Example of rapid urbanization and lack of solutions to build climate resilience

Strengthening Climate Resilience in Megacities Across the Global South

We are excited to launch Project ClearSky 2100, a project developed by ClearSky 2100 Ventures.  Project ClearSky 2100 is a zero-emissions, zero-waste urban micro-infrastructure platform incorporating distributed system models with ubiquitous technologies and incremental innovation.  Our goal with Project ClearSky 2100 is to create significant value and economic benefit for a broad array of stakeholders by strengthening climate resilience in current and emerging megacities across the Global South through the year 2100. We are micro-scale and megacity-focused, with pilot projects expected to launch in 2023 and 2024 across South and S.E. Asia, Latin America, and Africa.  
 
Megacities are highly complex ecosystems and critical in the fight against climate change. Still, they need comprehensive and scalable solutions to tackle the range of challenges emerging around uncontrolled urbanization, landfill stress, food security, water security, poor governance, and corruption.   
  
The global themes of population growth and urbanization loom large in the coming decades as stakeholders seek to find effective ways to address climate change. By 2050, close to 70% of the world’s population will live in cities, according to UN-Habitat. Between 1950 and 2020, the global population tripled in size and now surpasses 8 billion. It is expected to grow to 9.8 billion by 2050. Most of the population growth will occur in Asia and Africa, where eight countries (the Philippines, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo) will contribute more than 50% of the incremental growth. These countries are urbanizing rapidly; their populations are young and growing with high aspirations for a better life.  Significant investments in fintech, e-commerce, and mobility are needed boosts for development and on development and growth but continue to create a consumption and waste dynamic that many continue to ignore.    
 
Today, the focus remains on nature-based solutions as we witness images of calamities, accelerating deforestation, melting ice caps, raging forest fires, etc. However, the consumption of the earth’s resources is not a goal in and of itself but consumed for the benefit of growing populations. These populations are experiencing the benefits of growth and development, new cars, bigger homes, more dining choices, etc.  While nature-based solutions are needed, it is clear that more work must be done in developing urban-based solutions to combat the challenges posed by urbanization and the underbelly of growth. 
 
What will the world look like by 2100? Visibility remains opaque. The China growth story is beginning to wane, giving way to new growth models across the Global South. Our infrastructure platform is circular and futureproof, designed to provide maximum visibility and scale alongside the evolution of megacities through the year 2100.  
 
We build partnerships across technologies and capabilities and seek technology partners or collaborators in sustainable cities, urban agriculture, micro-renewables (solar and wind), clean water, and supply chain. For those interested in becoming part of our journey or would like to learn more, visit our website www.projectclearsky2100.com  and please feel free to get in touch.  

Author

  • G. James Harris

    James is the founder and lead developer of Project ClearSky 2100, a climate tech platform to strengthen climate resilience for megacities in the Global South through the year 2100. He brings expertise in global strategic partnerships, market intelligence, portfolio management, mergers and acquisitions, municipal finance, etc. His business development activities extend to over 40 industries in more than 60 countries. Mr. Harris is a member of the Strategic Consortium of Intelligence Professionals and the International Solid Waste Association. He received his MPA in Public Financial Management from the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University, Bloomington.

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