FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 17, 2026
Media Contact: Melissa Garriga | [email protected]
NY Climate Week: As World Leaders Gather for Climate Week, Activists Demand: Cut the $1.5 Trillion Pentagon Budget to Save the Planet
NEW YORK — Every year, thousands of people converge on New York City for one of the world's largest climate events, "New York Climate Week," which runs alongside the United Nations General Assembly. But as officials convene for panels and pledges, the elephant in the room remains: the U.S. military’s all-out climate and environmental devastation. The official event routinely leaves out the single largest institutional driver of the climate crisis, and enforcement mechanism of the fossil fuel industry - the Pentagon, fueled by the trillion-dollar+ annual Pentagon budget.
Meanwhile, thousands of climate organizations are gathering in New York for counter-mobilizations, events, and strategic organizing that target the root systems driving the climate crisis—systems often excluded from official discussions. Climate disasters are escalating year by year, but Congress has a tangible way to de-escalate: a vote on a possible $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget is on the horizon, and for the first time in years, there is real momentum to cut it.
Throughout the week, CODEPINK activists will be across the city demanding that elected officials, corporations, and the "Big Greens" confront the military-industrial complex's role in the climate crisis and redirect those funds toward a just and livable future. The scheduled actions include:
Monday, September 21
- Climate Week Opening Ceremony Time/location TBD: CODEPINK will gather outside the corporate climate event, NestCampus, with "Elephant in the Room" imagery and "War Is Not Green" messaging, engaging with attendees about the military's role in climate issues.
- International Day of Peace Action at the U.N. (time/location TBD): Participants will attend the United Nations with signs advocating for cuts to the Pentagon budget and promoting the message that "peace saves the planet."
- Support for "Unplug OpenAI" Action at 5 pm outside OpenAI's offices, 295 Lafayette St: CODEPINK will support the "Unplug OpenAI" action. The initiative opposes building data centers that contribute to environmental degradation. Many of these data centers are being used to drive war and are funded and enabled by the Pentagon. This action is part of the wider “Unplug AI” week of action endorsed and convened by a coalition of environmental organizations.
Tuesday, September 22
- Gathering outside NestCampus Event from 12:00 to 12:45 pm at the Javits Center: CODEPINK will again be outside the NestCampus event at the Javits Center, continuing their "Elephant in the Room" campaign.
- Screening of "Earth's Greatest Enemy" from 6:00 to 9:45 pm at The People's Forum: CODEPINK, in collaboration with the U.S. Climate Action Network (USCAN), will co-host a screening of "Earth's Greatest Enemy" at The People's Forum. The event targets climate organizations and is co-sponsored by the Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, the Institute for Policy Studies Climate Policy Program, and the National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies.
Wednesday, September 23
- Gathering outside NestCampus Event, 12 pm at the Javits Center: CODEPINK will gather outside the corporate climate event, NestCampus, with "Elephant in the Room" imagery and "War Is Not Green" messaging, engaging with attendees about the military's role in climate issues.
Thursday, September 24
- Teach-In on War and Climate from 2:30 to 4:30 pm: CODEPINK will co-host a teach-in titled "War & Climate: What U.S. Imperialism Demands of Our Climate Justice Movements" at the YA-YA Network. The event features frontline organizers, climate justice advocates, anti-war activists, and movement leaders discussing the environmental costs of U.S. imperialism and the need to invest in people and the planet instead of endless war.
- Protest Against Netanyahu at 4 pm at Bryant Park: a contingent from CODEPINK will join the Palestinian Youth Movement's protest at Bryant Park, inviting other climate organizations to participate with messaging that equates genocide with ecocide.
CODEPINK will also bring its signature flair of bird-dogging and disruptions to Climate Week. To be kept up to date on potential viral moments and photo opportunities, please email Melissa at [email protected].
CODEPINK's participation in New York Climate Week underscores the organization's commitment to addressing the environmental impacts of militarism and reallocating funds used to kill people and the planet to true safety in the form of healthcare, education, housing, and climate justice. Cut the Pentagon - save the planet!
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