With less than 6 weeks until the long-awaited UN Climate Summit in Paris, leaders are looking for opportunities where the least amount of resources can have the greatest climate change impacts. While large-scale projects and international agreements are necessary components, local action on climate is where quick and meaningful changes are being made.
Cities already contain the majority of the world’s population, and as more people move to urban centers, their density is increasing. This density provides urban municipalities an opportunity to capitalize on the advantages that city life brings. This may include mass transit systems, rooftop solar, bike-share programs and bike lanes, and a switch to renewables—which combined will provide tangible reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Such improvements have the added benefit of empowering urban communities: providing more efficient transportation options, a healthier environment in which to live, resulting in an overall improvement in quality of life.
Local cities and communities are increasingly becoming the focal points for climate action. Their density and the ability to move quickly and dynamically, makes them prime candidates as climate leaders. Mayors must set the tone, and utilize the resources available to transform their cities to be greener, healthier, better communities for residents. To find out more about how your community can become a climate leader, check out Path to Positive Communities.
There are now only 39 days to go until the world’s nations convene in Paris for the United Nations Climate Summit. Six years ago, talks in Copenhagen ended in chaos. Is there any reason to suppose Paris will deliver anything more than well-padded expense accounts for delegates and hot air on the issues?
In his new book, Atmosphere of Hope: Searching For Solutions To The Climate Change Crisis, best-selling Australian author Tim Flannery counsels cautious optimism by showing how the millions of small actions taken by individuals are driving down oil consumption and points out how new “Third Way” carbon-capture technologies promise to reduce emissions and create massive economic opportunities.
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