Free Climate Topics in Chicago
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3: Browse for a topic, Click the orange request button, Fill out the contact form.
Now the speaker will contact you in the next few days to coordinate details.
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Climate Change in Illinois and Chicago: Impacts, Forecasts and Solutions
Cynthia Linton, Chair, Climate Reality Project: Chicago Metro Chapter
Although Illinois is not on a coast facing sea level rise, or in a severe drought area beset by wildfires, or in the South with it's increasingly severe hurricanes, we do have some serious climate impacts here in Illinois and they will grow in the future. Learn about severe weather, flooding and extreme heat in the Midwest and how Illinois and Chicago can cope with the changes. MORE >
Linton will talk about what steps local and state government are taking and what you can do as residents. -
Climate Crisis Urgency and Remedies
Tom Coleman, Sustainability Analyst, Climate Reality Chicago Metro Chapter
Learn from Tom about the scientific consensus on climate change, as well as fossil fuel pollution, climate warming problems, and other challenges. Tom will also discuss the pillars of needed change and market approaches and business solutions for change. Also covered is: MORE >
• The role of business in the convergence of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) forces.
• The value proposition for change -
Electric Vehicle Total Cost of Ownership and Role in Sustainability
Tom Coleman, Sustainability Analyst, Climate Reality Chicago Metro Chapter
Tom discusses electric vehicle (EV) costs from battery manufacturing to charging to driving. He also discusses a comparison of internal combustion engine and EVs on pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and costs. Other points covered are: MORE >
• The current state of EV range and charging.
• The role of hybrid, plug-in-hybrid, fuel-cell (hydrogen) electric, and battery electric vehicles.
• Automaker initiatives and EV availability.
• The value proposition of EVs. -
En-Roads Climate Simulator
Mark Ailes, Climate Advocate, Citizens Climate Education
Can the audience solve the climate problem? They get to pick the levers they think will have the biggest impact and see what happens. Climate Interactive and MIT Sloan have worked together to build a simulator with most of the variables in a world wide climate model. I have been trained to run a workshop using the model that has also been used by the US Senate. It is interesting to see what is needed to solve the problem and what factors make the biggest difference. (About 1 hour) MORE >
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History and current importance of drainage for a healthy and sustainable Chicago Region
Richard Lanyon, Consultant, Retired Executive Director, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Richard will discuss how the flow in the Calumet and Chicago Rivers was reversed, why this is still important today to protect public health, and how current water infrastructure reduces flood damages, provides recreation, recovers resources and protects Lake Michigan as a clean and safe source of water. Richard’s topics can be tailored to your local interests. MORE >
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How I Became a Climate Advocate.
Mark Ailes, Climate Advocate, Citizens Climate Education
My climate story. A brief tour of how as an active bicyclist I became an advocate for national action on climate change. In particular how an effective nonpartisan solution became a large focus of my retired life. Followed by a question and answer session focused on the interests and concerns of the audience about solving the climate problem. (30 minutes to 1 hour) MORE >
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Reasons For Farmers To Switch To Regenerative Agriculture
Donald Viecelli, Climate Reality Project Leader, Climate Reality Project - IL Chicago Metro Chapter
Covered Topics:
Climate Change Is Undeniable
Carbon Cycle
Loss Of Topsoil
Benefits Of RA
Studies on Profits, Soil Erosion and Tillage
Pace Of Change Is Increasing
Farmer Barriers To RA -
Reasons to Switch to RA and Support the Farm Bill!
Donald Viecelli, Climate Reality Project Leader, Climate Reality Project - IL Chicago Metro Chapter
Regenerative Agriculture (RA) is a wholistic approach to restoring healthy soil as nature intended. RA principles and practices are required to stop the loss of our topsoil and restore nature's balance between greenhouse gas emissions and CO2 draw down from our atmosphere. MORE >
RA not only restores this balance, but can also reverse climate change and global warming through carbon sequestration much faster than any other means available. This presentation will show you why it is essential to keep global average temperature from surpassing 1.5 degrees Celsius to prevent irreversible climate change events. Much of this can be accomplished by implementing climate-smart policies into the 2023 Farm Bill.Covered Topics:
Climate Change Is Undeniable
The Carbon Cycle
Loss Of Topsoil
A Paradigm Shift
Benefits Of RA
Pace Of Change
Tilling Practices
Farmer Barriers To RA
The 2023 Farm Bill -
Solutions to Climate Change
Andrew Panelli, Group Leader, Chicago South Suburbs, Citizens' Climate Education
Here’s an opportunity to engage your audience in a fun way to learn more about the climate change issue, solutions, and the relative effectiveness of those solutions. As part of the exercise, we discuss various actions that can be taken. The audience is engaged to offer suggested solutions to slow climate change. MORE >
Our trained facilitator will show the group how each suggested action(s) will impact climate change on a MIT/Sloan simulator that will model their proposed solution(s) instantly in “real-time”. This stimulates discussions as to why an action may or may not be as effective a course of action as expected. We’ll also share bipartisan actions that Congress is considering and evaluate what impact those actions have on climate change.Participants leave the discussion with new insights on how the problem should be addressed.
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Solutions to Climate Change that benefit you and the Environment
Dorelle Ackermann, Activist, Pachamama Alliance: Chicagoland Co-Hearts
Every presentation is created to address the specific interests of your group. This presentation highlights 4 solutions that can benefit individuals while contributing to healing our planet. Food waste is the first solution discussed. One third of the world’s food is never eaten and is responsible for 8 percent of global warming emissions. Learn how you can reduce food waste, save money and at the same time create a more environmentally sustainable future. Reducing meat intake is the second solution. If everyone in the U.S.skipped red meat just one day per week for a year, it would be the equivalent of taking 7.6
million cars off the road. Did you know that ComEd will give homeowners a free energy assessment, install low flow faucets and LED lights without cost? The third solution highlighted is home energy use. Save money and save the planet! The final solution discussed is transportation. Consider your options when traveling and quick trips to the store. Small behavioral changes can make a difference. Finally, in addition to individual solutions, the presentation will touch on our power to influence companies and government (especially local government) to move us to a more sustainable way of life. MORE >