Chicago Earth Hour

Chris Campbell | Mar 28th, 2009 | 2 Comments »

Today you are invited to join millions around the world to take action against global climate change by turning off your lights for one hour at 8:30 p.m. Help raise awareness about energy efficiency and global climate change through this simple action.

This year, the City of Chicago returns as a partner and flagship city for Earth Hour, a global movement led by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and presented locally by ComEd. In 2008, more than 2.7 million adults in the Chicagoland area turned off their lights, resulting in an electricity savings of 7 percent in the region — the equivalent of taking more than one million cars off the road for one hour or planting 158 acres of trees.

Outside of Chicago, more than 50 million people participated. The world’s most iconic landmarks went dark, including the Sears Tower, Wrigley Field, the Empire State Building, Golden Gate Bridge, Roman
Coliseum, and the Sydney Opera House. Even Google’s website went black for the day.

Participation will be tracked among the cities, so be sure to register at www.EarthHourUS.org. Turn out your lights on Saturday, March 28 at 8:30 p.m. and help demonstrate that Chicago is truly a world leader in caring for the environment.

Beyond Earth Hour, show your commitment to the environment–and learn how you can save on your household expenses –by taking the City’s $800 Savings Challenge at www.chicagoclimateaction.org. See how the small actions you take can help improve energy efficiency and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions while putting money back in your pocket. Submit your results online and help us reach our goal of registering more than 50,000 Chicagoans this year.

On the same website tomorrow, www.chicagoclimateaction.org, businesses can sign the Earth Hour Business Pledge – three simple steps that can make a big difference. What’s good for the environment is good for the economy. Show the world how!

Sustainability Efforts at SXSW

Brandon Zeman | Mar 13th, 2009 | No Comments »

Greetings from Austin! I’m GreenWerk’s resident Social Media guy and I’m down here for the annual South by Southwest conference. I’ll be attending the interactive portion of SXSW, and while I’m down here taking in panels, networking events and parties, I’ll also be observing the green efforts of both the city of Austin and the conference as well.

Austin is definitely one of the most progressive cities in America for sustainability and green building, and South by Southwest seems to be following in the cities footsteps. The sustainability page on the SXSW site outlines the green efforts that are taking place this year. Nothing earth shattering, but it’s still nice to see the organizers actively promote sustainable practices related to the event. Large conferences like these have huge carbon footprints, so even small efforts can become powerful when scaled out over thousands of people.

Some of the green highlights include:

• Registration is entirely paperless
• Event publications and directories are printed on FSC paper
• Wide selection of bike rentals
• Pedicabs are frequent

In addition to the existing green choices, marketers were encouraged to be as mindful as possible about their impact for this event. Having materials printed in Austin and on FSC paper, making non-stop flights, renting Hybrid cars (if a car must be rented), using public transportation, even partnering with an event management company that focuses on creating environmentally friendly events.

On top of all this, Microsoft has partnered with TreeFolks, a “non-profit urban forestry organization whose mission is to grow and protect the urban forest of Austin and central Texas through tree planting, education and community partnerships.” Their combined efforts will help reforest the Balcones Canyonland Preserve. Microsoft will plant one tree for each SXSW attendee that opts to have a tree planted via a Microsoft survey.

Finally, even the hotel I’m staying at (Hyatt Regency Austin) is making efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. CFL bulbs can be found in every room, in all fixtures. In addition, linens and towels are only replaced when prompted by the guests.

Come back often as I provide updates from the conference this weekend.

You can check out my photos from the event on my Flickr page.

Survey Will Assess Renewable Energy Capacity in Illinois and Chicago Metro Area

Chris Campbell | Mar 11th, 2009 | No Comments »

With support from the City of Chicago and the Citizens Utility Board, the Chicago Manufacturing Center and the Jane Addams Resource Corporation are conducting a survey of manufacturers within Illinois and the Chicago metropolitan area to assess the industrial capacity of the region to meet the needs of the burgeoning renewable energy industry.

The survey is intended primarily for renewable energy suppliers. If you are, or might be, part of the renewable energy supply chain, please click here to access the survey.

Responses will be vital to establishing key renewable energy priorities and the capacity of Chicago’s manufacturing base.

Town Hall Meeting on Water & Environment Issues on World Water Day

Chris Campbell | Mar 9th, 2009 | No Comments »

Hosted by: Metropolitan Water Reclamation Commissioner Debra Shore, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, State Representative Julie Hamos, State Representative Elaine Nekritz, State Senator Jeff Schoenberg, and Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin

When: World Water Day – Sun, March 22nd, 2pm-4pm

Where: Friendship Park Conservatory – 395 Algonquin Rd, Des Plains, IL 60018 www.mppd.org/conservatory.php (847.298.3500)

Topics: Water issues, including: supply, quality, stormwater management, disinfection of the Chicago River, and other environmental concerns, such as disposal of pharmaceuticals.

Chicago Green Events March 2009

Chris Campbell | Mar 7th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

Chicago Department of Environment News and Opportunities: March 2009

- Saturday, March 7: Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility Open
- Thursday, March 19: Greening Your Office Seminar
- Sunday, March 22: UNICEF Water Walk
- Saturday, March 28: Earth Hour 2009
- Register for Spring 2009 Chicago Conservation Corps Leadership Training
- Chicago Conservation Corps Student Clubs is Recruiting Teachers for 2009-2010

Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility Open
- Saturday, March 7, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- 1150 N. North Branch St.

In February, the City celebrated the millionth pound of material collected at our Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility. More than 18,000 Chicagoans have brought materials to the facility. Take your unwanted paints, chemicals, and computers to the Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility, 1150 N. North Branch (two blocks east of the Kennedy at Division St.) For more information and a complete list of accepted materials, visit www.cityofchicago.org/Environment and click on “Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility” on the right-hand navigation bar.

Greening Your Office: Tips on How to Make Your Workplace Eco-friendly
- Thursday, March 19, 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
- Chicago Architecture Foundation, 224 S. Michigan Ave.
- Pre-registration required: greenofficechallenge@cityofchiago.org.

Join us for a free brown bag lunchtime lecture to learn how to make your workplace earth-friendly. Topics include waste reduction, energy conservation, green transportation, property management engagement and how to start a “green team.” While this lecture is geared towards Green
Office Challenge participants, all are welcome. Pre-registration is required. Email greenofficechallenge@cityofchicago.org and include your name, workplace address, phone number and email address. www.chicagogreenofficechallenge.org. Please note: This event will
also be held on April 23 at the same time and location.

Chicago Conservation Corps Spring 2009 Training Series
- Reserve a seat at an upcoming orientation
- Call (312) 743-9283 or email conservation@cityofchicago.org

You care. Do Something. We’ll Help. The Chicago Conservation Corps is recruiting for its Spring 2009 Environmental Leadership Training Series. Learn from community and environmental leaders about urban environmental challenges and opportunities for change, then lead an environmental service project in your community with C3 support and resources. Past projects include a compact fluorescent lightbulb distribution, hosting a green cleaning course, and starting a recycling program at a church or
school.

Orientation details: Wednesday, March 11 – 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60649

Saturday, March 14 – 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd., Chicago, IL 60612

Monday, March 16 – 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Chicago Department of Environment, 30 N. LaSalle St. 25th Floor, Chicago, IL 60602

Reserve a seat at an orientation by calling (312) 743-9283 or emailing conservation@cityofchicago.org. Visit www.cityofchicago.org/Environment/C3 for application details, requirements and spring training dates.

Chicago Conservation Clubs (C3) is Recruiting Teachers for the 2009-2010 school year
- reserve a seat at an upcoming orientation – Orientations will be held April 14, 15 and 16

C3 is seeking passionate teachers who want to make a difference in their school community. Start an after-school environmental service club with your students. Access curriculum, materials, training workshops, and more from the Chicago Department of Environment. Earn a stipend and
CPDUs for your efforts.

To learn more about the program and attend an orientation on April 14, 15, or 16, contact us at conservation@cityofchicago.org or call our hotline at 312-743-9283. All teacher applications are due May 1. To apply, you must be a Chicago Public School teacher (8th – 12th grade) and attend an orientation. Program includes three evening teacher workshops to be held over the course of the 2009-2010 school year.

Water Walk
- Sunday, March 22 at the Field Museum
- Registration at 9:00 a.m., walk begins at 10:00 a.m.

You are invited to participate in UNICEF’s Tap Project Water Walk, a one mile walk for young people (all ages) and their families, schools and communities to help raise awareness and support for children
worldwide who suffer from a lack of readily available clean water. For more information and to register, visit www.tapproject.org.

Event details:
Sunday, March 22
Registration: 9:00 a.m.
Walk start: 10:00 a.m.
Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.

Earth Hour 2009
- Saturday, March 28, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- www.earthhourus.com

From Amman to Warsaw to Chicago, the skylines of 74 cities in 62 countries will darken for one hour as individuals, businesses, government buildings, schools and major landmarks turn off non-essential
lighting in what will be the largest climate event in history; demonstrating the carbon emissions reductions possible through a simple flick of a switch. Chicago is one of the U.S. cities participating, join the effort. Visit www.earthhourus.com for more information.

EPA is letting California regulate Cars

Chris Campbell | Mar 4th, 2009 | No Comments »

Right now, the Environmental Protection Agency is considering reversing a Bush administration decision that has prevented California and other states from taking action to reduce global warming pollution from cars.

This is a tremendous opportunity for real progress towards solving the climate crisis. And to help make this crucial decision, the EPA wants to hear from you. Will you submit a comment?

Tell the EPA to grant California a waiver to set motor vehicle global warming pollution control standards:

http://www.RepowerAmerica.org/epawaiver

This is a really big deal.

Stricter vehicle emissions standards are an important step in fighting climate change. Pollution from cars accounts for about 20% of carbon dioxide emissions in this country, yet this CO2 remains unregulated. With action from the EPA, California will have the authority to reduce its emissions and immediately encourage automakers to build the cleaner cars we need.

The EPA decision will also pave the way for 13 other states to implement similar policies, covering nearly 40% of the car market. This will provide a major incentive to the auto industry — igniting the clean energy economy and helping to get us on a path to economic recovery.

The EPA is requesting comments this month, and will hold a public hearing tomorrow, March 5th, in Washington D.C.

Your message of support right now will make the difference. This is our chance to guide the auto industry onto the road of clean energy. We can’t let this opportunity pass us by — join us and tell the EPA you support California’s waiver request:

http://www.RepowerAmerica.org/epawaiver

Please contact the EPA and send the message that we need continued progress to Repower America.