Clean air and clean water are the main things citizens want for their health and well being as residents in a sustainable city, according to a recent global survey conducted by WWF-Sweden. Clean air, however, has become a scarce commodity in our world as recently reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Reduce pollution in cities… Read More Cities must move to fossil-free and car-free for a healthy future
**This is a guest blog post, written by Cynthia Menéndez, manager of WWF’s Sustainable Cities programme in México, including México’s participation in WWF’s One Planet City Challenge (or in Spanish: Desafío de Ciudades de WWF). Color, culture and diversity in Mexico’s largest city As one of the biggest cities in the world, Mexico City is full of… Read More Mexico City: bicycle brigades to the rescue
“People don’t care about how much you know; until they know how much you care.” One of the best videos on climate change communication I’ve seen in a while! How to craft a message that resonates, beyond just presenting scientific fact? Featuring Pope Francis, Tea Party Republicans keen on energy independence to challenge the fossil… Read More Climate change communication needs to move beyond the science
In November 2016, just after the results of the US presidential election, I was invited to speak at the Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA) General Assembly Forum of Inspiration. EMA is a global network of alumni who have participated in European (joint) Masters and PhD programmes, via Erasmus Mundus. (My masters, the Master of Environmental Science, Policy… Read More Challenges as Opportunities? How to be bold, build bridges and move forward in transitional times
Leave it to Bill Nye: The Science Guy to explain the complex causes and consequences of climate change in roughly four minutes. And importantly, some tips for individuals to address the issue in their daily lives. Useful for teaching kids, or as a quick refresher, this is a great clip on why climate change is a… Read More Climate Change 101 with Bill Nye the Science Guy
Dense urban environments have significant resource-saving potential and serve as good platforms for climate change mitigation. This study reviewed an initiative to improve use of energy and water in Rotterdam, highlighting factors important for success including exchanges in close geographic proximity and private-sector participation. Over half of the global population now live in cities. In… Read More Re-using resources in cities: a Dutch case-study in Rotterdam
In December 2015, I attended the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) and other ongoing events at the COP, joining almost 40 members of the IISD Reporting Services team in Paris. My team covered the Rio Conventions Pavilion – linking the 3 UN conventions on biodiversity, climate change… Read More Paris COP21: Tonight we celebrate, tomorrow we act…
I’m happy to see more and more emphasis on cities and urban actors, for their efforts to shape sustainable and prosperous futures, and address environmental challenges, such as climate change. After all, this was the topic of my recent PhD dissertation. Of course, I am far from the only one jumping on the cities as a problem… Read More Lessons from cities to green the economy – free online course
Copenhagen is one of the world’s most sustainable cities. It’s famous for its organic and local food procurement, its cycling culture, its public planning, and its climate change adaptation efforts (see Copenhagen Climate Adaptation Plan). This city is too inspiring for a single blog post, and indeed I’ve written about it several times before. Still,… Read More Copenhagen Urban Innovations: Smart. Sustainable. Spatially-saavy.
I rarely use my blog for personal stories, outside my interactions with cities. Still, I’m happy to report my PhD dissertation, entitled Urban Climate Governance: the Role of Local Authorities, was accepted for publication and public defense at Wageningen University! I’m excited and relieved, finding out on my birthday. As I look to the defense, I also reflect… Read More Moving forward in reflection: alumni speeches and MESPOM memories
The Urban Observer 