Cities in Motion

It all started with a simple, but important question, “How can the cities we live in become more sustainable?”

Half of us already live in a city. By 2050, it could be 70%. They account for 70% of greenhouse gas emissions, up to 80% of energy consumption, 75% of natural resources use, and produce over half of our waste. A sustainable future clearly depends on sustainable cities.

So, fueled by a desire to learn and share, and powered by Hyundai’s IONIQ electric vehicles, Voice for Nature teamed up with environmental broadcaster James Stewart. What followed was a journey of discovery across four cities, and a search for ‘seeds of resilience’: people, projects and communities making the places they live more healthy, equitable and sustainable.

The Cities in Motion series highlights the innovative solutions that various cities and communities are implementing to tackle urban environmental challenges and promote sustainability.

Thank you to the organizations and individuals featured throughout the series, whose valuable and inspiring work contributes to enhancing the wellbeing of both Nature and humanity.

Sustainability broadcaster James Stewart, met up with zoologist, musician and London local Louis VI to explore some of London’s most important sites — its green spaces. Our walk (and drive) on the wild side took in ancient oaks, pocket forests, verdant cemeteries and community tree planting initiatives. Their wide ranging conversation, discussed the enormous ecological and social value green and blue spaces provide in cities, as well as the issue of our disconnect from Nature and unequal access to it.
London Hosts and Projects:
James Stewart, Sustainability Broadcaster.
Louis VI, Rapper and Musician, Zoologist, Environmentalist, Wildlife Presenter.
SUGi feat. Forest Keeper: Adrian Wong, Lead Forest Supervisor: James Godfrey-Faussett and SUGi Founder: Elise Van Middelem.
Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park.

Such a treat, and eyeopener, thanks to our fabulous hosts, city guide and author, Michael (Ted) Behrendt, and architect Susanne Petry, founder of the innovative urban sustainability hub “PIER F”.

Ted took sustainability broadcaster James Stewart on a tour of this modern European metropolis, to visit some important sustainability initiatives — mixed use urban developments, sustainable transport initiatives and the latest ‘active house’ green buildings.
We learned how important urban planning and green building design is to create a sustainable, happy, healthy, productive and climate-resilient cities. Frankfurt plans to be climate-neutral by 2035 and fully renewable by 2050.

Frankfurt Hosts and Projects:
James Stewart, Sustainability Broadcaster.
Michael Behrendt, Frankfurt guide and author.
Susanne Petry, founder of PIER F/green city events.

Expert guide, Lathifah Awliya Mashud, from environmental organization Waste4Change, took sustainability broadcaster and series host James Stewart for a journey down the Bekasi River, to see first hand the impact that plastic pollution is having in the environment and the response work that organizations like Waste4Change are conducting to recycle, upcycle and change behavior.

Whilst we were profoundly confronted by the vast scale of plastic pollution, we were heartened by wonderful examples of resilience and innovation.

Jakarta Hosts and Projects:
James Stewart, Sustainability Broadcaster.
Lathifah Awliya, expert guide from waste4change.
Santi Novianti, founder of Kertabumi Recycling Center.
Waste4Change.
Kertabumi Recycling Center.
Save the Children Indonesia.
Thank you to the headmaster, teachers, and students.

To get a sense of LA’s recent renewable revolution, our expert guide, Ashley Christy,Executive Director of GRID Alternatives LA took James Stewart to meet Thomas Spiglanin of Palm Springs Windmill Tours. We learned that around half of the power grid in LA is now renewable; that a single windmill can power 1,500 homes for a year and at times, solar alone provides enough energy for the entire city. With the right mix of policies, innovative projects, and dedicated people, LA has a chance to meet its ambition to operate a 100% renewable and carbon-free power grid by 2045.

Sustainable cities are about more than just reducing environmental impact; they should also help people lead better lives. GRID Alternatives LA addresses both. Executive Director, Ashley Christy, and Marketing Communications Manager, Irina Beffa, share how a clean energy transition can also be social empowerment. By working within low-income, “climate risk” neighborhoods across the city, GRID provides low-cost or “no-cost” solar to homeowners. They also provide mentoring and training for people from those same communities.

Los Angeles Hosts and Projects:
James Stewart, Sustainability Broadcaster.
GRID Alternatives LA: feat. Ashley Christy, Executive Director. With special thanks to Irina, LaNita, Gustavo and Siris.
Carbonauts: with Graham Hill
Palm Springs Windmill Tours: with Thomas Spiglanin
Hyundai Home: with Ian Truper

Voice for Nature
Long Beach Film Company
Director: Vern Moen
Producers: Katie McLaurin and David de Rothschild
Producers/co-writers: Costanza Burstin and David Urry
DP: Martin Vielma
AD Los Angeles: Joshua Jones
London fixer: NEEDaFIXER Venetia Cook
Frankfurt fixer: NEEDaFIXER Florian Caspar Richter
Jakarta fixer: NEEDaFIXER Yunita Heryani
Los Angeles fixer: Josiah Bultema
Art Director/Graphic Designer: Jess Leitmanis
Illustrator/Animator: Viplov Singh
Music composers: Joel Shearer and Johan Dalgaard