TRAILER - Cities 1.5: The 1.5 Degree Mission

David  00:01
The climate crisis is here. And that's because globally, we're not where we need to be in order to meet our climate targets. [pensive music plays] 1.5 degrees: that's the target the global leaders committed to in the Paris Agreement in 2015. But seven years later, experts estimate global temperatures are on track to rise nearly 3 degrees above pre-industrial times. [music fades out] Every quarter of a degree matters, particularly in the Global South, where impacts are felt disproportionately. Cities account for 55% of global population, 80% of the global economy, and over 70% of global emissions. The problem - and the solutions - start here. [inspirational music plays] Fortunately, we already know what the solutions are. At C40 Cities, a global network of the world's leading mayors addressing climate change, city leaders share best practices to tackle the climate crisis. And they're setting a clear example of the actions we must take today. [music fades out] I'm David Miller, the managing director of the C40 Center for City Climate Policy and Economy, and the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy from the University of Toronto Press. I'm also the former Mayor of the City of Toronto. [Cities 1.5 theme plays] And I'm the host of the new podcast, Cities 1.5. In order to ensure a world within 1.5 degrees, we need transformative action. We can no longer accept an incremental pace of change, and so need government leadership that's mission-oriented and purposeful. [music fades out] Climate policies are a crucial element of this fight. But we must also reimagine our economic systems. The current thinking might benefit some, but it doesn't benefit most people, or the planet. [hopeful music plays] The good news economists like Mariana Mazzucato, Kate Raworth and Herman Daly are doing just this. Which is why we've started the Center for City Climate Policy and Economy - to bring these solutions together and empower progressive and ambitious mayors with the evidence and narrative to champion and action transformational change. [music fades out] The fight for a resilient planet is closer than you think. [Cities 1.5 theme plays] Learn about the actions of international communities by listening to Cities 1.5. Each week, we'll share stories from around the world, speaking to the mayors, youth, climate leaders, academics, and other climate defenders who are helping to deliver a 1.5 degree, resilient, and equitable world through leading city-based actions. We want to disseminate current research, shine a spotlight on the transformative and necessary climate actions, and inspire hope for a livable and sustainable world. Cities 1.5 debuts January, 2023. Do your part to make the world a better place - listen and subscribe to Cities 1.5. [music swells and fades]