Why Climate Change?
Reversing climate change is the defining challenge of the 21st century. Temperatures are rising at an alarming rate, ice caps are melting, erratic weather patterns are emerging, and water resources are depleting. The fate of our planet rests in the choices we make today.
Unless we reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050, experts say global climate change will have a devastating impact on the face of the planet and the future of our children.
But with this challenge comes incredible opportunity – to create jobs, renew communities, and reduce the harmful emissions that affect our health and the health of our environment.
The Importance of Cities in Combating Climate Change
Large cities take up only 2% of the Earth’s land mass, but they are responsible for about 75% of the heat-trapping greenhouse gases that are released into our atmosphere. Despite these trends, many cities have been hesitant to take the appropriate measures to curb their emissions because of concerns it would hurt economic development.
The Clinton Climate Initiative is proving that the fight against global climate change is not a fight against the bottom line. We’re helping the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group – a group of 40 of the world’s largest cities taking on climate change – take the lead in implementing projects that will greatly minimize their carbon footprint and positively impact their economies at the same time.
How does the Foundation Make a Difference?
CCI is taking a macro-level approach to addressing climate change by working with some of the world’s largest cities – and biggest contributors of greenhouse gases – to reduce their carbon emissions through programs that will also encourage economic development. By bringing local governments together with financial and technical experts, CCI is helping to develop and implement large scale projects that result in improved energy efficiency and reduced emissions in urban areas around the world. And by pooling the purchasing power of these cities, the Foundation is also ensuring that there is an eager market available to encourage the development of energy- efficient technologies far into the future. Lastly, CCI is helping to create the first universal measurement tool to help enable cities to track their own carbon footprint and monitor the effectiveness of these new programs.
Read more about what cities can do to reduce their emissions.
