Data Driven Cities for Climate Resilience – Cities and Citizens Take Action

Eye-on-earth Climate Resilience

Target Audience

Participants who are interested in helping out with climate change.

Description

According to UN Habitat the effects of urbanization and climate change are converging: cities cover less than 2% of the earth’s surface, use 78% of world energy, and produce 60% of CO2 and GHGs through energy generation, transportation, industry and biomass use. Cities and towns are also very vulnerable to climate change and the most affected populations are the urban poor. Habitat goes on to say that cities can reduce GHG emissions while addressing other local environmental problems such as air pollution, waste disposal, and transportation. The challenge is to link climate change to local environmental and development priorities.

Learning Objectives

This webinar will showcase how data and associated mapping technologies can support the creation of sustainable cities resilient to the impacts of climate change. This is accomplished both by providing formats that integrate environmental, social and economic data for an urban area and its surrounding region, and by providing a common visual language that will facilitate discussion between local stakeholders and government agencies.

Panelists

  • Kirstin Miller Executive Director of San Francisco Bay Area based Ecocity Builders, where she leads the organization's program development, global initiatives and activities. Kirstin works locally and internationally to help cities access ecocity knowledge and put it to effective use. She specializes in integrating city-based experiences from a diverse range of perspectives.
  • Dr. Costis Toregas Treasurer and Board Member of Ecocity Builders, and Director of George Washington University’s Cyber Security and Privacy Research Institute (CSPRI). He developed and led the innovation network for local governments in the US called Public Technology Inc. for several decades, and also assisted in the creation and early years’ guidance of several global city networks including IULA and ICLEI.