City Climate Corner

ICLEI, Local Governments for Sustainability, has been helping local governments with climate action for three decades. Learn how they're evolving with some exciting new tools, cohorts, and programs. And hear how the Race to Zero is showing cities that it's possible to cut carbon emissions 60% in 8 years. We interview Executive Director Angie Fyfe, Sr. Program Officer Kale Roberts, and Zero Carbon...

We review our first year of podcasts, including what we've learned, emerging themes, and our biggest takeaways. See out our episode map for a geographic view of our episodes.  Support City Climate Corner on Patreon and check out our store.

On July 20, 2021, Santa Barbara City Council voted unanimously to ban natural gas from all new construction in the city. A powerful partnership, encompassing grass roots activism, staff analysis, and city council support, led the way. We interview Council Member Kristen Sneddon, Acting Sustainability & Resilience Director Alelia Parenteau, and Sierra Club Santa Barbara Chair Katie Davis and learn...

The National League of Cities (NLC) is the oldest and largest organization in the country representing local governments and has been ramping up their climate change and sustainability support. We interview Cooper Martin, Director of Sustainability & City Solutions, about tools they have and especially about lessons learned from grants and support given to 33 smaller cities over five years in thei...

Etna, a small suburb of Pittsburgh, became the country's first certified EcoDistrict in 2019. From a place that saw 25% of its homes flood in 2004, learn how collaboration within and between communities made it possible for Etna to green its infrastructure and undergo a grassroots revival. We interview Borough Manager Mary Ellen Ramage and Megan Tuñón, Executive Director of the Etna Community Orga...

Eugene Oregon has some hugely impressive trees and canopy management tools. We interview City of Eugene Urban Foresters Scott Altenhoff and Heidi Lakics, and learn how trees are intimately woven into Eugene's climate action plan and how Giant Sequoias are a key part of their urban forest. Resources: Interactive map of Eugene street & park trees TreePlotter Canopy Tool (new) produced by Plan-it Geo...

Duck Hill, a town of about 1000 people in north central Mississippi, experienced constant flooding until a team of young "Creek Rangers" took it upon themselves to address it. We interview high school senior and Creek Ranger Mersie Watkins, and Romona Taylor Williams, Executive Director of Montgomery Citizens United for Prosperity, about the program and how it has impacted the lives of the young p...

Ithaca, NY, adopted a Green New Deal in June 2019. Their goal is achieving carbon neutrality community-wide by 2030, while ensuring benefits are shared so as to reduce historical inequities. We interview Luis Aguirre-Torres, Ithaca's dynamic new Sustainability Director, about his big plans for achieving Ithaca's goals, and how he's already raised $150M by creating ground-breaking relationships bet...

Asheville, NC adopted a food policy action plan in 2013 and updated it in 2017 to ensure residents have access to healthy, nutritious food in the context of creating a thriving and resilient city. We delve into what the plan is, how it relates to climate change, and how it has impacted the city in this interview with Asheville Sustainability Coordinator Kiera Bulan and Keith McDade, a member of As...

In 2018, Savannah received a grant to create an urban tree nursery to grow their tree canopy, mitigate the increasing impacts of climate related flooding, do workforce development, and engage the community. We interview Savannah's Director of Sustainability Nick Deffley, University of Georgia Marine Extension's Coastal Resilience Specialist Jill Gambill, and program apprentice and now owner and op...

We interview three young people who, as University of Wyoming students, were a key part of Laramie's climate action efforts. Hear from Chelsea Taylor, Jarad O'Brien, and Zach Isler about their projects, their impact on Laramie, and the "town-gown" relationship that is developing between the University and Laramie. To hear Laramie's powerful story of climate action in coal country, check out our 10...

Over a decade ago Lexington adopted a stretch energy code for buildings. Then about 20% better than the existing code, this stretch code was adopted statewide and eventually in 47 other states. Now Lexington has built several all electric buildings and is looking to do more, including ban new fossil fuel infrastructure. We interview Lexington Select Board Member Mark Sandeen about his and Lexingto...

About a year ago Ann Arbor adopted an audacious plan of reaching carbon neutrality by 2030 with a total investment of $1 billion. This is faster than just about any other city in the country. We speak with Missy Stults, Ann Arbor's Sustainability and Innovations Manager, about the plan, how Ann Arbor is doing so far, and how they're going to achieve their goal.   Resources A2ZERO Carbon Neutrality...

39% of the nation's coal comes from Wyoming. Yet there are some strong local movements for renewable energy and climate action. Learn how a unique and powerful coalition of climate activists, university students, and city officials inspired Laramie's recent commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. We interview Monika Leininger of the Powder River Basin Resource Council, Professor Rachael...

In December 2019, Tacoma Washington, in coordination with the Puyallup Tribe, declared a climate emergency. We examine why they did it and how it has been a springboard for more aggressive climate goals and an increased focus on climate justice. We interview Patrick Babbitt from the City of Tacoma and Emma Keese from Citizens for a Healthy Bay which has led much of the community outreach for Tacom...

The NAACP has created comprehensive tools that cities can learn from and leverage in service of climate justice. We interview Jacqui Patterson, Senior Director of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice program. Having run the program since its inception in 2009, Jacqui shares examples of cities that have used some of their tools as well as an inspiring vision of a climate justice community. R...

Boulder Colorado is embarking on a hyper-local neighborhood-based approach to climate action. We interview Boulder Sustainability Coordinator Elizabeth Vasatka, and climate activist David Takahashi, about an exciting new program to get residents involved and create social capital in the process. Resources Accelerate Neighborhood  Climate Action (ANCA) website Boulder ANCA effort More ANCA info fro...

We interview 17-year old Amelia Southern about her path to climate justice activism in Fayetteville, that includes a Miami influence. And we reveal the source of our podcast music! For more information about Fayetteville, check out episode 6 . Resources Zero Hour Arkansas Zero Hour - National organization

In February 2021 Fayetteville was the first city in the US to be awarded the designation of Bike City by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world governing body of cycling. We talk with Dane Eifling, Fayetteville's Mobility Coordinator, about their approach to cycling infrastructure in this northwest Arkansas city of about 85,000 people. Make sure to check out our bonus youth episode , w...

We interview now college freshman Dylan Steury about his role, and the role of young people in general, in Goshen climate action. Hear about how he and his peers presented to City Council and got their unanimous support. For more information and links check out episode 5 .

Goshen is a northern Indiana city of 35,000 people that has had a Republican majority City Council and a Democratic mayor for decades. Yet they've made strong progress on climate action. Learn how (hint - young people played a significant role). Check out our bonus youth episode where we talk to one of the student leaders that helped inspire the Council to action. Resources Goshen Climate Action P...

We interview 19-year-old Samantha Smithies about her role in climate action in Albany, CA. Hear about how she participated on, and then led, the city's Climate Action Committee. For more information, check out episode 4 on Albany and funding climate action. Resources Albany Measure DD - Utility Users' Tax Albany Climate Action Committee Carbon Free Albany - website Albany Climate Action Coalition...

How does a small city fund climate action? Albany came up with a creative answer. We interview newly elected council member Preston Jordan and Climate Action Committee member Nick Peterson, about their recently approved utility tax ballot measure. Check out our bonus youth episode where we interview an Albany youth leader about her role in Albany climate activism. Resources Albany Measure DD - Uti...

Youth from the St Louis Park High School Environmental Club initiated St. Louis Park's Climate Action Plan over five years ago and remain involved today. We interview the leader that started the work five years ago and the current leader of the club. For more information and links, check out Episode 3 .