Upcoming Virtual Events

Posted on February 8, 2021February 11, 2021 by Kaylee Craig in Info

Some community and educational events in February include: Intro to Frog Monitoring in the Chicago region, signing up for a garden plot with the Peterson Garden Project, and attending the Chicago Volunteer Expo. There’s an opportunity for everyone, so see the links below for events that might interest you.

Mark your calendar for these virtual events:

Peterson Garden Project

Apply in February to be added to the waitlist for a plot in a community garden (they’re still accepting applicants, but only for a limited time!)

Frog Monitoring Workshops

2/13 (9-11AM)
2/18 (6:30-8:30PM)

For beginners and experienced frog monitors. The workshop will cover the calls of 13 frog and toad species in the Chicago region and how to find survey sites for monitoring.

2/15 Ask a Master Gardener on Zoom

Wish you had the guidance of a master gardener for your gardening woes? Look no further! Garfield Conservatory hosts Q&A Sessions on Zoom with gardeners that have been certified as experts through University of Illinois Extension’s Master Gardener Program.

*Photo Courtesy of https://garfieldconservatory.org/*

2/18 – Roundtable Talks: Circular Economy Discussions by Plant Chicago

An informative and engaging discussion around understanding more about sustainability in Chicago and the movement towards developing a circular economy.

2/21 – Chicago Volunteer Expo

Virtually connect with over 75 nonprofit organizations from all over the city during the 9th annual Chicago Volunteer Expo!

*Photo Courtesy of Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum*

2/23 – Edgewater Environmental Sustainability Project Town Hall – Topic: Housing

The Edgewater Environmental Coalition (previously named Edgewater Environmental Sustainability Project) holds monthly Town Hall discussions with experts and innovators in the Chicago community that are tackling the many challenges Chicago faces in creating a sustainable future.

2/27 – Intro to Backyard Beekeeping

Interested in beekeeping? Interested in beekeeping in your backyard? Join this introduction to backyard beekeeping webinar! It’s $20-30 for this educational webinar.

Chicago Conservation Corps (C3) Orientation, 2021 Spring Cohort

To apply, RSVP here to attend the required orientations on one of these dates:

Monday, March 1, 6-7pm
Tuesday, March 2, 6-7pm
Wednesday, March 3, noon-1pm
Thursday, March 4, 6-7pm

Chicago Conservation Corps hosts an 8-week Sustainability Leadership Training Series that covers sustainability in the context of Chicago through topics such as water, green space, waste, energy, community engagement, and project development. A few of your CMGT leaders and members can attest to the transformational opportunity Chicago Conservation Corps offers. Don’t miss out on one of these orientations to learn more information!

3/6 – 350 Chicago VIRTUAL Monthly Meeting presents Chicago Muslims Green Team

Join us at the next 350 Chicago VIRTUAL Monthly Meeting that will present three CMGT leaders to introduce Chicago Muslims Green Team.

Green Living

Posted on February 8, 2021February 10, 2021 by Kaylee Craig in Life Hacks

Unplug

Our appliances and electronics provide us with constant convenience. It’s hard to imagine a life without our electricity-dependence. However, energy is a finite resource and contributes to increased carbon emissions. To reduce the impact of our carbon footprint, we can unplug electronics and appliances we don’t need to use constantly and ones that drain energy through their standby modes (e.g., computer monitors, printers, microwaves, coffee machines, TVs, etc.).

Overflow Action Days

We all know how flooded our roads and basements can get during the winter and spring weather events, but did you know that your shower/bath time might be adding to the problem? The combined sewer system we have in the Chicago region can reach full capacity during these weather events and consequently release untreated wastewater into our rivers. Don’t let your shower or bath exacerbate the problem! Sign up for Overflow Action Day Alerts for reminders or plan ahead so you’re ready for the next storm.

Recycle Plastics With TerraCycle

TerraCycle is a social enterprise in the U.S. that creates campaigns and solutions for consumer products/packaging that are difficult to recycle. They have a streamlined approach and multiple partnerships that allow them to reuse, upcycle, or recycle your waste and give it new life. Here is more information on their process and the products you can recycle through their programs.

Kids Korner: Let’s Celebrate Inventors!

Posted on February 8, 2021February 10, 2021 by Bayaan Thomas in Kids Korner

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner and us being in the middle of Black History Month, what better time to focus on the topic of Love. Love can feel and look many different ways. You can love your family and friends, but you also love different things, like your favorite food (I LOVE pizza!!), your favorite toy, your house, our city and even our planet!

Oftentimes when we love someone or love certain things, we want to show appreciation for them by making them feel happy and taking care of them. CMGT always promotes love not only for our planet but for our different communities. One way to show love to our planet earth is by using recycled materials. When we use recycled materials, we show our appreciation for the earth by creating less trash and keeping our planet clean (which makes the earth very, very happy)!

Have you ever heard of Garret Morgan? He is an important African American figure in the U.S. history as he was the first man to invent the three-position traffic signal. This traffic signal is still used to this day as the common Stop, Slow & Go light at every intersection. Without this important invention, there would be a lot more accidents on the road. Thank you, Garret Morgan!

To show love and appreciation to Garret Morgan here is a fun game you can try at home using the Stop, Slow & Go signals.

Stop, Slow & Go!

How to play:

To play the game you should have 2 or more people to play. To begin, you must have 3 different colored signs that say or indicate Stop, Slow & Go.

To play in-person:

Make sure to have a good amount of room between you and the other player(s), at least 20 feet apart. Everyone must choose 1 person to be Player 1. Player 1 will have the three Stop, Slow & Go signs. The purpose of the game is to have all other players race to Player 1 and whoever reaches them first wins the game. All other players must follow the signs Player 1 is holding. If Player 1 shows the Red sign, it means Stop (all Players must freeze). If Player 1 shows the Yellow sign, it means Slow Down (all players must move at a walking pace). If Player 1 shows the Green sign, it means Go (all players can go as fast as they want to reach Player 1). Every person playing the game can have a turn at being Player 1.

To play on Zoom (or any other video chatting platform):

Everyone will choose 1 person to be Player 1. Player 1 will have the three Stop, Slow & Go. If the person chosen to be Player 1 doesn’t have specific Stop, Slow & Go signs they can use any items they have at the house to indicate Stop, Slow or Go. Since players will not be able to run, players can choose to do another action instead such as dancing. If Player 1 shows the Red sign, it means Stop (all Players must freeze). If Player 1 shows the Yellow sign, it means Slow Down (all players must move slowly). If Player 1 shows the Green sign, it means Go (all players can move as fast as they want). If any player doesn’t follow the direction of Player 1, they will be out of the game. Every person playing the game can have a turn at being Player 1.

Materials:

1 red colored paper*
1 yellow colored paper*
1 green colored paper*
3 pencils*
Scissors
Tape

Directions:

Draw a circle on each of the colored pieces of paper.
With the supervision of an adult, cut the circles out of the paper.
On the red circle write STOP, on the yellow circle write SLOW, and on the green circle write “GO.”
Tape each of the circles onto the pencil.

***All materials can be exchanged with any other material you have around your home (remember recycled material is always preferred).

Did you know that one of the most popular snacks in the world, kettle chips, was invented by an African American man named George Crum? Although he is not the first person to invent potato chips, he was one of the first to popularize thinly sliced and pan-fried potato chips initially known as Saratoga Chips from Saratoga, New York. Today, these chips are often known as kettle chips. Without George Crum’s incredibly delicious invention, chips would definitely be crummy!

In honor of the great African American Chef George Crum, here is a recipe you can do with your family to create his one-of-a-kind chips at home. Remember, making food at home contributes to a smaller carbon footprint!

Saratoga Chips (Kettle Chips)

Ingredients:

4 large oval Idaho potatoes
Salt
Black pepper
Peanut or vegetable oil
Ice water
(optional) ½ cup smoky barbecue sauce
(optional) Brown paper bags
Small thin towel (to soak up oil)

Directions:

Peel potatoes and slice thinly and evenly (a mandolin works well for this).
Submerge potatoes in ice water and allow to sit for about 30 minutes, separating slices so the starch on each is rinsed.
Heat oil in a large kettle or fryer to 375°F.
Drain potatoes from the water and pat dry using paper toweling, making sure they are completely dry.
Fry potatoes in small batches until golden.
Drain potatoes and place on clean brown paper. Season to your liking.
Keep potatoes in the oven on low temperature to keep warm while finishing other potatoes, if necessary.
Serve chips with smoky barbecue sauce or any other dips that you like.

The Repair Culture in the U.S. and Beyond

Posted on February 8, 2021February 10, 2021 by Kaylee Craig in Green Tech

Imagine if we didn’t need to throw away what seemed beyond repair. Imagine if we had a repairable culture instead of a throwaway culture in the U.S. The possibilities for Green Tech are endless, and it all starts with our relationship to objects.

For our first Green Tech piece, we are discussing a recent article, The country rejecting throwaway culture, published by BBC on January 28, 2021 and its relevance to rethinking our relationship to objects we purchase. While this discussion isn’t about “Green Tech” in the traditional sense, it is about the policy and consumer shift that needs to happen in the United States to continue the movement of sustainability in tech. When we think of tech, the first visual that we think of is that of electronics, phones, computers, etc. Technology encompasses more than we might think, however. Technology is a broad term that describes the skills, knowledge, and processes we utilize to create tools and services for our everyday lives. It can be argued that repair fits into this term through utilizing the same knowledge and skills required for an original product to give new life and convenience in the product’s life cycle. Giving legitimacy to repair and rethinking the life cycle of objects mobilizes an informed and sustainable approach to the creation of new technology that will be valued instead of discarded.

Let’s imagine if we didn’t need to throw away what seemed beyond repair. Imagine if we had a repairable culture instead of a throwaway culture in the U.S. What would that even look like?

Europe continues to illuminate this culture through the hundreds of fix-it workshops that occur across the continent. Most recently, France’s National Assembly introduced an index of “repairability” ratings for appliances, the first of its kind globally. The French government hopes to increase their repair rate for appliances and electronics from 40% to 60% by 2026. According to the article, “Those rules came into force in January and require manufacturers to display ratings – similar to the energy ratings system already widely in place – that are calculated using five measures: ease of repairability, price of spare parts, availability of spare parts, availability of repair documentation and a final measure that will vary depending on the type of device. After the first year, a fine of up to €15,000 (£13,300/$18,200) will be given to producers, distributors and sellers who don’t comply. The bill also includes a ‘durability’ index from 2024 that will have new criteria such as product reliability and robustness.”

To put this further into perspective, “Analysis by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), a network of environmental citizens’ organisations in Europe, found that extending the lifetime of all washing machines, notebooks, vacuum cleaners and smartphones in the EU by one year would save four million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually by 2030 – the equivalent of taking two million cars off the roads each year.” By holding producers, distributors, and sellers accountable for the waste decisions they force upon their consumers, healthy competition will occur that will stimulate the economy and foster a circular economy that benefits the planet. France’s example, which you can read more about at the link above, reminds me of the resilience communities have had in the United States against the power of our throwaway culture. Much like the European repair cafes that started in Amsterdam in 2009, cities and towns across our country have met the need for repair cafes.

*Photos Courtesy of Chicago Tool Library and Community Glue*

Here in Chicago, there is the Chicago Tool Library and Community Glue. Chicago Tool Library is not a repair cafe per se, but they do provide access to building and repair for communities and individuals without the tools. Launched in 2019, it is a tool lending library that took inspiration from the ones started in Ohio, Washington, and California in 1976. Chicago Tool Library joined the 200 other tool libraries providing resources and tools to communities around the world. Community Glue is a repair cafe that has held fix-it clinics around Chicago since 2012. They welcome all beyond-repairs, torn fabrics, and any other thing that you can’t fix on your own. As of January 2019, there are 75 repair cafes in the United States and that number is growing. We have a long way to go in tackling the challenges we face around our valuing of objects, the consequences of convenience, and the waste that continues to accumulate. However, the buzz around circular economies and repair cafes/tool libraries brings hope and innovation that is here to stay.

Green Deen: What Islam Teaches about Protecting the Planet

Posted on February 2, 2021February 10, 2021 by Asma Ashraf in Interesting Read

In 2018, I gave a speech on the case for the reusable coffee mug at the Downtown Islamic Center Toastmasters Open House and the launch of the Chicago Muslims Green Team (CMGT), and I won a book, Green Deen: What Islam Teaches about Protecting the Planet. I recall researching the devastating effects of single-use coffee mugs and feeling overwhelmed at the sheer amount of actions needed to protect our environment. As I read Abdul-Matin’s book, I was overcome by a sense of peace and hope.

*Photos Courtesy of* *Abdul-Matin via ibrahimabdul-matin.com*

Abdul-Matin begins his novel by sharing that Islam is a Deen, which means a religion, a path, and a way of life. The premise of his book is that the Earth is a mosque, and we need to protect it and take care of it. Through his experiences as a policy advisor and as a Muslim, he shares unique insights within the four sections of the book: Waste, Watts, Water, and Food. While there are certainly connections to Islam throughout each section, he also shares knowledge and advice that are applicable to all readers without delving into their spirituality.

Society’s mass consumption stood out greatly within the Waste section. The unique history behind Watts, or Energy, was eye-opening for me. As were Abdul-Matin’s insights into Water and Food. He utilizes a personable way to connect with readers to share his knowledge about the practices and policies that have led to our current environment, along with what it means to be socially responsible as a company and as a consumer. Through empowering the reader by sharing the effects of the power of our choices to shape our world, he inspires readers to take positive steps to protect and nurture our environment.

As Abdul-Matin writes, “The Earth is a mosque.” Through taking the steps to treat the Earth as a place of worship, as a place that is our refuge, and a place where we can both learn and rest, we can move towards protecting our environment for both ourselves and future generations. This book is a fascinating read on the current state of our environment, how it came to be this way, and how we can work to protect and nurture our planet.