City Rising

How Orlando is Reimagining its City's Reputation with Chris Castro

Episode Summary

Orlando is the most visited destination of the Americas. But what is the city of Orlando doing to mitigate the impacts of Climate Change? We Interview the Director of Sustainability, Chris Castro, to discuss how to disrupt change in a state where the term Climate Change is banned? What are the similar and differences between Orlando and Philadelphia initiatives?

Episode Notes

On this episode of City Rising, we continue the conversation about how city government is taking the lead on climate action. Our special guest, Chris Castro is the City of Orlando’s Director of Sustainability & Resilience. Tune into this episode to find out:

How Orlando is trying to turn around its reputation as a destination to disruptor
The largest carbon emitters in Orlando
Ways Orlando works with other cities, including Philadelphia, to learn best practices
Where Orlando is investing "green bonds" to make the biggest impact
The key stakeholders helping to accelerate Orlando's sustainable mission
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A sustainability and clean energy expert, eco-entrepreneur, urban farmer and amplifying organizer. In 2008, Chris co-founded IDEAS For Us, an international 501c3 nonprofit & UN-accredited NGO, working to incubate global environmental solutions and fund local action that advances the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In 2013, he helped co-create "Fleet Farming", a renowned urban farming program that is redefining local food systems by building distributed organic farms on homeowner lawns through neighborhoods and communities in the U.S. Chris is currently the City of Orlando’s Director of Sustainability & Resilience, and Co-chair of Smart Cities for the City of Orlando, developing partnerships, policies, and programs to support the sustainability, clean energy, & climate resilience goals of Mayor Dyer's Green Works Orlando initiative.

Green Works Orlando works to transform Orlando into one of the most environmentally-friendly, economically and socially vibrant communities in the nation. Green Works Orlando represents our commitment to build partnerships and share resources that foster positive environmental changes.

Tune into this episode to learn how civic leaders in a major City in Florida are stepping up despite the lack of support from the federal government in a state where the term Climate Change is banned from use in government.
Episode Resources:

Season One of City Rising is supported by the Climate & Urban Systems Partnership (CUSP). Visit www.CUSPproject.org for more info.