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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Flood Inundation Mapping
Kristina Murphy, Meteorologist, Water Resources Engineer, Confluence Climate Consulting
Flooding causes billions of dollars of damage every year. To become resilient to flooding, there are a number of actions that can be taken. Having a dynamic, real-time model simulation of the river elevations and those forecast in the future can be useful in evacuations and preventing damages.
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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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Mitigation and Adaptation Solutions to Climate Change
Kristina Murphy, Meteorologist, Water Resources Engineer, Confluence Climate Consulting
Solutions for reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and addressing the impacts of climate change to public health and infrastructure. Individuals and organizations can take actions to improve our environment.
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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