Remember, don’t waste any time arguing whether #ClimateChange “caused” the current #wildfires.

Like EVERY consequence of the #ClimateCrisis, we KNOW that EACH WILDFIRE is made much more likely, and much worse, by the rapidly changing conditions from Climate Change.

MORE LIKELY AND WORSE.

“We need an Ozempic for cars. They are growing at a phenomenal rate, wreaking havoc on roads, squeezing out smaller vehicles and endangering pedestrians.

Like ever-hungry teenagers, cars in Europe are growing on average a centimetre wider every year.”

Don’t repeat North America’s mistake, Europe.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jul/12/britain-car-suv-big-large-vehicle-road-pedestrians

All these are true:

1. FIFA is awful and corrupt.

2. The #WorldCup is a fantastic event despite #FIFA.

3. Co-hosting in Canada isn’t worth the outrageous costs/conditions FIFA demands, especially with few physical legacies.

4. Vancouver has done a fantastic job leveraging outcomes for the city.

How will a pedestrianized Granville Street during the #WorldCup quickly evolve into a successful people-place EVERY day?

This week I’ve started advising the very impressive Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Area leadership team planning the 7 week extension of the initial World Cup pedestrianization directed by City Council last Thursday, and the early thinking for next year’s full summer pilot.

Challenging!

This iconic Fabian Todorovic cartoon is still one of the best I’ve seen at illustrating the remarkable amount of space we surrender to cars, leaving little space left for everyone and everything else. The text added later makes the bonus point that many drivers still manage to complain about it.

NEW: “This isn’t cutting edge anymore. It’s just learning from our own successes & failures, and standing on the shoulders of smarter cities. Time to get it done.” My op-ed in today’s Vancouver Sun makes the case for a people-first Granville Street (& MORE streets) beyond the #WorldCup.
https://vancouversun.com/opinion/op-ed/opinion-time-to-change-granville-street-for-good

This week’s three big winners. New York City, Iran, and Algae.

Have you explored the new World Cup-themed Granville Street in downtown Vancouver yet?

It’s amazing. Filled with people, joy, and energy, it’s much more than just a vehicle-free “pedestrian zone.” It’s a great people-place that makes you want to go there, and then makes you want to stay. It makes the street, the neighbourhood, the downtown, and the city, better.

THE AUSSIES ARE IN OUR ‘HOOD! #Vancouver #WorldCup #AUSvsTUR

If walking costs you $1, we all pay $0.01. If biking costs you $1, we all pay $0.08. If bussing costs you $1, we all pay $1.50. If driving costs you $1, we all pay $9.20. Via study that still underestimates climate cost.

This isn’t about choice. It’s about who pays for your choice.

#citymakingmath

“Air pollution fell substantially as Paris restricted car traffic and made way for parks, people-streets and bike-lanes.”

Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life.

Common sense.

Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2025/04/12/air-pollution-paris-health-cars/

What are the “Best 2026 World Cup Cities” according to Sport Illustrated? VANCOUVER is #1, with Seattle and Toronto in the top 3. “Unlike in many cities, fans might be able to avoid driving entirely.” Walkable downtown stadium, skytrain connecting airport and downtown. #WorldCup https://www.si.com/soccer/ranking-16-fifa-world-cup-host-cities