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Initiated and funded by The Chicago Community Trust, Chicago Matters is an annual exploration—via television, radio, print and community dialogue—of an issue of broad concern to the Chicago region.
499 | Jeanette Naumiec | May 7, 2008 4:23 pm
Hello,
I'm writing regardeing the greening of Chicago. There are many ways for Chicago to become part of the leading edge sustainable urban communities.
First, we need to have stronger building codes ie;passive and photo voltaics solar , gray water systems, super insulated homes, geo thermal heating and cooling as part of these codes. Yes, it will cost more initially. However in the long run we as a city will be better prepared for the future when the cost of heating, cooling developing will be even higher than today. Green space, it seems to me that new homes have less and less green space, let's return to the smaller homes with backyards and tax those who choose to forgo the backyard for more indoor space. Automobiles could be discouraged by hiking city and state sticker fees especially onthe SUVS. Lets have streeets that are free from motorized vehicles creating spaces for communities to gather. Home energy audits could be given by the city at a nominal fee and then if needed a low interest load to to help people pay for the improvements. ( by the way in the EU homeowners are not penalized for improving their homes. They pay a fraction of what we pay for property tax.) Community gardens, when I was growing up in Chicago there were empty lots where people gardened ,kids played.
The suggestions mentioned above seem possible only if we can come together as smaller communities and create the decision that does't involve a beauracy that gets progress mired in paperwork and graft.
When can we begin? ASAP
Thanks, Jeanette Naumiec
P.S. I have many more thught and ideas for making Chicago a greener more livable city
487 | Mary Ann Sumner | Apr 12, 2008 7:37 pm
Some time ago you requested suggestions on, I think, Going Green (I forget how it was worded). Some suggestions are:
1) Make it mandatory that all catalogues have a telephone number listed that can be called to take one off that mailing list. I get 20 catalogues a week, at least. what a waste of our trees.
2) Make it mandatory that packaging be marked as to it's recyclability potential. There are certain cardboards and papers that I am not sure belong in my recycling.
3) We must eliminate plastic grocery bags. How can we do this?
4) Re-institute an anti-litter campaign in every city and state - we had one when I was a girl in the 50's. Begin in schools from day one. I live in NW Indiana. The litter and garbage that we see is disgusting.
Thank you.
Mary Ann