[LINK] World Virtual Meeting of Mayors “No Return to Business as Usual”

[jwhit at internode.on.net]

Here's a story in The Guardian with further comments:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/may/07/world-cannot-return-to-business-as-usual-after-covid-19-say-mayors
And this about the formation of the C40 to work toward a Green
Recovery.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/may/01/city-leaders-aim-to-shape-green-recovery-from-coronavirus-crisis
Unfortunately, it seems the common answer is about bike lanes,
pedestrian spaces, and reducing traffic. That's all well and good if
you have consistent weather for it.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Stephen Loosley" 
To:"link at mailman.anu.edu.au" 
Cc:
Sent:Fri, 8 May 2020 13:02:17 +0000
Subject:[LINK] World Virtual Meeting of Mayors “No Return to
Business as Usual”

 “No Return to Business as Usual”

 Forty global mayors issue a call for a healthy, equitable and a
sustainable economic recovery to this pandemic.

 London, 07 May - Mayors from many of the world’s most powerful
cities have warned that the recovery from COVID-19 “should not be a
return to ‘business as usual’ - because that is a world on track
for 3°C or more of over-heating.”

 https://www.c40.org/press_releases/taskforce-principles

 Today’s announcement comes after a series of virtual meetings
attended by more than 40 mayors, demonstrating how they are working
together globally to overcome both the coronavirus and climate change
crises.

 Statement endorsed by the mayors of Los Angeles, Athens, Austin,
Barcelona, Bogotá, Boston, Buenos Aires, Chicago, Copenhagen,
Curitiba, Durban, Freetown, Hong Kong, Houston, Lima, Lisbon, London,
Medellín, Melbourne, Mexico City, Milan, Montréal, New Orleans, New
York City, Oslo, Portland, Quezon City, Rotterdam, Salvador, São
Paulo, San Francisco, Santiago, Seattle, Seoul, Sydney, Tel Aviv-Yafo
and Vancouver.

 Global Mayors COVID-19 Recovery Task Force

 The Task Force will establish a common framework that all of C40’s
global membership can use to create a "new normal" for city economies;
agree upon concrete measures they can put in place for recovery; how
to communicate about the climate crisis in a post-COVID-19 world; and
how can they influence stimulus packages and interventions to support
the necessary transition to a more sustainable, low-carbon, inclusive
and healthier economy for people and the planet.

 “COVID-19 has laid bare the systemic inequities too often found at
the heart of our communities -- and as we start to emerge from this
crisis, we must rebuild an economy that truly works for everyone,”
said C40 Chair and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Our C40
statement of principles will provide a framework for a fair recovery
-- a sustainable and equitable vision that lifts up our most
vulnerable residents and advances the work of our Global Green New
Deal.”

 Statement of Principles:

 The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the world’s cities.
It is not just a global health crisis, but a social and economic
crisis In many ways it is also an urban phenomenon, with its roots in
environmental destruction and humanity’s relationship with nature.
It is, in part, a consequence of the undermining of international
mechanisms and institutions which were built to bring peace and
prosperity to all. It is, in part, a consequence of ignoring
science-based knowledge.

 We, as leaders of major cities across the globe, are clear that our
ambition should not be a return to ‘normal’ – our goal is to
build a better, more sustainable, more resilient and fairer society.
Therefore, our joint strategy to support the recovery of our cities
and their residents from COVID-19 will be governed by these
principles:

 + The recovery should not be a return to ‘business as usual’ -
because that is a world on track for 3°C or more of over-heating;

 + The recovery, above all, must be guided by an adherence to public
health and scientific expertise, in order to assure the safety of
those who live in our cities;

 + Excellent public services, public investment and increased
community resilience will form the most effective basis for the
recovery;

 + The recovery must address issues of equity that have been laid bare
by the impact of the crisis – for example, workers who are now
recognised as essential should be celebrated and compensated
accordingly and policies must support people living in informal
settlements;

 + The recovery must improve the resilience of our cities and
communities. Therefore, investments should be made to protect against
future threats – including the climate crisis – and to support
those people impacted by climate and health risks;

 + Climate action can help accelerate economic recovery and enhance
social equity, through the use of new technologies and the creation of
new industries and new jobs. These will drive wider benefits for our
residents, workers, students, businesses and visitors;

 + We commit to doing everything in our power and the power of our
city governments to ensure that the recovery from COVID-19 is healthy,
equitable and sustainable;

 + We commit to using our collective voices and individual actions to
ensure that national governments support both cities and the
investments needed in cities, to deliver an economic recovery that is
healthy, equitable and sustainable;

 + We commit to using our collective voices and individual actions to
ensure that international and regional institutions invest directly in
cities to support a healthy, equitable and sustainable recovery.

 --

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