Communities are stepping up where existing systems are lacking. Across the United States, and especially in Washington DC, people are leading the way to address the climate crisis from the ground up. To achieve meaningful change, everyone—the private sector, government, civil society, and the public—must work together to face this challenge. Local action is on the rise, and DC is about to showcase that energy. No one knows that better than Anjali Mahadevia, founding member and Co-Organizer of Programming for DC’s inaugural Climate Week. At Pyxera Global, we believe lasting climate action starts at the local level. That’s why we are a part of DC Climate Week (DCCW), to amplify the voices of local leaders and to build partnerships needed for systems-level change.
From Conversations to Collective Action
“I’ve been organizing climate-related discussions, talks, and thought leadership through DC Startup and Tech Week, so that’s where I originally started in the conference world,” shared Anjali.
“There was a group of us in DC that were leading the charge on climate organization within DC. And one of the co-organizers, Vid Mićević, [suggested that] we all come together under one umbrella and have quarterly check-ins.”
Those check-ins ultimately led to the formation of the first Climate Week in DC. That conversation happened just a year ago, and now, DCCW is two weeks away, taking place from April 28 to May 2.
Why DC Climate Week Matters Now
Local climate weeks are emerging across the country. Why does DC need its own?
As the U.S. political capital, DC offers unparalleled access to policymakers, international organizations, and innovative funding opportunities – uniquely positioning DCCW for climate collaboration according to the DCCW website.
Climate action in the United States is also shifting. “The federal government is having less of a hands-on approach to climate, and the responsibility is going to fall on state legislators and local legislators. That’s where we’re going to start to see change,” noted Anjali.
Bringing Circular Solutions to the Forefront
Through the Circular Supply Chain Coalition (CSCC), Pyxera Global is working to scale circular solutions that reduce dependence on environmentally harmful mining for critical minerals. We see this as an opportunity to rebuild resilient, local supply chains that support climate goals.
A Closer Look: Circularity & the Economy
Day 3 of DCCW focuses on finance and the economy, bringing together investors, policymakers, and business leaders to explore how funding mechanisms can accelerate the shift toward a green economy.
Members of the CSCC will explore what it takes to scale circular supply chains for critical minerals in the U.S. and beyond. The session will cover:
- How to incentivize and scale local critical mineral supply chains, providing perspective on the economic opportunity to invest in urban mining,
- The barriers and opportunities in establishing a critical mineral remanufacturing network in the United States,
- Key insights from Europe and North America on the role that policy and procurement play in accelerating critical mineral reuse, and
- Insights on how local, small businesses can be integrated into circular supply networks for critical minerals.
“We need the innovators that are coming up with new innovative circular materials or cool, energy-saving technologies,” Anjali explained. “We need venture capitalists to fund that innovation. We need private interest and larger private organizations to be here, having a seat at the table because they’re the ones putting in the biggest footprint that might adopt these technologies to then actually make them useful.”
More than an Agenda: Designing for Inclusion
What we appreciate about DCCW’s approach goes beyond the agenda. The organizers have been intentional about what inclusive climate action looks like – from who gets to speak, to who gets to show up.
The goal, according to Anjali, is to create a space that reflects the breadth of the community and the complexity of the climate challenges we face.
- To ensure accessibility for the local DC community, all DCCW events are free to attend.
- The organizers intentionally selected venues within walking distance of Metro stations to make participation easier.
- Key hub locations are guaranteed to remain free and open to the public, with a lottery system in place to manage overflow if attendance exceeds venue capacity.
- Organizers have prioritized diversity across age, race, gender, and neurodiversity—actively designing panels that avoid common pitfalls like “manels” or homogeneous speaker lineups.
Mobilizing Communities, Shaping Systems
Pyxera Global’s mission is to solve our world’s most pressing challenges, one community at a time. That means working with the people closest to the challenge to lead the solution.
“Local climate weeks play an extremely important part in mobilizing communities and therefore mobilizing change,” shared Anjali. “When it comes to systems-level reform, you need local wisdom to create that.”
That’s exactly what DCCW is about and why Pyxera Global is a part of the conversation. Join us as we explore what it takes to transition from extractive systems to circular, community-centered solutions.
Join the Conversation
Registration is now open for DC Climate Week.
Pyxera Global and the CSCC will be presenting on Wednesday, April 30 [Day 3] at The Square (1850 K St NW, Washington DC, 20006), exploring how to accelerate circular solutions for critical minerals. We look forward to seeing you there.
