Stewardship & Sustainability Series

Stewardship & Sustainability Series

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Stewardship & Sustainability Series episodes

  • Episode 48 – Matt Gray, Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Cleveland
    Matt Gray, the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) of the City of Cleveland, discusses the integrated framework for sustainable and equitable development at the municipal scale. From the city’s Tree Plan – with its focus on tree canopy concentration by neighborhoods, correlated to the distribution of asthma rates, property values, and rain-water catchment capacity, to name a few – to its energy, recycling, mobility, transportation, water, and land stewardship plans, Cleveland is a leading example of what’s possible. Mr. Gray is hosting a special Sustainable Cleveland 2019 Summit on October 16th, 2019 (sustainablecleveland.org), at which a variety of experts will convene to share strategies and best practices across disciplines. Gray, referencing the massive clean-up efforts since the terrible “burning water” toxic waste fires on the Cuyahoga River in the 1960’s, describes Cleveland’s situation and stewardship priorities on the shores of the Great Lakes, which contain 20% of our planet’s fresh water!
    In the United States, urban municipalities representing over 50% of the country’s population have taken the lead in the absence of federal government leadership around the Climate Crisis, and have committed to the Global Community’s targets as set forth and agreed at the COP21 Paris Climate Accord in 2015. Matt Gray and other municipalities’ CSOs (as well as CSOs from corporations, universities, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs)), are transforming urban infrastructure, economic development opportunities, community resilience, food security, energy security, disaster preparedness, community health, and access to education through frameworks grounded in business leadership, racial equity, job creation, and co-creative processes.
    Mr. Gray received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, and his Master’s Degree from Columbia University. He previously served four years with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program, before receiving a Fulbright Fellowship to research climate change impacts and governance in Mauritius. His areas of expertise include green building and climate change, and Mr. Gray has served as Chair of the Interagency Sustainability Working Group to improve green building practices and standards throughout the Federal government. He describes the importance of “appreciative inquiry” in the community mobilization process, and emphasizes the critical importance of neighborhood scale and cross-sector collaboration to achieve more vibrant, healthy, and thriving communities.
    Matt Gray, the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) of the City of Cleveland, discusses the integrated framework for sustainable and equitable development at the municipal scale. From the city’s Tree Plan – with its focus on tree canopy concentration by neighborhoods, correlated to the distribution of asthma rates, property values, and rain-water catchment capacity, to name a few – to its energy, recycling, mobility, transportation, water, and land stewardship plans, Cleveland is a leading example of what’s possible. Mr. Gray is hosting a special Sustainable Cleveland 2019 Summit on October 16th, 2019 (sustainablecleveland.org), at which a variety of experts will convene to share strategies and best practices across disciplines. Gray, referencing the massive clean-up efforts since the terrible “burning water” toxic waste fires on the Cuyahoga River in the 1960’s, describes Cleveland’s situation and stewardship priorities on the shores of the Great Lakes, which contain 20% of our planet’s fresh water!
    In the United States, urban municipalities representing over 50% of the country’s population have taken the lead in the absence of federal government leadership around the Climate Crisis, and have committed to the Global Community’
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  • Episode 46 – Xiye Bastida, Global Youth Leader: “Strike with Us!”
    Xiye Bastida, 17-year-old climate activist and global youth leader, discusses the world-wide climate crisis strike planned for September 20, 2019. Extraordinarily articulate, insightful, and dedicated, Xiye encourages all of us to engage in these critical times, to participate in the “Fridays for Future Movement,” and to take action wherever we’re located, joining the millions of people in 130+ countries, being organized by 6,000+ youth leaders!
    Joined by her mother, Geraldine Patrick, Xiye discusses her blended indigenous background (part Celtic, part Otomi-Toltec), and her deep connection with the living water that animates all life on planet Earth. Understanding that the essential role of humanity is to take care of life, she also discusses maintaining balance – health and well-being – in the midst of leading an urgent global movement with colleagues like Greta Thunberg. Her advice includes: maintaining the flow of friendships and family, connecting with nature, the importance of sleeping, eating well, and self-care practices.
    Not only is Xiye a profoundly effective leader and organizer, she is also still a high school student! Recognizing that the gifts we are each given are in fact responsibilities, Xiye urges each of us: “Don’t just watch us… strike with us!” and discusses how the youth of today – Gen Y and Gen Z – will account for 37% of the voting population by 2025.
    She recently launched a Youth Activism Training Program, sits on the Administration Committee of Peoples Climate Movement, is a member of Sunrise Movement and Extinction Rebellion, was invited to speak about Indigenous Cosmology at the 9th UN World Urban Forum, and was awarded the “Spirit of the UN” award in 2018.
    More information at: strikewithus.org. Twitter: @xiyebastida Instagram: xiyebeara
    Xiye Bastida, 17-year-old climate activist and global youth leader, discusses the world-wide climate crisis strike planned for September 20, 2019. Extraordinarily articulate, insightful, and dedicated, Xiye encourages all of us to engage in these critical times, to participate in the “Fridays for Future Movement,” and to take action wherever we’re located, joining the millions of people in 130+ countries, being organized by 6,000+ youth leaders!
    Joined by her mother, Geraldine Patrick, Xiye discusses her blended indigenous background (part Celtic, part Otomi-Toltec), and her deep connection with the living water that animates all life on planet Earth. Understanding that the essential role of humanity is to take care of life, she also discusses maintaining balance – health and well-being – in the midst of leading an urgent global movement with colleagues like Greta Thunberg. Her advice includes: maintaining the flow of friendships and family, connecting with nature, the importance of sleeping, eating well, and self-care practices.
    Not only is Xiye a profoundly effective leader and organizer, she is also still a high school student! Recognizing that the gifts we are each given are in fact responsibilities, Xiye urges each of us: “Don’t just watch us… strike with us!” and discusses how the youth of today – Gen Y and Gen Z – will account for 37% of the voting population by 2025.
    She recently launched a Youth Activism Training Program, sits on the Administration Committee of Peoples Climate Movement, is a member of Sunrise Movement and Extinction Rebellion, was invited to speak about Indigenous Cosmology at the 9th UN World Urban Forum, and was awarded the “Spirit of the UN” award in 2018.
    More information at: strikewithus.org. Twitter: @xiyebastida Instagram: xiyebeara
    0 min

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