A new study out last week affirms why we’re organising locally to secure commitments to a fossil free world on 8 September. Big cities are huge emitters of greenhouse gases. But this also means “concerted action by a small number of local mayors and governments can significantly reduce national carbon footprints”.
“Mayors, governors, councils and city bosses have as much opportunity as national governments – and more direct influence.” Daniel Moran, of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Cities may drive climate change, but they are also concentrations of people who will be most at risk, not just because cities are hotter than the surrounding countryside, but because, as the world warms, more people in more cities become increasingly vulnerable to extremes of heat and flood.
The message of the study is simple: when it comes to real climate leadership, mayors, governors, councils and city bosses have as much opportunity as national governments – and more direct influence.
In other Rise for Climate-related news this week:
Watch: 350 Pilipinas unfurled #FossilFree banners around Metro Manila, building up to the #RiseForClimate
Volunteers hope that their actions will help civic leaders meeting this September hear the hopes and aspirations of people from climate vulnerable countries like the Philippines.
#RiseForClimate twitterstorm hits US Conference of Mayors
We often think of leadership as something elected officials and people in power embody. The truth is real leadership comes from the people, and the past week has proven that.
As the US Conference of Mayors convened in a Boston convention centre, hundreds of people demonstrated outside to demand action for a fossil free future and a light projection called on host Boston mayor to walk the talk on climate. They were joined by thousands of tweets at their mayors under the #RiseForClimate hashtag — so many, that the live Twitter feed inside the conference was completely taken over by #RiseForClimate tweets. Read more about the conference here.
Tweets @ US mayors stream behind speakers on the main conference floor
African cities show real climate leadership
Announcements from cities in the build up to the official GCAS summit in September continue to build up.
Africa is sometimes better known for its vulnerability to climate change than its action on the problem – but a set of African cities intend to change that.
Eight major cities – from Accra to Dar es Salaam – pledged this week to deliver their share of emissions cuts needed to meet Paris Agreement targets to limit climate change.
They signed a new pledge to achieve “zero carbon” city economies by 2050.
And finally:
Women for Climate Justice in California are holding the first Rise Art build. Art can be a great way to bring people together, raise awareness about Rise for Climate and deliver a powerful message – watch this space for more resources coming your way soon to help you get creative locally!