More cities continue to join the “C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group," a climate activist group which attempts to implement changes at the city level. In an article from September 14, the American Stewards of Liberty said that C40 cities are attempting to control how people eat and even dress, all in the name of protecting the environment. According to the article by the American Stewards of Liberty, an increasing number of cities, including major ones like Austin, Boston, Chicago, and others across the United States, have joined the "C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group." They have made commitments to enact measures such as banning meat, dairy, and private cars by 2030. Additionally, these cities are exploring limits on personal clothing ownership and long-distance air travel. As of now, 14 cities have endorsed this initiative.
According to its website, C40 is an international coalition comprising nearly 100 mayors from some of the world's foremost cities, bound together by a shared commitment to address the climate crisis through concerted efforts. The website says, “Mayors of C40 cities are committed to using an inclusive, science-based and collaborative approach to cut their fair share of emissions in half by 2030, help the world limit global heating to 1.5°C, and build healthy, equitable and resilient communities.”
The article stated that the C40 group has released a report titled "The Future of Urban Consumption in a 1.5°C World," which asserts that unless global temperature increases are limited to 1.5°C, climate change will have catastrophic consequences. Their report outlines the need to reduce emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050 to stay within greenhouse gas budgets. This reduction extends beyond emissions from vehicles and buildings to encompass various aspects of city life, including food choices, transportation, clothing, and air travel. Essentially, said the article, these cities aim to restrict what people wear and how far they can fly on airplanes. The initiative has said that the Covid lockdown is the model for accomplishing their goals. The article said that these measures raise questions about individual freedom, particularly for residents of C40 cities.
C40 cities are ultimately related to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act that the administration called “the most ambitious climate and conservation agenda in history.” The C40 group celebrated the bill’s one year anniversary and Regional Director for North America C40 Cities, Laura Jay said in the article: “We must act now to address the climate crisis, and cities are leading the charge toward a greener future. The Inflation Reduction Act is a critical step for the United States to meet our shared obligation to get the world off fossil fuels. We must continue to work together to implement the bill to its fullest potential, and ensure we create a just, safe, and livable future for everyone.”
The ties between the C40 group, according to the article, and the climate bills being passed underscore the idea that financial interests often take precedence in these initiatives, said the article. Ultimately, the article argued that groups such as C40 actually have very little genuine concern for the climate. Examples like the allocation of $369 billion for climate projects like those championed by the C40 Cities group in the Inflation Reduction Act causes some to view their actions as political maneuvering rather than sincere climate concern. Other actions, such as New York City capping meat and dairy servings and the UK's gas-powered vehicle ban by 2030 illustrate what critics see as overreach by cities and nations. These actions are perceived as out of touch and driven by power and greed rather than a genuine desire to create thriving communities, said the article. Bold claims, like saving lives and resources through dietary changes, are met with skepticism, suggesting a belief in extraordinary powers to control global climate and human destinies. The article argued that it is only God, not human interventions, who can dictate the fate of the world.
