
Cities 1.5
Cities 1.5 is a podcast featuring progressive policy conversations with urban leaders taking action to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees. Hosted by David Miller and developed by University of Toronto Press, this podcast serves as a platform to discuss the most pressing policy and underlying economic issues facing cities in their effort to lead on transformational climate action. The podcast is an extension of the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy (https://jccpe.utpjournals.press), which publishes timely, evidence-based research that contributes to the urban climate agenda and supports governmental policy towards an equitable and resilient world. Join Editor-in-Chief and host David Miller as he speaks with mayors, city policymakers, economists, youth leaders, and scholars, among others, who are implementing and fighting for ambitious, near-term climate action.
Latest episodes

May 14, 2024 • 49min
Building our way to a cleaner planet: How cities are leading the way
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/

May 7, 2024 • 44min
Arctic impacts: The human cost of melting ice
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 - ThIf 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/

Apr 30, 2024 • 55min
Arctic impacts: Knowledge from the north
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.

7 snips
Apr 23, 2024 • 50min
Solved: How the World’s Greatest Cities Are Fixing the Climate Crisis
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.

Apr 16, 2024 • 52min
Fighting fossil fuels: Decarbonising cities with data mapping
Combatting deception and misinformation in the fossil fuel industry, experts discuss mapping existing infrastructure, lobbying tactics, and city initiatives for decarbonization. Delve into strategies to counter false narratives and empower stakeholders in the fight against climate change.

Apr 11, 2024 • 51sec
TRAILER - Introducing Solved: How the World’s Great Cities Are Fixing the Climate Crisis
Next time on Cities 1. 5, it's a special takeover episode! Acquisitions Editor at University of Toronto Press, Jodi Lewchuk, interviews David about his book, Solved: How the World's Great Cities Are Fixing The Climate Crisis. Solved has just been released in paperback this week with an all-new chapter.David will be at the University of Toronto Bookstore on Wednesday, April 17th to celebrate the launch. Visit utpjournals.press for all the details - we'd love to see you there. And tune in to the next episode of Cities 1. 5 to hear Jodi turn the tables on David and interview him about Solved. You won't want to miss it!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/

Apr 9, 2024 • 42min
Funders Focus: Philanthropic efforts that are driving the fight against climate breakdown
Cities stand on the frontline of the climate crisis - so they must also work to create frontline policies that support the global systems change required to ensure that cities have a future. Thanks to philanthropic support from both Global North and Global South organisations, the scientists, artists, and community leaders around the world who are making a climate-assured future possible are ensuring we are one step closer to this becoming reality.Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on UnsplashFeatured guests:Jesper Nygård is the CEO of Realdania, a Danish philanthropic association. As a C40 partner, Realdania has contributed significantly to research and projects that examine the intersection of the climate crisis and the built environment to enable more effective urban climate action. Under Jesper’s tenure, Realdania and C40 created the world-leading DK2020 project, ensuring that all 98 municipalities in Denmark will have created a climate action plan by the end of 2024. The follow on project, the Climate Alliance, will concentrate on delivering these planned actions.Cléa Daridan is a Senior Curator and Cultural Lead with the philanthropic organization Community Jameel, which supports scientists, humanitarians, technologists and creatives to understand and address pressing human challenges - particularly in the Global South. Community Jameel has funded the Climate Labs in partnership with C40 and J-PAL. Cléa also has many interesting insights into how climate projects might fuse with health, arts and culture going forward.LinksMark Watts’ speech at the C40 World Mayors’ Summit in Mexico CityFrom local action to global impact: Denmark’s groundbreaking climate action planning - C40 websiteAnalysis of the emissions reduction contributions of Danish municipalities towards meeting the 70% target by 2030 - 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/

Apr 2, 2024 • 53min
Disinformation thrives in times of crisis
Efforts to address the climate crisis are under siege beneath a rising tide of mis- and disinformation, with smear campaigns often funded and coordinated by vested interests such as the fossil fuel industry, climate conspiracists looking for cash and clicks, and even national governments. We all have a part to play - we must take responsibility for the information we consume and share to ensure a prosperous, healthy future for ourselves…and our planet.Photo by Andrew Neel on UnsplashFeatured in this episode: Xuemei Bai, distinguished professor for Urban Environment and Human Ecology at the Australian National UniversityFeatured guests:Jennie King is the Director of Climate Research and Policy at the Institute of Strategic Dialogue (ISD) and co-founder of the Climate Action Against Disinformation Coalition (CAAD). She has spearheaded investigations on climate denialism and ‘discourses of delay’ around the world, and has co-authored a number of ISD’s flagship reports on this issue.Hélène Chartier is C40’s Director of Urban Planning and Design. She and her team develop programmes and activities that support cities to accelerate sustainable and resilient urban planning policies and design practices, including the C40 workstream on 15-minute cities.LinksHow climate change misinformation spreads online - Carbon BriefThe Nexus Between Green Backlash and Democratic Backsliding in EuropeCAAD Data Monitor Vol.1: 15-Minute CitiesThe 15-minute city is transforming life for urban dwellers for the better - Mark Watts15 minute cities: How they got caught in conspiracy theories - BBC NewsCarlos Moreno: ‘I received violent death threats for inventing the 15-minute city’ - The TelegraphIf 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/

4 snips
Mar 26, 2024 • 46min
Do we all breathe the same air?
Exploring the impact of air pollution on public health globally, focusing on historical events like the Great Smog of London. Guests discuss initiatives for clean air, Black maternal health advocacy, and the intersection of social justice, climate impacts, and air pollution.

Mar 19, 2024 • 40min
Herman Daly’s Great Debates: The enduring vitality of Ecological Economics
Ecological economics lies at the heart of the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy and C40’s mission. It recognises that the former gold standard of measuring economic success – the growth of gross domestic product, or GDP – is no longer fit for purpose, despite the fact that it’s the model that most national governments still rely on. Policies that allow us to prioritize the vitality of both people and the environment - and potentially a systemic re-think of our economic global systems - are vital for the welfare of our world. Existing and developing technologies cannot solve all of our problems: transitioning away from oil and gas and stopping unsustainable growth and overconsumption are the first steps to ensuring a future for our planet – and for us.Image Credit: Photo by Nik on UnsplashFeatured guests:Peter Victor is a world-leading expert in the field of ecological economics and the author of several books, including his latest, Escape from Overshoot: Economics for a Planet in Peril. He is also the author of the biography Herman Daly’s Economics for a Full World: His Life and Ideas and recently published a commentary in Volume 2, Issue 2 of the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, titled “Herman Daly’s Great Debates,” which delves into the concepts national and city governments can and should be implementing from Daly’s extensive and formative works. LinksHerman Daly’s obituary by Professor Peter VictorCanadian Society of Ecological EconomicsBook review, Managing without GrowthGlobal Footprint NetworkFinance and Economics - C40 Knowledge HubEarth Overshoot DayIf 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/
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