Autumn has settled over New York and Climate Week has come and gone, leaving behind both urgency and energy. 

The seasons, as always, shift on their own. But our systems - political, economic, social - won’t change unless we push them.

This year’s gathering brought together leaders, activists, and innovators in the largest annual climate event of its kind. The conversations were big: policies, investments, corporate strategies. But what gave us the most hope was what happened in the smaller spaces: inside rooms, on panels, and even in the streets. Despite headwinds, momentum is alive.

We saw it in youth activists demanding better futures. In businesses rethinking their supply chains. In innovators showing that solutions once thought impossible are not just possible, but practical. 

That momentum matters, but only if we carry it forward.

And that’s the challenge: turning moments into movements. Climate Week reminded us of five truths that will help guide that work.

Courage will lead the way. 

Governments are dragging their feet, so it’s up to individuals and businesses to step forward with determination.

We need to shift the story. 

Sustainability isn’t a burden. It’s the smarter, cleaner, more cost-effective path. That message resonated across industries, and the business case is undeniable.

Market forces can be allies. 

Just 0.1% of global financial transactions could cover the cost of a clean energy transition. The money exists. It’s about directing it.

Renewables have already won on price. 

With 90% of renewable energy now cheaper than fossil fuels, the economic tipping point has been crossed. The opportunity is vast: deserts alone receive enough solar energy in six hours to power the world for a year.

And finally, climate isn’t about sacrifice. 

It’s about building a future people actively want to join. One that’s healthier, fairer, and more resilient.

These aren’t just abstract insights. They shape how we at Ocean Bottle think about impact. We started with a simple belief: every product should have purpose. For every Ocean Bottle sold, the equivalent of 1,000 plastic bottles is collected before reaching the ocean. That’s not a tagline, it’s measurable impact, supporting real people in coastal communities.

Collectors like Eman in Cairo, who’s funding her children’s education, or Vilma in Manila, who turns waste into opportunity for her family and neighbours. Their stories remind us that systemic change happens not only at the policy level but also at the human one.

Carrying a reusable bottle may seem small. But when it connects to a global movement that reduces waste, supports livelihoods, and proves that design and impact can go hand in hand, it becomes transformative.

As the leaves turn in New York, the climate movement must continue to gather force. Our task now is to make sure that this translates into action.

Because seasons change naturally. But systems don’t. Unless we act.