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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Anais Reyes, Curator at the Climate Museum
5:54:38
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Anais Reyes, curator at the Climate Museum, testified about the importance of their work in addressing climate change through cultural programs and exhibitions. She requested support from the council members for the museum's initiatives and development.
- The Climate Museum is the first museum in the US focused on climate change, using cultural programs to educate and engage visitors in civic action.
- A study showed that the museum's exhibitions effectively increase awareness, hope, and determination to speak out about climate change among visitors.
- Reyes requested support through member item requests, the speaker's initiative, and a resolution in support of the Climate Museum's mission and development.
Anais Reyes
5:54:38
Greetings chair Rivera and staff members.
5:54:41
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
5:54:43
My name is Anais Reyes and I'm the curator at the Climate Museum.
5:54:47
We're the first museum in The US focused on climate change.
5:54:50
We use cultural programs to educate visitors about climate and get them involved in civic action.
5:54:55
We recently secured a permanent home near Hudson Yards that will open in 2029 and are currently in the process of finding and fundraising for a temporary home in the interim.
5:55:05
I'm here with an urgent request for you today, oops, that you uphold the cultural and civic fabric of New York City's climate leadership, climate and cultural leadership leadership by expressing your support for the climate museum both individually and through the speakers initiative.
5:55:20
Research from Yale showed that in 2024, '70 '5 percent of people across the five boroughs were worried about climate change.
5:55:27
Three out of four people feel anxious and overwhelmed and most feel very isolated and feel that no one really cares.
5:55:34
Through exhibitions and events, the Climate Museum uses the power of the arts to acknowledge people's worries and lived experiences, to connect people to tangible actions they can take, and build an empathetic, civically engaged, and empowered community in the process.
5:55:48
Put simply, our work is transformative.
5:55:51
A peer reviewed study from George Mason University recently found that after seeing our exhibitions, visitors left more aware of just how much others are concerned about climate change, more hopeful that it can be solved, and more confident and determined to speak out about it.
5:56:05
We are providing an essential service to New Yorkers, moving visitors from despair and isolation to communal engagement.
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This is how we fulfill our civic responsibility as a cultural organization and do our part for the betterment of the city.
5:56:18
We all know our values and rights are currently under attack as many of my previous speakers have talked about today.
5:56:24
Now is the time to stand together for those values and for climate and cultural and civic leadership in New York City.
5:56:30
Today I'm asking for your support in helping us to continue doing this vital work.
5:56:34
First, we have submitted several member item requests including to members of the committee and we appreciate your partnership past, present, and future.
5:56:42
Second, we have also submitted a request as part of the speaker's initiative and asked for your support with speaker Adams.
5:56:47
Finally, we will reach out to your office separately about a resolution in support of the climate museum's mission and development that chair DeNaro has introduced.
5:56:55
Thank you again for your partnership and for your time today.