Saskia Sassen | May 1, 2020 | Foresight
“We have lost our innocence”. Cities are threatened by climate change and play a central role in the transition towards sustainable development. One of the most critical factors? Food and its production. Professor Saskia Sassen explains how global environmental challenges are particularly tangible and urgent in cities, which become the place where opportunities and solutions for positive change can be developed. Especially by young generations in a world that needs to recover from COVID-19.
With two-thirds of the global population predicted to live in cities by 2050, the issue of how cities and urban migrations will shape the future is becoming a central facet of environmental thinking. In fact, the growth of cities across the globe goes hand in hand with both increased potential for environmental damage but also the creation of innovative solutions. As a student of cities, immigration, and states in the world economy, with inequality, gendering and digitization, three key variables running throughout her work, Professor Saskia Sassen is perfectly poised to answer some of these pressing questions. She believes that: “much of what we keep describing as global environmental challenges become tangible and urgent in cities. Cities are at the centre of our environmental future.” Professor Sassen provides insight into the role of modern cities and how they can react to increased migrations and climate-induced adversity with measures that also provide environmental contributions.
Originally published in Foresight. Read the full article here.