When people think about climate change, they often imagine melting icebergs or huge factories emitting pollution. But the real problem is much closer than that. It’s in our daily lives - the roads, buildings, and electricity you use every day are all part of the story.
What if cities are where real change begins?
Cities might be a way to solve the climate issues rather than serving as a problem. Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) is one of the key organizations that works with 10,000 cities to deal with climate issues. How can we power our cities without harming the planet?
As the director of Climate Action Innovation, Research, and Impact section in GCoM, Benjamin Jance IV says, “There are a lot of ways to produce energy, but not all of them are environmentally friendly.” He says that the choices cities make are very important as ‘focusing on making sure cities choose the right materials, the right companies, and the right technologies.’ With that the energy we use will be ‘greener, safer, and more affordable for everyone.’ This demonstrates that solving climate change is not just about reducing pollution - it is also about making energy usage efficient and cheaper for people. Another important issue is access. Some cities use excessive amounts of energy, while others do not have enough. This shows that climate change is not only about protecting our environment and addressing relevant problems. It also involves the component of social sustainability, and how we effectively use and share important resources like energy.
He and GCoM, researched the city of Cape Town, South Africa. They have a national energy system that relies heavily on coal and suffers from frequent "load shedding" or blackouts. Cape Town is taking local action to protect its citizens. They wanted to solve this energy inequality, so the city established a dedicated Low Income Energy Services unit, and they are exploring a “Free Basic Alternative Energy” policy to provide energy coupons to residents. These steps show how cities can lead by creating solutions for those who lack enough energy.
So what can individuals do?
Many people think they cannot make a difference, but Mr. Jance disagrees. He says, “Individuals can help by supporting green products and choosing options that save energy.” When more people demand cleaner and cheaper energy solutions, businesses and governments are pushed to make better choices. Eventually, we are the key drivers of the economy by having the choice of where we spend our money. As we make more environmentally-conscious decisions, this will converge towards a trend where governments and industries would perceive environmental sustainability as a key customer need. In addition, Mr. Jance also talks about how people approach energy. “People can also learn more about renewable energy so they are less afraid of things like nuclear energy,” he says, calling it “very powerful but often misunderstood.” This shows that people need better understanding, not just better technology. However, it is not as easy as it sounds. Cities are growing fast, which means more energy is needed and more pressure is put on the environment. Even good plans can fail if there is not enough money or support.
So are cities the problem or the solution? Probably the answer is both.
Cities depend on the choices people make. If we ignore the problem, things will get worse. But if we make better decisions, cities can help lead the way to a better future. Next time you turn on a light or decide how to travel, think about your choices. As Jance suggests, change comes from people who ask for better options.
Thank you Mr.Jance for his time for our interview!