Can Cities Thrive in a World of Polycrises? – Lauren Sorkin, Co-founder and Executive Director, Resilient Cities Network
Release Date: 01/07/2025
Electric Ladies Podcast - Women Leaders Discuss Careers, Trends, Technologies and Innovation in Energy, Climate, and Corporate Responsibility
“Thinking about an opportunity to rebuild... So now what are we going to do? And, how do you rebuild in a way that actually does involve equity and equality and sustainability in ways that impact people of all different kinds. And that's, I think, the opportunity that we should be looking toward." Majora Carter on Electric Ladies Podcast After devastating wildfires reduced entire neighborhoods in Los Angeles to ashes, the city faces the challenge of rebuilding - not just its infrastructure, but its communities. This is an opportunity to integrate climate resilience, especially for...
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“This is not just an executive order. There is a point behind net zero goals, and this is to address climate change and global warming. A million and a half EVs were sold last year. Infrastructure is still being built. I’d say the train has left the station." Joan Michelson on Full Crew Podcast The U.S. government has provided $7 billion in funding for critical minerals and $7 billion to fund 500,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. With a new administration now in place, what can this mean for the transition to EVs, as well as EV policies and regulations? Listen to Joan...
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“Many countries are looking to lead on AI and embed it in as many aspects of our lives as possible. But right now we do not have an electricity grid that is built for this purpose. We also need to think about the fuel needed to power up this grid.” Dr. Stephanie Hare on Electric Ladies Podcast We’re putting artificial intelligence (AI) to work for a variety of our problems on a daily basis -including climate change. How? In more ways than you might think, though it’s the amount of electricity, water and fuel it requires that raises tough questions. Listen to Dr. Stephanie Hare, a...
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“Resilience is a team sport. You cannot build resilience in insolation. I cannot emphasize how important multi sector action and teamwork is. So let’s understand that and work together.” Lauren Sorkin on Electric Ladies Podcast To kick off the first interview of 2025, we’re diving into a topic that affects us all: Can the cities we live in truly provide what we need to thrive? With over half of the global population now living in urban areas – a figure projected to hit 70% by 2050 – cities are at the forefront of the climate transition. Join me as I talk with Lauren Sorkin,...
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“If you want to get something done in this world that transcends what’s already happening, you have to be willing to listen to the people that are trying to hold dearly to how it has been. Become a master bridge builder. Be committed to asking questions such that you understand where the commonality is. Find the common points.” Jennifer Hough on Electric Ladies Podcast At the end of a year where every country and neighborhood seems more divided than ever, and many of us feel like we’re walking on eggshells in every conversation, we’ve found ourselves in uncharted terrain....
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“Today we are talking about accelerating the clean energy transition, including government policy, lowering costs, and decarbonization...The new 2024 Energy Fact book (by BCSE & BNEF)… found that the energy transition is in full swing with ‘record breaking’ public and private sector investments in clean power and renewable energies showing cost competitiveness even without government subsidies…But the two key pieces we're going to talk about today are… the grid and storage.” Joan Michelson on Electric Ladies Podcast Between market forces, government incentives and funding,...
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“Women make up 80% or more of the garment industry workers. Women garment workers make meager wages and work excessive working hours, 14 to 16 hours a day…Fashion is ranked as the second most polluting business in the world by the UN, 7% of the landfill is garments. The garment industry emits 8 to 10% of global CO2 and 500,000 tons of micro plastics are dumped into oceans each year.” Joan Michelson at UN Climate Week SDG Media Zone The fashion industry faces the twin problems of being an environmental disaster, and treating their majority female workforce very, very badly, even...
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“1% for the planet is really set up as a way to sort of break it down, and create a pathway to action that kind of gets us through the overwhelm. So, the way it works is that we have businesses who are our members, and they're actually supporting environmental partners at the level of 1% of revenues….You invest in the things that matter and the planet matters. …(The point is to) drive impact at scale. And so, in terms of that scale, last year we certified US$100million of support going from these companies to environmental partners….When a company joins, they pay a dues fee to us, but...
info_outline“Resilience is a team sport. You cannot build resilience in insolation. I cannot emphasize how important multi sector action and teamwork is. So let’s understand that and work together.”
Lauren Sorkin on Electric Ladies Podcast
To kick off the first interview of 2025, we’re diving into a topic that affects us all: Can the cities we live in truly provide what we need to thrive? With over half of the global population now living in urban areas – a figure projected to hit 70% by 2050 – cities are at the forefront of the climate transition.
Join me as I talk with Lauren Sorkin, Co-founder and Executive Director of the Resilient Cities Network, about how cities can evolve into thriving ecosystems that withstand the shocks and stressors of climate change. Lauren sheds light on the critical role of Chief Resilience Officers and their mission to break down barriers.
This episode is all about reimagining our cities – don’t miss it!
You’ll hear about:
- How the Resilient Cities Network is helping cities navigate a world facing polycrises.
- Why Chief Resilience Officers are instrumental to sustainable, inclusive urban futures.
- The importance of eco-urbanism as a solution to climate change, extreme heat, flooding, and even mental health.
- Why communication and inclusivity empower local communities to build resilience.
- Practical steps business, government, and community leaders can take.
- Plus, insightful career advice
“Know what your non-negotiables are and go in that direction. Don’t be afraid to break down silos and bring different parts of your life together, in terms of your network and your talent. Bring the best parts of you into the work that you do.”
Lauren Sorkin on Electric Ladies Podcast
Read Joan’s Forbes article based on this interview here and more of her articles here too.
You'll also like:
- Sherri Goodman, former Undersecretary of Defense for Environmental Security, on how climate change is impacting geopolitics and national security.
- Susan McPherson, CEO of McPherson Strategies, on corporate strategies in a time of geopolitical crisis.
- Michele Wucker, thought leader and author of "You Are What You Risk: The New Art & Science to Navigating an Uncertain World.".
- Anne Kelly, Ceres Government Relations, on business and infrastructure policy.
- Paula Glover, President of the Alliance to Save Energy, on how talking about energy efficiency helps build bridges to solutions to mitigating climate change.
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