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Never has community engagement been more important in the post-truth era, and yet, with all the 'noise' on the internet, what works? My colleagues and I talk about always reaching the converted, but never getting to ‘unlikely suspects’. Although this video by my colleague, Dave Biggs, from MetroQuest, is about engaging vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, all of these lessons are invaluable to anyone concerned with community engagement and increasing literacy through smart design.

Ikea is certainly walking the walk when it comes to reaching Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From reducing food waste to sourcing sustainable and ethical materials, the household retail giant has launched an ambitious action plan that seems to be working. According to their 2016 sustainability report (needs a minute to load), they have invested €2.1 billion in solar and wind power since 2009.

Municipalities ought to be at the forefront of transformative climate action, argues this piece from The National Observer. Communities have the tools and the ideas—such as harnessing local energy and reducing emissions from transportation and buildings—but not the resources.

Two engineers in Gaza have found an innovative use for the rubble and ash that are, unfortunately, in no short supply where they are living. Majd Mashharawi and Rawan Abddllaht, or the “Gaza Girls,” have created “GreenCake” blocks, which are cheaper, eco-friendly, and lightweight building materials.

Collective intelligence refers to the ability of large groups—a community, region, city or nation—to think and act intelligently in a way that amounts to more than the sum of their parts. In a post-truth world and the aftermath of Brexit, an informed and engaged citizenry is even more critical to democracy and governing. Nesta has just released a new report, Governing with Collective Intelligence, which brings together dozens of examples from around the world.

Our research in climate change adaptation and mitigation is exploring how to measure change in current development paths, and the nature of change. For change is contested, what some may consider transformative, others see as incremental or business as usual. We think it is important to begin the conversation on the nature and degree of nature necessary to move to a carbon neutral economy by 2050.

Watch below for an interview with Leonard Cohen from Norwegian talk show Skavlan in 2007. Cohen sits with singer Anjani Thomas, as well as Al Gore.

Citing climate as the “number one priority,” Parisian mayor Anne Hidalgo has announced plans to increase cycling lanes in 2017.

Happy New Year! Watch Bill Gates discuss solutions for clean and cheap alternative energy: 

Video via YouTube; CNBC