The Cool Cities Challenge is a non-political grassroots effort that encourages the building of strong communities and support social ties around emergency preparedness and lowering of the carbon footprint. It encourages connections between neighbors block by block. The results translates into higher civic engagement, safer, and healthier neighborhoods. John Crowley is co-founder of Cool City Petaluma 2030 and co-owner of the Aqus Café in Petaluma, California. He’s a social instigator and champion connection-maker. It was his intention in starting Aqus Café to recreate an Irish pub atmosphere with a focus on social dynamics that create opportunities and support the connection of individuals, businesses, and nonprofits by bringing them together with their various interests, talents, and energy. He believes that social capital determines the health and happiness of a community and that as individuals of a town are provided more opportunities to interact and connect the entire town benefits. Leslie Curchack is a nature photographer and block leader of Cool City Petaluma 2030.

Interview Date: 8/19/2022 Tags: John Crowley, Leslie Curchack, front porches, air conditioning, TV in 1950s, natural disasters, water stewardship, net-zero emission, Synthetic Limestone, Daily Acts calendar, interdependence, passeggiata, Community, Social Change/Politics