Human-induced environmental impacts are bound to disrupt our way of life in deeper ways and at a wider scale than anything previously experienced by humankind. Global existential risks challenge the conditions of the Biosphere that prevailed through the Holocene, the geological epoch that saw human civilizations flourish. However, the current knowledge base seems inadequate to help us cope with such realities. What relevant knowledge will become critical to deal with deteriorating environmental conditions? How can science, technology, innovation, and education be radically transformed for adequately responding? How can societies and governments continue to function? How need our mind-frames evolve? In K4A, these and other related questions are addressed. The common purpose is to provide a general perspective on the role that knowledge – the most important leverage to human action, may need to play in the unfolding circumstances of the Anthropocene.

Contemporary urban life is the epitome of modernization, a paradigm of progress that takes the Holocene climate for granted. Moreover, it takes for granted the Biosphere conditions that have allowed human civilizations to flourish. Global existential risks challenge the viability of the Biosphere for most big species. Despite increasing warnings, most cities seem to deny the impending catastrophes and remain ill-prepared to cope with major disruptions. The 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic has dramatically exhibited limited world governance, global alert systems, response capacity, and effort coordination to deal with planetary and local emergencies. CPCC addresses the warnings, inventory of capacities and competencies, lessons learned, and value
practices in creating conscience and preparing for urban anthropogenic risks.