The Harris Theater will host an Oxford-style debate Wednesday night on the rise of China and its possible environmental impact. The main question at hand: Will China’s rise lead to an environmental catastrophe? Chicago Public Radio’s Worldview host, Jerome McDonnell, will moderate two teams of two arguing either side of the proposition statement; including Vijay Vaitheeswaran, Global Correspondent for The Economist.
Tickets are $15 and can be bought online.
October 23 2007 | Green Events | No Comments »
Who: Open to the public, NO admission charge
What: Chicago Climate Forum
When: Oct. 22, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Where: Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ, 615 W. Wellington
Why: The event plans to bring together members of the general public, community energy activists and members of the Chicago Department of the Environment to examine what Chicago is doing about global warming, what needs to be done in the future and how citizens and government can collaborate on moving forward. The City of Chicago is in the process of developing a Climate Action Strategy Plan, an effort to address the challenge of global climate change through a local strategy of carbon emission reduction. This meeting is the first of a series of scheduled community meetings throughout Chicago to gather public input and support.
October 23 2007 | Green Events | No Comments »
Gardens and solar energy panels have found a home on many of Chicago’s rooftops. Is soy joining the in-crowd?
A Chicago-based manufacturer is finding that a soy-based coating might be the new emerging green technology as far as rooftops are concerned.
Shedd Aquarium was the first cultural institution — and only the third building of any kind — in Chicago with a soy-based roof, which is made from the equivalent of 36 acres of soybeans.
The aquariam’s Web site says the reflective white coating stays cool in the summer, lowering the aquarium’s air-conditioning bills while countering the urban heat island effect created by black asphalt roofs.
October 21 2007 | Green Technology | 1 Comment »
October is fair trade month; and unbeknownst to many Chicagoans, the Windy City offers support to the fair trade community. A simple way to get involved is to purchase fair trade products in the Chicago area.
An online boutique called world-shoppe.com features crafts, stationary, etc. and promotes fair trade and sustainable living on a local and international scale. You can buy a few things or just learn the basics of fair trade practices and terminology.
In addition, fair trade is often linked to environmentally safe practices in agriculture. A combination of high environmental standards and financial rewards for sustainable farming makes fair trade a nice option for some in the agriculture community.
October 21 2007 | Green Events | 2 Comments »
Chicagoans like to think of their city as green; now, former Vice President Al Gore agrees.
Only a week after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for his crusade against global warming, Gore gave the windy city a round of applause.
“The rest of our country looks to Chicago,” he told about 2,000 people gathered at the Hyatt Regency Chicago hotel Wednesday. “If you start banging the drums, the rest of the country and world will respond.”
The Chicago Tribune covered more of Gore’s speech.
October 18 2007 | Green Leaders | 1 Comment »
The Field Museum unveiled its Renewable Energy Vehicle Program Wednesday, Oct. 17. at Gurdon S. Hubbard High School for 30 freshman and sophomore high school students. The eco-friendly van, which resembles the magic school bus come to life, is powered by vegetable oil and carries a solar-powered laptop and iPod docking station, as well as a veggie-fueled go-kart. The van will be used as a school on wheels throughout Chicagoland to teach two major topics: alternative fuel choices and alternative energy.
October 17 2007 | Green Energy | No Comments »
Some people are taking the green trend to a new depth — six feet under to be exact. Going green is no longer just for the living; some burials are going green.
Families are choosing to make burials for their deceased loved ones an environmentally friendly practice. Rather than use toxic chemicals, some funeral homes are opting to refrigerate bodies and place them on dry ice before public viewings.
In addition, green cemeteries are burying bodies in biodegradble materials, such as wood boxes or cloth shrouds. Recently, Green Burial Council founder Joe Sehee discussed green burial options at Chicago’s Fairmont Hotel.
October 17 2007 | Green Trends | No Comments »
Chicago’s Green City Market just stepped up its farmer’s market game.
Alice Waters recently visited the market located in Lincoln Park and named it among the top ten farmer’s markets in the nation. An article in USA Today showcases the top markets and their best assets.
Visit Chicago’s market to support local, organic farmers on the green scene before it gets too cold. October 31st is the last scheduled market day, but check out the calendar for upcoming events.
October 14 2007 | Green Farming | No Comments »
Energy efficiency is a hot topic among environmentalists, politicians and the general public.
The CasEnergy Coalition and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce hosted former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman at a luncheon and discussion of nuclear power today at the Hyatt Regency. Gov. Whitman urged the audience to bring energy to the forefront of discussion and to make decisions about the matter based on facts rather than emotions. She readily admitted that a single solution doesn’t exist for the nation’s energy problems, but encouraged Americans to find a way to meet their energy demands without depleting the environment.
An article in Business Week illustrates her case for nuclear energy.
October 12 2007 | Green Energy | No Comments »
Algae–the green slime that forms on the top of stagnant water–may become the fuel of the future.
A new venture called Vertigro Energy started a pilot bioreactor laboratory in Texas that mass produces algae and extracts its oil. In theory, it could produce far more oil per acre, potentially reduce the cost of biofuels and significantly lower green house gas emissions.
While it may take a while for Americans to fill their tank with algae fuel, scientists see the potential for the slimy plant. Glen Kertz, president and CEO of Valcent Products, decribes the algae-to-biofuel process in full detail.
October 11 2007 | Green Technology | 1 Comment »
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