summit will convene environmental advocates, youth climate activists, sustainability pros, behavioral scientists and other visionary leaders to explore how campus communities can be at the forefront of promoting sustainable behaviors and curbing the climate crisis.
Behavior-Centered Design Challenge
Carlisle, PA
Friday, October 4, 2019
Ahead of BE.Hive on Campus, Rare hosted a Behavior-Centered Design Challenge at Dickinson College. Challenge participants, working in teams with direct coaching and partnership from leading behavioral science experts, worked to create real world solutions to address a specific greenhouse gas emissions challenge facing colleges and universities across the country. Winning teams received $1,500 and had their concepts highlighted at the BE.Hive on Campus summit.
Global Landscapes Forum
Narratives for Radical Change: Rare at Global Landscapes Forum
Bonn, Germany
June 22, 2019
Rare Managing Director of Climate & Water, Paula Caballero, spoke before the Global Landscapes Forum in Bonn, Germany during a session on the power of narratives to propel change. Caballero, a driving force behind the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), shared her experience shifting the global development narrative from one that divided the world into the haves and have-nots, to a unifying narrative in which all nations and constituencies share responsibility in building a more sustainable world.
Growing Blue Mozambique
Webinar: People, Behavior & Vibrant Oceans
Webinar: People, Behavior & Vibrant Oceans
Online
May 30, 2019
Dr. Steve Box, Rare’s Senior Vice President of Fish Forever, and Melissa Wright, oceans lead for Bloomberg Philanthropies, lead a webinar on shifting fishers’ behaviors to help curb overfishing.
Webinar: Behavior Change for Nature
Webinar: Behavior Change for Nature
Online
May 14, 2019
See how the Behavioural Insights Team and Rare’s Center for Behavior & the Environment are expanding the conservationist’s toolkit to include the latest insights from leading behavioral science.
BE.Hive: Climate Change Needs Behavior Change
BE.Hive: Climate Change Needs Behavior Change
National Geographic, Washington, DC
March 19, 2019
This day-long summit explored climate change through the lens of human behavior. Co-sponsored by Rare and National Geographic Society, the summit brought together climate experts, behavioral scientists, entrepreneurs, business leaders, students and others for a conversation about using what we know about human behavior and decision-making to help people reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. It was a day of hope, solutions, and the unexpected.