WHO
I. Who is in this community?
It’s hard for someone to live in Chicago and not hear about environmental issues. Green trends coupled with a proactive mayor make the environment a priority for a lot of people in the city. Chicago and its surrounding suburbs are progressive communities, and people are more than willing to discuss news and events involving environmental topics. People want to not only discuss issues but also learn how to adapt their daily habits to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Even though the City of Chicago has an active Department of the Environment, often the best people to learn about living green in an urban environment are those not associated with an institution. For example, the farmers growing crops or the artisans making fair-trade products give an authentic perspective and insight into sustainable practices available throughout the city.
As of the 2000 census, 2,896,016 people, 1,061,928 households, and 632,909 families reside in the city of Chicago proper. This encompasses about one-fifth of the entire population of the state of Illinois and one percent of the population of the United States. Of course, not all of these people are going to have the environment at the top of their priority list, but as one of the greenest cities in the nation – Chicago is leading the way with green trends and lifestyles.
While environmental issues affect nearly every person who lives in the city, the people most likely to read a blog centered around living green are those who have enough time, energy and resources to change their approach to living in Chicago. Business owners who are looking to safe resources, families who are trying to use less or the average homeowners who want to save energy are all possible candidates for staying abreast of ways to live green in the windy city. The chairs of different environment boards and organizations are probably up-to-date with events and issues on the forefront, but the average Joe who wants to know more is the person who will most likely read a blog revolving around an eco-friendly lifestyle.
Some leaders on environmental issues within the area include: Carolyn Collopy - from the City of Evanston Sustainability Director; Mark Farina - the City of Chicago Department of Environment; Nicole Gotthelf – Center of Neighborhood Technology; Jonathan Goldman – Illinois Environmental Council; Samantha Mattone – Chicago Conservation Core; Julie Larson – Center for Sustainable Community; Zvezdana Kubat – Chicago Park District; Larry Merritt – City of Chicago Department of Environment; Jim Slama – Sustain, an environmental advocacy group; and Terra Brockam – The Land Connection.
While I’ve gotten some feedback from those people, the most eager audience members seem to be those who are not plugged into the local, green scene and want to learn more.
December 11 2007 09:01 pm
