ICLEI Links: 25 September 2015
Welcome to the latest edition of ICLEI Links, our roundup of sustainability-related news and commentary from around the web!
City Stories
A report on the new bike sharing system in Seoul – Seoul is revamping and expanding its bike share system, with a new bike design, new terminals, and improved biking infrastructure. The trial period lasts until 14 October 2015. After that, the system goes live!
The Invisible Design Features of Cities – some thoughts on the Climate Leaders Summit in Los Angeles, with a particular emphasis on foundational urban design principles like small blocks and connected walking and cycling paths.
Can cities quit fossil fuels? – CDP has put together an infographic with the energy mix and energy actions of 162 cities that report to it. The results are encouraging but show there is plenty of work to be done.
How Boston gives youth control over part of the city budget – what would happen if you gave youth groups a million dollars for city projects? Boston’s program is partly symbolic but has had interesting results.
Climate Change Stories
The Sustainable Development Goals Belong To You – Ban Ki-moon gives his views on how the new “Global Goals” can benefit the planet, and what is required for their implementation.
Sustainable Development Goals: A new course for people and planet – a summary of what the SDGs offer, with four reasons for hope and five big questions to be answered.
The concept of planetary guard rails – an introductory video by the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU) on the age of the anthropocene and the limits on growth that are required. Good for sharing with non-specialist audiences!
This is the year humans finally got serious about saving themselves from themselves. – a detailed article on why there is hope for tackling climate change, with an emphasis on the strength of the climate change consensus outside of the US.
Energy Stories
The road to a 100% clean-powered planet – Sven Teske, author of Greenpeace’s annual energy survey, has a track record of correctly predicting trends in renewable energy. Now he is forecasting 100% clean energy for all by 2050.
Is Solar Really Cheaper Than Fossil Fuels? – an assessment by GBIG Insight explaining that, while news outlets often focus on System Costs for solar energy, the Total Lifecycle Costs are the key figures for businesses trying to compete with fossil fuels.
Leonardo DiCaprio Pledges to Divest From Fossil Fuels as Movement Grows 50-Fold in One Year – good news as major stars join the campaign, which is also being pushed in ICLEI Member cities like Dunedin, by Councillor Jinty MacTavish.
