Kerry to meet with 19 mayors (10 from the US), on climate change this week

[karynnj]

This was from a Canadian source, so it focuses on the invitation of Vancouver's mayor/

Vancouver's mayor is getting a higher profile as a climate crusader with an invitation to discuss the issue with United States Secretary of State John Kerry this week alongside a select handful of global city leaders.
Gregor Robertson was invited to attend the Our Cities, Our Climate initiative in Washington, D.C., to help advise Kerry in the lead up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris later this year.
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"When there's a void of leadership on climate change and the green economy with the Canadian government, it's necessary for mayors and business leaders and community leaders to step up and make sure that Canada is represented," Robertson said in an interview.
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"Secretary Kerry will be the key negotiator in Paris for the U.S. and part of his prep is gathering mayors from his country and leading cities globally and broadening his understanding and commitment to climate action," he said.

http://bc.ctvnews.ca/vancouver-mayor-to-chat-climate-change-with-john-kerry-1.2595662

[blm]

1. The most prepared SoS in modern history, including this issue.

.

[karynnj]

2. So true - and with incredible skills as negotiator and diplomat

having followed his efforts including the whirlwind trip to Bali - because the Senate schedule was such that he spent more time on getting to and from the conference than actually there - where in spite of time constraints he did important work especially with China and India. Here, the China pact - that he was instrumental on - was the first hint that Paris might be far more successful than the disappointment that was the Copenhagen summit.

[karynnj]

3. Nice op-ed on what the mayors can do written by JK and Michael Bloomberg

Last edited Thu Oct 8, 2015, 10:46 PM - Edit history (1)

When world leaders gather in Paris in December to negotiate a global agreement on climate change, they will have a powerful ally standing behind them and urging them onward: mayors. In fact, mayors have already helped set the stage for success in Paris, by establishing models of cooperation that provide a strong foundation for the negotiations.

Through international coalitions like the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group and the Compact of Mayors, cities around the world have been committing to major reductions in carbon emissions, while adopting a common measurement system and public reporting process to ensure that they can be held accountable. In other words: Many cities are already doing what the United Nations is urging national governments to do
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For example, bus rapid transit systems have spread from Bogota to Jakarta and many points in between. Melbourne Mayor Robert Doyle credits the progress in his city to “shamelessly stealing” strategies from New York and Toronto. Today, Melbourne boasts the highest density of Green Star-rated buildings in Australia and has doubled the number of trees in the city’s center.

The fact is, more shameless stealing would do the world a lot of good. That’s why the two of us decided to bring the State Department and Bloomberg Philanthropies together to launch the “Our Cities, Our Climate” exchange for city officials around the globe.

http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-10-08/all-climate-change-is-local

Former mayor Bloomberg is the UN secretary-general’s special envoy for cities and climate change

Here is a link to the State department speech - (select 2 ) http://www.state.gov/ Here is a link to the text of their speeches - http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2015/10/248043.htm