Cities 1.5

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 Peggy Whitfield and Chiara Morfeo. 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 healthIf 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 Peggy Whitfield and Chiara Morfeo. 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 Peggy Whitfield and Chiara Morfeo. 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 Peggy Whitfield and Chiara Morfeo. 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 Peggy Whitfield and Chiara Morfeo. 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 Peggy Whitfield and Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music is by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/

Last episode of Cities 1.5, we took you into the Arctic region through the perspectives of a world-renowned scientist and seasoned canoeist and river guide. This time, we’re staying in that region - but we’re speaking to an expert who hails from the circumpolar North about the connections between climate change and human rights. Because Indigenous communities have been calling attention to warming temperatures in the Arctic, and the resulting impacts on their ways of life, for decades already. Image Credit: Right Livelihood Award 2015 Stockholm 12 / 2015, Wolfgang SchmidtFeatured guest:Sheila-Watt-Cloutier is an icon in the climate advocacy world, as well as an award-winning Inuk activist and celebrated author. Her book, The Right to Be Cold: One Woman's Story of Protecting Her Culture, the Arctic and the Whole Planet is a national bestseller that deals with the effects of the climate crisis on Inuit communities. She has been a political representative for Inuit at the regional, national, and international levels, most recently as International Chair for the Inuit Circumpolar Council. Sheila was instrumental in the global negotiations that led to the 2001 Stockholm Convention banning the generation and use of persistent organic pollutants that contaminate the Arctic food web.LinksJournal of City Climate Policy and Economy Arctic Impacts: Knowledge from the North - Cities 1.5 podcastUpirngasaq (Arctic Spring) by Sheila Watt-Cloutier in GrantaBook review: The Right to be Cold, by Sheila Watt-Cloutier - The Earthbound ReportInuit Circumpolar Council (ICC): United Voice of the Arctic Petition To The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights Seeking Relief FromViolations Resulting from Global Warming Caused By Acts and Omissions of the United StatesArctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA)Human rights violated by Swiss inaction on climate, ECHR rules in landmark case - The 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 Peggy Whitfield and Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music is by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/

The podcast explores the rapid melting of the Greenland ice sheet and its impact on global cities. Guests include a river guide discussing climate change in the Canadian Arctic and a climate policy influencer advocating for Arctic preservation. The episode also covers indigenous leadership, global climate effects, and climate resilience strategies for Arctic cities.

Author David Miller discusses his book 'Solved' which showcases cities exceeding emissions targets. Topics include transitioning from fossil fuels, the importance of climate budgeting, and the need for sustainable energy sources. The podcast also explores the concept of the 15-minute city and highlights the role of cities in leading climate action and promoting equitable strategies.