Cities 1.5

Cities 1.5 is a podcast featuring progressive policy conversations with urban leaders taking action to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees. Hosted by David Miller and developed by University of Toronto Press, this podcast serves as a platform to discuss the most pressing policy and underlying economic issues facing cities in their effort to lead on transformational climate action. The podcast is an extension of the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy (https://jccpe.utpjournals.press), which publishes timely, evidence-based research that contributes to the urban climate agenda and supports governmental policy towards an equitable and resilient world. Join Editor-in-Chief and host David Miller as he speaks with mayors, city policymakers, economists, youth leaders, and scholars, among others, who are implementing and fighting for ambitious, near-term climate action.

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Cities 1.5

TRAILER - Cities 1.5: It’s Time to Speak Truth to Power

February 25, 2025 • University of Toronto Press • Season 5 • Episode 1

The world is standing on the brink…the deepening impacts of the climate crisis, rising inequality and increasing levels of economic turmoil are affecting us all. But we now face a new threat: a powerful network of autocrats, billionaires. and demagogues and fossil fuel industry leaders has emerged. This climate crisis denying coalition is weaponising disinformation and manipulating societal distress and uncertainty in a bid to steer us into the arms of far-right populism and away from the global systems change we need. Mayors, cities, academics, scientists, economists, activists and civil society must step up and form a global axis of resistance to challenge those who threaten our way of life…and ultimately, the very survival of our world.

Season 5 of Cities 1.5 returns March 11th, with a new episode every Tuesday after that. Ask a friend to join the global resistance by inviting them to search for Cities 1.5 wherever they get their podcasts!

If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website: https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/

Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and Cities 1.5 is supported by C40 Cities and the C40 Centre for City Climate Policy and Economy. You can sign up to the Centre newsletter here. https://thecentre.substack.com/

Our executive producers are Calli Elipoulos and Peggy Whitfield.

Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/

Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/

Music is by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/

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[00:00:00] David: It's not overstating things to say that the world is on the brink of disaster. A dark coalition of billionaires, tech giants, and far-right political movements have joined forces with an old foe - the fossil fuel industry - to rip up trusted alliances, and destroy our ecosystems…and potentially our future.

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[00:00:30] David: So, where do we go from here? This season, Cities 1. 5 is speaking truth to power and seeking out those who are leading the resistance. We don't want future life on earth reduced to a mere bargaining chip in the hands of a rising oligarchy. So, we're talking to experts about how we can turn the tide and restore agency to the overburdened many who are suffering under the weighty greed of the few. Experts like Gaya Harrington, economist and VP of Sustainability Research at Schneider Electric.

[00:01:07] Gaya Herrington: At first glance, it's fairly innocuous. Like, of course you can keep growing on a finite planet. But then if you think about the repercussions of that, of letting go of growth, it means that the ultra-wealthy will have to share more of what they currently have. And I think that's why we see so much pushback.

[00:01:25] David: Associate political science professor and author, Victor Galaz.

[00:01:29] Victor Galaz: So, I think one of the most common questions I get nowadays is, like, “Is AI good or bad for climate action?” And I think, of course, it's going to be both. I mean, you can use it for good and you can use it for bad. Who's at the driver's seat in developing these technologies?

[00:01:49] Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr: Today the tables are turned, and it's not a question of hierarchy. It's a question of recognizing the importance and the validity of the role of cities.

[00:02:02] David: And many more. An empowered future is closer than you think. Season 5 of Cities 1. 5 launches March 11th, with new episodes every Tuesday after that. Come join our global coalition of resistance - and bring your friends, too.

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People on this episode

David Miller

Host