If you are interested in using solar energy to meet your electricity needs but aren’t able to install solar panels at your home, you can subscribe to community solar. A group of Wilmette residents is working to put together a community solar project that will be open to people in our area. To learn more, click here. There will be an informational meeting on Tuesday, February 20 from 7 – 8:30 pm at the Wilmette Public Library. The meeting is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
Electronic Waste
Electronic waste has increased in recent years, and much of it is not recycled. Highland Park residents can recycle electronic waste by putting it next to their trash cart on the first trash pick up of any month. Please call Lakeshore Recycling Systems in advance at 773.685.8811. You can also drop off electronics for recycling at the Highland Park Recycling Center, 1180 Half Day Road, from 7 am – 1 pm on all Tuesdays and the first Saturday of the month. The Recycling Center also collects styrofoam, clothing and shoes (paired) for recycling and reuse.
Upcoming Election
The primary election in Illinois is March 20, 2018, and now is the time to be sure you are registered to vote. On the ballot will be candidates for Governor, Attorney General, State Representative and State Senator, among other races. You can check on your voter registration here. If you are a student away at school, are spending your winter away from Highland Park, or simply want to avoid lines at the polls, you can request a ballot by mail here.
Environmental Town Hall meeting
Please join me on November 29 for this Environmental Town Hall meeting in Highland Park. Experts from Illinois Environmental Council, Union of Concerned Scientists, Moms Clean Air Force, Sierra Club and Illinois Solar Energy Association will address climate change, clean energy, flooding and air pollution, along with suggestions on what you can do.
Innovation
In the spirit of the Fourth of July, I want to share this video about solar roads. This is an American story of innovation that could help power our world. Take a few minutes to watch. Enjoy the holiday weekend!
All Hands on Deck
On Monday, July 3 from 8:30 – 9:30 am, you can join others at Park Avenue Beach for All Hands on Deck. On that day, people across the Great Lakes will link hands around the lakefront in their respective cities in support of Great Lakes Protection efforts. The Great Lakes is the largest source of fresh surface water on Earth, containing 18% of the world’s supply of fresh surface water and 90% of the US supply. Our drinking water comes from Lake Michigan. With this proximity to the lake comes a special responsibility to protect it. The choices we make have an impact on the health of the Great Lakes. Please join us to show your support for protection of this important resource.
Go Green Illinois – an Introduction
Go Green Illinois works to encourage and support the establishment of citizen’s environmental groups in every community in the northern suburbs, to share best practices among the groups and to collaborate on addressing environmental challenges that cross municipal boundaries. The group meets every other month to coordinate and share ideas. Presentation topics have included active transportation, electrical aggregation, natural landscape practices, local politics, recycling, stormwater management, community solar, community engagement and food waste. Please go to the website to learn more about how to get involved, and to sign up for their email newsletter.
Climate Action: Are we at a tipping point?
To those of us in the trenches, it may seem like we are not moving forward (I have been working on climate issues for 29 years!). However, there are some promising signs. In the past 24 hours, three states have said they will work towards the US commitments on climate in the absence of federal involvement. Thank you to California, Washington and New York! Carbon emissions may have peaked (according to preliminary data). Renewable energy prices are dropping rapidly. Historically, social change begins with grassroots action and builds until it reaches a tipping point. So, we must keep up the momentum to reduce carbon emissions, and keep up the pressure on our elected officials. Let’s hope we are on the cusp of a social change regarding action on climate. We do not have another Planet, and the Earth cannot afford to wait.
Climate Action
Climate change is the biggest issue of our time. It is irresponsible to delay or reverse course on actions to reduce carbon emissions into our atmosphere. The United States should be a leader on addressing climate change.
“When you have an established scientific emergent truth, it is true whether or not you believe in it and the sooner you understand that, the faster we can get on with the political conversations about how to solve the problems that face us.” Neil deGrasse Tyson
May 13 Events
SWALCO’s annual rain barrel, compost bin and native plant sale will take place from 9 am – 3 pm at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville. Details are here.
Help clean up the Chicago River on Saturday morning between 9 am and 12 pm. In Highland Park, there are 2 clean up sites: 1) the northeast end of the Target parking lot or 2) the Golf Dome off the highway north of Park Avenue. Bring gloves and wear rain boots.
Moraine Township is looking for volunteers in the morning to help plant their garden, and in the afternoon to help sort food at the pantry. Details are here. You can also donate to the food pantry by leaving a bag of shelf stable, unexpired food by your mailbox during Saturday’s Postal Food Drive.