Oak Park now needs to step up on climate change and sustainability

And what about Illinois, Gov. Rauner?

The silver lining in President Trump’s decision to ditch the Paris Agreement is that we’re already seeing American cities and states, as well as universities, companies, and investors, stepping up to uphold the commitments made in the Paris Agreement. Perhaps this will unleash a wave of public support and innovation in addressing climate change. What role are we going to play in Oak Park?

First, here’s an excerpt from the Mayors National Climate Agenda statement:

As 86 Mayors representing 40 million Americans, we will adopt, honor, and uphold the commitments to the goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement. We will intensify efforts to meet each of our cities’ current climate goals, push for new action to meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius target, and work together to create a 21st century clean energy economy.

We will continue to lead. We are increasing investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. We will buy and create more demand for electric cars and trucks. We will increase our efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, create a clean energy economy, and stand for environmental justice. And if the President wants to break the promises made to our allies enshrined in the historic Paris Agreement, we’ll build and strengthen relationships around the world to protect the planet from devastating climate risks.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is a signatory (along with Elgin Mayor David Kaptain, and Gary, IN Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, who are the only other signatories from greater Chicago).

While I’d like to see “Mayor” Abu-Taleb become a signatory, what I’d really like to know is what has become of Oak Park’s sustainability initiative? Did one ever exist? Can we increase our commitment to renewable energy and energy efficiency? Can we improve efforts to reduce emissions? And a bigger question: Is this something that we need to work on with other suburban communities rather than on our little 1.5 x 3 mile island?

If you go to the Village of Oak Park website, certainly nothing jumps out at you about the village having a commitment to sustainability. I mean, our logo is green but it’s been green for at least two decades. Click into “Your Government”, then “Environmental Initiatives.” There you see this:

Globally, Oak Park is known as the home of world-renowned residents like prairie-style architect Frank Lloyd Wright and Nobel Prize winning author Ernest Hemingway.

Regionally, Oak Park is recognized as a leader in environmental initiatives.

Visitors are invited to experience the thriving, environmentally aware community residents know and love. With its celebrated architecture, eclectic business districts and welcoming accommodations, there is something here for everyone. No carbon emissions are required for enjoyment. Enjoy the sights by accessing public transportation, riding a bicycle or walking the beautiful tree-lined streets.

Huh? That’s it? You can click on “Aggregation” to get some info on “Community Choice Aggregation” for electricity, but not a single mention of renewable energy on that page.

Oh wait. Here’s something: a tiny link at the bottom of the “Environmental Initiatives” page to something called PlanIt Green, the Oak Park River Forest Sustainability Plan. That looked promising, so I clicked on it.

Published in June 2011, the plan runs 99 pages so it is a bit of a slog. It also lacks an Executive Summary or even any kind of conclusion. It’s a laundry list of initiatives, divided into 9 different areas with 25 goals and a scores of “strategies” for achieving those goals.

A lot of work and community input went into the now 6 year old report, but the plan doesn’t appear to have been actually adopted in any way, shape, or form by the Village of Oak Park, River Forest, or any other governmental or business entities.

PlanIt Green is just sitting there on the proverbial digital shelf.

So clearly, it’s time for us to do something. The report could serve as a starting point, but to do everything in it would be overwhelming. Let’s start with a plan that lowers carbon emissions, increases use of renewable energy, and enforces sustainable building codes. (Oh, and let’s go ahead and get rid of plastic bags at all stores and restaurants!) We can set reasonable multi-year goals and measure our progress.

Which brings me to Governor Rauner and the Democratic candidates for governor, and our legislature, for that matter. Haven’t heard a thing from them. California, New York, and Washington are taking the lead on this. Illinois should be right there with them.