Core Insights - The New York Energy Consumers Council (NYECC) honored leaders in the energy sector for their contributions towards a sustainable future during the 2025 ENYA awards ceremony [1][4] Award Summaries - **ENYA Lifetime Achievement Award**: Diana Sweeney was recognized for her twelve years as Executive Director, where she effectively led the organization through significant changes in New York's energy landscape and expanded its membership [1] - **ENYA Vision Award**: Esther Toporovsky, leading Community Sustainability Partners, has facilitated over $100 million in investments for more than 10,000 low-income housing units, promoting solar access and climate justice [2] - **ENYA Community Impact Award**: Jennifer Leone, Assistant Commissioner at NYC HPD, has integrated equity into over $100 million in decarbonization initiatives, including NYC's first housing energy retrofit pilot [2] - **ENYA Innovation Award**: Michael Reed directs statewide building transformation efforts at NYSERDA, focusing on large-scale climate action initiatives [3] - **ENYA Leadership Award**: Kelly Westby leads a team at Steven Winter Associates, delivering decarbonization and training to NYC buildings, while fostering a culture of mentorship [3] Event Details - The event featured a keynote address from Rich Dewey, President & CEO of the New York Independent System Operator, along with remarks from NYECC co-Presidents and Executive Director [4] - The event was hosted by Vornado Realty Trust, with principal sponsorship from various organizations including Trane and NYSERDA [4] About NYECC - NYECC is dedicated to promoting a sustainable and equitable energy future for New York City and Westchester County, advocating for reliable and affordable energy generation and delivery [5]

We have had this thing going on for several years where we kept asking each other questions by singing lines from famous songs. I don't remember when we started or how we started, but ever since it seems to have become our thing. And now when you're sick, I don't know how to cope or how to even approach you. So I did the only thing left in my power. You're tucked into bed, breathing with deep rattles. Can I lay by your side? Your nod was the confirmation I needed before I lay down beside you. And I looked a ...

"We need a 40-year plan that can ensure that our movement... [will survive] beyond administrations," Dr. Robert D. Bullard, Founding Director of Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice at Texas Southern University, said at the #ForbesSustainabilityLeaders Summit. https://t.co/zjUbg1wFjP ...

Climate Change Impact & Legal Action - Climate change poses an existential threat to the Saibby community, predicting less than 30 years of habitability on Saibby Island [1] - A class action lawsuit has been filed against the Australian government for failing to protect the Torres Strait Islanders from climate change effects [5] - The lawsuit aims to establish a legal precedent requiring the government to accelerate climate pollution reduction efforts [7] Indigenous Knowledge & Western Legal Systems - Indigenous law emphasizes interconnectedness, contrasting with the Western legal system's focus on ownership and individual rights [8][9] - The Grata Fund supports strategic litigation to amplify community voices in courts and corridors of power, bridging the gap between Western and Indigenous legal systems [14] - The court held hearings on country, deviating from traditional courtroom settings, to directly engage with the community and acknowledge First Nations wisdom [22][23] Cultural Preservation & Climate Justice - Climate change is viewed as a form of cultural genocide, threatening the identity, culture, and knowledge systems of the Torres Strait Islanders [25] - The speakers advocate for a deeper relationship between Western and Indigenous ways of knowing to address climate challenges effectively [20] - The ultimate goal extends beyond winning the court case, aiming to build a bridge between knowledge systems and foster mutual respect and understanding [19]