The battle against climate change will be won or lost in cities.
The role of provincial and federal governments is, of course, widely debated, analyzed and understood. Yet the challenge is so huge that cross-cutting action at all levels will be needed. The central role of city leaders in our rapidly urbanizing world will be key to reducing the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. The leaders of large cities have a particular responsibility to act, and governments must empower and enable city governments to take on this role.
If global efforts to address climate change are to be successful, they will need to integrate city requirements and environmental management capacities. Only with a coordinated approach and actions at the global, regional, national and local levels can success be achieved. Many cities are now taking the initiative to reduce their impact on the global climate.
By 2030, two-thirds of humanity will live in cities or urban areas. Half already do. Even now, cities consume 75 per cent of the world’s energy and are responsible for 80 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions. Moreover, all cities are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and none more so than fast growing cities in developing countries.
Mayors and their municipalities have the powers and levers to reduce carbon emissions. They control the development of land, have housing powers, regulate transport and often manage public transport systems. They have varying degrees of responsibility for the collection and processing of waste and have responsibility for other environmental infrastructure such as energy and water. They own and manage buildings and vehicle fleets. Significantly, they have huge purchasing power. They are able to form partnerships with private interests as well as mobilizing and coordinating community action.
[http://www.managenergy.tv/me_portal/mst/home (go to this link – click – view interview – Nicky Gavron - Energy Week: The Covenant of Mayors]
Although leadership from provincial and federal governments is crucial in negotiating international agreements, setting frameworks and standards and for providing fiscal and financial incentives, when it comes to practical action on the ground, city leadership must take centre stage. Mayors and elected officials have responsibilities in areas key to taking swift action to reduce emissions, and can show leadership in taking decisive and radical action. It is at city level that innovation and progress on pollution and thus climate change is most likely to be achieved.
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TREA supports the city of London Vision Statement. ” a caring, responsive community committed to the health and well being of all Londoners. . .Actions will be socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible.. quality of life is enhanced and sustained for future generations.” Big box stores, not to pick on Walmart only, are exactly the oposite of what London’s vision statement says we stand for. The big box store is not SUSTAINABLE. It kills local economy in fovour of the global market place, kills local jobs, and local producers face blocks in selling to local consumers through big box stores. It sucks the money out of the local economy. Keep our jobs, keep our neighbourhoods, keep our green spaces, say no to oversize stand alone stores with its attendant vast asphalt parking.
Who does the coalition consist of?
Thus far – the coalition is endorsed by Council of Canadians | London Chapter, Post Carbon London & People for a Participatory Society.
This is a volunteer organization.
Our members are concerned citizens of London.