Cities Taking Action on Climate Change: Why Mayors Don’t Waste Time Debating the Science
Mike Bloomberg
Entrepreneur, philanthropist, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Climate Ambition & Solutions, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, mayor of NYC, father, grandfather, and data nerd.
Mayors are pragmatists, not partisans; innovators, not ideologues. We are responsible for delivering results rather than debating politics. As New York’s great Mayor LaGuardia put it, “There is no Democratic or Republican to pick up the garbage.” And as the world becomes increasingly more urban, the importance of bold local action - particularly on climate change – continues to grow.
For the first time in human history, more than half the world's population is living in cities, which now produce approximately 70 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. That puts mayors and cities on the frontlines of the battle against climate change.
For coastal cities like New York, the risks of climate change are especially serious: sea levels are expected to rise by another two and a half feet in the next 40 years, making storm surges even more powerful and dangerous. And intense storms are likely to increase as the ocean's temperatures continue to rise.
Whether or not any one storm is related to climate change, we have to manage for risks and we have to be able to better defend ourselves against extreme weather and natural disasters.
That’s why mayors around the world are not wasting time debating the science of climate change or waiting around for international treaties to be signed. We are taking action.
Here are two prime examples:
1. In New York, we’ve put forth a plan to build a stronger, more resilient city. The plan includes more than 250 specific recommendations to rebuild neighborhoods affected by Hurricane Sandy and prepare the city for the risks associated with climate change.
2. C40 Cities, a network of the world’s megacities, is taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Watch the video below to see highlights from the inaugural C40 & Siemens City Climate Leadership Awards and learn more about innovative urban sustainability happening across the globe.
Mayors see just how high the stakes of climate change are. We recognize that delay and denial are not viable options. And as the elected officials most directly responsible, and accountable, for the well-being of citizens, we know that we have no choice but to act.
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8 年The Only waste we cannot recycle is the waste of time
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10 年我支持你所做的一切
Distributed Systems Operations Lead at New York City Department of Finance FIT
10 年We really won't realize how good NYC had it with Mike Bloomberg. A strong independent person who cares about issues not personal publicity..... Without the wealthy in NYC we have little to support it's infrastructure and poor.
Administra??o de Empresas
10 年Congratulations to Mayor Bloomberg! That instead of endless discussions, which in many cases lead to nothing, the rulers of all the major cities, including here in Brazil, performing what has to be done! The planet is degrading in favor of the "comfort" of people. And tomorrow? Where are the locations for our children live? I congratulate also the industries, for example the Ford Motor company, which is engaged as well as other major brands in generating more efficient and Sustainable products and that damage the environment less.
Global Executive with Proven Success in Strategic Planning, P&L, M&A Integration, and Driving Operational Excellence.
10 年Great tips from Mayor Bloomberg