Former Toronto mayor David Miller joins climate change coalition

Miller has been head of WWF Canada for the last four years.

Thestar.com
Oct. 4, 2017
By Gilbert Ngabo

Toronto's former mayor David Miller is taking on one of his toughest jobs yet, becoming the North American director for C40 Cities in the face of President Donald Trump's policies on climate change.

"The critical issue at the moment is the fact that the U.S. administration doesn't accept the science and is not acting," Miller said Wednesday after the announcement that he will join the coalition of more than 90 world cities united in tackling climate change.

"Mayors across North America are responding to that by demonstrating real actions to mitigate against climate change and help build better and more inclusive cities. My role is to help that coalition gain strength."

Miller served as mayor from 2003 and 2010 and was the chair of C40 Cities from 2008 to 2010.

A long-time advocate for green jobs and sustainable urban economies, Miller will help spearhead climate-change initiatives from North American cities. He said it's encouraging to see cities taking the lead while federal governments "drag their feet."

Last August, Trump's administration notified the United Nations that it would pull out of the Paris climate agreement unless the terms were changed to fit U.S. interests.

"There are a few people who still believe the Earth is flat," said Miller jokingly, noting the important thing is to have a critical mass that continues the work of improving water, energy, transportation, cycling, parks and urban forests.

"Because of those things, cities can make a huge difference. So you forge ahead."

Part of Miller's job will be to serve as C40 Cities' ambassador for inclusive climate action, a new role that seeks to co-ordinate efforts supporting low-income communities and bring them on board in the climate-change struggle.

Since 2013, Miller has been president and CEO of World Wildlife Fund Canada. The group has already started an internal process to find Miller's replacement.

"The board is proud of the accomplishments made together during the past four years," wrote WWF-Canada board chair Alex Himelfarb in a statement. "David is leaving WWF-Canada in a strong position for his successor to lead to new and even greater successes."