Post by Kari on Apr 22, 2008 19:41:14 GMT -5
news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=86655
Brittany McHenry/ Medill Reports
Environmentalists fill Daley Plaza and pledge to improve pollution in Chicago.
Earth Day message: Making small changes in your daily routine can lead to big changes in the environment
by Courtney Beard
Apr 22, 2008
White tents lined the corner of Washington and Dearborn Tuesday as the celebration of Earth Day kicked off in Daley Plaza with the theme that even small changes in our everyday lives can lead to big changes on Earth.
“It’s a time for us to sit back and think about what we can personally and individually do to protect the environment, to make the world a safer and better place not only for ourselves but for our children and our grandchildren,” said Mary Gade, regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency.
Gade presented the City of Chicago with a check for $50,000 to establish five permanent pharmaceutical collection bins to be placed across the city.
The Great Lakes Earth Week 2008 challenge was announced at the event. The initiative is calling on Chicagoans to donate any electronic waste (e.g. batteries and computers) as well as any unnecessary pharmaceuticals to help meet the challenge’s goal of collecting 1,000,000 pills and 1,000,000 pounds of electronic waste.
The event was organized by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events and the Chicago Department of Environment.
A variety of eco-friendly organizations were stationed at booths across the Plaza to spread the word about their contributions to saving the environment. Many offered handouts with tips on how each person can do their part to conserve energy in Chicago.
Whole Foods, known for offering organic food options, was one of many sponsors attending. Representatives from the CTA explained how taking the train is better for the environment than driving, and the Department of Environment gave away free energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Free entertainment was provided by Marty Casey and the Lovehammers, who sang their earth-conscious song, “Trees.”
The event was the first of five that have been planned for Earth Month. The next is tentatively scheduled for June 21st on the near South Side.
Commissioner of the Department of the Environment Suzanne Malec-McKenna expressed her appreciation for the Department’s participants and partners.
“Thanks for making this a great Earth Day, now please go forth and take action,” McKenna said.
Brittany McHenry/ Medill Reports
Environmentalists fill Daley Plaza and pledge to improve pollution in Chicago.
Earth Day message: Making small changes in your daily routine can lead to big changes in the environment
by Courtney Beard
Apr 22, 2008
White tents lined the corner of Washington and Dearborn Tuesday as the celebration of Earth Day kicked off in Daley Plaza with the theme that even small changes in our everyday lives can lead to big changes on Earth.
“It’s a time for us to sit back and think about what we can personally and individually do to protect the environment, to make the world a safer and better place not only for ourselves but for our children and our grandchildren,” said Mary Gade, regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency.
Gade presented the City of Chicago with a check for $50,000 to establish five permanent pharmaceutical collection bins to be placed across the city.
The Great Lakes Earth Week 2008 challenge was announced at the event. The initiative is calling on Chicagoans to donate any electronic waste (e.g. batteries and computers) as well as any unnecessary pharmaceuticals to help meet the challenge’s goal of collecting 1,000,000 pills and 1,000,000 pounds of electronic waste.
The event was organized by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events and the Chicago Department of Environment.
A variety of eco-friendly organizations were stationed at booths across the Plaza to spread the word about their contributions to saving the environment. Many offered handouts with tips on how each person can do their part to conserve energy in Chicago.
Whole Foods, known for offering organic food options, was one of many sponsors attending. Representatives from the CTA explained how taking the train is better for the environment than driving, and the Department of Environment gave away free energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Free entertainment was provided by Marty Casey and the Lovehammers, who sang their earth-conscious song, “Trees.”
The event was the first of five that have been planned for Earth Month. The next is tentatively scheduled for June 21st on the near South Side.
Commissioner of the Department of the Environment Suzanne Malec-McKenna expressed her appreciation for the Department’s participants and partners.
“Thanks for making this a great Earth Day, now please go forth and take action,” McKenna said.
