Local officials talk local action on climate change
Former Highland Park Village Trustee Kim Stone said she ran for city council there because the city gave her trouble installing a green roof on her home. “I thought, well, maybe if I were up there helping to. . .
Former Highland Park Village Trustee Kim Stone said she ran for city council there because the city gave her trouble installing a green roof on her home. “I thought, well, maybe if I were up there helping to make these decisions, things would move in the right direction,” Stone said. During her 12 years on the council, Highland Park launched one of the first curbside compost pickup programs in Illinois, got certified by SolSmart to streamline solar panel installations, built permeable paving parking lots and adapted other sustainability initiatives. Stone’s story is one of many shared by local officials — also including Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, Councilmember Jonathan Nieuwsma (4th Ward) and Oak Park Village Trustee Derek Eder — during Run on Climate’s panel Wednesday at the Windfree Solar Cafe, 517 Dempster St. Run On Climate aims to spotlight climate policy on the local level by “supporting candidates, collaborating with elected leaders and expanding the influence of climate justice advocates,” according to its website. Moderated by Jack Hanson, founder and executive director of Run On Climate, the event highlighted local solutions, challenges and ways the public can help mitigate climate change as part of2026 Chicago Climate Week. Jack Hanson kicks off the panel with a keynote speech. More than 50 people attended the event online. Credit:Ruixin ZhangLocal solutionsIn the panel, Biss highlighted Evanston’sHealthy Buildings Ordinance, a building performance standard that requires buildings with 20,000 square feet or more to have zero on-site emissions by 2050. Nieuwsma added that Evanston has reduced emissions by 40% as it works to achieve zero emissions by 2050, the goal of the city’sClimate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP). Under Oak Park Climate Action Network in 2024, Eder said, he administered the Climate Coach Program, which provides technical assistance for mitigating climate change by connecting residents with each other. He said it was by presenting the program’s impact to the village board that “got the ball rolling” on a local level. “Use volunteers, use the networks that you have and try to do a lightweight version of the thing, and that sometimes shames the government into doing it themselves because they could see that it’s not that hard after all,” Eder said. The event was held at Windfree Solar Cafe, where people can both buy coffee and consider solar for their home or business. Credit:Ruixin ZhangTo accelerate local action, Hanson and the four panelists agreed creating healthy competition is important. Run on Climate, for instance,highlights10 communities that have cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions the most in recent years. Eder said “heads turn” at the village board when he tells other members that Evanston has already implemented a particular idea. “Every morning when I open my computer, my inbox is just full of, ‘Evanston is doing this, why can’t you?’” He said. ChallengesPanelists repeatedly emphasized that climate action is a long, challenging process, with time as one of the biggest obstacles. Nieuwsma told the audience that it took “four years, three months and two weeks” since the day he suggestedinstallingsolar panels at the Robert Crown Community Center, already built to be solar ready. Stone said Highland Park recently bought its first electric police vehicle — something she said she’d been proposing for 15 years. “I’ve been working in climate change since before Jack [Hanson] was born,” she said. “We’re out of time, and we need to move forward with these things. ”Residents’ roleWhen asked about actions people not in government can take, panelists emphasized voting for candidates who “sprint on” climate issues. Voters are good at figuring out which policies a candidate supports and are against, Biss said, but are “much worse” understanding how candidates prioritize policies they support. Hanson said this is reflected in local officials who “think about the little things. ” He referenced Stone who — at her first city council meeting — prevented the city’s purchase of a low-efficiency air conditioning unit, and forced efficiency standards to be incorporated into future proposals. “I am inspired by these folks and we just really need more of them in local government,” he said. Eder recommended joining local climate groups. Working on climate change can be “super depressing,” he said, but finding the right spaces and people helps one to cope with the emotional stress and brings joy. Stone encouraged people to contact everyone in council, and not just the “climate person,” to educate them about climate policies in communities nearby. “I’m one vote, and if the other six people are voting a different way, that’s not helpful,” she said. Beyond environmental benefitsPanelists agreed that the benefits of mitigating climate change go far beyond climate. The current generation is marked by isolation, Biss said, so creating cities structured more on walking facilitates togetherness. Stone said investing in green transportation, such as by making a city safer for pedestrians and cyclists, increases people-to-people interactions. “They’re stopping and talking to people, they’re going into shops and businesses, so it creates a bigger sense of community and more vibrancy in the community,” she said. Participants and panelists mingle after the event. Credit:Ruixin ZhangAttendee Alexandria Cedergren, who works in the solar sector under a state nonprofit, said she came to the panel interested to learn more about local initiatives. During the Q&A, she said she brought up the topic of waste diversion and composting to make sure all environmental areas, besides electrification and renewable, can be considered. And while Cedergren said she was already familiar with most topics touched upon, the panel gave her renewed hope that people are working hard to bring change in all kinds of small communities. “I’m grateful that we’re having these discussions and hope that more people get involved,” she said.