When people hear the name of our school, the Academy for Global Citizenship, there are two standard reactions; “that is a long name” and “that is a lofty name.” As to the length, we have found a compromise, AGC. As to the essence of our name, what we are hoping to foster amongst our students, families and staff, there is no such compromise, but there are questions. What does it mean to be a Global Citizen? What does that mean for us as adults? For our students? How does Global Citizenship fit into an educational structure where we first must learn about our surroundings and ourselves before we can grasp concepts of the world?
At AGC, we have defined the skills and traits of what it means to be a Global Citizen. Some of them are, being an inquirer, being respectful, and understanding how our actions affect the world and how the actions of those around the globe can affect our everyday life.
While the adults in our community work to figure out how to create an environment in which these concepts are salient Continue reading 'What is a Global Citizen?'»
The time to finish holiday shopping is running out, and if you still don’t know what to get for a relative or friend, think green. Everyone can feel good about receiving a gift that helps save the environment.
Uncommon Goods, a web-based retailer and catalogue, has a whole section of green gifts that are more unusual and thoughtful than the standard fare of knickknacks made from recycled glass bottles.
For the fashionista on your list who doesn’t want to be caught wearing the same thing as someone else, consider a skirt made from recycled sweaters – no two are alike. There are also scarves made from t-shirts and belts made from spent fire hoses.
For the techie who has every device, Continue reading 'Deck the Halls with Boughs of Green'»
Morbid statistics highlight the havoc unrestrained pollution is creating on our environment. Magazine articles, television programs, and different kinds of media provide solution to our environment problems, how individuals can make a contribution to reduce the abuse of resources.
New developments in technology have increased the opportunities for green pursuits and raised awareness on the significance of adapting Green measures in a variety of business sectors. Unfortunately, the measures are not enough. To considerably tackle our green challenges, a larger and more detailed map is needed. Continue reading 'Design Innovation to Solve Green Challenges'»
A year ago today my desk was covered with my favorite Thanksgiving recipes and maps of the Chicagoland area. My computer screen was an endless stream of tabs–local farms, mileage calculators, farmers market locations and vendor lists. It had all the markings of a college research project including the nearly unbearable stress. Could I pull it off in time? And would I get a passing grade? Worse still, my project was being critiqued by more than 20 people–my relatives. I passed, or rather, the meal passed–our first-ever 100-mile Thanksgiving was a success.
In spite of the rave reviews and heightened awareness regarding the origins of our meal, we weren’t ready to commit Continue reading 'Our 100-Mile Thanksgiving Becomes a Family Tradition'»
Free Green Roof and Greenhouse Tour!
Wednesday, October 5, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Lincoln Elementary School
615 W. Kemper
What it’s all about
Lincoln Park families and friends are invited to learn about Alderman Michele Smith’s future plans for a greener 43rd Ward, as well as hear from keynote speaker, Karen Weigert, Chicacgo’s Chief Sustainability Officer. You will learn about sustainable practices and locate new resources for living green. Local and eco-friendly organizations will showcase the efforts each are making in helping create a sustainable environment.
Complimentary light snacks and beverages will be provided for your enjoyment.
Space is limited, please RSVP for this fun-filled evening to Patrick Coffey, pcoffey@haymarket.net.
For more information, visit www.lincolnparkconnect.com/green
Between October 1 and November 28, the kickoff date for COP 17 — a United Nations conference on climate change — The Climate Reality Project wants to give as many Climate Reality presentations in as many locations around the world as possible. They will create a world map to show the requests we receive. They want to take that map to COP 17 in Durban, South Africa to show our leaders the reality that the public does care about this crisis and demands bold action toward solutions.
Here’s how it works. Think about where you’d like to host a presentation: Can you use a school auditorium? Do you attend a monthly community meeting? Get a group together to attend. Then use their “request a presentation” tool to get in touch with a Climate Presenter.
It’s that simple. Click here to get started:
http://forms.climaterealityproject.org/request
Eating meat is one of the things that makes us “American.” We go to baseball games and eat hotdogs, we go to celebration dinners and have steaks, we have back yard bbq’s and devour burgers, we go to breakfast and munch down bacon, we go to our favorite sandwich shop and order a Reuben, we go to a fast food restaurant and choose chicken nuggets and the list goes on. But eating meat has some consequences to it that most of us don’t realize. Its unhealthy for us, its unhealthy for the planet, it has a huge social impact on our ability to feed ourselves and there are moral implications to it.
Continue reading 'Why the Choices We Make About Eating Meat Matter'»
So you are a believer: Maybe you have been following this blog or watched An Inconvenient Truth. And at the same time, you are doing some things in your life to become more green. Another way to move us in the right direction is to help someone else become green. There are lots of ways to do this. First is by conspicuous greenumption (I just made that up, I wonder if someone else already coined that). Show people with your actions that you are trying to make a difference. If you are at lunch with friends, bring a reusable cup for your beverage or be sure to show up with your bike helmet on (if of course you actually did ride your bike). One caution is that some people might take your conspicuous greenumption actions as being condescending and judgmental if they don’t share your actions.
In our fast-paced world, the old adage “You are what you eat” has a taken on new meaning — one that directly impacts our health — the other where food is indirectly harmful to ourselves by it’s being directly harmful to the environment.
Seafood is one example.
Some species have absorbed so many toxins from the environment they are directly harmful to ourselves. Albacore tuna, swordfish and lake trout, by virtue of being on the top of their respective food chains, have absorbed so many contaminants such as mercury, that you should limit your intake or avoid them altogether.
Others like Atlantic Cod, Toothfish (Chilean Sea Bass) and imported shrimp are so over fished or fished in such a harmful manner that they pose a danger Continue reading 'Eco – Tip: Safe, Sustainable Seafood (TM)'»
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