NYU Wagner Hosts Cross-Sector Discussion on How Cities are Addressing Climate Change

Partnering with The U.S. Conference of Mayors and The Center for Climate Change and Energy Solutions, NYU Wagner hosted mayors, policymakers, and business leaders of several cities to discuss how they are addressing climate change head-on by reducing emissions and preparing for the effects already hitting communities.

“We’re moving much more quickly away from coal-fired power plants ... and those funds are now being invested in solar or wind—and that’s because we demand it, and we need to keep demanding it,” said Salt Lake City, Utah, Mayor Jackie Biskupski, whose city uses franchise agreements, software applications, and cross-sector collaboration to foster and monitor progress.

The discussion examined the tools and tactics that metropolitan areas are using in collaboration with local businesses and nonprofit organizations. A newly completed 100-city survey quantifying the direction of local climate policy and real-world case studies were also the focus of the conversation.

In addition to Mayor Biskupski, the September 19 public forum included: Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director, The U.S. Conference of Mayors; Mayor Javier Gonzales, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Mayor Frank Cownie, Des Moines, Iowa; Josh Sawislak, Global Director of Resilience, AECOM; Daniel A. Zarrilli, Senior Director of Climate Policy and Programs and Chief Resilience Officer, New York City Office of the Mayor; and Bob Perciasepe President, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES).

Watch the entire event below.