Climate change actions by major cities - Michael Bloomberg, now working on CC for UN and John Kerry

[karynnj]

There was a meeting of 19 mayors including 10 from the US hosted by the State Department. The intent is they can learn from each other. Like the US/China pact and other international agreements, executive orders, working with the cities is a way to achieve results that Congress will definitely not do.

Here is their op:

When world leaders gather in Paris in December to negotiate a global agreement on climate change, they will have a powerful ally standing behind them and urging them onward: mayors. In fact, mayors have already helped set the stage for success in Paris, by establishing models of cooperation that provide a strong foundation for the negotiations.

Through international coalitions like the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and the Compact of Mayors, cities around the world have been committing to major reductions in carbon emissions, while adopting a common measurement system and public reporting process to ensure that they can be held accountable. In other words: Many cities are already doing what the United Nations is urging national governments to do
<snip>
For example, bus rapid transit systems have spread from Bogota to Jakarta and many points in between. Melbourne Mayor Robert Doyle credits the progress in his city to “shamelessly stealing” strategies from New York and Toronto. Today, Melbourne boasts the highest density of Green Star-rated buildings in Australia and has doubled the number of trees in the city’s center.

The fact is, more shameless stealing would do the world a lot of good. That’s why the two of us decided to bring the State Department and Bloomberg Philanthropies together to launch the “Our Cities, Our Climate” exchange for city officials around the globe.

http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-10-08/all-climate-change-is-local

Former mayor Bloomberg is the UN secretary-general’s special envoy for cities and climate change

Here is a link to the State department speech - (select 2 ) http://www.state.gov/ Both Kerry and Bloomberg were very interesting.

Here is a link to the text of JK's and MB's speeches - http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2015/10/248043.htm

[karynnj]

1. Story from point of view of Vancouver Canada - whose mayor joined the other mayors in DC

This was from a Canadian source, so it focuses on the invitation of Vancouver's mayor/

Vancouver's mayor is getting a higher profile as a climate crusader with an invitation to discuss the issue with United States Secretary of State John Kerry this week alongside a select handful of global city leaders.
Gregor Robertson was invited to attend the Our Cities, Our Climate initiative in Washington, D.C., to help advise Kerry in the lead up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris later this year.
<snip>
"When there's a void of leadership on climate change and the green economy with the Canadian government, it's necessary for mayors and business leaders and community leaders to step up and make sure that Canada is represented," Robertson said in an interview.
<snip>
"Secretary Kerry will be the key negotiator in Paris for the U.S. and part of his prep is gathering mayors from his country and leading cities globally and broadening his understanding and commitment to climate action," he said.

http://bc.ctvnews.ca/vancouver-mayor-to-chat-climate-change-with-john-kerry-1.2595662

[karynnj]

2. kick because this is an interesting way to accomplish more than the federal government alone can

do - especially as they are now mostly limited to executive orders. Bloomberg's talk is very very good (as was Kerry's).

[karynnj]

3. Last kick for Saturday --- then I give up