The Summer of Loss
It’s been a crazy summer for so many reasons but particularly for the planet. We have seen massive heatwaves, wild fires, sand clouds and flash floods. These natural disasters have disrupted life and sadly caused tragic loss of life.
Instead of being on the forefront of positive change, the federal government is doing everything in its power to roll back environmental protections, stunt if not eliminate any progressive programs and gut all environmental support to the states.
But we should not be deterred. Where there is life, there is still hope. We need to keep speaking up, speaking out, speaking loudly and speaking often in defence of our one and only planet.
So what is LWV Chicago’s Environmental Action Committee doing?
Members attended the mayor’s budget roundtables and to tell the city to take environmental protections seriously
Members are attending coalition partner IEC’s issue area meetings to strategize good policy for clean water, clean energy, clean buildings, clean transportation and zero waste
Members are participating with our coalition partner CPR to ensure the ban on polystyrene foam foodware is passed this legislative session
Members are participating in ICJC’s push for clean buildings in Chicago
Members are meeting with alders to make Chicago city free of single-use plastic
What can you do?
Bring your bag, bring your bottle
Support local farms by shopping at your local farmer’s market
Eat more veggies and fruit and limit your beef and dairy
Only buy what you need, and use fully what you buy
Compost! Drop your scraps for free at one of 20 sites
Plant milkweed for the monarchs
Limit your waste water during storms: Sign up for WMRD’s overflow action alerts
Join Open Lands Tree Keeper’s program and help care for trees in your neighborhood
Pick up trash wherever you are, or join Chicago Environmentalists for a local clean up
Want more? Please join the EAC at our meetings on the second Monday of each month at 4:30 pm. Email environment@lwvchicago.org for the Zoom link.