European and US mayors support climate change strikes

European and US city mayors have written an open letter in support of the thousands of people involved in global climate change strikes. Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, New York’s Bill de Blasio, Los Angeles’ Eric Garcetti and lord mayor of Copenhagen, Frank Jensen, all signed an open letter which said: “We have an opportunity to show, not only that we hear their message, but that they have inspired us to act even faster.” The mayors emphasise that transforming cities to prevent the “climate crisis” will m
September 24, 2019 Read time: 2 mins
European and US city mayors have written an open letter in support of the thousands of people involved in global climate change strikes.


Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, New York’s Bill de Blasio, Los Angeles’ Eric Garcetti and lord mayor of Copenhagen, Frank Jensen, all signed an open letter which said: “We have an opportunity to show, not only that we hear their message, but that they have inspired us to act even faster.”

The mayors emphasise that transforming cities to prevent the “climate crisis” will make them healthier, more equitable and safer.

Issues such as climate change and air quality have become increasingly prevalent in discussions about the benefits of ITS solutions over the last few years.

“The cities of the future will enjoy affordable and reliable public transport,” the letter says. “The air will be free from poisonous toxins; buildings will generate zero emissions thanks to ultra-high efficient heating, cooling and insulation; waste will be recycled or reused, and all of this will be powered by abundant renewable energy.”

Mayors around the word are working through C40 Cities - a group of cities encouraging action that reduces greenhouse gas emissions - to deliver on the Paris Agreement.

“Science-based action” is needed from every sector of the economy, the letter added. “Young people are telling us that the climate emergency demands an emergency response. We couldn’t agree more,” it concluded.

Earlier this month, the government of Moscow %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external signed false https://www.itsinternational.com/sections/general/news/moscow-to-implement-zero-emission-area-by-2030/ false false%> the C40 Green and Healthy Streets Declaration to establish an area in the Russian capital that is free from exhaust gases by 2030.

UTC

Related Content

  • May 9, 2019
    ITS America ‘disappointed’ at Toyota V2X decision
    Trade association ITS America has expressed disappointment that Toyota is pausing its Vehicle to Everything (V2X) deployment in the US. The Japanese car maker sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) saying that a lack of activity from other manufacturers on V2X – plus uncertainty over the regulatory position – had led to the decision. In a statement, ITS America said it was ‘disappointed’, adding: “We appreciate Toyota’s leadership and commitment to life-saving V2X technology.” Th
    Read More
  • February 5, 2019
    Uber suspends Barcelona service after new regulations introduced
    Taxi-hailing giant Uber is suspending its service in the Spanish city of Barcelona. The move comes after new regulations were passed by local authorities, according to Reuters. The company started its UberX service in the city last year. But from now on, passengers using ride-hailing services will have to wait at least 15 minutes after booking a ride before they can be picked up – thus negating one of the key selling points of companies such as Uber. Speed and convenience – as well as cost – are w
    Read More
  • June 18, 2019
    Painted lanes ‘a waste of money’, say UK cycling champions
    The UK government has wasted hundreds of millions of pounds painting white lines on busy roads to use as cycle lanes, says former Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman. Boardman, cycling and walking commissioner for Greater Manchester, has reportedly joined fellow commissioners Dame Sarah Storey (Sheffield City region) and Will Norman (London) in writing to transport secretary Chris Grayling calling for new measures to be adopted. The Guardian says the letter argues that painted cycle lanes do not make cyc
    Read More
  • May 25, 2018
    New York City wins ITF award
    New York City has won the 2018 Transport Achievement Award of the International Transport Forum (ITF) at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The city’s Department of Transportation was recognised for its commitment to Vision Zero – a programme set up to help cut and eliminate traffic deaths. Mayor Bill de Blasio launched the city’s Vision Zero programme in New York in 2014. The initiative is said to have reduced the number of traffic deaths on New York’s streets by 20% and halved
    Read More

Highlighted Content