Climate change and Chicago, Illinois Governor Pritzker pushes environmental relief

Climate in Chicago 

Chicagoans will likely head to the beaches as the summer nears. They will also need to be prepared for extreme heat. 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), extreme heat in cities due to climate change is one of the worst effects of climate changes. Urban heat island effectThis phenomenon refers to the rapid warming of cities caused by concrete and dark surfaces absorbing heat and retaining heat. It can increase temperatures dramatically. 

Susan Buchanan, Clinical Associate Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois in Chicago, stated that the greatest impact of climate changes on Chicago is evident in extreme heat and flooding. 

Senior Illinois Clean Energy Advocate Natural Resources Defense Council J.C. Kibbey echoed concerns with Chicago’s extreme heat.

Referring to 1995 Chicago Heat waveOver 700 people died in heat-related accidents in the city. “As the climate gets hotter, depending on how much hotter, we could be experiencing a heat wave like that every couple years,” he said. 

Policy Advocate for the Environmental Law and Policy CenterTyler Barron stated that increasing population density can lead to climate problems. 

“Any major impact that climate change has on people in general is largely the same in Chicago, but just to a much greater scale,” he said. 

Although Chicago floods have been occurring for centuries, they are more common as climate change makes it more likely. 

One of Chicago’s most prominent attractions is Lake Michigan, which creates 28 miles of beaches and the Chicago River, which flows through the busy city and provides recreational and industrial uses.

“As the lake gets higher and the levels start to be more extreme in their variance, it causes all kinds of problems for that system,” Kibbey said.

These problems include beach erosion, flooding mitigation, and water cleanliness. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reportedBoth annual average temperatures have increased and average annual precipitation has also increased. This means that these problems will not disappear in the near future. 

The North Shore, one of the city’s most affluent communities, is positioned along these beaches that are at risk. New Trier High School senior Sydney Vandevelde said she “grew up on these beautiful beaches” and that keeping the North Shore pristine “means a lot to me personally.” 

Climate and politics

Legislation is one way to reduce the devastating effects of climate change. When leaders of the government sign legislation, organizations that are committed to climate action get to use the resources allocated to them by the legislature. 

Illinois Environmental Protection Specialist Environmental Protection AgencyCassandra Metz showed an example of the Climate of Equitable Equitable Jobs Act for the EPA. 

“The Illinois EPA will be disbursing electric vehicle rebates through the passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act,” she said. 

Many organizations in the Chicago area such as the EPA, NRDC and ELPC  are committed to addressing the climate crisis in Chicago. 

Barron stated that the ELPC is one of many organizations made up of a diverse group of people working towards the same goal. 

“We see ourselves as a part of a much broader coalition of organizations trying to find solutions,” he said. 

These organizations work hand-in-hand with Chicago’s political leaders to create climate solutions. Ultimately, the politicians are the people that make the biggest impact on a communities’ climate responses because they can enact laws that require cooperation. 

Ultimately, “politicians hold the purse,” Barron said. “You really can’t have ambitious, meaningful, impactful climate policy without the politician.”

Buchanan encouraged residents to choose politicians who are dedicated to finding and implementing solutions. 

“Vote for leaders who prioritize climate change mitigation,” she said. 

Governor J.B. Pritzker has been a prominent politician in Chicago. He campaigned on the promise to prioritize climate change action and has made many attempts at achieving that goal. Prtizker, who was inaugurated January 14, 2019, has just begun his reelection bid for the 2022 Governor race. 

Prtizker’s moves

Pritzker signed this document on Jan. 23, just 10 days after he was elected to office United States Climate Alliance. Pritzker joined after President Donald Trump declared that the United States would withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Pritzker also pledged to reduce carbon emissions in line with the pact. 

His next official action to combat climate change came in August 2020. He explained eight principlesThis would help Chicago move toward a more sustainable energy future. While this wasn’t a law that Chicago residents would be impacted by, the city gained an understanding of his plans and priorities on the issue. This announcement was also instrumental in the passage of the Climate of Equitable Jobs Act. 

Pritzker’s most significant play was the passing of successfully. CEJA in September, 2021, which Barron said was “probably one of the most ambitious climate bills in the country.” This legislation creates initiatives to reach the target of getting Chicago to 100% clean energy by 2045. The law emphasizes clean energy investments as well as job creation. The bill granted powers to Chicago government agencies involved in environmental regulation. 

Barron shares his opinion on how politicians play a role in fighting climate change and Pritzker’s actions while in office.

Moving forward

Pritzker’s leadership during his first term has made an impact that will continue to be seen in future years, Metz said, additing that Pritzker’s leadership is “certainly a step in the right direction.” 

Barron acknowledged that there is still much work to do. 

“I think It’s important to never be satisfied when it comes to this type of work,” he said. 

Vandevelde stated that leaders have an obligation to fight climate change even after achieving success like CEJA. 

“There’s definitely more they can do,” she said. 

Barron stated that it is difficult to communicate the next steps and priority when trying to solve a complex problem. 

“Finding that healthy balance between acknowledging the problem but acknowledging the solutions I think is really important,” he said. 

Kibbey said that talking to residents is one of the most important aspects. He stated that there is a disconnect between the amount of people who say they care about climate change, and how much they talk about it. It is possible to make a difference by bringing up the climate crisis in everyday conversations. 

“We all need to talk more about it with our friends, with our neighbors and also with our legislatures and elected officials,” he said. 

In an issue where “every hundredth of a degree matters,” Kibbey said that if Pritzker is reelected in 2022, residents need to continue to voice their concerns for the climate crisis.

“Your voice matters in the legislative and policy making process,” he said.