Giving Compass' Take:

• Srini Murali reports how technology and automation are helping cities embrace their role in the fight against climate change. 

• How can philanthropy help ease the transition to automation? How can philanthropy help to ensure these benefits come to fruition? 

• Here are 4 ways to prepare for the automation economy. 

Cities are responsible for more than 60% of greenhouse gas emissions and consume an astounding 78% of the world’s energy, according to data from UN Habitat. In short, they’re major contributors to the current climate crisis. That’s the bad news.

The good news is that city governments are in an excellent position to turn these figures around. Change can happen much faster at the local level, especially considering that half of the global population resides in cities.

Cities currently are implementing environmental initiatives that make a difference. Philadelphia, for instance, introduced solar-powered, Internet of Things (IoT)-connected compacting trash cans to dramatically reduce the frequency of trash collection. Considering that many trash trucks require about one gallon of diesel fuel for every two or three miles they drive, that’s a notable change.

Government initiatives can also take employee vehicles out of the daily commute. Tennessee’s Alternative Workplace Solutions program, for instance, has enabled more than 6,000 state workers to telecommute since its founding in 2016. Employees who participate in the program give up their desks at work in exchange for the opportunity to work remotely on a full- or part-time basis.

Read the full article about automation and helping cities go green by Srini Murali at Smart Cities Dive.