Working Forum for Congregation Green Teams

Congregation green teams and other interested persons are invited to participate in a forum on Thursday, May 8, 7 - 8:30 pm, at the Oak Park Library, Veterans Room.  The agenda will include:

1. PlanItGreen

• Present “Check-off” list for congregations, followed by discussion. (Gary Cuneen, Seven Generations Ahead)
• Break out session, regarding the critical topic areas:Energy – Transportation – Education  --  Water  --  Food  -- Waste - Open Space
• Each congregation is invited to send at least 3-5 people from their green team to participate in different breakout groups.

2. Energy Impact Illinois

• Presentation of house of worship energy efficiency program.—Skyler Larrimore, Elevate Energy
• Case study: First United Methodist Church.
• Energy efficiency for private residences. And a congregation contest!

The community has been alerted to the importance of restoring the health of our environment, and as was stated at the recent OP Village Board meeting, “There is a lot at stake.”  This is a good opportunity to reruit new members. Educate friends. Now is the time to make change for the good of all, together!

​Please RSVP to James Babcock: jlbabck@sbcglobal.net or 630.740.0638 or Dick Alton:  Richard.Alton@gmail.com or 773-344-7172.​

Oak Park Residents Voice Strong Support for Green Energy

Oak Park residents packed the house to send a message to Village trustees: We want green energy back! Citizens came out in full force to voice support for green energy at the Oak Park Village Board meeting on Monday, April 21. The audience filled all the seats, sat in the aisles, stood at the back of the room and even went up into the balcony. Participants let the Village Board know that they disagreed with the decision to go with a brown energy supplier for Oak Park's municipal aggregation electricity program.  They pointed out the climate impact of continued fossil fuel use, clearly a key concern for many in the room.  It was a powerful and inspiring experience for residents and trustees alike.

Twenty residents spoke during the public comment period, which lasted more than an hour.  Even residents who didn't directly address the trustees were lively and engaged. The audience applauded their neighbors' eloquence, nodded vigorously in agreement with their passionate arguments and sometimes vocalized displeasure with the Board.

As resident Mac Robinet said, “We’re all learning from this.”   The 60 minutes of public comments highlight Oak Park’s history of taking leadership on difficult issues, point out the important role that cities are playing in addressing climate change and illustrate, in a variety of ways, that what Oak Park does matters.    The perspective of new home buyers who are considering Oak Park and looking for a socially conscious community was presented.  Also heard was that although the brown energy option was on its face the lowest cost option, residents identified a myriad of hidden costs that affect health and prospects for the future.  You can view a recorded telecast of the entire meeting online here.

Afterward, when it was the trustees' turn to speak, Colette Lueck, who has been serving in Oak Park  government for 25 years, told the audience that this issue spurred the strongest outpouring of resident participation she's ever seen. In addition to packing the board meeting, residents sent emails and letters, called the trustees, wrote opinion pieces for the newspapers, and delivered a petition with over 500 signatures.

Read more in the Wednesday Journal: http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/4-22-2014/Sounding-down-on-brown-energy/ and in Oak Leaves: http://oakpark.suntimes.com/news/government/electric-OAK-05012014:article

Oak Park IL residents -- to opt for 100% renewable (green) energy, please follow these easy instructions before May 8! Please also spread the word to others.

OPT for 100% Renewable Energy Before May 8!

Oak Park IL residents -- to opt for 100% renewable (green) energy, please follow these easy instructions before May 8! Please also spread the word to others.

Green Living: Break Your Bag Habit

If you've driven down the Eisenhower Expressway recently, you know where I'm going with this. After the snow melted, six months of buried trash was suddenly exposed all along the highway. And it's the bags, fluttering in the wind, skittering across the lanes that grab attention and demonstrate their own polluting wastefulness.

Hopefully the city will send out work crews soon. In the meantime, we want to encourage you to break your bag habit. Reason #1 is to help a good cause. We  are happy to announce that the River Forest Whole Foods has chosen Green Community Connections as the recipient community group for their "One Dime at a Time," bring-your-own-bag program. Every time you shop there now through June 30, bring your own grocery bags and let the cashier know you'd like Whole Foods to donate 10 cents for each of your bags to Green Community Connections.  It's all about building new habits

Eliminating single-use plastic bags from our lives is all about building new habits. Some people keep a stash of reusable bags in their cars. Others throw a few in their purse, coat pocket or bike bag. And for small trips, many people find it's easy to refuse a bag and carry a few items in their hands. On Saturday mornings, I write my grocery list, tuck it into the bag of bags I keep in my pantry, and hang them on my front door knob, where I'm sure I won't forget them.

Some of the misinformation promoted by the plastic industry claims that single use plastic bags are necessary because reusable bags are germy. I don't know about yours, but my grandparents did just fine without plastic bags. However, if you are hyper vigilant about germs, why not use washable cloth bags? Check out Etsy.com. Find a seamstress in your family or at the Oak Park Women's Exchange. If you enjoy estate sale or yard sale shopping, you can find a pretty old table cloth or sturdy sheets, instead of sewing new fabric. This past summer, I sewed myself a coordinated set of cloth produce bags from a vintage table cloth...I get compliments on them all the time.

Using humor to encourage conservation

Still, changing habits is challenging – even if it’s something we really want to do! Two of our One Earth Film Fest team members recently participated in the DC Environmental Film Festival and attended a session titled, “Can Comedy Encourage Conservation? “  Check out this quirky, fun short film about what it might take to motivate people to bring their own bag to the store as an example of the humorous films that were shared.

This video, produced in DC, supports a 2-cent tax on bags. Many other cities across the country have banned or taxed plastic bags. This spring, Chicago's city council is debating a full-out ban on bags. If you live within city limits, get involved in that effort. Contact your alderman to let him or her know you support the measure. Find Facebook pages,  such as Bring Your Bag Chicago, to get the latest updates.  Perhaps you may be moved to create a similar campaign in Oak Park, River Forest or in your town? Look for or start online petitions on sites like Change.org. Band with friends and attend a city council meeting or talk to community leaders.

REFUSE, reduce, reuse and recyle

We all know the environmental impact of single use plastic items, which are made from petroleum--a big strike right there. Even when waste haulers recycle plastic bags, as does Waste Management, Oak Park's residential waste hauler, the bags are only recycled once...turned mainly into plastic lumber used in decks and building trim, according to Earth911. Sure, the plastic will stay out of the landfill for 10, 20, 30 years or more, but since most plastic lumber is mixed with other materials, it can't be recycled again.

Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Since recycling is the last resort in an earth-friendly life, let's not settle so easily. Refuse those plastic bags, and start a new habit today!

Visit GCC's website for more information about waste reduction and recycling: http://www.greencommunityconnections.org/resources/waste-reduce-reuse-recycle/

Submitted by Laurie Casey

Community Profile: Julie Moller, Bag Monster & Founder of Recycling Extravaganza

When Julie Moller showed up as the "bag monster" last year at the One Earth Film Festival, we knew we had connected with someone special. As facilitator for the film Bag It at the River Forest Public Library, she came in a handmade costume consisting of hundreds of plastic bags.  Needless to say, she attracted a lot of attention. And, she still gets  use out of that costume.

"I've worn that costume to the science fair at my daughter's school, a girls scouts event, and on Earth Day. My kids are used to it," she laughs. But her commitment to waste reduction doesn't stop there. As founder of River Forest's Recycling Extravaganza--this year's runs on May 3 from 8 am to 1 pm at River Forest United Methodist Church, 7970 Lake Street, River Forest -- she mobilizes hundreds of people to divert carloads of stuff from the landfill and get these materials into the hands of people who can reuse them.  We talked to Julie about the event and what motivates her.

GCC: How did this get started?

JM: I had attended a similar event at Cantigny Park in Wheaton several years ago. So I contacted the person who organized it, Kay McKeen. She runs the organization, School and Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education (SCARCE). She filled me in on what she does, and I looked at what we could do here in the Village. I got a committee together through River Forest District 90's Green for Good team, found a venue and then started connecting to recycling entities that would take the stuff. We found recyclers or re-users for corks, eyeglasses, old bedding for pet shelters, cooking grease, batteries and dozens of other items. We also accept fluorescent tubes, electronics and prescription drugs for proper disposal.  See poster for details.

GCC: How does the Recycling Extravaganza work?

JM: It's  a drive-up and drop-off system. People don't get out of their cars. We take down their zip code and record what they drop off. And we empty their trunk, back seat, or in some cases, U-Haul! Typically, about 60 percent of cars come from River Forest, but we get people from the surrounding suburbs and even a few from Chicago.

GCC: How did it go that first year?

JM: At our first event in 2012, I was expecting maybe 50 or 100 cars. But we got 575 cars! Last year, I thought, we can't do better than that...well, we got 750 cars!  We filled every container and had to turn away 20 cars.

GCC: The lesson there is to come early. And, it sounds like a lot of work. Tell us about your volunteer structure.

JM: The first year, core Green for Good members stayed all day. Last year, we formalized the jobs, so that people had separate tasks. We had about 65 volunteers. This year, we have almost 90 volunteers, including the people working the trucks. We're still looking for more volunteers for this year.  Sign up now!

GCC:  Why trash?

JM: I've been interested in trash since I was a kid. It drives me nuts when there's a recycling bin, and I see an aluminum can in the trash bin next to it. Or, I'll pick up a piece of litter someone tossed, and calmly tell them, "I think you dropped something."  I hand it to them. They are kind of shocked! But I want to educate people. With a little bit of effort, you can give these things to others who can use them.

Interview by Laurie Casey

Citizens Urge Oak Park Board to "Get on Board" with Green Energy

Action Alert: 

On April 11, 2014, the Oak Park Village Board reversed its commitment to renewable energy and voted to change our community choice aggregation investment from green to brown.  (See related Chicago Tribune article.)

It may be too late to change this particular decision by the board, but it is NOT too late -- and it is crucially important -- that we use our voice to express our continuing desire to have Oak Park take leadership in building a sustainable, resilient community and to ensure that the Village Board is "on board" with us!!

If that is a message that you would like to send to the Oak Park Village Board, please consider taking the following actions. join in the Green Energy Appeal:

1. Help us pack the house during the next village board MEETING, scheduled for Monday, April 21 at 8PM at Village Hall (Lombard and Madison). Our attendance will demonstrate support for green energy and sustainability policies.
2. Sign the PETITION, urging the board to recommit Oak Park to 100% renewable (green) energy now. If you want to make additional comments, write to: board@oak-park.us to remind the members that we expect them to be sustainability leaders.  Remember to say “Thank you!” to Trustee Colette Lueck, the lone board member who spoke in favor of choosing a green energy investment option.
3. SHARE a link to the Oak Park Green Energy Appeal page with your family and friends via an email or social media.  Watch for updates, background and additional action ideas.
4. Stay tuned for information about how you can opt out of brown (fossil fuel-based) energy in Oak Park.
5. OTHER CREATIVE ACTIONS as you are so inspired, e.g., write a letter to the editor at Wednesday Journal, Oak Leaves, Tribune, and/or Sun Times. Make signs to bring to Village Board meetings.

As Trustee Lueck said, “This [slight cost increase to support green energy] is a hit I could live with, because I think green is important to Oak Park. . . I also think it is important to the future of our world.”

We do, too!

Background

On October 18, 2011, the Oak Park Village Board approved a plan making Oak Park the first municipality in Illinois to aggregate the resident and small business energy purchasing power and invest in a 100% renewable energy program.  Since then, 91 communities in the state followed suit.

Just over two years later, on April 11, 2014, the Oak Park Village Board reversed its commitment to renewable energy and voted to change our community choice aggregation investment from green to brown.  (See related Chicago Tribune article.)

All of the available options included rate increases; the Oak Park Village Board chose the lowest cost option.  We appreciate that the board is being cost-sensitive on our behalf, but we also know that opting for dirty energy has hidden health and climate costs that are not included in the price.  These are what we can’t afford to pay!

Right here in the U.S., climate change is taking a toll on people's lives, damaging land and wildlife, threatening our food supply, and hurting the economy. Think about it: severe weather was not good for Oak Park this past winter, it is not good for the drought stricken farms of the western U.S., it is not good for the flooded Southeast, and it was not good for the people who lost homes and loved ones in Super Storm Sandy.

Most disconcertingly, the Village Board made its decision just days after the release of a United Nations report on climate change that was written by hundreds of the world's leading climate scientists. The report called for immediate policy action to reduce carbon emissions. One of the best ways to do so is to invest in renewable energy.

Reminder & Updates on the Oak Park Green Energy Appeal

Four ways to make your voice heard in support of green energy in Oak Park TODAY:

1. Help us pack the house and ATTEND tonight's Special Village Board meeting at 8PM to demonstrate support for green energy and sustainability policies. (Room 101 at Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison St. - at S. Lombard Ave.)
2. SIGN the petition urging the board to recommit Oak Park to 100% renewable (green) energy. (Link to petition: http://chn.ge/1tewKEo.)
3. OPT IN to a 100% renewable electric energy option. You can learn details at tonight's village board meeting. Various organizations like GCC will also be sharing this information.
4. SHARE this message with Oak Park friends, family and neighbors. We need your help!

Details and Updates on Oak Park's Energy Aggregation Program

Constellation, the Village’s new brown-energy contractor, says it is not possible to replace the brown contract with a green contract because Constellation has already contracted for a specific mix of energy sources, but there will be an opportunity to select 100% renewable energy.  Residents will begin receiving a notice from Constellation starting today which includes the following three choices:

1. Do nothing and you will be included in the DEFAULT brown energy option (a mix of coal, natural gas and nuclear) at a rate of 7.470 cents per kwh).
2. Check the box at the bottom of the form which says “I do not want to participate in the Village of Oak Park Electricity Aggregation Program” and fill in the rest of the form.  This results in you reverting to Com Ed as your energy supplier.
3. The third option is to select the 100% renewable energy option at a rate of 7.570 cents per kwh shown in the mailing by a green box in the lower right side of the mailer.  The 100% renewable option is available through Constellation’s call center only.  It requires a call to an 800#.  THIS IS THE OPTION THAT WE WILL BE ENCOURAGING OP RESIDENTS TO CHOOSE.

This approach -- requiring a separate phone call from each household to opt-in for green -- makes green energy the difficult option, and it will be an uphill battle to get a people enrolled.  The typical community that requires that citizens to opt-in has less than 10% take advantage of the opt-in choice.  Fortunately Oak Park is not typical, and we will be working hard to get a large percentage of OP residents to choose 100% renewable energy.

We will also work tonight to help the board see the bigger picture of their role in the fight against climate change and what can be done at the village level.  At this stage, individual action is not enough to turn things around. We will stress with them that our Village committed over two years ago to the PlanItGreen Sustainability Plan and there is too much at stake to turn around now.  In fact, rather than retreating, as a Village, we should be pushing forward with bigger and bolder policies.  We will be asking the board to ramp up their support for this plan and strategies that move this plan forward.

Please join us!

Oak Park Earth Fest 2014

The Village’s fifth annual celebration of green living — Earth Fest — is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sat., April 26, in the LEED® Gold-certified Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd. This year’s event will highlight green block party planning, eco-friendly businesses, local chefs and restaurants, games and activities for children, items for sale and entertainment. In addition, Recycle Alley is back by popular demand, with drop-off boxes for prescription glasses, hearing aids, rechargeable batteries, cell phones and old blue jeans. Start gathering your unwanted items now!The Village of Oak Park’s fifth annual celebration of green living — Earth Fest — is scheduled for 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sat., April 26, in the LEED Gold-certified Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd. For more information on Earth Fest 2014, call 708.660.1443 or e-mail maria@ghexperts.com. Information also is posted online at www.oak-park.us/earthfest.

Food, Too Good to Waste: Reduce waste and save money!

Americans waste as much as 25% of all food and beverage purchases.  Oak Park households are being sought to participate in a free, two-month program to learn how to support sustainability and save money by not wasting food.  The program, entitled "Food:  Too Good to Waste," is sponsored by the Village of Oak Park, the USEPA and Seven Generations Ahead, a local organization that promotes ecologically sustainable and healthy communities.

Participants will learn to save money by shopping smarter, keeping fruits and vegetables fresh, eating what they buy and composting what they cannot eat.  A household of four is projected to save $30 a week by using the program's toolkit.

To sign up or learn more, call 708.660.9909, ext 7, or email Jennifer@sevengenerationsahead.org.

Green Drinks Focus: A more prosperous pathway to a sustainable future

The Triton College Sustainability Center will host their inaugural Green Drinks program from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2.  The event is free and open to the public. It will take place in Room B-223 of the Student Center on Triton’s main campus in River Grove.  The event will also have a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres. The guest speaker Tom Stoner will be, a former energy entrepreneur who authored the book “Small Change, Big Gains: Reflections of an Energy Entrepreneur.”  Stoner will discuss how climate change mitigation is possible and will result in a more prosperous pathway to a sustainable future, as he answers such questions as:

• Is the very nature of business in conflict with the environment?
• To address climate change, will the United States have to incur a massive public bailout to transform our energy economy?
• What are the top three calls to action for environmentally conscious college graduates?

Stoner is also the founder of Project Butterfly (www.projbutterfly.com), a research organization dedicated to finding business solutions to climate change.  Green Drinks is an international network that encourages networking opportunities to discuss sustainability. This event is sponsored by the Triton College Sustainability Center and the Green Committee.  For more information, contact Adrian Fisher at adrianfisher@triton.edu or Alexandra Dragin at alexandradragin@triton.edu.