Apolitical

How U.S. State AGs Can Hold Polluting Industries Accountable

APOLITICAL 12/03/24 By Michael Shank Americans are being peddled misinformation about what happens to the plastic they buy and use in their daily lives, and taxpayers across the United States have an opportunity to fight back. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has sued ExxonMobil for the fossil fuel company’s pollution […]

Why Governments Should Double Down on the Paris Climate Deal

APOLITICAL 12/02/24 By Dr. Michael Shank and US Congressman Steve Cohen As President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team prepares executive orders to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, scientists confirm that 2024 is not only the hottest year on record but the first year to exceed the Paris agreement threshold, a […]

Why Cities Should Hire an Artist for Their Climate Office

APOLITICAL 09/19/24 By Michael Shank This article is written by Dr. Michael Shank, director of engagement at the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance and adjunct faculty at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs where he teaches sustainable development. There’s a transformation happening across city governments that has the potential to […]

How Governments Can Shift Power to Youth When Leading on Climate Policy

APOLITICAL 08/19/24 By Michael Shank The problem: When governments engage youth in climate and environmental programming, it’s often at the peripheries of key decision-making processes. Youth are not given real power in the process. Why it matters: Youth are not only inheriting this warming world, but they’ve got new and […]

Going Green in Cities: 3 Leadership Lessons From London

APOLITICAL 07/07/24 By Michael Shank This article is written by Dr Michael Shank, Director of Engagement at the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance. The problem: There’s concern that a global backlash against climate policies is in full swing and that running on climate isn’t good for political campaigns. Why it matters: […]

Making Sustainability Stick in Government Regardless of Administrations

APOLITICAL 05/29/24 By Michael Shank This article is written by Dr Michael Shank, director of engagement at the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance. Michael also teaches sustainable development at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs. The following article is written in his personal capacity. The problem: Environmental programming risks getting […]

Why Climate Leaders Need to Prioritise Housing and Economic Concerns

APOLITICAL 04/22/24 By Michael Shank This article was written by Dr. Michael Shank, Director of Engagement, Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance. The problem: The climate community still isn’t adequately prioritising the public’s socio-economic concerns and needs. Why it matters: We’re alienating and excluding whole sectors of society by not attending to […]

Climate Budgeting and the Art of De-siloing City Governance

APOLITICAL 03/10/24 By Michael Shank Environmental budgeting processes in Oslo are introducing a new form of city governance featuring fewer silos, greater collaboration and more efficiencies and benefits across government. This article is written by Dr. Michael Shank, Director of Engagement at the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance. The problem: There […]

Power to the People: Rethinking City Governance

APOLITICAL 01/07/24 By Michael Shank How cities in Europe are retrofitting to reflect new climate realities and community needs The problem: People are disengaged on climate and distrustful of government. Why it matters: We need everyone on board with no-one left behind. The solution: Embedding city staff within the community […]

6 More Tips to Win Minds and Hearts for the Climate

APOLITICAL 1/21/20 By Michael Shank If you’re not sold on your climate message, the public won’t be either This article is written by Dr. Michael Shank, communications director for the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance and adjunct faculty at New York University’s Centre for Global Affairs. In my last article for […]