Houston to participate in global hackathon to address climate change

Houston is participating in Global Climathon Day on Oct. 25, where local brainstorming sessions invite people to develop solutions for safety and quality-of-life issues, such as air pollution, extreme weather and waste management. Pictured is the Houston Climate Strike at City Hall on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019 in Houston. less Houston is participating in Global Climathon Day on Oct. 25, where local brainstorming sessions invite people to develop solutions for safety and quality-of-life issues, such as air pollution, extreme weather ... more Photo: Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Photo: Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Houston to participate in global hackathon to address climate change 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

Houston is participating in Global Climathon Day on Oct. 25, where local brainstorming sessions invite people to develop solutions for safety and quality-of-life issues, such as air pollution, extreme weather and waste management.

Participants will gather into teams, connect with subject matter experts and then create solutions for such problems. Houston's event will be hosted by Impact Hub Houston, a nonprofit that supports entrepreneurs addressing social problems. It will hold Climathon at 410 Pierce Street.

Local judges will select the most promising ideas to be considered for the Global Awards in Paris. Winners of the Citizens Award, given to an innovative and replicable idea for helping citizens take action, can receive cash prizes.

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"During Hurricane Harvey, we saw Houston's talent rise to these challenges and develop solutions that not only helped rescue, feed and shelter local Houstonians, but went on to help people in Florida and Puerto Rico," Grace Rodriguez, CEO and executive director of Impact Hub Houston, said in a news release. "We're excited to join the global Climathon challenge in order to give Houston's changemakers a platform to develop sustainable air, water, energy, etc., solutions and take them to the next level."

Climathon is hosted on a global level by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, an independent body of the European Union that's focused on innovation, through its Climate Knowledge and Innovation Community.

Last year, more than 5,000 people across 113 cities participated in Climathon.

"We must engage local citizens and the startup and entrepreneurship community," Lara Cottingham, chief of staff & chief sustainability officer for the city of Houston, said in the news release, "in developing innovative solutions towards climate action."