The World Bank reports that, “today, more than half of the world’s population – over 4 billion people – lives in cities.” It also estimates that this shift is going to continue, in fact to DOUBLE to nearly 70% – or 7 out of every 10 people will live in cities by 2050. That’s only 25 years away. At the same time, extreme weather events are increasingly devastating cities – we have all witnesses how Hurricane Melissa decimated Jamaica last week, for example, destroying home and businesses, schools, houses of worship, government buildings, everything. So what can, should and ARE cities doing to keep their people and economies safe and climate resilient? What’s working and what can we learn from them? Today we’re going to find out from four extraordinary women from across the globe.” Joan Michelson’s Introduction to the Panel at Smart City Expo 2025
We need to share what works in cities across the globe, and that’s exactly what my esteemed panel did recently at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. Here is the recording of Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson’s panel which includes three women from three countries: Japan, Bolivia and Argentina, as well as Joan from the U.S.
Listen to hear fascinating ideas and stories from these women:
You’ll hear from:
- Nidya Pesántez is UN Women for the Americas and the Caribbean Representative in Bolivia, where she also coordinates the Environmental Strategy for a Just Transition in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Sofía María Galnares Giagnorio Cámara is Provincial Deputy of Santa Fe Deputy, Argentina, and the youngest elected provincial deputy in Santa Fe province. She also serves as President of the Commission on Environment and Natural Resources in the Legislature.
- Asuka Ito is an international advisor to the Government of Japan’s Cabinet Office on the Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP). She serves on the International Advisory Board for the Phase-3 “Smart Mobility Platform” initiative in Japan.
- Plus, questions from the audience
Read Joan’s Forbes articles here.
You’ll also like:
- Predicting Climate Impacts In Neighborhoods – with Jessica Filante Farrington, AT&T’s Director of Global Sustainability
- The Politics of Climate & Energy – with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, Co-Chair, Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus
- AI and Climate Solutions – with Stephanie Hare, Ph.D., Researcher, Author of “Technology Is Not Neutral” and BBC Broadcaster
- Climate Policy & the Economy – with Gina McCarthy, White House National Climate Advisor, Biden Administration, and former EPA Administrator under President Obama
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