From flash floods, smog and searing heat waves to water scarcity, urban sprawl and deepening social divides, cities face a range of overlapping and compounding challenges, intensifying the demands on their natural resources. 

These demands are only going to multiply: by 2050, and so the challenge for all are complex and call for bold, cross-cutting solutions.

UrbanShift, a GEF-funded program that supports more than 20 cities in Asia, Africa and Latin America, is adopting integrated approaches to urban development, helping shape cities that are efficient, resilient and inclusive.

Learn more about “UrbanShift”.

Here are two more stories from The World Resources Institute:

“Why the US Also Needs Carbon Pricing in the Reconciliation Bill”;

“Ambitious Climate Action by G20 Countries Can Limit Global Warming to 1.7 Degrees C”;

The Border Mail from Albury/Wodonga tells us: “Cr Kat Bennett wants Wodonga Council to reassess commitment to net zero emissions by 2050”;

Friends of the Earth is staging a day of action: “Day of Action for Australia's 2030 Climate Target”;

From Oil Change: “Tell Japan: Stop Standing in the Way of International Climate Action”;

Two stories from The Conversation:

“Climate change is testing the resilience of native plants to fire, from ash forests to gymea lilies”;

“Scientists still don’t know how far melting in Antarctica will go – or the sea level rise it will unleash”;

From Climate Code Red: “Renowned climate scientist warns rate of global warming during next 25 years could be double what it was in the previous 50”;

Back the efforts of Federal independent MP, Zali Steggall: “Mass Mail Out For Climate';

“The Cool Down” is about protecting the future of sport and the future of sport”;

Next, we have to contradictory stories:

“Coal industry has a strong future in Australia”;

“Most fossil fuels 'must stay unburned' for one-in-two chance of meeting 1.5C warming limit”;

And finally, the Melbourne Age: “Taylor adds carbon capture and storage to clean energy agency’s plans”.

Enjoy "Music for a Warming World".

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/climateconversations

Going to Scotland first we read in The National: “Scottish school pupils plan national day of action over climate change”;

From the Guardian its: “Rich countries not providing poor with pledged climate finance, analysis says”;

And from ABC News it’s: “Climate change solution could come from 'electrifying everything', Australian inventor Saul Griffith says”;

A couple of days away is a workshop to introduce the Australian Government's Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program: “Black Summer bushfire recovery grants”;

And from the People and Parks Foundation: “We are all a part of nature, and nature connects us all”;

“Circular stories” from Monash University: “A better T-shirt”;

From Energy it’s: “UK preps for energy prices to soar after grid fire in Kent”;

“Practical Steps To Prepare For Climate Change” comes from Medium;

The United Nations alerts readers to: “Glasgow Climate Change Conference”;

From The New York Times reader discover: “This Powerful Democrat Linked to Fossil Fuels Will Craft the U.S. Climate Plan”;

Another United Nations event: “Food Systems Summit 2021”;

“Climate change to deliver suburban house price pain: RBA”, according to The Brisbane Times;

Mike Foley writes in The Brisbane Times: “‘Higher ambition’: Moderate Liberals urge government to raise climate targets”;

And from The Guardian: “Big tech’s pro-climate rhetoric is not matched by policy action, report finds “;

America All-In tells us: “Blueprint 2030”;

Frank Duffy writes in The Guardian: “We tried to transition to green jobs, but the bosses are closing our car factory down”;

From the Climate Council it’s: “Rising to the challenge: addressing climate and security in our region”;

Wired asks the question: “What Is ‘Fire Weather,’ and Why Is It Getting Worse?”;

Yale Climate Connections tells readers: “Initiative aims to create a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty”;

A second story from Yale Climate Connections: “Can the economy afford NOT to fight climate change?”;

Climate Conscious asks the question: “ Could Our Arsenal of Nuclear Power Help Stave Off the Climate Crisis for Good?”;

Shelley Fagan writes on Medium in the story headed: “The Climate Change Conversation No One is Having”;

Again, from the Guardian: “‘Climate crisis on our shores’: Mediterranean countries sign deal after summer of fires”.

Enjoy "Music for a Warming World".

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/climateconversations

Going to Scotland first we read in The National: “Scottish school pupils plan national day of action over climate change”;

From the Guardian its: “Rich countries not providing poor with pledged climate finance, analysis says”;

And from ABC News it’s: “Climate change solution could come from 'electrifying everything', Australian inventor Saul Griffith says”;

A couple of days away is a workshop to introduce the Australian Government's Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program: “Black Summer bushfire recovery grants”;

And from the People and Parks Foundation: “We are all a part of nature, and nature connects us all”;

“Circular stories” from Monash University: “A better T-shirt”;

From Energy it’s: “UK preps for energy prices to soar after grid fire in Kent”;

“Practical Steps To Prepare For Climate Change” comes from Medium;

The United Nations alerts readers to: “Glasgow Climate Change Conference”;

From The New York Times reader discover: “This Powerful Democrat Linked to Fossil Fuels Will Craft the U.S. Climate Plan”;

Another United Nations event: “Food Systems Summit 2021”;

“Climate change to deliver suburban house price pain: RBA”, according to The Brisbane Times;

Mike Foley writes in The Brisbane Times: “‘Higher ambition’: Moderate Liberals urge government to raise climate targets”;

And from The Guardian: “Big tech’s pro-climate rhetoric is not matched by policy action, report finds “;

America All-In tells us: “Blueprint 2030”;

Frank Duffy writes in The Guardian: “We tried to transition to green jobs, but the bosses are closing our car factory down”;

From the Climate Council it’s: “Rising to the challenge: addressing climate and security in our region”;

Wired asks the question: “What Is ‘Fire Weather,’ and Why Is It Getting Worse?”;

Yale Climate Connections tells readers: “Initiative aims to create a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty”;

A second story from Yale Climate Connections: “Can the economy afford NOT to fight climate change?”;

Climate Conscious asks the question: “ Could Our Arsenal of Nuclear Power Help Stave Off the Climate Crisis for Good?”;

Shelley Fagan writes on Medium in the story headed: “The Climate Change Conversation No One is Having”;

Again, from the Guardian: “‘Climate crisis on our shores’: Mediterranean countries sign deal after summer of fires”.

Enjoy "Music for a Warming World".

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/climateconversations

Crises impact many people but those who are impacted the most are the poor, as illustrated by the present Covid-19 crisis.

Like the present health crisis, the climate crisis also targets the poor as wealth insulates people, initially from the rigours of this quickly unfolding change in weather conditions around the world.

The Covid crisis evolved from the fact that we used too much energy, we were too wealthy, we travelled too much and, unknowingly for many, trespassed on nature and encountered Zoonotic diseases for which we were unprepared.

The climate crisis evolved for similar reasons, we were too rich, we used too much energy, we had a frivolous approach to Earth's resources and we were careless in our approach to externalities and now we are caught up in a wicked problem - money protects some for a while, but the poor are on the front lines and so are the first to feel the impact of the crisis.

Enjoy "Music for a Warming World".

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/climateconversations

Crises impact many people but those who are impacted the most are the poor, as illustrated by the present Covid-19 crisis.

Like the present health crisis, the climate crisis also targets the poor as wealth insulates people, initially from the rigours of this quickly unfolding change in weather conditions around the world.

The Covid crisis evolved from the fact that we used too much energy, we were too wealthy, we travelled too much and, unknowingly for many, trespassed on nature and encountered Zoonotic diseases for which we were unprepared.

The climate crisis evolved for similar reasons, we were too rich, we used too much energy, we had a frivolous approach to Earth's resources and we were careless in our approach to externalities and now we are caught up in a wicked problem - money protects some for a while, but the poor are on the front lines and so are the first to feel the impact of the crisis.

Enjoy "Music for a Warming World".

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/climateconversations

Ava Shearer (pictured) features in a story from The Sydney Morning Herald: “Student claims HSBC’s Great Barrier Reef ad a ‘blatant greenwash’”;

Two stories from The Melbourne Age:

“As Australia’s climate policy disappoints, hope is found in court”;

“Climate pledges put world on ‘catastrophic pathway’ to hotter future, UN says”;

From France24: “Climate change could push 100 million into poverty by 2030, World Bank report says”;

Two stories from Inside Climate News:

“Warming Trends: Shakespeare, Dogs and Climate Change on British TV; Less Crowded Hiking Trails; and Toilet Paper Flunks Out”;

“The Rate of Global Warming During Next 25 Years Could Be Double What it Was in the Previous 50, a Renowned Climate Scientist Warns”;

Listen as Michael Mann talks about “Climate Crisis and Extreme Weather Events”;

From The Globe it’s: “Is this the beginning of the Category 6 hurricane?”;

And this website tells us: “Net Zero Festival: Michael E Mann confirmed as first keynote speaker, BusinessGreen”;

Here’s a chance to hear Michael Man speak: “Urgency & Agency in the Battle to Avert a Climate Crisis”;

And the ABC News asks the question: “The world is hungry for solar panels. Why did we stop making them?”;

Five stories from Medium:

“Climate Action Planning at the Local Level”;

“The tech bros are coming. How should climate activists deal with them?”;

“Why Battery Storage Is Turbocharging Renewable Energy”;

“We can’t just plant our way out of the climate crisis”;

“The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Bioenergy”;

And from the Australian Government: “Australia's making positive energy”;

The New Daily reports: “Amid a global pandemic, the climate emergency is well upon us”;

Here’s four stories from The Guardian:

“‘I don’t think many people know they exist’: how mistaken identity threatens the Baudin’s cockatoo”;

“‘Like nothing in my lifetime’: researchers race to unravel the mystery of Australia’s dying frogs”;

“Facebook steps up fight against climate misinformation – but critics say effort falls short”;

“Want to save the Earth? Then don’t buy that shiny new iPhone”;

And from Zurich: “Perfect storm: how climate change is making natural hazards worse”;

Four stories from Drilled News:

“Jay Rosen and Nicholas Johnson on What the Media Can Do About Disinformation”;

“Gulf Coast Oil Workers Are Building America’s Offshore Wind Industry”;

“Climate Accountability Is a Solution—Why Isn’t It Treated Like One?”;

“The Supreme Court’s Obscure Procedural Ruling in Baltimore’s Climate Case, Explained”;

From Euro News: “Europe's Mediterranean leaders pledge climate cooperation”;

And from the Museletter: “The Only Long-Range Solution to Climate Change”;

From the Sydney Environment Institute: “Introducing the Extraction Series: Discussing the Future of Australia’s Energy Sector”;

The Behavioural Scientist: ““Urgency and Agency”: Michael Mann on Conquering Climate Despair”;

On Yahoo News it’s: “Rolls-Royce's all-electric aircraft completes 15-minute maiden voyage”;

AP News tells readers: “As leaders reconvene at UN, climate and COVID top the list”;

You’ll have to pay for this, but for some it will be worth it: “Online One-Day Event:Creating a sustainable Future”;

From Inside Climate News: “Does Nature Have Rights? A Burgeoning Legal Movement Says Rivers, Forests and Wildlife Have Standing, Too”;

Two stories from Desmog:

“Oil Industry Wages Major Lobbying Campaign to Kill Proposed Methane Fee”;

“In the Louisiana Bayou, Dolphin Victims of Hurricane Ida Set the Stage for a Political Fight Over Coastal Restoration”;

And there are two stories from RenewEconomy:

“Australian renewables hit record share of 59.8 per cent on main grid on Sunday”;

“Morrison’s coal lump supplier, former advisor, appointed Australian OECD ambassador”;

Here’s the opening paragraphs to a story from the Financial Review that gives the gist of what its about - sadly you have to pay to read the whole story: “Banks are two-faced when it comes to climate action: Market Forces”.

Enjoy "Music for a Warming World".

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/climateconversations

Ava Shearer (pictured) features in a story from The Sydney Morning Herald: “Student claims HSBC’s Great Barrier Reef ad a ‘blatant greenwash’”;

Two stories from The Melbourne Age:

“As Australia’s climate policy disappoints, hope is found in court”;

“Climate pledges put world on ‘catastrophic pathway’ to hotter future, UN says”;

From France24: “Climate change could push 100 million into poverty by 2030, World Bank report says”;

Two stories from Inside Climate News:

“Warming Trends: Shakespeare, Dogs and Climate Change on British TV; Less Crowded Hiking Trails; and Toilet Paper Flunks Out”;

“The Rate of Global Warming During Next 25 Years Could Be Double What it Was in the Previous 50, a Renowned Climate Scientist Warns”;

Listen as Michael Mann talks about “Climate Crisis and Extreme Weather Events”;

From The Globe it’s: “Is this the beginning of the Category 6 hurricane?”;

And this website tells us: “Net Zero Festival: Michael E Mann confirmed as first keynote speaker, BusinessGreen”;

Here’s a chance to hear Michael Man speak: “Urgency & Agency in the Battle to Avert a Climate Crisis”;

And the ABC News asks the question: “The world is hungry for solar panels. Why did we stop making them?”;

Five stories from Medium:

“Climate Action Planning at the Local Level”;

“The tech bros are coming. How should climate activists deal with them?”;

“Why Battery Storage Is Turbocharging Renewable Energy”;

“We can’t just plant our way out of the climate crisis”;

“The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Bioenergy”;

And from the Australian Government: “Australia's making positive energy”;

The New Daily reports: “Amid a global pandemic, the climate emergency is well upon us”;

Here’s four stories from The Guardian:

“‘I don’t think many people know they exist’: how mistaken identity threatens the Baudin’s cockatoo”;

“‘Like nothing in my lifetime’: researchers race to unravel the mystery of Australia’s dying frogs”;

“Facebook steps up fight against climate misinformation – but critics say effort falls short”;

“Want to save the Earth? Then don’t buy that shiny new iPhone”;

And from Zurich: “Perfect storm: how climate change is making natural hazards worse”;

Four stories from Drilled News:

“Jay Rosen and Nicholas Johnson on What the Media Can Do About Disinformation”;

“Gulf Coast Oil Workers Are Building America’s Offshore Wind Industry”;

“Climate Accountability Is a Solution—Why Isn’t It Treated Like One?”;

“The Supreme Court’s Obscure Procedural Ruling in Baltimore’s Climate Case, Explained”;

From Euro News: “Europe's Mediterranean leaders pledge climate cooperation”;

And from the Museletter: “The Only Long-Range Solution to Climate Change”;

From the Sydney Environment Institute: “Introducing the Extraction Series: Discussing the Future of Australia’s Energy Sector”;

The Behavioural Scientist: ““Urgency and Agency”: Michael Mann on Conquering Climate Despair”;

On Yahoo News it’s: “Rolls-Royce's all-electric aircraft completes 15-minute maiden voyage”;

AP News tells readers: “As leaders reconvene at UN, climate and COVID top the list”;

You’ll have to pay for this, but for some it will be worth it: “Online One-Day Event:Creating a sustainable Future”;

From Inside Climate News: “Does Nature Have Rights? A Burgeoning Legal Movement Says Rivers, Forests and Wildlife Have Standing, Too”;

Two stories from Desmog:

“Oil Industry Wages Major Lobbying Campaign to Kill Proposed Methane Fee”;

“In the Louisiana Bayou, Dolphin Victims of Hurricane Ida Set the Stage for a Political Fight Over Coastal Restoration”;

And there are two stories from RenewEconomy:

“Australian renewables hit record share of 59.8 per cent on main grid on Sunday”;

“Morrison’s coal lump supplier, former advisor, appointed Australian OECD ambassador”;

Here’s the opening paragraphs to a story from the Financial Review that gives the gist of what its about - sadly you have to pay to read the whole story: “Banks are two-faced when it comes to climate action: Market Forces”.

Enjoy "Music for a Warming World".

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/climateconversations

The Guardian has several stories:

“Cumbria coalmine firm ‘betting on UK breach of climate targets’”;

“Climate crisis: Scientists spot warning signs of Gulf Stream collapse”;

“Keir Starmer will address green new deal plans at conference, say team”;

“‘We feel vindicated’: life by a landfill after vital high court ruling”;

“Will Morrison’s new ‘forever’ friends speak louder than Barnaby Joyce on climate?”;

“World’s largest tree wrapped in fire-resistant blanket as California blaze creeps closer”;

"Exxon and BP called to testify on climate after ‘troubling’ new documents";

Tedx Glasgow - “Ideas Worth Spreading”;

Two stories from The New York Times:

“Biden implores world leaders to take action on climate change: ‘We don’t have a lot of time’”;

“Climate Scientists Forecast High Temperatures Into the Fall”;

From Climate Conscious - “Mitigating Climate Change in the American Southwest Includes Draining Lake Powell”;

And from Medium it’s - “5 Things That Should Be Obvious to a Civilised Society”;

Jaime Roberts asks the question - “In an Age of Climate Change Should we build Skyscrapers?”;

From Reuters readers learn - “UN faces $100 trln shortfall in fight against climate change, inequality - report”;

And from CNN it’s - “The planet is on a 'catastrophic' global warming path, UN report shows”;

Inside Climate News reports - “Big Reefs in Big Trouble: New Research Tracks a 50 Percent Decline in Living Coral Since the 1950s”;

From Friends of the Earth - “Day of Action for Australia's 2030 Climate Target”;

David Leitch reports for RenewEconomy - “Battery storage will force us to rethink network tariffs and structures”;

Climate Action says - “Hydrogen investment set to create 25,000 green jobs in Britain’s industrial heartlands”;

Two stories from Climate Connections:

“Indie musician Squirrel Flower’s new album reckons with extreme weather”;

“Essays on a summer of disaster”;

And finally, two stories from The Narwhal:

“Let’s not forget we’re choosing our politicians while the world burns down around us”;

“Where federal parties stand on Canada’s sexiest emissions fix: nature-based climate solutions”.

Enjoy “Music for a Warming World”.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/climateconversations

The Guardian has several stories:

“Cumbria coalmine firm ‘betting on UK breach of climate targets’”;

“Climate crisis: Scientists spot warning signs of Gulf Stream collapse”;

“Keir Starmer will address green new deal plans at conference, say team”;

“‘We feel vindicated’: life by a landfill after vital high court ruling”;

“Will Morrison’s new ‘forever’ friends speak louder than Barnaby Joyce on climate?”;

“World’s largest tree wrapped in fire-resistant blanket as California blaze creeps closer”;

"Exxon and BP called to testify on climate after ‘troubling’ new documents";

Tedx Glasgow - “Ideas Worth Spreading”;

Two stories from The New York Times:

“Biden implores world leaders to take action on climate change: ‘We don’t have a lot of time’”;

“Climate Scientists Forecast High Temperatures Into the Fall”;

From Climate Conscious - “Mitigating Climate Change in the American Southwest Includes Draining Lake Powell”;

And from Medium it’s - “5 Things That Should Be Obvious to a Civilised Society”;

Jaime Roberts asks the question - “In an Age of Climate Change Should we build Skyscrapers?”;

From Reuters readers learn - “UN faces $100 trln shortfall in fight against climate change, inequality - report”;

And from CNN it’s - “The planet is on a 'catastrophic' global warming path, UN report shows”;

Inside Climate News reports - “Big Reefs in Big Trouble: New Research Tracks a 50 Percent Decline in Living Coral Since the 1950s”;

From Friends of the Earth - “Day of Action for Australia's 2030 Climate Target”;

David Leitch reports for RenewEconomy - “Battery storage will force us to rethink network tariffs and structures”;

Climate Action says - “Hydrogen investment set to create 25,000 green jobs in Britain’s industrial heartlands”;

Two stories from Climate Connections:

“Indie musician Squirrel Flower’s new album reckons with extreme weather”;

“Essays on a summer of disaster”;

And finally, two stories from The Narwhal:

“Let’s not forget we’re choosing our politicians while the world burns down around us”;

“Where federal parties stand on Canada’s sexiest emissions fix: nature-based climate solutions”.

Enjoy “Music for a Warming World”.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/climateconversations

Kathy Davies (pictured) and Chris Vanderstock are working with Equity Generation Lawyers to take the Victorian State Government to the High Court of Australia over its plans to tax electric cars.

Kathy and Chris are aiming to cover their legal costs through a Chuffed program and Chris outlines the what and why of their case that is going before the High Court in this short YouTube clip.

Kathy, who runs the business, Ekkremon Pty Ltd, is also involved with a host of groups, among them the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA),  Renew, which was a major inspiration for all the work on her house. 

She said: "We took part in 2019 Sustainable House Day too: I am also a signatory of Australian Engineers Declare and am on the mailing list with a range of groups such as BZE, Climate Council, Environment Victoria, Project Drawdown, Smart Energy Council, and  Planet Ark. I’m also listed as a spokesperson with Climate Media Centre."

Enjoy "Music for a Warming World".

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/climateconversations