It was local governments that led the charge — well ahead of the federal and provincial governments — on regulating smoking in public places and in taking action on climate change, to name but two examples.
Recently, I have been discussing the large-scale changes we need to make in the face of the eight critical shifts identified in the UN Environment Programme report Navigating New Horizons. Those changes are a focus on intergenerational equity; a new social contract that reinforces shared values about how we relate not only to each other but to nature; and focusing on and measuring wellbeing rather than just the economy.
The report goes on to note: “Cities and communities have an essential role in achieving sustainability transitions. They are often places of learning, innovation and creativity, enabling the potential for systemic change at the local level.” In addition, local governments are closer to the citizenry, and both the civil servants and political representatives and their families and friends are likely to be living in the place where their decisions have effect, which could have a beneficial impact on their decision-making.
If we could jointly craft such a vision — a vision of a ‘One Planet’ wellbeing community — that could inspire decades of work together.
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