Letter: Dream big on climate

Today's editorial about the Report For America efforts to educate readers about environmentally friendly behaviors, follows several stories that could provide Illinois with absolutely incredible opportunities to set an example to the country and the world as to what is possible.

Seven hundred acres of open land in Mundelein and over 300 acres in Arlington Heights (the potential Bears development). Jenny Whidden, the Daily Herald's RFA-supported reporter, is hopefully in a position to look at these potential developments.

Who needs to get involved? What architects of design need to be inspired?

Envision a cooperative design with developers, the state, the communities and the federal government to build not one, but two completely green communities. There is no current infrastructure to overcome. Wind and solar energy could be built in. We have the technology for paving to absorb water and drain into a system that would be clean and recyclable.

Unrealistic? It shouldn't be. 20 years ago, my goal on the Buffalo Grove Park Board was to save open space, and we did that, I think quite successfully. But now, we need to think bigger.

Costly? Yes, but think of the long-term public benefit, the desire of environmentalists to live and work in such a place, the grant possibilities from foundations committed to the environment and our future and how Illinois could show the world what can be done.

Even as I reread my own letter, I can see others saying "pie in the sky." I have never been short on dreaming big, but this really is bigger than I am. But I will start with a donation to the www.dailyherald.com/rfa and hope that someone, (community and state leaders and Whiddon, etc.) will pick up the baton.

I can dream

Karen Meadows

Buffalo Grove