[MUSIC] Communities around the world are currently faced with a number of large scale environmental challenges. Including dangerous irreversible climate change. Many of these challenges stem from cities and are resource intensive lifestyles. Fortunately, an array of concrete solutions to these challenges are already being developed and implemented in cities around the globe. So we set of on an inspirational journey to explore the most innovative ideas, technologies, and initiatives being used by cities today as they strive to create more livable and sustainable cities. And with the potential to stimulate wide scale change, which would set us on the path towards a one-planet future where humans live in harmony with nature. [MUSIC] >> The struggle for a sustainable future on this planet will be won or lost in our cities. In the next 30 years we expect a doubling of the global urban population. And with that, a doubling of the global earth infrastructure. That is a very short window of opportunity to get things right. So urban investment decisions taken today will determine whether people will be locked into resource inefficient and fossil fuel dependent infrastructure and lifestyles. Or if they will enable cities to become places where we can live attractive and healthy and sustainable lives. >> Over the next 30 years, more than five times the global GDP will be invested in urban infrastructure and its use. So it's critical that those investments are made in a sustainable and resilient way. >> A number of actions that cities have to take, and actually take together is first of all to try to become low carbon. To shift from fossil fuel towards renewable energy. Secondly, to become resilient. We are going to face the impacts of climate change. And they will be different from one part of the world to the other part. We have to look thirdly into how can our existing ecosystems, our biodiversity we have in urban areas. How can that support us in our sustainability? >> Well the urban challenges in the world is tremendous. I mean, we'll soon have 75% of the world population living in cities. And I would argue that the number one challenge for cities is actually not inside the city, it's to recognize that it has to be sustainable in its entire inflows and outflows of energy, of water, of food, of all materials. So to see itself like a part of a wider ecosystem, so that you plan every urban area, for every citizen. That it keeps itself within a circular economic model in terms of resources in and out. And the second most important thing is build resilient cities. >> So how are leading green cities around the world responding to this enormous challenge? One of the most ambitious climate action plans has been adopted by the city of Vancouver, whose goal is to run the city on 100% renewable energy by 2050. [MUSIC] Vancouver's plan focuses on vibrant and inclusive neighborhoods. And creating a city that meets the needs of generations to come. They intend to achieve this by working with a broad range of stakeholders throughout society. >> When I first campaigned for mayor in 2008, one of my key priorities was to make Vancouver the world's greenest city by 2020. So we put together an action plan, worked with citizens and businesses and neighborhoods. Put together ten targets in water, food clean air, green business, green jobs, reducing our carbon, reducing our consumption, and zero waste. [MUSIC] >> At the beginning, we were worried this was too much for people. That they wouldn't be able to see a point of entry into it, and we were totally wrong. We've had over 35,000 residents, 180 organizations who engaged in writing our plan. Tens of thousands of residents who've been involved in implementing, because when they write the plan, they own the plan. [MUSIC] And as a result we've had over 150 separate city policy initiatives that range from big farms in the middle of a dense city like Vancouver, waste recovery that we've had. We've had technology that we're doing, and green economy. We've raised green jobs by 19%. We've reduced our water usage by 18%. Greenhouse gas emissions are way down, because many more people are biking and walking and taking transit. But it's really the innovation, is how you marry a government to the residents, to the businesses, to the different civil society groups, and make it a collective effort. [MUSIC] >> Creating a fossil fuel-free city is possible, but requires a shift to green energy in all areas. >> Our new goal is to be 100% renewable in the city of Vancouver with all of our energy sources. And it will be a challenge with transportation in particular. We don't know when we will have electric vehicles for the whole city. We're waiting on the industry side to get a clear sense of what year that's possible. We're planning out the timeline right now. Basically making decisions to eliminate fossil fuels from our city.
