As threats of climate change become more and more apparent each day, our need to reduce our carbon footprint becomes more and more urgent for school districts and homeowners.

Initiatives for school districts
Earlier this year, the Woods & Wetlands Group's Clean Energy Team started working on a campaign to get fossil fuels out of schools and power school buildings with 100% clean, renewable energy. These efforts are part of Sierra Club’s Climate Parents and Ready for 100 campaigns.

The Clean Energy Team also is involved in the Carbon Free Healthy School Program. This program will provide free energy audits and assist schools in transitioning to rooftop solar and electric buses.

The Illinois EPA recently announced $27 million in funding opportunities to replace existing diesel school buses with new all-electric school buses in any of three priority areas in the state. Lake County has been identified as a Priority 1 area.

For information on helping your local school district take advantage of these programs, contact Jay Futterman at jayfutterman@yahoo.com.

Programs for homeowners
Meanwhile, Grow Geo Chicagoland is launching an initiative to promote the use of geothermal heat pumps in homes.

Geothermal heat pumps are a sustainable and cost-effective way to heat and cool your home. They also reduce your reliance on fossil fuels.

Through a group purchase program, Grow Geo Chicagoland aims to drive down the cost of these systems and make them accessible to more homeowners.

For more information, attend the free Geo-Power Hour introductory webinar on Thursday, April 27, at noon CT. Register here

Photo by Brian Foulds, Concord-Carlisle Regional School District, National Renewable Energy Laboratory