NEW - SJC SpeakEASY Salon Series

This new 2025 SJC SpeakEASY Salon Series is intended to provide a platform for vibrant discussion amongst community stakeholders guided by moderators, and includes some subject matter experts in the mix to spark the conversation. The highlights of community concerns, ideas and any calls to action will be shared in a new SJC feature column published in the JC Times each month. Refreshments will be served.

This monthly in-person SJC Salon Series will take place on the 3rd Tuesday evening of each month from 6:30pm - 8pm at the JC Free Public Library, downtown branch at Jersey Ave / Montgomery Street.

Community members are welcome as we consider how cities will change and, hence, our living, school, and work experiences. We would like to hear from neighbors, students, cultural enthusiasts, and curious minds in these future casting conversations.

This series as an extension of SJC's community educational programming - our hope is that these shared discussions illuminate opportunities to better understand and participate in our changing world 🪶

For the remainder of the 2025 season, we will be unpacking the topic "Can Market-Driven Economics Be A Partner In Sustainability And Climate Action ? " We will addres the following dynamics in both these SJC Salon discussions and our CGC Zoom series together each month -

• Our PERSONAL relationships to MARKETS (October)
• BUSINESS / CORPORATE relationships to MARKETS (November)
• GOVERNMENT relationships to MARKETS (December)

UPCOMING MEETING DETAILS BELOW . . .

October 21st Meeting details -

We will continue with the theme from our September Community Green Committee (CGC) Zoom Call with the community, where we provided a Primer for the context of "Can Market-Driven Economics Be A Partner In Sustainability And Climate Action ? " , and now for October, we will dive into our PERSONAL relationship to MARKETS (of all kinds) - how we influence them, and how they effect our lives . . . including whether they map to our values !!!

• Our exploration will include looking at the distincions between WEALTH, MONEY and CAPITAL ... and WHO CONTROLS WHAT ?

The discussion will be led by two SJC Board Members, Ash Vasishth and David Larrabee,

We strongly suggest you review the background materials below which were presented at our September CGC Mtg as that will provide for a more robust exchange by those of you who attend our discussion 👍

• In case you missed this meeting here is the recording (1 hour)
• Presentation materials for David here
• Presentation materials for Ash here
• Other reference materials here that address the questions from the audience, case studies, etc.

June 17th Meeting details -

In June, our SpeakEasy Salon discussion will focus on "Public Places & Our Urban Eco Habitat". As we close out this season having discussed the relationship of Climate Change to Buildings, Transportation, Waste Streams & The Circular Economy, we want to go beyond infrastructure and address rebalancing our urban ecosystem and our personal connection to this place - the land, nature, biodiversity and ways we can better value the entirety of our ecology and needed restoration in our climate change adaptation measures.

PAST MEETING DETAILS BELOW ...

May 20th Meeting details -

In May, our SpeakEasy Salon discussion will consider "The Future of Waste & The Circular Economy". Our collective waste footprint far exceeds the capacity of the planet and is affecting our lives - there are many considerations, some of which are very well conveyed in this short video, The Story of Stuff - please watch it before the event as will make our conversation together more robust !

Also, not a lot of people understand what 'The Circular Economy' is, so we will unpack that together and it would be great if you also watched this 4 minute video ahead of time by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation explaining exactly what the Circular Economy is👍

April 15th Meeting details -

In April, we will discuss transportation and how we can traverse our home city with the impact of climate change. What needs to happen for Jersey City transportation infrastructure to be prepared for hotter weather, flooding, and rising sea levels? Some questions to ponder ahead of our time together : https://forms.gle/s3vP2UxLxKRFHnYv9

February 18th Meeting details -

In February, we will discuss whether Jersey City Buildings are ready for the challenges brought on by climate change. What needs to happen for Jersey City Buildings to be prepared for hotter weather, flooding, and rising sea levels?
Sustainable JC’s David Larabee will share insights, statistics and what the future holds!

See here all that our session aims to cover!

Highlights here

January 21st Meeting details -

The January topic will be Climate Change with guest expert NJ Climatologist, David Robinson joining us to kick off the discussion !

Highlights here