The Climate Movement Is Local: A Conversation with Eric Garcetti

Imagine if the most effective climate solutions aren’t coming from Congress or global summits, but from mayors working city by city, block by block? In this episode, former LA Mayor and U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti joins Victoria Riskin and Cleo Carney to unpack how cities have become the real engines of climate progress and why local action, community resilience, and everyday leadership matter more than ever. We dive into the rise of Climate Mayors, a coalition that began with a handful of leaders and exploded into hundreds of cities across red, blue, and purple states. Eric reveals how mayors quietly kept the U.S. in the climate game even when the federal government stepped out—and why practical, local solutions cut through partisanship. We also explore the global climate crossroads in India, LA's vision for the first carbon-reducing Olympics, and the emotional side of leadership: courage, joy, and staying connected to community during moments of crisis. In this episode: Why cities—not nations—are driving the most meaningful climate action How the Climate Mayors coalition grew into a nationwide movement Why climate work is inherently nonpartisan when it stays local and human What LA is doing to make the 2028 Olympics the greenest games ever Why India may shape 40% of global climate outcomes in the next 20 years How Eric’s background in human rights and foster parenting influences his leadership Eric’s “Imagine if…”: A simple invitation to reclaim joy and personal agency About our guest Eric Garcetti is the former Mayor of Los Angeles and former U.S. Ambassador to India. He helped launch the Climate Mayors coalition and has spent his career at the intersection of human rights, city leadership, and climate resilience. Be part of the Bluedot Living community At Bluedot Living, we imagine if people were actually making progress on climate change—because they actually are. Each episode of Bluedot Living Podcast shares stories of people, policies, and projects that prove your choices matter, from micro decisions at home to macro shifts in law and industry. If you want to explore our recipes, products for your home and lifestyle, and read interesting stories, you can find us ⁠BluedotLiving.com For daily inspiration you can follow us @Bluedotliving on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluedotliving/