The 4th Annual Chicago Virtual Charter School Field Day Event will be a lot greener this year as students incorporate green games with track and field events.

Yvonne will coordinate the addition of a Green Resource Center designed . . . → Read More: Green Field Day June 11 9:30-12:30 at IIT]]> Friday, June 11
C3 Trainee, Yvonne White-Morey:
On Track for the Environment –Greening a School Field Day Event
9:30 am -12:30 pm

The 4^th Annual Chicago Virtual Charter School Field Day Event will be a lot greener this year as students incorporate green games with track and field events.

Yvonne will coordinate the addition of a Green Resource Center designed to educate students and their families on Recycling/Upcycling options, Vermicomposting, improving indoor/outdoor air quality by making green cleaning solutions and taking alternative transportation, energy efficiency and water conservation. Students will receive refillable water bottles. Families will take the $800 Savings Challenge.

Following awards and raffle prizes, families will gather on the lawn of Illinois Institute of Technology for a picnic lunch and hear a green literacy reading of Seeds of Change by Author Jen Cullerton Johnson, from her book based on the life of Wangari Maathai, the first African woman and environmentalist to win the Nobel Peace Prize. (Four C3 leaders or trainees willing to make ten-minute presentations on the environment to students and families are still needed.) 

For volunteer opportunities, contact C3 trainee Yvonne: ywm@alumni.depaul.edu
773-944-0757

I was looking at the Chicago Conservation Corps website today, and thought that your organization might be interested in participating in or promoting National Park(ing) Day 2008, an annual event, happening in Chicago on September 19th, which celebrates parks in cities by creating temporary parks in public parking spaces. National Park(ing) Day is an all-volunteer event, . . . → Read More: National Park(ing) Day, September 19th]]> Hello,

I was looking at the Chicago Conservation Corps website today, and thought that your organization might be interested in participating in or promoting National Park(ing) Day 2008, an annual event, happening in Chicago on September 19th, which celebrates parks in cities by creating temporary parks in public parking spaces. National Park(ing) Day is an all-volunteer event, and any participation is welcome. One can, build his or her own park, help others build parks, or simply visit Park(ing) Day parks throughout the day. Look at www.tpl.org/parkingday for details, a how-to manual, photos and videos, or to connect with participants near you.

Nathan Tone

Companies competing in the Bicycle Commuter Challenge strive to earn the highest percentage of employees biking for part or all of their . . . → Read More: Join the 2008 Bicycle Commuter Challenge, June 7-13]]> How green is your workplace? The 2008 Bicycle Commuter Challenge is now open to all companies who want to compete to be the most environmentally friendly company in Chicagoland. Sign up now at www.biketraffic.org/commuterchallenge.

Companies competing in the Bicycle Commuter Challenge strive to earn the highest percentage of employees biking for part or all of their trip to work during Bike to Work Week, June 7-13, hosted by the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation.

“Bicycle commuting transforms the atmosphere at work – it boosts the health and energy of employees, encourages team spirit, lowers costs, and builds the organization’s reputation for being green,” said Rob Sadowsky, executive director of the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation.

For organizations and companies raring up to compete in the annual Challenge, designated Team Leaders get their office excited about commuting by bike. They recruit co-workers, track team-members’ biking trips, and offer tips on making bicycle commuting easy and fun.

Plus, team leaders distribute discount member cards to participating employees, which provide Bicycle Commuter Challenge participants the same discounts as Chicagoland Bicycle Federation members from May-July.

Participants can bike for all or part of their trip to work. They can also stop for a quick snack and tune up at Bicycle Commuter Stations located around Chicago and at suburban Metra stations.

Teams face off against companies of similar size and type, i.e. public agency, business, non-profit and bicycling-related business. Winning Bicycle Commuter Challenge teams receive fabulous prizes and are honored at a luncheon.

“Public esteem is a big incentive in this competition. It’s a sign of the vitality and vision of the organization when employees compete for health instead of parking spots,” Sadowsky said.

Register your company or organization at www.biketraffic.org/commuterchallenge or by calling (312) 427-3325. Individuals can also register in the Commuter Challenge.

Learn how to ride safely and comfortably to work at www.biketraffic.org/commute.

The forum presentation is by the Chicagoland Consortium to . . . → Read More: Community Bike Programs Forum – Feb 9]]> Attend the Community Bike Programs Forum Saturday, Feb. 9, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave. The forum will introduce many different types of existing and possible future bicycle programs based in communities and supportive resources in Chicagoland.

The forum presentation is by the Chicagoland Consortium to Support Community Bike Programs and West Town Bikes.

For more information or to RSVP please email sarahm@westtownbikes.org or call Keith at 312-427-3325 ext. 244. Download the flier at http://www.biketraffic.org/docs/pdf/community_bike_programs_forum_flier.pdf

Almost every day, I walk with my daughter to her elementary school. Personally, I am grateful to take time and walk this short distance with her. Unfortunately on our way to school we see on the . . . → Read More: Action on Vehicle Idling – the PURE AIR card]]> Elaine Lemieux posted this comment on an older post, but it certainly merits more attention than that:

Almost every day, I walk with my daughter to her elementary school. Personally, I am grateful to take time and walk this short distance with her. Unfortunately on our way to school we see on the streets all kind of cars and trucks idling, for example, vehicles owned by the City of Chicago. By leaving their engines running the city workers pollute the air as well as waste fuel and money.

The following was written by Rebecca D. Stanfield, the Environment Illinois State Director: “There is no question that reducing pollution from cars- now the source of about one-third of our nation’s carbon dioxide emissions- will have to be a large part of the plan to protect the planet and our future from the threat of global warming”. It is clear that this also applies to cars, SUVs, trucks, buses, and other motor vehicles.

After much thought, I decided to do something. I now talk directly to city workers and every person I encounter on the street whose vehicles are idling. One-on-one I ask them to turn off their engines. To be more convincing, I designed the PURE AIR card. Every time I hand out the card and ask them to turn off their engine. I also ask them to spread the word. Overall, the response has been positive.

Recently I wrote a letter to Alderman, Mrs. Margaret Laurino about my concerns. I was very pleased to receive a letter from the Department of Fleet Management of the City of Chicago. The Commissioner, Mr. Howard Henneman informed me that, in 2005, the City of Chicago took a step to implement its Vehicle Idling Management Policy. In addition, the City of Chicago sent me some important information about the effect of idling that I want to transmit: “Unnecessary idling of the City’s fleet wastes approximately 1 gallon of fuel per hour for diesel vehicles and roughly 0.75 gallons of fuel per hour for automobiles or light-duty vehicles. If the City’s fleet of vehicles were to idle for one hour per day, yearly emissions are estimated to approach 87 metric tons of Nitrogen Oxides, 390 metric tons of Carbon Monoxide, and 13,929 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide. From a cost perspective, the same amount of idling would result in approximately $2,861,000 in unnecessary fuel expenditures.

These facts apply only for the City of Chicago Department of Fleet Management. Imagine the numbers for the whole city and beyond. However, many states and cities all around USA adopt new idling reductions laws and regulations for better air quality. Unnecessary idling is a habit that costs us millions of dollars a day in wasted fuel and energy, produces enormous amounts of pollutant, and after all get us nowhere. I really wish that everyone could receive this PURE AIR message so we could all together really make a difference. This country is capable to be one of the leaders in the environment issues.

Thank You, Elaine!

I submitted two videos to the Convenient Truths: a green video contest.

My first film asks “What can regular people do about global warming? This film takes . . . → Read More: Convenient Truths: A Green Video Contest]]> Channel your inner eco-critic. Seventh Generation, Inc. and TreeHugger.com asked citizens to share their solutions to climate change. Help out our expert judges by watching and rating the submissions.

I submitted two videos to the Convenient Truths: a green video contest.

My first film asks “What can regular people do about global warming? This film takes a look at how average Americans perceive the climate crisis while giving practical, everyday tips toward reducing our Carbon dioxide footprint.”

My second film takes a look at how one business has combined style with sustainability to create solar paneled bags. Its a great way to integrate renewable energy into daily life!

Here are the links…

What Can Regular People Do About Global Warming?

Carrying Power: Solar Energy On The Go

Enjoy!

Take part in this engaging town-hall style meeting about real solutions to curbing global warming, participate in Q & A with panelists, and connect with dozens of grassroots organizations.The event features Sadhu Johnston, Commissioner for the Chicago Department of Environment, with Rev. Calvin S. Morris Ph.D., Exec. Director of Community Renewal Society moderating, and panelists . . . → Read More: Climate Town Hall Mtg, Jan 20, 10a, Whitney Young HS]]> From http://www.cnt.org/calendar:

Take part in this engaging town-hall style meeting about real solutions to curbing global warming, participate in Q & A with panelists, and connect with dozens of grassroots organizations.The event features Sadhu Johnston, Commissioner for the Chicago Department of Environment, with Rev. Calvin S. Morris Ph.D., Exec. Director of Community Renewal Society moderating, and panelists Rev. Clare Butterfield, Director of Faith-in-Place, CNT’s Steve Perkins, Sr. Vice-President, and Lori Morrison Contreras, Vice-President of Little Village Environmental Justice Organization.

edited to add more info from http://climatechicago.org/:

Learn how we can work together to:

1. Create new jobs.
2. Get cars and trucks off the street.
3. Move to clean, affordable renewable energy.
4. Reduce utility costs with conservation and efficiency.
5. Buy locally grown food or grow our own.
6. Reduce costly waste disposal.