Sunday, October 31, 2010
Environews Halloween
- Smart Grid Cost
- Networking EV Seminar
- 50 MW Solar Project
Intersolar
- Brightsource funding
- PV Industry Growth
ENN
- Israel/Palestine Climate Change Cooperation
- Amazon Drought
- Truck Emissions Standards
- Railroad comeback
A Fresh Squeeze
- Classroom toxicity
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
This week in green......
So Green is Universal? More like hypocritical if you ask me. While NBC is publishing stories about how the big 3 automakers are flying their private jets to DC to ask for money, they spend even more money sending their Today show characters all around the world to talk about.....water? Great job on that fuel consumption NBC.
Congratulations to Kate Ekman of Northeastern Illinois University for winning a grant from the National Wildlife Federation! It will be used for analyzing campus activities and more. The full story can be read in the Independent.
A Fresh Squeeze has written some articles on winterizing your garden and profiled some Hyde Park eateries in their recent Chicago update. Click here for their Seattle activities.
ENN has continuously updated its website. There recently was an interview with Worldwatch's Chris Flavin.
Northside College Prep CASE members took a field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry in order to take a tour of The Green Home.
- Wikipower is in a partnership with The Peggy Notebaert Museum and A Fresh Squeeze. The partnership exists to provide funding for the museum's educational programs. For every person that signs up to A Fresh Squeeze's email update list, the blog will donate $0.25 to The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum! You will receive up to date information on environmental issues in the Chicago area and be helping one of Chicago's top environmental resources. So please take a moment to go to my donation page and sign up. The list of donors is growing and money has already been sent to the museum.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
results of ISEC conference
Here is a quick summary of the conference. The answers come from Andrew Weithe, program coordinator for the Illinois Student Environmental Council.
WP: What was the reason behind the conference?
AW: The conference was held for a number of reasons. The broadest reason was that bringing students together from all over the state to dialogue with, and learn from, each other helps to create a sense of community and a collaborative spirit among student environmentalists. The energy and actions being generated by young people around Illinois is truly inspiring, and as we look to the environmental challenges of the future, the best way to meet these challenges head on will be by bringing all that intellectual and social capital together as much as possible.
WP: How many presentations were there and how many people attended?
AW: Nearly 60 energized students gathered at Loyola to hear stimulating speeches from Gina Lettiere, of the Center for Urban Environmental Research and Policy, Barry Matchett, of the Environmental Law & Policy Center, and Lt. Governor Pat Quinn. Additionally, workshop sessions were held on the topics of leadership development, strategic planning, alternative transportation, and university green fees.
WP:Do you see the conference growing into the future?
AW: The energy and momentum carried forward from this conference gives me great confidence that it will only continue to grow. The feedback on the program was overwhelmingly positive, and the conference concluded with a networking and idea-sharing activity that stimulated an incredible volume of conversations which will no doubt continue to spur creativity and action.
WP: What do you hope the participants got out of the conference?
AW: I hope that participants came away with a stronger sense that they are not just isolated actors doing good things on their individual campuses, but also part of a wider community of environmentally concerned youth. The conference provided excellent content on sustainability issues, leadership development, and environmental policy, and I believe that the students came away feeling empowered to synthesize the information they learned with their existing efforts, and to apply it to those they hope to initiate in the future.
Great job Adam! Hopefully Wikipower can be part of the process.
- Wikipower is in a partnership with The Peggy Notebaert Museum and A Fresh Squeeze. The partnership exists to provide funding for the museum's educational programs. For every person that signs up to A Fresh Squeeze's email update list, the blog will donate $0.25 to The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum! You will receive up to date information on environmental issues in the Chicago area and be helping one of Chicago's top environmental resources. So please take a moment to go to my donation page and sign up. The list of donors is growing and money has already been sent to the museum.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Eco Conference and more
- A Fresh Squeeze has posted articles on composting and Chicago's Air Quality. The articles put a light on organizations in Chicago helping out in these areas. Don't forget to check out A Fresh Squeeze's Seattle edition! The eco actions taking place over there are substantive and effective and could be used here in Chicago.
- The Eco Andersonville group has put out info on some events covering sustainability and the "greening" of restaurants. Click on the link for more information.
- Greentech Media posted a story and reports that Google.org has given the US Academies a grant of $250,000 to find ways that the US and China can collaborate in green issues like solar, wind, and biomass.
- Wikipower is in a partnership with The Peggy Notebaert Museum and A Fresh Squeeze. The partnership exists to provide funding for the museum's educational programs. For every person that signs up to A Fresh Squeeze's email update list, the blog will donate $0.25 to The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum! You will receive up to date information on environmental issues in the Chicago area and be helping one of Chicago's top environmental resources. So please take a moment to go to my donation page and sign up. The list of donors is growing and money has already been sent to the museum.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
ISEC Meeting and more
- There is a huge ISEC meeting coming up on Sunday, Oct 25 from 10 - 3 at Loyola University. The address is 6525 N. Sheridan. The point of contact is Andrew Weithe. You can email him any questions or comments by clicking on the link (his name.)
- The Sierra Club is having a big party/fundraiser at one of my favorite music spots......Kinston Mines! It will be held this Saturday (the 19th) and the cost is $40 per person. There will be plenty of food and music. The funds will be distributed to campaigns that support Sierra Club initiatives. To RSVP to this event, contact Jen Hensley at 312-251-1680 or jennifer.hensley@sierraclub.org.
- A Fresh Squeeze has put up articles and information this past month on acting green for the holidays, green luxury, and areas that have lots of fast food places but no grocery stores. Check them out!
-- Wikipower is in a partnership with The Peggy Notebaert Museum and A Fresh Squeeze. The partnership exists to provide funding for the museum's educational programs. For every person that signs up to A Fresh Squeeze's email update list, the blog will donate $0.25 to The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum! You will receive up to date information on environmental issues in the Chicago area and be helping one of Chicago's top environmental resources. So please take a moment to go to my donation page and sign up. The list of donors is growing and money has already been sent to the museum.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
eco Anderson update and more
- Eco Andersonville has updated there activity list on their website. New information includes a survey, information on the Andersonville Business Certification Program, First Free's Block party on Sept. 13, and more Green tips.
- A Fresh Squeeze has recently written articles on the importance of shopping locally. Conveniently, they reference a study done on this issue by the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (above.) As far as eating at restaurants serving local food, they highlight Bistro Campagn, a Lincoln Square eatery.
- I am seeing more and more blue carts in Chicago's alleys. Thank you Chicago!
- Wikipower is in a partnership with The Peggy Notebaert Museum and A Fresh Squeeze. The partnership exists to provide funding for the museum's educational programs. For every person that signs up to A Fresh Squeeze's email update list, the blog will donate $0.25 to The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum! You will receive up to date information on environmental issues in the Chicago area and be helping one of Chicago's top environmental resources. So please take a moment to go to my donation page and sign up. The list of donors is growing and money has already been sent to the museum.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
NEIU,Greenmaker Supply, and more
- Greenmaker Supply has a sale going on. This is a great place to shop. They have a lot of eco friendly housing items that if used can improve sustainability.
- The Peggy Notebaert Museum will be hosting a wonderful picnic night on August 7th.
- Recently, the city of Los Angeles has ordered a ban on plastic bags as of 2010. If you are looking to be part of this effort, you can go to Green Kits and order cloth bags. I have been using these bags for over a year now and have estimated a savings of over 150 plastic bags. That is just in one year. You can also go the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce website and check out vendors in the neighborhood who are giving discounts to patrons that use cloth bags. Congrats to them.
- Evanston's Markets have been featured in A Fresh Squeeze. Buying local not only saves CO2 emissions, but keeps $$$$ in the local community. Who doesn't need that in these trying times?
- Wikipower is in a partnership with The Peggy Notebaert Museum and A Fresh Squeeze. The partnership exists to provide funding for the museum's educational programs. For every person that signs up to A Fresh Squeeze's email update list, the blog will donate $0.25 to The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum! You will receive up to date information on environmental issues in the Chicago area and be helping one of Chicago's top environmental resources. So please take a moment to go to my donation page and sign up. The list of donors is growing and money has already been sent to the museum. To read more about the details of the program, click the link below.
Thanks everyone!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Ethical Planet, Eco Andersonville and more
- Ethical Planet has an array of new products added to their growing list of earth friendly products. Click on the link to check it all out!
- Eco Andersonville has added new stories on what is going on in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. Many companies such as SEDAC, ComEd, SAMAC, and Greenet Chicago are featured. A special congratulations to Green Sky for becoming Andersonville's first Co-op America approved business.
- I am in a partnership with The Peggy Notebaert Museum and A Fresh Squeeze. The partnership exists to provide funding for the museum's educational programs. For every person that signs up to A Fresh Squeeze's email update list, the blog will donate $0.25 to The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum! You will receive up to date information on environmental issues in the Chicago area and be helping one of Chicago's top environmental resources. So please take a moment to go to my donation page and sign up. To read more about the details of the program, click the link below.
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Donation Program
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
spending the summer in green mode
Recently, the 11th Hour with Leonardo DiCaprio narrating has been released on DVD and I strongly recommend it.
I try to leave politics out of this space but last week something happened that angered me. There was a strong environmental bill being voted on in the Senate. Both candidates decided it was not important enough to show up for the vote. The bill failed by just a few votes. I am even aware that Barack Obama was in Washington DC that morning after meeting with Hillary Clinton. Please email both candidates and hold them accountable for their actions and inactions on this issue.

A Fresh Squeeze has profiled Salvage One, a salvage company with many new ideas on how to reduce construction waste, on their web site. Click on the link to their web site and if you are a business owner looking to renovate a space, give them a look.
I am in a partnership with The Peggy Notebaert Museum and A Fresh Squeeze. The partnership exists to provide funding for the museum's educational programs. For every person that signs up to A Fresh Squeeze's email update list, the blog will donate $0.25 to The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum! You will receive up to date information on environmental issues in the Chicago area and be helping one of Chicago's top environmental resources. So please take a moment to go to my donation page and sign up. To read more about the details of the program, click the link below.
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Donation Program
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Happy Earth Day!!!!
Be sure to get outside today if it is nice and get out for a walk or bike ride. Do something today to help the environment!
- The 2nd annual Northside College Prep Green Scene was a resounding success! The school had a steady flood of people of all ages checking out the goods from over 30 vendors! I personally picked a few free light bulbs, checked out the soon to be solar thermal panels on the school's roof, recycled some books, and gathered all kinds of info that I will be writing about in the future.
- The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum has agreed to participate in my donation program with A Fresh Squeeze! Please check it out (blog entry below) and sign up so together we can make our environment a better place to live and donate to The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum!
- Check out all the links to the right ===> as all these great organizations have wonderful information on the environment!
Again, happy earth day!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Notebaert Museum Donation Program
Hey everyone,
You might know that I am a fan of A Fresh Squeeze. I am excited to say that I and hopefully the environment have benefited greatly because of the connections and awareness that A Fresh Squeeze has brought to my environmental activities. Because of this, I was thinking of ways to get people to sign up for the weekly email updates. To do this, I’ve thought of a way to do this while helping another organization in the process.
I would like to announce that I will donate $0.25 to The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum for every individual in the
My goal for this program is to continue to increase our awareness and our actions towards preserving our environment. By signing up for A Fresh Squeeze’s weekly email updates, you will not only learn about what individuals, groups, and companies in the Chicago community are doing to preserve and protect the environment, you will also be providing additional income and exposure to one of Chicago’s premier environmental organizations, The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. I feel that this type of group effort is what is needed to successfully put ourselves in a position to live a healthy life while also preserving the environment we live in.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Gore and more
- A Fresh Squeeze has posted an article on fresh water in Chicago. They also have posted an article on Andersonville becoming eco-friendly.
- As always, check out links in the right margin ====>
- Northside College Prep will be holding their annual "Green Scene" on April 19.
- We Can Solve It website added to links.
- Francis Parker School is hosting its own "Green Day" on May 10.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
movie fest and more
- Northeastern Illinois University is having a "Green Film Festival" from now through Earth Day (April 21.)
- In a story from ENN, Nordstrom has started the process to commit to earth friendly bagging. Congratulations to them.
- Don't forget that next Saturday, March 29, from 8-9 PM is Earth Hour.
- A Fresh Squeeze has recent articles on environmentally friendly yoga and fitness studios and the positives to adding more raw foods to your diet.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Recycled Phone, Senator McCain and more
- Nokia has come out with a new phone using nothing but recycled parts correctly named Remade
- Prince Charles is stumping for rain forests
- A Fresh Squeeze has written a report about Micro-Housing to include information about companies such as Creative Lifestyle Homes and The Small House Society.
- The Sierra Club wrote a story wondering why Senator John McCain was the only one not to vote on an economic stimulus package that would increase environmental friendly business.
- Environmental News Network has continued its blanket coverage of environmental issues including the Nokia and Prince Charles stories!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
LEED Certified Housing and more
A Fresh Squeeze has covered LEED certified housing and cleansing diets this week.
ENN has stories relating to the climate's impact on the poor, the United Nations report to India explaining the need for clean technology development and much more.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Coskata/GM ethanol partner
A Fresh Squeeze has put out a great article on the green initiatives that Chicago's museums are taking. You can also take a look at the city's Department of Environment web site for information. As always, you can sign up for A Fresh Squeeze through wikipower and in the process help the environment as Wikipower will donate $0.25 to the Field Museum's Carbon Nuetral Program. Email the blog when you sign up and we will make sure the donation is made.
Environmental News Network has some new articles on water conservation and wind power.
Greenmaker, a company featured here at wikipower, has been featured on iVillage. The video is here.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Carbon Carbon Carbon
I suggest you visit the website for Chicago Climate Exchange. They have opened up a market to buy and sell carbon credits. It is a different way to look at how industry is dealing with the carbon issue. There also will be a new exchange in New York later this year called the Green Exchange.
As a reminder, this blog has pledged to donate $0.25 to The Field Museum Carbon Offset program in Chicago for every person that signs up to receive the weekly updates from A Fresh Squeeze. The updates are chock full of great environmental tips and now you can positively affect the environment by simply asking for information on how to live in an environmentally friendly way! Let the blog know when you sign up as I would like to stay on top of it. Let's make Chicago the most carbon neutral place on earth!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
China bans certain plastic bags and more
There is a report from the Environmental News Network that talks about policies the world's governments are taking towards limiting the use and waste of plastic bags. This story has been getting some traction as I received a phone call about it from a family member earlier this morning.
Don't forget that you can still purchase cloth bags through Green Kits for as low as $5.00! My family has saved at least 60 plastic bags from being sent out to waste by using our Green Kit cloth bags! Green Kits also has expanded their cleaning products catalog.
A Fresh Squeeze has started hosting green events that cover all environmental topics. Most recently there was a presentation by Mark Walsh of the Chicago Climate Exchange. They also have some great tips on keeping your house cool and your bill low for the winter. ComEdCARE and the US Department of Energy contributed to the article.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
December eco notes
A Fresh Squeeze has come out with some eco shopping ideas for the eco concious person. They also have information on how the Energy Star website can guide into purchasing eco friendly appliances. Don't forget to sign up for A Fresh Squeeze updates through wikipower.
There is a recent New Scientist article named "Why Go Green" discusses and breaks down the carbon footprint around the world. Unfortunately, you will have to go to a book store or library if you do not have a subscription. Cheapos!
ENN continues its fine reporting on climate change like the US Government's National Renewable Energy Lab's commitment to cut emissions by 75% and other relevant items.
Sierra Club is looking for your help in persuading your respective member in Congress to pass a strong energy bill that is currently under debate and close to a vote. Head to the web site and they will point you to your respective member in Congress.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Holiday stuff, BP, articles, and more
A Fresh Squeeze has put out a list of local eco friendly toy and gift making companies (Treeblocks, Scrappynation, Xeko, The Earth Friends, Building Blocks, Timeless Toys, and Chicago Kids Bookstore) for the holiday shopper.
They also have written about recycling issues in the city and how to still go about recycling your materials.
Environmental News Network has also covered eco friendly shops as well as having articles concerning the conservation, trade, and many environmentally friendly topics.
The Chicago Tribune has an article outlining what the effects of the BP waste dumping into Lake Michigan.
The New York Times wrote an article on Chicago's Green Alleys. It mentions the fact that the city is doing some innovative environmental things while still being unable to create a workable recycling program. In my opinion, this city has gone far too long without a well working recycling program and it is clear that the government of the city is not going to do anything about it. So I hope you will join me in letting our representatives know that this is unacceptable by contacting your alderman. The city's web site is www.cityofchicago.org.