A statement from Scott Bernstein, President of the Center for Neighborhood Technology
President Obama presented his Climate Action Plan yesterday, asking Americans to take seriously the threat of climate change and adopt behaviors and policies that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. CNT applauds the president’s leadership.
As the president knows, having served on our Board of Directors, CNT has helped cities and their residents make these kinds of sustainable choices for 35 years. We’ve also challenged and overturned the conventional wisdom that cities are the biggest carbon emission culprits. CNT’s research actually shows that cities can be the most efficient places to live, with their lower per capita greenhouse gas emissions due to efficient land use and transportation alternatives. For many reasons, cities offer the greatest opportunities to help solve the climate crisis.
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Monday, June 10th, 2013 at 3:03 pm
Flickr photo by alforque
There is a growing consensus that public spending cuts don’t just threaten the provision of crucial services but risk damaging our fragile economic recovery. Cuts to transportation funding are particularly harmful and are, as a recent survey conducted by the American Public Transit Association shows, especially unpopular. Seventy-four percent of respondents supported using public money to “create, expand and improve public transportation.” Nearly 90 percent agreed that public transportation improves access to jobs and close to 80 percent agreed that it “can help pave the way to a stronger economy.” Voters in metro areas across the country have voted to create dedicated revenue streams for transit funding (see Los Angeles and Denver examples).
As former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell suggested, although political leaders have been reluctant to support increased taxes to pay for transit improvement, there is a growing realization that public transportation is as popular as it is essential. Expanding transit doesn’t just benefit train and bus passengers; it benefits motorists by helping to mitigate traffic congestion. It improves air quality and reduces dependence on foreign oil. Public money invested in transit ultimately comes back to the government in the form of higher tax revenues due to greater economic growth and lower unemployment. Advocates for public transportation still have a fight on their hands to convince opponents of the merits of investing in rail and bus services instead of highway expansion and to translate increasing public support into political action. Thankfully, as Governor Rendell says, “the tide is turning.”
Wednesday, June 26th, 2013 at 11:53 am
Another deluge of rain wreaked havoc in the Chicago area last night. While some folks took to Facebook and Twitter to complain about the blaring of early-morning emergency alert messages on their smartphones, many residents woke to much more serious problems. Reports of flash floods and water backups began pouring in this morning, and early signs point to yet more property damage resulting from urban flooding.
CNT Water Program Director, Harriet Festing, addresses homeowners at the Gross Gathering, as representatives from MWRD, FEMA/IEMA, and Perma-Seal look on
CNT continues to stand in solidarity with flood victims, and plans to organize more Gross Gathering events that allow property owners to connect with each other, with municipal and state officials, and with organizations that can help mitigate flood damage.
The first Gross Gathering on June 13 drew approximately 100 people to CNT’s offices in Wicker Park. Homeowners shared stories with other flood victims on the “Soap Box,” met with contractors and officials, and discussed community-led solutions. David St. Pierre, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District; Tom LaPorte from the City of Chicago; Ron Davis from FEMA; and Sara Echols from the American Red Cross also addressed the gathering. Government agencies, nonprofits and private sector contractors were represented with trade stands and displays.
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Wednesday, July 10th, 2013 at 3:35 pm
Celebrating 35 Years: CNT’s LEED Platinum Building
35 Facts for CNT’s 35 Years: Each week we’ll expand on one fun fact. Enjoy!
#18 CNT’s LEED Platinum Building
Mayor Daley with Scott Bernstein and Kathryn Tholin
When you first walk into CNT’s office at 2125 W. North Avenue in Chicago, you might not “see” the LEED Platinum status, but as you look deeper, it’s uncovered. In 2005, CNT was the second building in Chicago and 13th in the US to receive the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification of “Platinum” by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
CNT relocated from downtown Chicago to an old weaving factory on the Northwest side in 1987. First, the top two floors of the three story building were renovated with energy-efficient objectives. After the first round of renovations was complete, we had the first non-toxic building in Illinois and were given an award for being the most energy-efficient building in the state. Read more »
