Inside the 21st Century Race to Decarbonize Cities and Enrich Urban Life

Cities are in a race against time to cut carbon, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Responsible for 70% of global emissions, urban centers around the world are stepping up. In Africa, Addis Ababa is planting millions of trees. In Asia, Shenzhen runs an all-electric bus fleet. In North America, New York City is driving deep decarbonization with bold greenhouse gas reduction laws. And in Europe, Paris is reshaping urban life to reduce car dependence through hyper-localization — everything from work to groceries within walking distance.

At the heart of this global movement are mayors, leading their cities toward a low-carbon future. Through C40 Cities—a network of nearly 100 leading cities—mayors are sharing, learning, and spreading the most effective climate solutions worldwide. And they’re doing more than just cutting carbon; they’re making cities healthier, more connected, and more livable for their residents.

David Miller served as Mayor of Toronto from 2003-2010, where he transformed the city into a climate leader with a strategy rooted in innovation, inclusion, and opportunity. Now, as Managing Director of the Center for City Climate Policy and Economy at C40, host of the podcast Cities 1.5, and author of Solved: How the Great Cities of the World are Fixing the Climate Crisis, David is guiding cities toward a sustainable future—where addressing climate change also means improving urban life.

“I truly believe that if people understand what's possible today and how it can enrich our lives and not just solve the climate crisis, they're going to demand the kind of action at scale that we need.” - David Miller

Show Links:

Guest: David Miller

Organization: C40 Cities

Podcast: Cities 1.5, hosted by David Miller and produced by the University of Toronto Press. It features progressive policy conversations with urban leaders taking action to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees.

Book: Solved: How the Great Cities of the World are Fixing the Climate Crisis

For more Supercool climate solutions that cut carbon, improve modern life, and shape the new low carbon economy, subscribe to the podcast plus:

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