CNT Update, November 2007
CNT Update, November 2007
CNT News
1. Green Infrastructure Permeates Through Chicago
2. “Maps in the Public Square” Now Online
3. I-GO Partners with Carsharing Throughout North America
Sustainability News
1. Chicagoland Transit and the Lows of Negotiation
2. Greenbuild Leaves a Trail of Sustainability Initiatives
3. Calculating What it Means to be Green
CNT Toolkit
1. Tool Spotlight: Illinois Pedestrian Guide
2. CNT in the News
3. Staff News
4. Jobs
Support Your Local ‘Green’ Think Tank
1. Donate to CNT’s 2007 Annual Fund
2. Attend a Summit on Climate Change
3. Support CNT While you Holiday Shop
********************
CNT News
********************
1. Green Infrastructure Permeates Through Chicago
Just how permeable is the Chicago region? Green infrastructure demonstration projects like the Wangari Maathai Natural Garden, a native garden at the Al Raby School on the west side and now the St. Margaret Mary School native garden on the north side, are making Chicago a ‘green sponge’ for stormwater, creating natural open space in an urban environment that also raises awareness about the potential for community greening.
On October 18th, students and parishioners worked with Green Corps to plant nearly 500 native Illinois prairie plants in the main parking lot of the church and school. The “green infrastructure” was blessed and officially dedicated by St. Margaret Mary’s priest, Father Jim Barrett, on October 28th.
Creating more green space and using existing green space more wisely throughout the Chicago region will reduce runoff, protect water quality, and sustainably enhance communities while saving money on infrastructure investments. As Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Wangari Maathai declared while speaking at the recent dedication of the garden project at Al Raby High School, “it is this type of activity that should be replicated a billion times throughout the world.”
This latest green infrastructure research and demonstration project, funded by the U.S. EPA, is a partnership with the City of Chicago to gather engineering and soil data on the performance of stormwater best management practices (BMP’s) that use the power of plants to absorb and clean rainfall runoff. The gardens were built with Green Corps, a City-sponsored community landscaping and job training program. CNT will use these features to demonstrate how green infrastructure can fit into attractive neighborhoods and improve local drainage problems.
Look at pictures from the planting day at St. Margaret Mary School and Church http://www.flickr.com/photos/29965049@N00/sets/72157602725152275/
2. “Maps in the Public Square” Now Online
Maps are not only tools that get you from Point A to Point B. They can also expose visually an important story about resource patterns and trends of a defined area. They tackle social questions like, “Are Starbucks an indicator of gentrification?” or “Do lower-income communities have less access to fresh produce?” Depicting instances like these help community members and planners better deal with the needs of an area that may not always be clear.
Chicago’s Festival of Maps celebrates the array of beneficial uses maps provide. During the festival, the online exhibit, “Maps in the Public Square: An Atlas of the Next Chicago Region” highlights the creative combination of mapmaking and public policy in the Chicago region. The region’s groundbreaking advances in regional planning, sustainable urban development, and community decision-making have been supported and given shape by equally groundbreaking cartography. The exhibit draws on both the deep Chicago well of public discussion and the newest mapmaking technologies to create an annotated atlas of the best of the recent work in this area.
With contributions from CNT, Openlands, and Chicago Metropolis 2020, to name a few, these maps tell historical stories about the region and also reveal future implications through different topics like ‘work’ ‘moving’ ‘plans and visions’ and ‘play’.
Where are the emerging art-focused neighborhoods? Where are the ‘food deserts’ in Chicago? What is the average household transportation expense in a particular district? These are just some of the fascinating questions that can be explored at this online exhibit that runs into 2008 and will then become an online atlas. The exhibit contains over sixty map images as well as links to online mapping website and is curated is Mark Bouman, Professor of Geography at Chicago State University.
Peruse the exhibit at http://www.mapsinthepublicsquare.org/.
3. I-GO Partners with Carsharing throughout North America
In a move that boosts the viability of car sharing as an alternative to owning a car, I-GO recently partnered with other not-for-profit carsharing groups in Philadelphia, San Francisco and five Canadian cities to develop and adopt a code of ethics. The decision was made following discussions held in October in Montreal by the carsharing organizations in Philadelphia (PhillyCarShare), Montreal and Quebec City (Communauto), Ottawa (Vrtucar), Toronto (AutoShare), Kitchener (Grand River CarShare), Chicago (I-GO), San Francisco (City CarShare), and Vancouver (Co-operative Auto Network).
For the organizations participating, a code of ethics will help guide and strengthen carsharing as an emerging industry. The code’s main objectives are to establish professional business standards that will protect and enhance the concept, the image and the credibility of carsharing, to ensure social and environmental commitment, customer protection and transparency.
The idea of carsharing is to reduce private ownership of cars, decrease overall driving, improve the environment, reduce congestion and improve the quality of life in our cities. A code of ethics will provide a standard that helps to ensure these principles are sustained as the industry grows.
I-GO CEO, Sharon Feigon, said in a recent press release, “Carsharing programs have already had remarkable results in reducing car ownership. As concerns about climate change become more pressing, we expect the industry to continue to grow and we want to ensure that the industry continues to focus on reducing carbon emissions. It is critical that we have standards so that providers accurately calculate and share the environmental results from their programs and continue to contribute to achieving the substantial environmental benefits possible from carsharing,”
Together, the participating organizations have a combined total of over 75,000 members and 2,000 vehicles. This is great news for members of I-GO, who will soon have access to cars in these other cities. And at the conference in Montreal, all North American carsharing organizations were invited to join this effort and most expressed interest, so now having an I-GO membership can mean great things for the traveling kind.
********************
Sustainability News
********************
1. Chicagoland Transit and the Lows of Negotiation
In proper dramatic fashion, a last minute infusion of federal funds to the tune of $27 million helped to avert the most recent mass transit crisis. Transit in the Chicago region will continue as usual through the end of 2007, though, as transit-riders at a CTA board public hearing Monday evening made clear, “as usual” is not as good as it should be.
Moreover, the extra funds will run out on January 20th. The CTA board met and voted to eliminate 81 of their 154 routes, lay off more than 2,000 workers, and raise fares if further funds do not appear before then.
Currently, legislators are working to find a funding source for transit that will raise capital for other infrastructure projects, along with Governor Blagojevich and Mayor Daley. Legislators have so far been unwilling to support SB 572, a comprehensive funding and reform bill proposed by Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) that would secure the future of Northeastern Illinois’ transit network.
Now, Governor Blagojevich has mandated a special session in Springfield on November 28 to agree on a plan so service cuts and fare increases as proposed will not go into effect on January 20.
To get a better sense of what has led to the current modus operandi-coming to a crux as politicians storm out of meetings, one-up another with insults, and refuse to attend meetings altogether-CNT’s Vice President for Policy, Transportation and Community Development, Jacky Grimshaw was recently on CAN-TV discussing the history of the RTA-transit issue in the Chicagoland region, beginning in 1983, when the incumbent Republican administration restructured the agency. Watch the video at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3600123879951637368&hl=en(Note: Audio may cut out and the issue is being resolved).
Now, as the RTA is working on their 2008 operating and capital program budget for the region’s transit system, they are asking public input. Twelve public budget meetings are scheduled across the region, and they are strongly encouraging the public to attend. To see a meeting schedule, go to http://movingbeyondcongestion.org/downloads/meetings_schedule__08.pdf
2. Greenbuild Leaves a Trail of Sustainability Initiatives
The U.S. Green Building Council’s annual conference, “Greenbuild” recently came to Chicago, with record attendance estimated at 22,835. The presence in Chicago became a significant focus as new programs were announced that will help make lasting impressions to Chicago’s green reputation.
President Bill Clinton gave the keynote on the first day, unveiling two programs that the Clinton Climate Initiative and City of Chicago are partnering on, aimed at helping Chicago homeowners and owners of commercial buildings modernize their buildings to reduce energy use. The Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Program is designed to enable cities to implement cost-effective, green retrofits of existing buildings, and will begin on the Sears Tower and the Merchandise Mart. The buildings will first undergo audits to evaluate green elements that make sense and then will be overhauled to increase energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprints.
The initiative builds off existing City programs, which, as part of The Preservation Compact initiated by the Chicago-based MacArthur Foundation, is retrofitting affordable housing developments of between four and 25 units. CNT Energy and Chicago Investment Corporation are among the partner organizations and will work in the area of reducing operating costs in multifamily rental properties. The organizations have created Cook County Energy Savers, a one-stop energy efficiency program that will provide technical assistance and loans for energy-efficiency improvements.
Last year, Chicago became one of forty cities around the world to begin the relationship with the Clinton Foundation’s Climate Change Initiative that led the announcement at Greenbuild. Mayor Daley also announced in a press conference that the Chicago Climate Change Task Force final report will be released in early 2008, and the City will evaluate its long-range recommendations, which CNT also contributed to by researching and producing 33 mitigation strategies the City should implement.
One thing was clear about Greenbuild this year: ‘green’ has hit the mainstream, as the huge presence from corporations like GE and DOW Chemicals revealed. As sustainability has advanced beyond a fringe way of living; now a strong movement, it is important that the ethics and ideals that conceived it are still upheld and advanced. Now that we are fundamentally altering the way our buildings are designed and how our travel connects points A to B, will the private corporate investment help maintain this ethic?
Tell us your thoughts here.
3. Calculating What it Means to be Green
Since being ‘green’ is no longer just about the feel-good benefits, bragging about your waste reduction habits or cutting-edge solar panels on your roof doesn’t quite impress the more savvy consumer looking to be environmentally responsible while saving money. As a result, more and more emerging tools help people know exactly why going green can also be about saving themselves the other kind of green.
The Eating Green Calculator, created by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, helps display how your food choices translate into pounds of fertilizer, manure, and pesticides and acres of grain and grass for animal feed. The calculator also lets you see how the numbers would change if you reduced your consumption of a specific meat or dairy product. Try it out at http://www.cspinet.org/EatingGreen/calculator.html.
CNT’s calculators like the Green Values Stormwater Calculator and Travel Matters Emission Calculator help you to figure out the costs-benefits of your actions as well as providing information on how to change the habits that may be costing you more and impacting the planet more harshly.
Travelmatters Individual Calculator measures how much greenhouse gas you generate as a result of your daily transportation activity. By entering the monthly distances you traveled by mode of transportation – on foot, by bicycle, car, bus, train, plane, or boat – the calculator will do your “greenhouse gas accounting” for you. As a resource tool, the profile allows you to set goals for personal emissions reduction, and then to follow your progress. By illuminating the links between transportation and global warming, the TravelMatters calculator will help you make better-informed decisions about how you travel. Calculate your travel footprint at http://www.travelmatters.org/calculator/individual/?sid=84aff14792151e9a8e8cfcdafdc36bdd
The Green Values Calculator is the first step in achieving a full understanding of the role that green infrastructure can play in alternative infrastructure provisions. The tool allows developers, regulators or property owners to assess the economic and hydrological impact of green versus conventional stormwater management. Try it out at http://greenvalues.cnt.org/calculator.
‘Green calculators’ are an easy and interactive way to determine if and how your efforts are making an environmental impact and if and how they are impacting your wallet.
********************
CNT Toolkit
********************
1. Tool Spotlight: Illinois Pedestrian Guide
Often overlooked, walking is the most common, healthy and affordable way to get around. Did you know that for about 30% of Americans are either too young, do not have access to a car, choose not to drive or have a condition that precludes them from driving?
This guide explains what both pedestrians and drivers need to do to keep Illinois walking safely. Download this convenient pocket/wallet guide at http://www.cnt.org/repository/PedestrianRules.pdf and learn some rules of the road and tips you may have not known.
2. CNT in the News
November 3 was a National Day of Climate Action, though given the news coverage on an almost daily basis, it has become clear that the issue justifies more than one day of action. The national coalition “Step it Up” brought in speakers from all sectors, in different venues around the country for this day of action. The Step it Up website has compiled reports about Chicago’s event, where CNT Energy’s Anthony Star spoke about Chicago’s baseline emissions and targets.
Read at http://events.stepitup2007.org/november/reports/2078.
Power Smart Pricing, the CNT Energy administered program, has rolled out full-scale to Ameren customers in downstate Illinois. Residential customers now have the option to pay for their electricity on a ‘real-time’ market rate basis, versus the traditional averaged-out price per day. Read more about the program in Illinois, which is the first state to offer real-time residential pricing.
Read at http://www.cntenergy.org/news/?cat=5.
Last fall, the City of Evanston joined 699 other cities and signed onto a Climate Protection Agreement that follows the Kyoto Protocol. Under goals set by that act, by 2012 Evanston should lower emissions to 7 percent below what they were in 1990. Evanston has been holding public meetings in an effort to begin their plan to attain this goal. The Daily Northwestern covered the most recent public meeting, where CNT’s Linda Young talked about Chicago’s mitigation strategies.
Read at http://weblog.cnt.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/evanstonclimateplan_dailynorthwestern111407.pdf
3. Staff News
CNT is growing and filling up with excellent new talent:
Kang Chang is CNT’s new Research and Operations Associate
Garrett Phillips is working on CNT’s Smart Growth in Older Neighborhoods projects in Blue Island, Harvey and Milwaukee
Dylan Walsh is helping to develop curriculum for the Equity Express program in Oakland, CA
4. Jobs
Safe Routes to School Coordinator for Logan Square Neighborhood Association
http://www.lsna.net/display.aspx?pointer=4921
Communications and Marketing Director, Illinois Environmental Council
http://www.ilenviro.org/news/?item=88
Also, check out the Chicagoland Green Collar Jobs Initiative’s Jobs Summit on December 7.
http://www.greencollarchicago.org/
********************
Support Your Local ‘Green’ Think Tank
********************
1. It’s that time of year! Donate to CNT’s 2007 Annual Fund
Your support helps CNT develop the innovative programs that build more livable and sustainable urban communities. Unrestricted funding in particular-not tied to any specific project-gives us the freedom to test different strategies and fund the research and development activities that larger institutional donors are less able to support.
Thanks to individuals like you, over the past year, CNT has:
Please help sustain our efforts at http://www.cnt.org/support. Thanks for your generosity!
2. Get involved in creating a climate change agenda! Attend the CMAP Summit
The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and its regional partners will host the second in a series of Innovation + Integration summits. In developing the 2040 Regional Comprehensive Plan – due for completion in 2010 – CMAP is beginning a dialogue on the development of a regional agenda for addressing impacts of climate change. This is one of the nation’s first such efforts to take a regional approach. CMAP and its partners will collect pertinent research and analyze it to determine potential implications for communities across the region.
The summit agenda will feature distinguished speakers assessing the risks and opportunities in terms of our energy future, human and natural resource health, infrastructure, commerce, and land-use and transportation planning. This event is designed for policy makers and advocates across the following areas: municipal, county and regional representation, land-use and transportation, economic development, health and human services, natural resources, developers, business and civic organizations, faith-based organizations, CMAP board committees.
Read more and see the agenda at http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/summit/default.aspx#agenda. CNT’s Peter Haas will be beginning the Summit with an overview of what the region can expect as the regional agenda moves forward.
3. Support CNT While you Holiday Shop
Giveline.com is an online store created for the community-minded shopper, offering more than a million bestselling products including books, movies, music, electronics, housewares, gifts and more. Every purchase generates a substantial donation to CNT – an amazing average of 16% of store sales, sometimes as high as 33%. Giveline has great products, great service, and great prices – the only difference between Giveline and other major online retailers is that every purchase earns money for our organization. Check it out today, and if you decide to buy, remember that CNT will earn significant funds in support of our mission!
Read more at http://www.giveline.com/default.asp?V=&p=&mc=MC000&s1=&s2=
******************
You can support our efforts in building more sustainable urban communities by making a donation online by clicking the button below.
Questions about anything you’ve read or interested in learning more? Contact Annette at annette@cnt.org.
