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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A Cool Climate Policy for a Cold Winter
Mike Zanillo, Community Outreach Coordinator, Citizens Climate Lobby / Citizens Climate Education
Fake, or not, the news is full of stories about extreme heat events this summer. Whether or not you believe in the need for climate action, there is a public policy that appeals to climate doves and hawks. Just when you think our politicians cannot agree on anything, we have growing support on both sides of the political aisle for something that will help our economy and provide jobs as a cushion against a potential downturn in our economy. MORE >
Request this presentation to hear more about this policy, why it makes sense and why people who don’t usually agree on things are beginning to talk about this.Learn about this first step that is:
- Supported by major business groups
- Rewards US companies for environmental leadership
- Can provide a meaningful reduction in pollution
- Levels the playing field between trading partners
- Would motivate other large economies to adopt it
- Appeals to both ‘Globalists’ and ‘America First’ supportersPresentation is available on an in-person, virtual, or, hybrid basis. Please contact me if you would like to discuss a presentation of this timely topic.
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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 -
Climate Progress, but, is it Enough ?
Mike Zanillo, Community Outreach Coordinator, Citizens Climate Lobby / Citizens Climate Education
As a Community Outreach Coordinator for Citizens Climate Education/Lobby and would like to offer a climate education program for your library. The topic of Climate Change is in the news often these days. So are stories of public policies and legislation being enacted to address the climate challenge. MORE >
The ‘Climate Progress, but, is it Enough ?’ program is geared for the general public wishing to learn about the causes of climate change, understand what is being done to address the problem and wondering whether more is needed. I have presented on the topic to over 100 local community groups, churches, schools and libraries.The presentation is offered either in in-person, or virtually, and can be tailored from 45 minutes to 2 hours covering the following topics:
• Key causes of climate change
• How much will the climate change
• Key aspects of recently passed legislation
• How much will emissions be reduced
• Is more needed to be done
• Can we afford the cost of climate change
• How will climate change and climate policy affect the economyCitizens’ Climate Education (CCE) / Lobby (CCL) is a nonpartisan grassroots advocacy organization that educates key stakeholders, policymakers, and the general public about effective solutions to climate change.
Please let me know if this topic is of interest and I would welcome the opportunity to present.
Mike Zanillo
P: 312.504.1732
E: mike@zanillo.comMike Zanillo is a climate policy advocate and Community Outreach Coordinator for Citizens Climate Education/Lobby. He is also a member of other climate action groups. Mike meets regularly key congressional and senatorial offices in Washington DC to advise on public climate policy. He is guest contributor to local newspapers and has presented educational sessions on the topic of climate change policy at over a 100 clean energy conferences, community groups, churches, schools and libraries.
Mike, a former technology executive, is a graduate of the University of Chicago with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and has attended graduate level studies with Loyola University and Northern Illinois University. -
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.