In this episode of Cities 1.5, David speaks with two urban climate leaders about the critical issue of energy access in Africa. Despite Africa's low contribution to global emissions, the continent faces a rising energy demand that necessitates a transition to renewable energy in order to ensure its accessibility for all. The fossil fuel industry has a devastating legacy across the African continent, leaving a trail of destruction in its polluting wake...and the oil lobby often presents pipelines to local communities as the only path forward - without disclosing the fact that they’re more unstable, dangerous and expensive than green alternatives. City leaders from diverse communities across this part of the world are fighting to facilitate energy access through innovative local policies to achieve a healthy, sustainable, equitable, future for all residents.Image Credit: Photo by Aaron Jones @ UnsplashFeatured guests:Hilda Flavia Nakabuye is a youth climate, gender and environmental rights activist and founder of the Uganda chapter of Fridays for Future, who is fighting to stop the development of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.Dorah Modise is the Regional Director for Africa at C40 and is a sustainability enthusiast and expert.LINKS:Access to electricity - International Energy Agency Fridays for Future: UgandaStop the East Africa Crude Oil PipelineGlobal Witness condemns escalating arrests of climate campaigners in Uganda - Global Witness Decarbonising the city’s grid through solar farming and efficiency measures - South Africa, Cape Town, C40 Cities Finance FacilityA renewable energy roadmap for African cities - C40 Knowledge HubC40 Cities launches research on South Africa green jobsCities forge connections with private sector at Africa’s Green Economy Summit - C40 Empowering African youth for a susIf you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website: https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and Cities 1.5 is supported by C40 Cities and the C40 Centre for City Climate Policy and Economy. You can sign up to the Centre newsletter here. https://thecentre.substack.com/ Our executive producers are Calli Elipoulos and Peggy Whitfield. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music is by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/

Extreme heat has a profound impact on human health - and the health of the planet, and all who live on it. In this episode, we hear firsthand accounts of extreme heat impacts from Cities 1.5 listeners around the world in Calgary, Canada, Athens, Greece and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and delve into the terrifying effects of rising temperatures on daily life - such as disease outbreaks and threats to vulnerable residents - especially in cities in the Global South, which face disproportionate risks with only limited resources. We are joined by experts working on the frontlines of resilience and adaptation, from Buenos Aires and Toronto, who share critical insights on how cities are safeguarding vulnerable communities amidst record-breaking heat, and the deadly health consequences that flow from it.Image Credit: Photo by T.H. Chia @ UnsplashFeatured guests:Amy Buitenhuis is the C40 Head of Urban Heat Programmes and co-manages the C40 Cool Cities Network. Patricia Himshoot is the Manager for Climate Change for the Buenos Aires city government in Argentina, and is a biologist by training.LinksSummer 2024 was world's hottest on record - BBC As heat wave scorches North India, scientists warn of risks from ‘wet bulb’ conditions - The ConversationHeat crisis - AccuWeatherHeat and Health - WHOThe Future We Don’t Want - C40 report Heat Action Platform - C40 Knowledge HubImpacts of climate change on Black populations in the United States - McKinsey Institute for Black Economic MobilityUrban Heat Island - National Geographic Addressing Urban Heat in Buenos Aires: Community-Led Solutions in Barrio 20 - Global Center on AdaptationBuenos Aires 'Citizens Ready Against Climatic Change’ Programme - C40 If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website: https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and Cities 1.5 is supported by C40 Cities and the C40 Centre for City Climate Policy and Economy. You can sign up to the Centre newsletter here. https://thecentre.substack.com/ Our executive producers are Calli Elipoulos and Peggy Whitfield. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music is by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/

In this episode of Cities 1.5, David Miller and his expert guests explore the multifaceted global housing crisis, as well as its ties to the climate crisis and the health of people and planet. Featuring personal stories and case studies from diverse regions that range from Toronto, to Colombia, to Gaza, we hear how cities around the world are advocating for housing as a human right, and delve into innovative solutions like social housing conversions, resilient housing strategies, and the importance of equitable and community-informed decision-making. Emphasizing the need for comprehensive, mission-driven approaches, these conversations highlight the critical intersections of housing security, health, and climate resilience - and, the calls being made for systemic changes and proactive investments to protect vulnerable populations in municipalities worldwide.Image Credit: Photo by T.H. Chia @ UnsplashFeatured guests:Leilani Farha is the Global Director of The Shift, host of the podcast Pushtalks, and former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Housing (2014-2020)Dr Elizabeth Hausler is the Founder and CEO of Build Change, and a global leader in the sector of planning for and creating sustainable and resilient housing - particularly in the Global SouthLINKS:Equity Needs to be at the Heart of Climate Action - Cities 1.5 podcastThe Global Housing Crisis: A Crisis Unlike Any Other - Urbanet Housing Rights - UN Habitat websiteGrenfell Tower fire report: who was at fault and what was landlord’s role? - The GuardianFirst images of Jasper after 100m high wildfire hit – BBCAffordable housing: A route to climate mitigation and resilience - C40 Knowledge HubResilient Housing Across the Americas - Build Change YouTube web seriesDestruction in Asheville Highlights the SIf you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website: https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and Cities 1.5 is supported by C40 Cities and the C40 Centre for City Climate Policy and Economy. You can sign up to the Centre newsletter here. https://thecentre.substack.com/ Our executive producers are Calli Elipoulos and Peggy Whitfield. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music is by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/

In this episode of Cities 1.5, David and his guests from countries on opposite sides of the equator, South Africa and Scotland, explore how urban initiatives are transforming local communities through holistic climate action and wellbeing practices. Linear economic systems - previously the global status quo - have been proven time and again to be ineffective at prioritizing wellbeing for all…especially when we compare them with circular models that emphasize restoration. Grassroots projects like Scotland's Love Letham and Johannesburg's Makers Valley, which focus on sustainable development, community engagement, and empowerment naturally emphasize the importance of inclusivity, indigenous values, and collective action in addressing socioeconomic and environmental challenges. Our expert guests in this episode demonstrate how in both the Global South and North, participatory decision-making and community-driven projects can tackle poverty, improve health, and enhance urban resilience by integrating climate and anti-poverty policies.Image Credit: Photo by Jeswin Thomas @Unsplash Featured guests:Thobile Chittenden is Network Co-Lead at the Wellbeing Economy Alliance and the CEO of the Makers Valley Partnership in Johannesburg, South Africa.Hollie Irvine is the Project Lead of Love Letham in Perth, Scotland - one of four Wellbeing Economy pilot city projects from the Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll).LinksLessons in Wellbeing Economics: Engaging local communities to bring Academic Principles into Urban Practice - Episode 12, Season 3, Cities 1.5 Policy Design for a Wellbeing Economy - Lessons from Four City Pilots - The Journal of City Climate Policy & Economy, Volume 2 Issue 2, January 2024Wellbeing Economy AllianceMakers Valley A New Story Unfolds - Poem by Thobile ChittendenLove Letham Project - Perth, ScotlandOfficial child poverty statistics - Child Poverty Action Group (Scotland)New report shows what Letham’s children need to thrive - Love Letham websiteIf you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website: https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and Cities 1.5 is supported by C40 Cities and the C40 Centre for City Climate Policy and Economy. You can sign up to the Centre newsletter here. https://thecentre.substack.com/ Our executive producers are Calli Elipoulos and Peggy Whitfield. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music is by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/

This episode delves into the intersection of the climate crisis and public health, with a particular emphasis on how the former is impacting on our bodies and our brains. Conversations with both featured guests explore how climate change exacerbates traditional health issues and introduces new risks, such as the increasing range of vector-borne diseases and what that means for the future of healthcare in cities. Our brains are also at risk, with extreme weather and rising temperatures impacting our behaviour and the neurological development of our children - even before they are born. It is crucial for academia and science to push for interdisciplinary collaboration and actionable research to inform urban climate policy if we are to meet these new challenges and safeguard public health, particularly the most vulnerable populations. Image Credit: Photo by Jesse Orrico on Unsplash.Featured guests:Clayton Page Aldern is an advisor, data scientist, author and journalist at Grist (but who has also been widely published elsewhere) whose work is focused on homelessness policy, climate change, and neuroscience. His book, The Weight of Nature: How a Changing Climate Changes our Brains, examines how the climate crisis impacts brain health, covering topics like extreme weather effects on prenatal development, PTSD in first responders, and neurological changes linked to the climate crisis.Quinn Adams is the Scholar in Residence at the C40 Centre for City Climate Policy & Economy and a PhD candidate at Boston University School of Public Health. Her research focuses on the health risks from climate change and extreme weather events. She is particularly interested in action-oriented research and identifying strategies to reduce health impacts, with her dissertation focusing on the growing risks of the climate crisis altering the ranges of vector-borne diseases.LinksClimate Change and the Health of Socially Vulnerable People - United States Environmental Protection AgencyPregnancy during Hurricane Sandy linked to kids’ psychiatric disorders, study says - Washington PostMore jobs, better healIf you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website: https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and Cities 1.5 is supported by C40 Cities and the C40 Centre for City Climate Policy and Economy. You can sign up to the Centre newsletter here. https://thecentre.substack.com/ Our executive producers are Calli Elipoulos and Peggy Whitfield. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music is by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/

In this episode of Cities 1.5, host David Miller speaks with Sophie Howe, the world's first Future Generations Commissioner about her role and the landmark Wellbeing of Future Generations Act - legislation passed by the Welsh government which aims to improve the environment, economy, society, health and wellbeing of Wales and its people, both now and for future generations. They discuss the critical role of forward-thinking governance in addressing planetary emergencies, and the importance of integrating long-term impacts into current policies. The conversation covers how Wales' unique approach has influenced the creation of global declarations like the Pact for the Future, which was adopted by leaders at the UN Summit of the Future in September 2024. We share crucial insights for cities, mayors and national governments who are looking to adopt similar principles, and highlight the transformative power of local leadership in driving global climate action. Listeners will also learn what a cwtch is, and why both people and the planet need one! Image Credit: Photo by Patrick Gillespie on UnsplashFeatured guests:Sophie Howe, Sustainability, Futures and Wellbeing Adviser and the first Future Generations Commissioner for WalesLinksJCCPE - Special Issue on Ecological EconomicsEarth may have breached seven of nine planetary boundaries, health check shows - The GuardianUN Summit of the FutureUN Pact for the FutureFuture Generations Commissioner for Wales websiteWellbeing for Future Generations ActWelsh road building projects stopped after failing climate review - The GuardianCities 1.5 - Lessons in Wellbeing Economics: Engaging local communities to bring Academic Principles into Urban PracticeWellbeing economy policy design guide - C40 Knowledge HubIf you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website: https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and Cities 1.5 is supported by C40 Cities and the C40 Centre for City Climate Policy and Economy. You can sign up to the Centre newsletter here. https://thecentre.substack.com/ Our executive producers are Calli Elipoulos and Peggy Whitfield. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music is by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/

The climate crisis is making both the planet and its inhabitants critically ill - and it's also amplifying public health issues and creating new ones, especially in urban areas. With over 65% of the world's population projected to live in cities by 2050, it is crucial that city governance integrates emerging research on climate health impacts. Season 4 of Cities 1.5 will feature conversations with urban leaders like Hilda Flavia Nakabuye, Clayton Paige Alder, and Thobile Chittenden, who prioritize planetary and public health over profit. Join host David Miller starting October 8th for a new episode every Tuesday to learn how we can change both the planet and ourselves to ensure a healthier world.If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website: https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and Cities 1.5 is supported by C40 Cities and the C40 Centre for City Climate Policy and Economy. You can sign up to the Centre newsletter here. https://thecentre.substack.com/ Our executive producers are Calli Elipoulos and Peggy Whitfield. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music is by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/

In 2016, the Paris Agreement was adopted by 194 national governments and the EU with the aim of limiting global heating to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Experts warn that exceeding this limit will result in catastrophic climate impacts...and while many nations hesitate, cities around the world are taking action to combat the climate crisis. Season 4 of Cities 1.5 returns October 8th, with a new episode every week after that. Tell a friend how excited you are, and ask them to search for Cities 1.5 wherever they get their podcasts!If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website: https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and Cities 1.5 is supported by C40 Cities and the C40 Centre for City Climate Policy and Economy. You can sign up to the Centre newsletter here. https://thecentre.substack.com/ Our executive producers are Calli Elipoulos and Peggy Whitfield. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music is by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/

Amanda Janoo, Economics & Policy Lead at Wellbeing Economy Alliance, discusses implementing wellbeing economy theories in city practices. Rachel Lawrence from Centre for Thriving Places advocates for holistic urban policies prioritizing human and planetary well-being. The podcast explores examples of cities pioneering sustainable approaches and citizen engagement for local economic development.

Energy consumed by buildings accounts for almost half of cities’ carbon emissions on average. Because buildings can last over 100 years, increasing their energy efficiency is critical if we are to meet our current global climate goals. To achieve these goals, cities must transition fossil fuels out of their buildings.Image Credit: Tristan CapacchioneFeatured guests:Frankie Downy is the Head of Building Strategy and Implementation at C40. Through her work, cities in the C40 networks can deliver the significant emission reductions required to assure a cleaner urban future for the planet. Mayor Valerie Plante is leading her city of Montréal, Canada to transition away from fossil fuels. Under Mayor Plante’s tenure, Montréal has committed to transitioning away from the use of natural gas heating and cooking by implementing bylaw restrictions on its use in new small buildings starting next October 2024.  LinksMunicipal Building Decarbonisation Network, New Building Decarbonisation Network, Private Building Decarbonisation Network - C40 websiteSeattle is electrifying new buildings despite ruling against gas bans - CrosscutLondon continues to lead the UK in reducing emissions from new buildings - Mayor of London websiteIn New York City, we’re taking bold action on climate with building emissions mandates - C40 Knowledge HubRetrofit Melbourne The Netherlands' Pilot Activity: Dutch 100CNSC Cities Pilot - Net Zero Cities websiteC40 Cities South Africa Buildings Programme - C40 websiteIf you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website: https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and Cities 1.5 is supported by C40 Cities and the C40 Centre for City Climate Policy and Economy. You can sign up to the Centre newsletter here. https://thecentre.substack.com/ Our executive producers are Calli Elipoulos and Peggy Whitfield. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music is by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/