Obama: “Join Me in this Improbable Quest”
Thousands thronged the streets and square surrounding the Old State Capitol on a frigid Saturday. They traveled from all directions by bus, train, car and plane. And they waited. Most people had stood outside for several hours and were losing feeling in their fingers and toes, when the music blaring from the speakers stilled and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) addressed the screaming fans:
“In his time, he has touched the hearts, quickened the spirit and inspired the nation, a nation hungry for a new generation of leadership. … Join me at this moment in history and welcome Barack Obama.”
During his 20-minute rousing speech, the junior senator from Illinois announced his candidacy for President of the United States. In the cadence of a seasoned minister, Obama shared his vision and dream of a more hopeful and engaged America:
“Each and every time a new generation has risen up and done what’s needed to be done. Today we are called once more—and it’s time for our generation to answer that call.”
With visible reminders of Abraham Lincoln and his own life surrounding him, Obama beautifully connected the past with aspirations for a united future. He spoke of ending the war in Iraq and corruption in Washington and improving healthcare and education. And he spoke of reclaiming citizenship and facing these challenges together, evoking a collective march toward a more just and fair society.
“One of Barack Obama’s unique strengths is that he feels the pulse of the country,” said State Sen. Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston). “He has an innate ability to connect with people, to process information and come up with solutions to achieve consensus.”
Schoenberg organized three busses to bring 200 supporters from Evanston to witness what he called “history in the making.” One of those supporters was U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), who served donuts and coffee at 5 a.m. as folks gathered for the four-hour trip to Springfield.
At an informal luncheon at the Governor’s mansion following the announcement, Schakowsky spoke of her continued support for Obama.
“Barack Obama is going to inspire so many new voters that he’ll change the electorate,” she said. “The American people are longing to fall in love—with hope, with the future. This candidate inspires that kind of passion, and it’s been a long time.”
— Keri Lynch
2006 was the Hottest Year on Record
With New Yorkers soaking up a sunny, 72-degree day the same week Southern California’s oranges froze right on the branch, this winter had even global-warming naysayers fretting over the effects of climate change. The warmest year on record in U.S. history, 2006 saw an average annual temperature of 55 degrees F; 2.2 degrees higher than the 20th century mean, according to the National Climatic Data Center. Even Colorado recorded temperatures about 1 degree C above normal in December.
While nationwide rising temps are indeed likely linked to increases in greenhouse gases, global warming isn’t solely responsible for last season’s wacky weather. “There are three main causes: natural variability, El Niño and global warming,” says Jeffrey Masters, Ph.D., Director of Meteorology for Weather Underground, weather provider for the Associated Press. Natural variability is the number-one factor at work, according to Masters, with a moderate El Niño episode triggering some upward movement on the thermometer.
Still, it’s global warming that may end up delivering more and more warm winters—and summers—in the years to come. And that warming trend won’t be U.S.–specific, Masters predicts. “Usually when one part of the world has an exceptionally warm season, it’s exceptionally cold in an adjacent region,” he says. “But this year, we had record warm temperatures over almost all the land areas of the northern hemisphere.”
The warmer weather may offer some initial benefits, though. “In general, this may have a positive impact in the short term,” explains Masters. “Heating costs are lower, and the Western half of the country should have a longer growing season.” But at the same time, higher temps will probably yield more intense droughts and more frequent flooding, he adds.
Masters greatest concern, though, is the melting of sea ice in the Arctic, a worsening problem that may further raise air temperatures. In fact, the Arctic may reach completely ice-free conditions during the summer by 2040, according to a recent report by the Journal of Geophysical Research. “We’ve already lost about 20 percent of the ice coverage in the summertime in the Arctic Ocean,” says Masters. “And there’s no denying that, as the Earth keeps on warming, that trend is going to continue.”
—Elizabeth Barker
Second Annual “Chiditarod” Race Feeds Chicago Hungry
The “Chiditarod” is an hilarious urban variation on the famed Alaskan Iditarod dogsled race. But instead of sleds, teams compete for glory using tricked out shopping carts pulled not by dogs but by costumed humans. And instead of the Alaskan tundra, participants race through the cold Chicago streets.
More importantly, the second annual Chiditarod, taking place Saturday March 3rd, aims to be the largest mobile food drive in the country.
The event, which originated in San Francisco over 13 years ago, is attended by young professionals and artists inspired by the spectacle, and a keen sense of irony that the Chiditarod brings to the streets. The roughly four-mile race begins at the corner of Hubbard and Wolcott. From there, racers will trek through Ukrainian Village, Wicker Park and Bucktown, stopping at checkpoints—most of which are bars—along the way.
Most importantly, Chiditarod teams are required to bring canned food and plant it along the racecourse. They then win points for carrying the most food in their cart before they reach the finish line. Each team is required to end the race with at least 15 pounds of non-perishable food in their cart, which requires some creativity from the participants, since they must hide the food along the course before the race begins, placing it in local establishments, or in the hands of spectators.
“Last year’s race was met with overwhelmingly positive response from the community,” says co-founder Devin Breen, a web developer in the Loop. “We collected over 900 pounds of food. We had 22 teams and we are expecting even more this year.” Breen says this year’s goal is to raise one metric ton of canned food.
In addition to cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place there is a substantial prize for “best in show.” There are also prizes for best cart A/V system, bling, wipeout, cart sabotage and more. Visit chiditarod.org.
— Seamus Presley
Fly the (Green) Friendly Skies
It’s common knowledge that flying is one of the most environmentally irresponsible choices the average American can make. The most obvious problem—that planes require thousands of gallons of fossil fuels for each flight—has recently been addressed somewhat by online travel agencies Expedia and Travelocity. Consumers who buy a flight on either website are given the option to offset the carbon expenditures of their flight at a negligible extra cost ranging anywhere from $5 to $30. Though this is certainly a relief to conscientious travelers, offsetting feels, at best, a stopgap measure: aviation is still a tremendously wasteful industry, and until recently that waste seemed to be a necessary evil.
Chicago-based Boeing is starting to address the ecological issues of flying by creating the most environmentally responsible midsize airliner ever, the 787 Dreamliner. Three sizes of the 787, providing space for 210 to 330 passengers, will begin general-use flying in 2008. The Dreamliner will use 20 percent less fuel than similar-sized airliners, which on an average flight equals 31 years of daily automobile commuting per passenger. Part of this staggering fuel economy is due to more efficient engines and a completely overhauled electrical system that uses 60 miles less copper wiring per plane. This efficiency is also due to the fact that each Dreamliner is 30 to 40,000 pounds lighter than comparable planes.
It’s built from composite materials. “In the case of the Dreamliner,” explains Boeing Director Jeff Hawk, “we are combining carbon fibers with a resin that is hardened to make a very durable and lightweight material that is not subject to corrosion or fatigue.” The composite construction allows for both a lighter flying weight and a fuselage manufactured from one piece, eliminating tens of thousands of minor parts from the jet’s construction.
The end result is a plane that puts out 30 percent fewer carbon dioxide emissions than the current aviation requirements demand of today’s smaller 767s. In fact, the Dreamliner exceeds all future regulations set to date by the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection.
Boeing Chief Executive Harry Stonecipher calls the Dreamliner “a true game-changer for the industry and for the traveling public.” It’s true, these innovations are good business for Boeing. Lower fuel costs, larger capacity for cargo and the ability to fly farther than most other planes in Dreamliner’s flight class would be economic and environmental coups for any aviation company. In another green-minded innovation, Boeing preplanned the complete life cycle of the Dreamliner: The company devised a strategy to recycle the plane when it’s retired in 30 or 40 years. This cradle-to-grave thinking is representative of a new kind of forward-thinking corporate philosophy—proof positive that profitable, efficient and environmentally sound don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
— Paul Constant
Return of H.H. The Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama will return to Chicago on May 6th for two public events at Millennium Park. The Nobel Prize laureate will lead a morning teaching in the Harris Theater for Music and Dance entitled “Eight Verses for Training the Mind,” and then give an afternoon address on the stage of the Pritzker Pavillion called “Finding Inner Peace in a World Full of Turmoil.” The afternoon presentation will also feature an array of cultural programming.
“We are honored that His Holiness will be returning to Chicago,” said Nina Schroeder, who is spearheading the coordination of the visit. “Being in the Dalai Lama’s presence to hear his universal message of peace, compassion and non-violence is a profoundly moving and transformational experience. We are truly privileged to have him return to Chicago for a fourth time.”
His Holiness, who describes himself as “a simple Buddhist monk,” is recognized world-wide for his lifelong advocacy for policies of non-violence, even in the face of extreme aggression. He has traveled to more than 62 countries spanning six continents and met with presidents, prime ministers and crowned rulers of major nations. The author of 72 books, he has been honored with more than 80 awards, honorary doctorates and prizes in recognition of his message of peace, inter-religious understanding, universal responsibility and compassion. Born in 1935 to a farming family, he is now both the head of state and the spiritual leader (in exile) of Tibet.
The Dalai Lama last appeared in Chicago in 1999, giving a talk at the Field Museum.
“I’m really excited about His Holiness the Dalai Lama coming to Chicago,” jokes Chicago actor and director Harold Ramis, who is a member of the Host Committee. “But then I think, if I have no Self (anatta), then who is getting so excited? And if His Holiness has no Self, then who is coming to Chicago? And is my excitement just another form of sensual pleasure, the attachment to which is one of the Five Hindrances? So I’ve decided to just maintain my equanimity (one of the Four Sublime States), until he comes in May, then I will celebrate with joy (one of the Seven Factors of Enlightenment), and hope the day is filled with unlimited universal love and good will.”
Proceeds will benefit the foundation of the Tibetan-American Center for Cross-Cultural Understanding, Chicago. For ticket information, to help sponsor the Dalai Lama’s visit, or to volunteer on-site, visit dalailamachicago.com.
— Charles Shaw
Carbon-Offsetting: A Guilt-Free Pass or Part of a Solution?
The next time you book an airline ticket you may find yourself facing an environmental dilemma: Should you pay for a “pass” to offset the carbon emissions your plane releases into the atmosphere?
Carbon-offsetting programs, including brand names TerraPass, Carbonfund.org and e-BlueHorizons, have flourished recently as consumers concerned about global warming try to repair their personal damage to the earth’s atmosphere. The programs work by calculating the “carbon footprint” associated with certain types of human activity, such as air and car travel. Then, when consumers purchase their credits, they promise to offset the corresponding carbon emissions released by those activities.
For instance, the TerraPass program sells a “fly green” pass through the travel website Expedia.com. Prices range from $5.99, for offsetting the carbon emissions for one passenger on “short-haul” flights, to $29.99 for international trips. TerraPass offsets these emissions by investing in renewable energy sources, promoting industrial efficiencies, and by purchasing and retiring emissions credits from the Chicago Climate Exchange. Other offset programs invest in reforestation projects as well.
But, do they really work?
“It remains to be seen how effective they’re going to be,” says Liz Martin-Perera, a Climate Policy Specialist at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Gordon Hard, senior editor at Consumer Reports, says that carbon-offset programs are not going to change the world overnight. He believes consumers still contribute a very small amount of money to what is a very large problem. “It’s kind of like going to a state forest,” he asserts. “You pack out what you pack in. You’re not necessarily cleaning up the entire forest, but perhaps you pick up someone else’s garbage while you’re there, too. That’s the theme, and we think it’s a pretty reasonable idea.”
— Jennifer Roche
Don’t Get Mad, Get Active
Complain While You Commute
CTA riders know that the quality and reliability of their commute has really suffered within the last year. Service cuts, fare increases, delayed trains and overcrowded train cars and busses are among the many shared complaints commuters have, and things are only projected to get worse as construction projects continue to weigh down the efficiency of our transit system.
But now Chicagoans can complain while they commute. A new cell phone text messaging system, the brainchild of Lakeview resident Rick Maloney and a group of young Chicagoans calling themselves neighborsproject.org allows riders to e-mail complaints and concerns to Mayor Richard M. Daley, aldermen and state leaders while they wait on crowded platforms or ride shoulder to shoulder.
Riders simply have to text their name to [zip code]@ npjt.org or log onto neighborsproject.org/projects/cta and enter their zip codes, in order to send a form letter to his or her city and state leaders.
By the way, you may want to remind the city that it only gives the CTA $1 per city resident, or $3 million annually—one of the most paltry sums in the nation.
