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00:00:03 David
This year has been the hottest on record. We've seen shocking floods, droughts, storms and more. And here in Canada, the worst wildfire season ever is showing no signs of abating. These extreme weather events are increasing evidence of the worsening climate crisis, and speak to the growing urgency for the world to take action. Here at Cities 1.5, we believe that climate action requires global efforts, and that cities around the world are leading the way. [music fades out]
[upbeat music plays] My name is David Miller. I'm the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy from the University of Toronto Press, and the host of Cities 1.5. I'm also the Managing Director of the C40 Centre, and the former Mayor of Toronto. We covered a lot of ground in the first season of Cities 1.5, but we only scratched the surface of the incredible actions that mayors are taking in the fight against climate change. This season, we're back with more case studies, facts, and advice that cities can use and learn from when creating climate policy. We'll look at cities, both large and small, who are doing their absolute best to address the climate crisis. [music plays] Like New York, where Dan Zarrilli, the former Chief Policy Adviser to the New York City Mayor's office, was instrumental in divesting the city entirely away from fossil fuels.
00:01:45 Dan Zarrilli
We looked at our pension system and said, “Well, wait a minute, we're still investing in what is causing the problem of climate change.” We started the process of thinking about what it would mean to bring our pension investments, to bring that in line with where the world's going to be and really account for climate risk in our financial investments.
00:02:07 David
I'll also speak with experts about emerging solutions - like climate budgeting, ecological economics, and much more, with guests such as Aromar Revi, who contributed to the latest, shocking IPCC report on climate change.
00:02:23 Aromar Revi
If we reach 2°, we're going to see catastrophic effects. We really have to work very hard to try and make sure that our emissions keep the impacts at less than 1.5°, but we would be very stupid if we did not prepare to adapt cities to 2.7° or more.
00:02:41 David
We'll also be featuring some of the guest editors of upcoming special issues of the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy. [music plays] Chandni Singh is one of the contributors to the special issue on climate justice that will be published later this year.
00:02:56 Chandni Singh
I think there are two sides to the climate justice thing. We know that every place, every person, really, is affected by climate change. But we also know that certain people are differently affected by it. So, climate justice really is bringing this idea of differentiation and to correct wrongs from the past. [music fades out]
00:03:16 David
[main theme plays] We've got a jam-packed season for you, and it all starts Tuesday, September 12th, with new episodes landing weekly. The goal of creating a resilient and equitable planet is closer than you think. Learn about the actions of international communities by listening to Cities 1.5 wherever you get your podcasts. And don't forget to subscribe, so you won't miss a single episode. [music swells and fades]