Webinars And Videos

Highway expansion gets the fast pass while innovative transportation projects compete for a fraction of the funding, raising questions about what federal transportation reform actually changes.

When food goes to waste, so do the land, water, energy and labor it took to grow it. Proven solutions exist, but scaling them takes coordinated action. This week at COP31, the IKEA Foundation announced FLARE, a new initiative built to do exactly that. Launching in Brazil, Ethiopia, Europe, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico and South Africa, FLARE pairs global expertise with local leadership to expand the solutions that are already working. WRI is proud to be coordinating the effort alongside C40 Cities, FOLU, The Global FoodBanking Network, ReFED, UNEP, Wageningen University & Research, WRAP and local partners. Anne Bordier Yntema, WRI’s Director of Food Initiatives, on why this moment matters and what comes next: https://bit.ly/4jg87XW #MakeFoodGoFurther #withFLARE

🥗Food loss and waste is responsible for an estimated 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while around 30% of all food produced is never harvested, sold or consumed. Susan Chomba, Director of Vital Landscapes, WRI Africa tells us three things we achieve when we reduce food waste from farm to plate🍽️ More #COP31 resources➡️ https://go.wri.org/cop31-resources

💡How does electrification change energy security? Clem Perry, Global Lead, Clean Energy Supply, WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition, explains. More #COP31 resources: https://go.wri.org/cop31-resources

Corrin Wendell introduces key storytelling skills for planners to succeed in their careers, craft messages and deliver great ideas. Learn in the rest of her new course, Public Speaking, Communication, and Influence for Planners. Subscribe to Planetizen Courses’ channel and enable notifications to keep up with the latest urban planning videos: https://www.youtube.com/@PlanetizenHQ This video is an excerpt from Public Speaking, Communication, and Influence for Planners. Watch the full course here: https://courses.planetizen.com/course/public-speaking?utm_source=youtube.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=description&utm_content=Why+Storytelling+Matters+in+Planning Planetizen Courses offers hundreds of online urban planning video courses taught by trusted professional planners. Sign up for access to cutting edge urban planning and urban design video courses on computer, phone, or tablet: https://courses.planetizen.com/user/register?plan_id=free Follow Planetizen Courses on X: https://x.com/plnzcourses Follow Planetizen Courses on LinkedIn: / planetizen-courses

The transition to a low-carbon, resilient economy could generate a net 375 million new jobs over the next decade, making it one of the single, biggest job-creation opportunities of our time. But realizing that opportunity depends on whether countries and businesses invest deliberately in the people who will drive it forward. Melanie Robinson, Global Climate, Economics and Finance Director, @WRIClimate shares why this matters. More updates from #COP31: https://go.wri.org/cop31-resources

Increasingly, the challenge for climate action is not a lack of solutions, technologies or even available finance, but the gap between national ambition and local delivery. Cities, states and regions are where many climate actions are implemented, where infrastructure decisions are made and where people experience both the impacts of climate change and the solutions that make places healthier and more resilient. Rogier van den Berg, Global Director, @WRIRossCities shares the latest developments for cities from COP31. Dive deeper: https://go.wri.org/cities-climate-action

It’s easy to feel like planning school still leaves you with a lot of gaps in practical skills for your first job. Corrin Wendell, FAICP, knows all too well what these gaps are as a seasoned planner. In her new track, Corrin dives into the most essential skills after planning school, including a land use toolkit, salary negotiations, public speaking, running meetings, and leadership. Come watch her courses at courses.planetizen.com today. #corrinwendell #planningschool #careerdevelopment

TAFFtastic (adj.): When a COP delivers real progress on the Transition Away From Fossil Fuels🌍 Brazil’s COP30 presidency formally presented the global Roadmap for Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels to the UN Secretary-General and the UN Climate Change Secretariat. Bringing together the work advanced since Belém last year, the Roadmap introduces a diagnostic framework, the Belém Readiness Index and a set of actions through 2033 to enable governments to accelerate implementation according to their country needs. Read the full statement from Nick Robins, Senior Director, Finance and Private Sector, World Resources Institute: https://go.wri.org/fuel-transition-roadmap

Neighborhood design can make running into friends part of everyday life, or turn every social interaction into something you have to schedule.

COP31 in Antalya, Turkey aims to accelerate the shift to electrification, urging countries to adopt a pledge to supply 35% of global final energy consumption with electricity by 2035. But how quickly the world moves toward electric products hinges on a key question: Will they actually lower rising energy bills? Clem Perry, Global Lead, WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition tells us what the next steps are. Go deeper into how electrification can lower energy bills, if done right: https://go.wri.org/lower-energy-bills Visit WRI’s #cop31 Resource Hub for all the latest updates: https://go.wri.org/cop31-resources

Las estrategias climáticas a largo plazo ayudan a los países a afrontar la incertidumbre, fortalecer sus economías y construir un futuro más resiliente. Con la participación de expertos en clima y responsables de políticas públicas de todo el mundo, este video explora cómo los países pueden integrar la acción climática en sus planes de desarrollo económico, mediante el fortalecimiento institucional, el financiamiento climático y la cooperación internacional. Este video forma parte del proyecto «2050 es ahora» de WRI. Más información (en inglés): https://www.wri.org/2050isnow

Estratégias climáticas de longo prazo são fundamentais para enfrentar as incertezas globais, fortalecer as economias e construir um futuro mais resiliente. Com perspectivas de especialistas em clima e formuladores de políticas de todo o mundo, este vídeo explora como os países podem alinhar a ação climática ao desenvolvimento econômico por meio de instituições mais fortes, financiamento climático e cooperação internacional. Este vídeo faz parte do projeto “2050 é Agora” do WRI. Saiba mais: https://www.wribrasil.org.br/projetos/2050-e-agora

Les stratégies climatiques à long terme aident les pays à faire face aux incertitudes, à renforcer leurs économies et à bâtir un avenir plus résilient. Avec les éclairages d’experts du climat et de décideurs publics du monde entier, cette vidéo explore comment les pays peuvent concilier action climatique et développement économique en renforçant leurs institutions, en mobilisant des financements climatiques et en développant la coopération internationale. Cette vidéo fait partie du projet « 2050, c’est maintenant » du WRI. En savoir plus (en anglais) : https://www.wri.org/2050isnow

A $65 Uber ride across Los Angeles prompted a public transit experiment that raises a bigger question: Why should getting around a city depend on owning a car?

The success of global climate goals hinges on local implementation. Yet global climate policy remains focused on national governments, leaving #cities, states and regions without a voice or the funding to accelerate climate action. #CHAMPclimate Co-chairs Ambassador Antônio Francisco Da Costa and Dr. Ulf Jaeckel and Subnational Advisory Council Chair and Global Ambassador for GCoM Ambassador Anne Hidalgo share why national governments need to champion multilevel partnerships to strengthen ambition and international climate cooperation at #COP31 in Antalya, 🇹🇷. Join CHAMP at COP31 ➡️ champ-climate.org/events

The places that felt safest were the ones where street design reduced the conflict with cars altogether. Once traffic returned, even the bright orange costume couldn’t make drivers yield before I stepped into the street.

Step up adaptation and resilience at #COP31. In Africa, adaptation cannot be separated from cities. In this video, Aklilu Fikresilassie, Director, Thriving Resilient Cities, WRI Africa explains why. Visit WRI’s resource hub regularly for the latest commentary, analysis, events and more: https://go.wri.org/cop31-seconds

When Nora Leerhsen became chief of the Chicago Transit Authority, she wanted to communicate to young transit riders that they belong and they’re welcome. What other transit improvements like this have you seen?

Now is the time for decision-makers to focus on successful implementation of climate action plans — not just headline pledges — to secure a better future. Progress at COP31 will require that governments move forward on their own national climate plans and strategies, as well as cooperate with other countries, cities and initiatives. Learn more about the issues to watch at COP31: https://go.wri.org/cop31-issues #COP31Türkiye #COP31Antalya #COP31

While national governments may set climate targets, it’s cities, states and regions that frequently determine whether those targets are achieved. Watch Michael Doust, Urban Efficiency & Climate, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, share what success for cities would look like at #COP31. Dig deeper into this with the latest Insights piece, For COPs to Deliver on Climate Goals, National Ambition Must Be Met with Local Action”, featured on WRI’s COP31 Resource Hub➡️ https://go.wri.org/cop31-seconds

A student was hit crossing the street near South Lake High School, where an unmarked crosswalk and dedicated turn lane create a dangerous conflict between drivers and pedestrians. Removing a turn lane and adding clearer crosswalk markings could be a relatively quick, inexpensive way to make the intersection safer.

Developing countries face an adaptation funding shortfall of up to $365 billion per year. Closing the gap requires getting the right kind of funding — especially grants and low-interest finance — to the communities that need it most, without adding to countries’ debt. Mirela Sandrini, Executive Director, WRI Brasil shares perspective on the need to enhance access to adaptation finance at #COP31. Find out how COP31 can make progress on adaptation: https://go.wri.org/cop31-seconds

Everyone hates seeing a favorite local business close, but supporting them doesn’t have to be complicated. Leaving a positive Google review can help new customers find a business they might otherwise overlook.

The mayor is now proposing a growth strategy that focuses new development closer to downtown and protects prairie land from expansion the city may not be able to afford.

Halloween is one of the few nights when we actively encourage kids to spend hours walking from house to house, yet it is also the most dangerous night of the year for children on foot.

Trick or treating might be one of the easiest ways to see just how walkable and connected a neighborhood really is.

Horror filmmaker Allan Piper explores how housing costs, long commutes, and the feeling of being trapped inspired the terrifying premise of Highway Gothic.

This course helps planners strengthen their professional voice by developing skills in storytelling, public speaking, and persuasive communication. Participants will learn how to craft a compelling core message, translate technical information into accessible language, and structure presentations using simple storytelling techniques. The course also covers strategies for communicating in different settings, from public meetings and community workshops to internal staff briefings and client presentations. Through guided exercises and short speaking drills, participants will practice delivering concise messages, handling difficult questions, and presenting with confidence. By the end of the course, participants will develop a polished two-minute professional story they can use in meetings, presentations, interviews or networking conversations. Subscribe to Planetizen Courses’ channel and enable notifications to keep up with the latest urban planning videos: https://www.youtube.com/@PlanetizenHQ This video is an excerpt from Public Speaking, Communication & Influence for Planners. Watch the full course here: https://courses.planetizen.com/course/public-speaking?utm_source=youtube.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=description&utm_content=Mastering+Public+Speaking+for+Urban+Planners Planetizen Courses offers hundreds of online urban planning video courses taught by trusted professional planners. Sign up for access to cutting edge urban planning and urban design video courses on computer, phone, or tablet: https://courses.planetizen.com/user/register?plan_id=free Follow Planetizen Courses on X: https://x.com/plnzcourses Follow Planetizen Courses on LinkedIn: / planetizen-courses