Pop quiz: what is the most critical—yet criminally overlooked—frontier in our battle against climate change? If you said "cities", you get the gold star! Drawing from decades of global experience transforming urban landscapes, Gil Penalosa, today's guest and founder of 8 80 Cities, argues that how we design our cities in the next 40 years will fundamentally determine human sustainability for centuries to come. While most climate conversations obsess over energy, Penalosa, who came in second place in 2022's Toronto mayoral race, passionately demonstrates that urban planning is the secret weapon we've been missing—a holistic approach that combines health, equity, environmental sustainability, and human joy. His message is both urgent and optimistic: by reimagining cities as interconnected, walkable, green spaces that prioritize people over cars, we can create solutions that are not sacrifices, but pathways to a more vibrant, connected, and livable world. With infectious enthusiasm and razor-sharp insights, Gil challenges listeners to see urban design not as a technical challenge, but as a profound opportunity to reshape how humans live, move, and thrive together.

Notes and resources

* Cities for Everyone with Gil

* 8 80 Cities

* Gil Penalosa’s LinkedIn

In this personal episode of Climate Swings, host Michael Gold shares why he’s spending three months in Europe this summer—and why it might become permanent. After Trump's re-election and amid America's retreating climate leadership, he’s questioning what keeps him here. Join him as he explores Barcelona, Madrid, and Berlin while reflecting on where climate action truly lives in 2025. Is Europe calling? Listen to find out.

Avroh Shah is a remarkable teenage climate activist who's already spent half his life advocating for environmental protection. Unlike my typical guests who've established professional careers, Avroh offers us something perhaps even more valuable: the unfiltered perspective of a generation inheriting our climate decisions. From organizing cleanups as an eight-year-old to becoming a plaintiff in a landmark lawsuit against the EPA, Avroh's journey demonstrates that age is no barrier to meaningful action. His clarity of purpose and unwavering commitment serve as a powerful reminder that passion and persistence can create change at any stage of life. Whether you're just starting your climate journey or decades into your career, Avroh's story challenges us all to examine what more we might do with the platforms we have.

Also, if you’re going to be in town for San Francisco Climate Week at the end of the month, check out the two live Climate Swings recordings I’ll be hosting—links below. Would love to see you there!

Notes and resources

* Avroh Shah's LinkedIn

* Genesis B. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

* LIVE podcast recording: Climate Swings interview with Terra.do co-founder Kamal Kapadia

* Climate VC Dealmaker Live at KALW: Inside Anku Madan's Science-to-Investing Journey