A short 10-minute ferry ride from lower Manhattan takes visitors to Governors Island for the inaugural Climate Tech Showcase. Hosted by the New York Climate Exchange, the event is open to the public, showcasing new technologies in energy, agriculture and other key areas. These climate tech innovations are being presented as practical solutions for reducing pollution.

“When we talk about climate for New Yorkers, it’s the reality of flooding that we’re experiencing more and more frequently,” said Shaina Horowitz, director of programming, innovation and acceleration for the New York Climate Exchange. “Maybe the subways are flooding, or basements are flooding. The solutions we’re seeing here today are practical and could make a big difference.”

The showcase, featuring around 25 startups, includes companies from New York and beyond.

“Many of them were born and raised here in New York, some from universities and other places around the world,” Horowitz added. “They’re here to present their climate solutions and approaches to supporting climate action.”

One of the startups featured at the event is New York-based Vy-Carb, which is working on a groundbreaking way to capture and store carbon emissions.

“This reactor sits in the water, and as water passes through, we capture CO2 and drive a chemical reaction,” explained Vy-Carb founder and CEO Garrett Boudinot. “By the time the water leaves, that CO2 has been converted into bicarbonate.”

While the science may sound complex, Boudinot says the benefits are clear for New York City.

“The great thing about storing bicarbonate in the water is that it reduces acidification, which is one of the negative effects of climate change. So, by removing CO2 and storing it this way, we’re not only helping the global climate, but also improving water quality here in New York City.”

The Climate Tech Showcase runs until Sept. 28, with more events throughout the week. For more information, visit the New York Climate Exchange.