Bright Lights, Big Specificity

Chicago unveils detailed climate plan 3

Chicago unveiled an ambitious climate-change plan on Thursday aimed at cutting its greenhouse-gas emissions 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 as part of its commitment to meeting the goals of the Kyoto Protocol. Along with over 700 other cities and municipalities in the U.S., Chicago signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, committing it to reducing its climate impact. Chicago's plan includes updating the city's energy codes to mandate more efficient energy use, promoting alternative fuels, adding more green roofs to the city's skyline, upping recycling, educating citizens to conserve energy, and more. The Windy City also apparently struck a deal with two nearby coal-fired power plants to reduce their emissions or close down by 2017. "We can't solve the world's climate-change problem in Chicago, but we can do our part," said Mayor Richard Daley. In addition, officials commissioned a study to forecast what a climate-changed Chicago might look like. By 2100, it predicts, Chicago is likely to see stretches of severe drought, as well as more frequent heavy rains and floods, and up to 30 more days of 100-degree heat in the summer.

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  1. CarmenRH Posted 1:56 am
    19 Sep 2008

    Proud ChicagoanI'm proud of my city for making this commitment. But I hope, along with all of the big changes, Chicago also makes it easier for us to recycle. The blue bag approach is still unclear for many.

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  2. redpanda Posted 3:38 am
    19 Sep 2008

    Green RoofsI work in the Loop, and I can see a couple of green roofing projects from my office.  But I was up on the observation deck of the sears tower a few weeks ago, and looking down at the city I realized how few and far between they are.  I certainly hope we can get more.

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  3. Wolverine Posted 2:59 am
    20 Sep 2008

    Both Sides Of His MouthAwhile ago, Mayor Daley closed State Street, the main street that runs through downtown, to private motor vehicles.  But as soon as merchants complained that they were losing business, that closure was reversed.  Getting a large number of people out of their cars and onto Chicago's excellent public transportation, which I grew up using, would probably have done far more to lower Chicago's greenhouse gas emissions than than this entire plan.  Unfortunately, Mayor Daley, like most Americans, is far more concerned with business than he is with the environment.  Too bad Mayor Harold Washington died in office.  Mayor Daley isn't worthy to wear his dirty underwear.

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