They Might Be Giants: Electric Car

Come and take a ride in an electric car with They Might Be Giants.

The song and video may be targeted toward kids, but trust me: All ages are sure to enjoy this lively song about clean tech cars. Check it out!

Governor's Mansion Going Solar

On 10/10/10, Governor Pat Quinn announced plans to install solar panels on the Executive Mansion in Springfield.

The solar panels were donated by Wind Free Energy Company in Chicago and BYD America in Arlington Heights. The racking and bracketing was provided by B. Weinstein Engineering in Highland Park. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 193 has donated the labor to install the panels.

The new, 1-kilowatt array will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 30 tons of CO2 over the next 25 years (equivalent to approximately 100,000 car miles or the planting of 1,100 trees, according to the Governor's Office of Sustainability).

The Governor's Mansion already boasts energy-efficient LED lighting, rain barrels, and a community vegetable garden.

Green Fair Wednesday

Don't miss the Green Fair and Recycling Drive at Lincoln Land Community College from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 20 as part of Campus Sustainability Day.

Hop on the DCEO bike to get an idea of how much energy it takes to light a CFL versus a standard light bulb, check out recycled artwork created by LLCC students, purchase green products from the Bookstore at 15 percent off, and sign up to win gift bags loaded with sustainable and local goodies.

Inside the Student Union in Menard Hall, you'll find all of these things plus more than 20 great exhibitors and live entertainment. And outside Menard Hall, you'll find the Recycling Drive and a 100 mpg hybrid electric vehicle on display.

Learn more about what we'll accept for recycling and what's happening for the Green Fair on the Green Center website.

Green Center on Channel 20

Last night, I talked green jobs training at LLCC on Channel 20. Check out a clip of the interview here.

Living Downstream Event Sunday

On Sunday, Oct. 17, join the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Sustainable Springfield, Inc., and the Pesticide Action Network of North America in welcoming Dr. Sandra Steingraber and film-maker Chanda Chevannes to Springfield for a screening of the new documentary, Living Downstream, that explores the connections between chemicals in our environment (including agricultural chemicals) and cancer.

The film is based on the acclaimed book by Illinois native, ecologist, and cancer survivor Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D. This film follows Sandra around North America—and back to central Illinois—as she works to break the silence about cancer and its environmental links.

Learn more about the film here.

The screening, at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, will be followed by a Q&A session and book signing with Sandra Steingraber and filmmaker Chanda Chevannes. Signed copies of the new and updated second edition of Living Downstream will be available for purchase before and after the film.

Tickets are $8 and are available online, in person, or by phone (217-523-2787).

10/10/10 Global Work Party Pics

Yesterday, I headed to Jubilee Farm in New Berlin to participate in one of Springfield's 10/10/10 Global Work Party events. I arrived just in time to see a group of bicyclists from the Springfield Bike Club pull into the farm on their 10/10/10 ride.

The timing was terrific, as it allowed me to snap photos of the bike gang with the Jubilee sign (and a 350, in honor of the event, of course).

Then I got to work helping to build the hoop houses Jubilee Farm is putting up to extend the growing season. The weather was perfect and, although the crowd that stuck around to get to work was small, we made some great progress.

Sadly, I didn't get to stay for the final touches--that is, covering the hoop houses with plastic. But that just gives me an excuse to go back to the farm another day and check out the finished product.

Speaking of which, just because the big 350.org event is over doesn't mean the volunteer opportunities are done. The sisters at Jubilee Farm are always looking for volunteers to help with farm chores, including building the other hoop house. So please, go visit and lend a hand!

Can you believe this was only one of 7,347 events in the world yesterday? Crazy, isn't it, what people can do when they join together for a great cause?

Sunday: 10/10/10 Global Work Party

Join the Green Center this Sunday as we participate in the great events scheduled around Springfield for the 10/10/10 Global Work Party.

It's a day when communities all over the world roll up their sleeves and get to work solving the climate crisis by tackling community projects designed to generate awareness of and celebrate climate solutions at a local level.

It's an initiative spearheaded by 350.org, the organization working to reduce carbon dioxide emissions 10 percent in 2010 (which brings us one step closer to a healthy level of CO2 emissions in the atmosphere).

There are 18 local events you can participate in around Springfield on Sunday.

Why not attend the Indian Summer Festival at Lincoln Memorial Gardens, clear invasive plants at Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, participate in workdays at Starhill Forest Arboretum and Jubilee Farm, visit the Healthy Springfield Expo at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, or bring items you no longer want or need to the UIS Free Trading Post?

For a complete list of events, visit the springfield350.org website.