Smart Cities for Climate Action: Bridging Urban-Rural Divides with Jonathan Seefeldt from ATREE USA
In this impactful episode of the Smart Cities Council Podcast, recorded at the Smart Cities Summit North America, Fanni Melles, PhD, sits down with Jonathan Seefeldt, Executive Director of ATREE USA, the US branch of India’s Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment. ATREE combines think tank, academic, and grassroots work to address environmental challenges in frontline communities.
Jonathan emphasizes smart cities as the ideal scale for actionable innovation, where visionary leadership can drive concrete policies like Austin’s 100-year climate plan. He discusses bridging urban-rural divides, tackling biodiversity loss, and fostering urgency for systems change. From India’s rural-urban connections to global coalitions, tune in for insights on integrating cities with broader landscapes for resilient futures.
Key Takeaways
0:00 - Introduction: Cities as the Perfect Scale for Innovation
1:40 - Welcome to the Smart Cities Council Podcast!
2:00 - Introducing Jonathan Seefeldt and ATREE USA
3:00 - What Does "Smart City" Mean to Jonathan?
4:00 - ATREE’s Unique Model: Think Tank Meets Grassroots
5:00 - Connecting Urban and Rural Landscapes
6:20 - Challenges: Urbanization and Biodiversity Loss
8:00 - Opportunities: City-Scale Action and Coalitions
9:30 - Examples: Austin’s Climate Plan and India’s Innovations
11:00 - Global Perspectives: US vs. India Approaches
13:00 - Advice: Think Horizontally Across Silos
14:00 - Takeaways from the Summit: Urgency and Optimism
16:00 - Closing Thoughts: Integrate Cities with Landscapes
Learn More About Jonathan Seefeldt and ATREE USA:
Jonathan Seefeldt on LinkedIn
ATREE USA website
ATREE USA on LinkedIn
@atree_org as ATREE USA on X
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