DOING OUR HOMEWORK FOR REYKJAVIK STEPS UP

The following as used in a master class of a course on sustainable development, democracy and society.

Getting a feel for our challenge — so that we can better understand the main dynamics of the fast evolving climate situation in Iceland.

For those of us who are not necessarily deeply informed about the unfolding climate/mobility emergency situation — and opportunities — in that part of the world, here is one way to dig in to the situation.

Civic Plan for a Climate Emergency

Building the 1.5 degree, socially-just city

Discussion document for policy makers & civic leaders

– Paul Chatterton, School of Geography, University of Leeds, UK. Full text HERE

This climate emergency is also a ‘city emergency’. Most of the world’s population will soon be urban. Cities are locked in to high energy throughputs, are responsible for about three-quarters of global GHGs and energy use, have ecological footprints larger than their city limits, and remain locked in to high-growth, high-consumption lifestyles.

In the context of growing awareness of the severity of climate breakdown, the central role cities play in this, and the lack of rapid action, municipalities around the world are declaring ‘climate Emergencies’. To date 40 municipalities in the UK have signed such a declaration. Worldwide around 50 million now live in cities that have declared emergencies. This is an exciting addition to city level action through, for example, the C40 Leadership Group and the Global Covenant of Mayors.