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Chicago and WWF announce Launch of Chicago Cleanweb Challenge to Drive Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Innovation

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 23 April 2013 - 7:52pm

Today (23 April 2013), Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) announced the launch of the Chicago Cleanweb Challenge, a year-long competition to accelerate sustainability and technology in Chicago through community engagement and entrepreneurship.  “By using big data to engage the public about the impacts of climate change, Chicago is leading the charge among U.S. cities, preparing residents for a future with more extreme weather events,” said Keya Chatterjee, World Wildlife Fund’s Senior Director for Renewable Energy and Footprint Outreach. “Across the country, these types of innovative approaches are critical to protecting local communities and moving our cities toward a renewable energy future.”

Chicago, Cincinnati, San Francisco Recognized for Citywide Efforts to Address Climate Change

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 17 January 2013 - 1:56pm

Chicago, Cincinnati and San Francisco have been selected as U.S. finalists in World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour City Challenge, a year-long challenge rewarding cities that are preparing for increasingly extreme weather and promoting renewable energy. Both Chicago and Cincinnati experienced their warmest years on record in 2012.  

Great Lakes Climate Symposium 2012

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 22 October 2012 - 12:27pm
Event Date: 
Tuesday, October 30, 2012 (All day)
Event Location: 
Ann Arbor, MI

Learn about the latest research on climate change in the Great Lakes region from a team of researchers that contributed a set of white papers on Midwest climate impacts to the Federal government's National Climate Assessment.

Video: From Rooftop to Alleyway, Chicago Fights Extreme Urban Heat With Greener Ideas

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 10 October 2012 - 11:16am

As the planet warms, heat waves are becoming more frequent and severe.  The problem is compounded in cities by the "urban heat island" effect -- the tendency for cities to be much warmer than the surrounding countryside.  In this 10 minute video, PBS Newshour reports on Chicago's efforts to cool the city down and dampen the rising need for air conditioning.  

Video introduction to WWF's Earth Hour City Challenge

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 13 September 2012 - 8:59am

A short video introduction to WWF's Earth Hour City Challenge, a competition among U.S. cities to prepare for climate change and to shift away from fossil fuels.

A Tale of Two Droughts: As in '88, Will 2012's Weather Extremes Push Climate Change Higher on the National Agenda?

Submitted by Lou Leonard on 5 August 2012 - 11:11pm

In 1988, America faced an extraordinary summer heat wave and an extensive drought that  helped to propel climate change into national politics.   Republican presidential candidate George H.W. Bush said that year: "Those who think we are powerless to do anything about the 'greenhouse effect' are forgetting about the 'White House effect.'''  In 2012, even more of the country has been afflicted by drought; and it is another election year.  Might we again hear of the "White House effect" this August? If there is to be any chance for a meaningful national conversation about climate change after the election, we have to hope that the candidates candidly address the issue before the election.

WWF Webinar Introduces U.S. City Officials to Earth Hour City Challenge (video)

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 3 May 2012 - 10:44am

WWF on 3 May 2012 held its first webinar about the Earth Hour City Challenge, a competition among cities to prepare for climate change and promote renewable energy. Keya Chatterjee, Deputy Director of the Climate Change Program at WWF discussed how the City Challenge started and what benefits are available to participating cities and counties. Leslie Ethen, Director of the City of Tucson (Arizona) Office of Conservation and Sustainable Development, described how the City Challenge generated momentum for the city's climate and sustainability initiatives.

International Panel Highlights “Climate Resilient Cities,” as Communities Mobilize for Changing Weather Patterns

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 28 March 2012 - 9:50am

“In an increasingly urbanized world, global sustainability in the context of a changing climate will depend on achieving sustainable and climate resilient cities,” the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says today (28 March 2012).  Cities are increasingly experiencing the disruptive and costly impacts of changes in the frequency and/or severity of weather extremes.  Responding to the trends, city officials are engaging their citizens in efforts to build more resilient, better prepared and more sustainable communities. On Saturday the City of Tucson, Arizona, is bringing its citizens together to discuss the challenges climate change poses the city and the opportunities to respond.  At the event, WWF will launch its Earth Hour City Challenge to encourage cities across the country to similarly engage their citizens around climate impacts and preparedness.

IPCC Says Essential Actions Needed to Reduce Risks of Changing Climate Extremes

Submitted by Nick Sundt on 20 November 2011 - 3:34pm

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) approved on Friday (18 Nov 2011) a report on preparing for weather and climate extremes. The report’s summary warns that a changing climate “can result in unprecedented extreme weather and climate events” and says that actions ranging “from incremental steps to transformational change are essential for reducing risk from climate extremes.” The U.S. this year has experienced a record fourteen weather-related disasters each in excess of a billion dollars – and many more disasters of lesser magnitudes. Yet the U.S. has no national climate change preparedness strategy; and Federal efforts to address the rising risks have been undermined through budget cuts and other means. Though seriously constrained by the lack of strong and unified leadership in Washington, communities and others around the country nevertheless are taking commonsense actions to address the emerging impacts of increasingly disruptive climate extremes.

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