© David Miller
David Miller was Mayor of Toronto from 2003 to 2010 and Chair of the influential C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group from 2008 to 2010. Under his leadership, Toronto became widely admired internationally for its environmental leadership, economic strength and social integration. He is a leading advocate for the creation of sustainable urban economies, and a strong and forceful champion for the next generation of jobs through sustainability.
Miller did not seek a third term as mayor in the 2010 election. In 2011, Miller assumed a position with the World Bank as an advisor on urban issues. In 2013, he was appointed as president and CEO of WWF-Canada, the Canadian division of the international World Wildlife Fund.
The fact that the Nations agreed in Paris to a climate agreement created incredible optimism. But what is next? How do we address the significant challenges to people and nature faced today? For example, WWF’s Living Planet report shows that 52 percent of the world’s wildlife populations have disappeared since the 1970’s due to human economic activity, increasingly because of climate change. Species as divergent as Polar Bears and Bees – and humans – are threatened. How do we expedite modern solutions that preserve ecosystems? WWF Canada is working to connect nature, community and economy – for example through the support of new smaller scale tidal power projects in the Bay of Fundy. Could these technologies be used to create energy in the arctic?
What else can people, business, ENGO’s do? Can we learn from the best ideas from international city governments? Consider cities as 75 % of emissions – energy generation, transportation, heating and cooling buildings. Solutions lowering emissions, building stronger and more inclusive communities exist. Can these be undertaken at scale, rapidly? What other lessons can we learn from international examples?
David Miller will speak from his perspective as the head of Canada’s largest international conservation organization and the former Head of the C40 Climate Leadership Group.
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