City of Evanston - Green Living Festival

Evanston Green Living Festival

“Walking the Walk — How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint”

October 4, 2008 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd. and adjacent Ladd Arboretum and Twiggs Community Garden

Sponsored by the Evanston Environmental Association

The overall intent of the second annual Evanston Green Living Festival is to support efforts toward achieving the goals outlined in the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, which primarily means reducing your carbon footprint. If you’re not sure what that means, you can find out at the Green Living Festival.

Because everyone’s help is needed to make Evanston a greener community, there will be activities to interest all ages. Demonstrations will take place in the adjacent Twiggs Community Garden. You can learn about composting and rain barrels, as well as tour The Talking Farms’ new mini-farm which was planted there this year.

Fun kids’ activities will take place all day in the classroom (also known as the “animal room”). For all ages, local vendors will be on hand to explain how their environmental products and services can improve your life. You can learn more about nontoxic cleaning products, organic lawn care, healthy baby products, electric automobiles and more

There will be a stellar line-up of experts speaking every hour in the Community Room this year (see schedule below). Keynote speaker Bill Sweitzer is a Climate Project Partner. He completed a rigorous training program led by former Vice-President Al Gore to spread the message about the threat of and solutions to global warning. The shift to this larger space should more comfortably accommodate the larger crowds that are expected. According to Fred Schneider, Festival Chair, the speakers and vendors will “focus on ways people can actually implement earth-friendly practices and reduce their carbon footprint.”

The Festival is expected to draw approximately 50 local green businesses and organizations engaging in everything from organic lawn care to automobile sharing to electric cars; and from re-using everyday objects to re-directing our energy consumption. Evanstonians will have a unique opportunity to meet and learn from many of the area’s businesses and organizations that are at the forefront of the green movement.

Other activities SC5 solar car photo

SC5, Northwestern University's latest solar car, will be on display. Fresh from competing in the recent 2,400-mile North American Solar Challenge, the solar car will be one of many examples of new technology on display at the Evanston Green Living Festival. Solar car team members will be on hand to talk about their car and the race.

Lara Biggs, Assistant Superintendent of the City of Evanston’s Water & Sewer Department, will be extolling the virtues of conserving water and drinking tap water.

The “energy bicycle” returns this year. You’re invited to ride the bike and view the gauge as it records how much energy your pedaling is creating. The electronic panel also will show you how much energy it takes to light up a traditional bulb compared to a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL).

CFL bulb image The City received CFLs to distribute to residents for signing the Greenest Region Compact, an effort of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (www.mayorscaucus.org). CFL bulbs will be distributed during the Green Living Festival on a first-come, first-served basis; supplies are limited.

The EEA has ordered 50 rain barrels to sell at the Festival. They have been hard to find this summer due to high demand, so take advantage of this opportunity!

Admission is free and food will be available for purchase. A guarded bicycle corral will be available for your convenience. those who ride a bicycle or walk to the event will receive a small token of appreciation.

Schedule of Speakers

11:00AM	Suzanne Keers and Ellen Shepard, leaders of Local First Chicago, will speak about “Thinking, Living and Buying Locally First.”
Noon	Bill Sweitzer’s presentation, “Beyond an Inconvenient Truth,” will speak to those important questions about what we should do next.
1:00PM	Jenn Savedge, author of “The Green Parent: A Kid-Friendly Guide to Earth-Friendly Living,” will make a presentation on the same topic.
2:00PM	“Green Remodeling and Design” is the topic for this presentation by Hans Frederke. If you are thinking of renovating or expanding your home, or building a new one, be sure to attend this presentation.
3:00PM	Brandon Leavitt's presentation is “Using Solar Energy for Your Home.” Leavitt has been a leader in alternative-energy sources in commercial and residential properties since 1977.

Sponsors and Supporters:

Sponsored by the Evanston Environmental Association, the City of Evanston, Renewal By Andersen, Whole Foods, Northwestern University, Allegra Print and Imaging, Evanston Chamber of Commerce, Evanston RoundTable, Hotel Orrington, Keep Evanston Beautiful and Rubloff Residential Properties, with support from Great Harvest Bread Company, Evanston Bicycle Club and Dr. Bronner Magic Soaps.