Welcome back!

After a very long hiatus, I am back to posting in this blog. It's been a busy few years for environmental activism in DuPage, and it's a long story. 

Lately the excitement around acting on global warming, and the resulting climate change, has been exploding, and solutions are being bounced around.  At last we are debating solutions, not causes.

Look for discussions of these solutions in the coming days. Some think we have done too little, too late, but we need to grieve our losses. If you find someone who is despondent and without hope, give them permission to do so by saying "I will act in your stead in the spirit of active hope, knowing that when the day comes, you be ready to move forward."

Meanwhile, check out the amazing organizing going on under the umbrella of the DuPage Clean Energy Coalition.  Engage this exciting new group through Facebook.  Please note also that subgroups are forming all over DuPage, in communities like Naperville, Wheaton, Warrenville, and Bartlett.

- Jeff Gahris

Solar energy education this spring and summer!

Power Your Home With the Sun, presentations will be held by an Illinois Solar energy Association "Solar Ambassador" on various dates at public libraries DuPage County.  Learn how solar energy works in Illinois and how it can be put to use at your home. Come and ask questions and get answers. Contact any of the  following libraries to reserve seats.

May 9 – Villa Park Public Library
May 24 – Winfield Public Library
June 7 – Elmhurst Public Library –  in cooperation with the Elmhurst Cool Cities Coalition

July 14 – Glen Ellyn Public Library – see the newly refurbished solar house!

July 20 – Lombard Helen Plum Library

August 4 – Bartlett Public Library District

Clean Power, Clean Jobs, April 28, 7-8 p.m. at Elmhurst Public Library. Elmhurst Cool Cities and the Elmhurst League of Women Voters partner to bring you Jen Walling, Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Council. Jen will discuss the federal Clean Power Plan aimed to reduce energy usage on the entire grid, and the Illinois Clean Jobs bill which is expected to bring environmental benefits, savings for consumers, and the creation of 32,000 new jobs in Illinois.

Illinois Solar Lobby Day, May 4.  Visit your legislators in Springfield wiht others.  A powerful lelalrnign expereince and an opportunity to inpact public policy n a positieve way.  Register through ISEA

Solar Social, June 22, 7 p.m. at The Conservation Foundation's McDonald Farm in Naperville. Come and see how solar energy is used for the benefit of McDonald Farm in a relaxed social setting.  If the skies are clear, we might even set up a telescope to see Mars.  This spring Mars makes its closest approach to Earth in 10 years.

Energy Palooza, July 13, 1-3 p.m. at Cantigny Park. The newly-refurbished solar house will be on display. More information pending for this family-oriented event. 

You can find more information for about solar energy educational events by periodically visiting the Illinois Solar Energy Association.

Earth Day Festival at Maryknoll Park a Chilly Success

Thanks to the Glen Ellyn Park District, The Glen Ellyn Environmental Commission, and the various volunteers, vendors, speakers, and volunteers that made this year's celebration a success.

Earth Month events and more

List updated May 28:

April 28 (Elmhurst) – Program, Clean Power, Clean Jobs, →Elmhurst Public Library

April 29 (Lisle) – Celebrate Arbor Day, →The Morton Arboretum

April 30 (Glen Ellyn) – Adopt-a-Trail cleanup and 2-mile hike, →Sierra Club RPG

April 30 (various communities) – Illinois Prairie Path and Great Western Trail clean-ups,→IPP.org

April 30 (Wheaton) – Native Plant sale, →Wheaton Park District

May 7 (Glen Ellyn) – Pre-order your garden compost and pick it up at the annual Get Your Garden Growing Green event, →SCARCE

May 14 (Palatine) – Program, Climate Action;Making Solar Happen, →Interfaith Green Partners

May 21 (Argonne) – Argonne National Lab Open House, see video then register, →Argonne

May 21 (DuPage County) – 2016 DuPage River Sweep, →Conservation Foundation

James Hansen speaks at Benedictine University

James Hansen speaks at Benedictine University on Thursday, April 21, at 7 PM.  A free event, with open but limited seating. Offered by Benedictine University's Center for Civic Leadership.