By Paul M. Banks

In the past year, efforts to fight climate change have accelerated greatly. Many influential and well-known personalities have joined the ecological movement, including Chicago Bears quarterback Kyle Orton. The QB, entering his fourth season of professional play with the local team, served as a celebrity spokesperson for the 2008 Earth Hour “lights out” initiative on March 29. All over Chicago, and Illinois, residents turned their lights off for Earth Hour 2008 from 8 to 9pm in a symbolic gesture made to raise awareness about climate change. One of the event’s sponsors, ComEd, stated that one hour of powering down conserved 7% of usual Saturday night energy consumption. Prior to the event, Orton made the following statement: “I’m turning off my lights, and I’m asking my Bears teammates to turn off their lights.  Talk to your parents and your friends and see if they will turn off lights. In football, it takes good communication and teamwork to make any play work.  Helping the environment is the same way: working together, we can make a difference. Pledge your support and find out more about climate change at www.EarthHourUS.org  Let’s make this the next step in turning Chicago into the greenest city in America.  Remember, the power of the group is only as powerful as the individual.”

Kyle Orton
No. 18
Chicago Bears

I also had an exclusive interview with Orton at a recent ecological fundraiser. We discussed climate change and his efforts to combat the problem. I asked him about how star power can contribute in bringing awareness to his cause. “It’s certainly a topic in my own personal life that I take seriously. I don’t know how much my name brings, but whatever it does, hopefully it will bring some good,” Orton responded. This issue has gained tremendous momentum within the younger generations.  So I then asked Orton what his advice would be for getting more people in previous generations involved.
“I think you have to talk to them. I know with my family they weren’t the quickest to respond; but if you show them how easy it is, the little stuff you can do around the house that you can do in terms of carpooling, recycling, all sorts of small issues, once they see, they get the momentum going, of all the small things you can do. Then it’s easier to talk to them about it,” Orton answered. With Earth Day approaching on April 22nd, Orton’s message should be resonating with plenty of people.

Orton’s example reaches and then inspires many of us to make our own individual efforts for the Green cause. Last week, following a media preview of a new climate change exhibition at the Field Museum of Natural History, I attended a luncheon at the Museum Founders’ room. It was there that I told the Deputy Director of the United Nations Environmental Programme about all the good things I’ve witnessed people doing while I’ve covered the green beat this past year. Statements came from people in all walks of life. On this Earth Day,

here are some of the best:

An important part of Chicago’s efforts to be the most environmentally-friendly city in the nation is to help our residents understand the impact climate change has on our city. 
 

–Richard M. Daley
Mayor, City of Chicago

We’ve done the following throughout our home: We replaced CRT monitors on our computers with flat screen monitors and put computers on “sleep-mode” so they automatically shut off each night.
–Rachel Young,
stay-at-home mother of two
Cary, IL

Our planet is a Field of Dreams for every living thing.  We cannot stand-by and take a called third strike in the most critical game of our lives.  Soxman’s costumes are made of recycled fabrics.  Additionally, I recycle all beverage containers consumed at appearances, and avoid making purchases from any corporation known for poor environmental practices or who knowingly destroy the rain forests for profitable gain.  I’m also dedicating 2008 to representing charitable causes focused on environmental issues.
 –The Soxman
Journalist\Local Chicago Celebrity 

Living in an older home, we have been taking steps to update our utilities to the most energy efficient options we can afford. Smaller steps including using photo sensors to turn off exterior lighting during the daytime also play a role. In addition, I have taken to riding a bicycle to and from work whenever possible. Each of these decisions and habits are not merely motivated by environmental concerns, but also save money in the long run. This type of cost savings will increase as the inflation adjusted cost of energy continues to rise.   
 

–Paul Sajovec
Chief of Staff to Alderman Waguespack, 32nd Ward,
City of Chicago

I am forever monitoring our energy usage, i.e. not running water, turning off lights, and each time a light bulb burns out I replace it with the newer energy efficient “green” bulbs.  Eventually every light in and out of the house will be replaced.

–Kristen Diaz,
RN/coordinator home health services,
Downer’s Grove, IL

I try to show the same respect to the environment that I would to my own home.  I purchased a low emissions vehicle with a reputation for having good gas mileage to minimize the release of carbons into the air.  Additionally, I always have clearly marked recycling bins next to trash containers at parties that I host.  I also try to re-use plastic water bottles wherever possible and plant new vegetation every spring.  Finally, I convinced my 15-year-old niece and her friends to watch “An Inconvenient Truth.”   They now recycle.
 
–Frank Kush
Program Manager
United States Federal Government
Romeoville, IL
 

The best, fastest and cheapest ways for people to help solve our global warming problems are by using energy-efficient CFL lights and appliances, and cleaner cars and more efficient rail and bike transportation. The biggest sources of pollution are coal plants and oil refineries.  It’s time for energy businesses to clean up and become part of the global warming solution.

–Howard Learner,
Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center,
Chicago, IL

When a UN study found that the production and consumption of beef produces more carbon pollution than all the cars and planes on Earth combined, I stopped eating meat. And I’ve written dozens of stories on green events, initiatives, causes, and anything else you can imagine for many different publications during the past couple years…And I’m just getting started. Because Like Michael Jackson sang, “I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways…If you want to make the world a better place take a look at yourself and make a change.”

–Paul M. Banks
The Sports Bank.net, Founding Editor
Lakeview East, Chicago, IL
 

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