The Soapbox: Brief thoughts on impact of climate change
Suffering agriculture
Heavy rains this spring hampered farmers' ability to plant crops on time or at all, and the result will be smaller yields this fall. With heavier rains resulting from climate, this portends trouble for Illinois' great agricultural tradition.
Bike for the environment
Many people are trying to make it easier to bicycle around the suburbs so we can have fewer cars on the road. Agencies like the Active Transportation Alliance and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning as well as several suburban governments and clubs are doing the slow work to change our habits. And it'd boost our health, too. Support them.
Providing awareness
Schaumburg's Environmental Committee actively keeps residents informed on issues of climate change. By distributing information pertaining to the environment. By sponsoring environmental events and programs to encourage the development of sustainable measures. Each and every bit of information can only help.
Get involved
Climate change affects all of us. Because of that, there are things all of us can do to help, such as reducing our personal carbon footprint by, say, switching from a gas-powered to an electric lawnmower. If you're not sure what you can do to help, do some research, investigate, get involved. It's worth your time.
The value of trees
The Morton Arboretum in Lisle is more than an outdoor museum. It's also a top-notch research facility and a tremendous resource to help us learn how trees can play a role in mitigating the effects of a changing climate.The arboretum is a popular destination for fall colors. This year, set aside a little extra time to take advantage of its many learning opportunities.
One small step
Recycling shouldn't be hard. It's not like it's a new idea. Heck, we remember our parents in the early '70s hauling glass, cans and paper to the Elmhurst recycling center. One great new idea, though: Schaumburg will have a no-charge curbside textile pickup starting in January.
One big step
Frankly, all the residential recycling and all the backyard butterfly gardens won't heal the world, until businesses and the government get on board and do their part.
Not some distant future
Most of us used to reassure ourselves that the impact of global warming would be in some distant future, beyond our lifetimes, within the reach of technological inventions to solve. We have kidded ourselves. The effects have already started. Last year, the UN forecast catastrophe by 2040.
How close 2040 is
A child born this year will just be turning 21. Even if you don't think you'll live that long, look at your children or grandchildren and imagine the world that awaits them if nothing is done.