The seventh annual Climate Week NYC kicked off today in New York, featuring a series of events and discussions that ‘bring together influential global figures – and new voices – from the worlds of business, government and society who are leading the low carbon transition.’

On opening night, Michael participated in a panel discussion at the Yale Club called “Sustainable Development Benefits of Building with Wood.”

For highlights from the discussion, check out the #treesmatter hashtag on Twitter.

He was joined by fellow panelists Michael Deane (moderator), Chief Sustainability Officer, Turner Construction; Patrick Holmes, Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment, USDA; Frank Lowenstein, Deputy Director, NEFF, and Senior Fellow, US Department of State Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas; Chad Oliver, Pinchot Professor of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and Director of Yale’s Global Institute of Sustainable Forestry; Bill Parsons, National Director, Architectural & Engineering Solutions, WoodWorks; and, Roger Platt, President, U.S. Green Building Council.

The panel was hosted by the New England Forestry Foundation, in partnership with the Sustainability Practice Network and the Global Institute of Sustainable Forestry at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.