Environment
Climate news, including natural resources, endangered species, sustainability and conservation in Chicago.
Brumby and Willum, two 2-year-old koalas, will make their debut at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, starting Memorial Day weekend. The zoo is one of 11 accredited zoological facilities in North America to host the marsupials for the public.
On Earth Day 2024, companies have a chance to show genuine support for the transition to an economy based on green energy. Federal tax credits and other incentives for manufacturing are helping to fuel the transition — and create thousands of new jobs.
The company said Chris Crane will be remembered for his “transformational milestones” on safety and equity, specifically related to his work in the nuclear energy field.
Advocates for the incarcerated filed a petition with the U.S. EPA, asking the environmental agency to step in and fix a crisis they say Gov. Pritzker is not addressing.
It’s one of 80 projects in 37 states, part of a new $830 million program for strengthening transportation systems against extreme weather events intensified by climate change.
BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil and Shell argued city’s case belongs in U.S. District Court. A legal expert predicts it will move back to Cook County Circuit Court.
A few hours after the total eclipse brought thousands of spectators to downstate Illinois, traffic remained heavy on some interstates.
As darkness descended Monday in the path of totality, the air cooled, a bullfrog hummed a bass line and birds of all kinds called out to mark the occasion.
Sky high: Solar eclipse ‘holiday’ sparks exhilaration and emotions across Chicago, southern Illinois
With sunny skies and a high of 71 degrees, students, workers and families across Chicago took a break from their daily routines to marvel at the partial eclipse. Tinley Park resident made the trip downstate to view the total eclipse. “I don’t know how to describe it other than just the word ‘wow,’” King said.
The Chicago area will experience a partial eclipse on April 8. Downstate, Carbondale will be in the path of totality, in which the view of the moon completely blocks the sun, for the second time in 10 years.
It’s a major development in a decades-long process to improve water quality in our Chicago River system and have a positive impact for people and wildlife.
Monday’s forecast for Chicago is “looking to be really good,” the National Weather Service said, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 66 degrees. Downstate Carbondale, in the eclipse’s path of totality, should have good visibility as well, meteorologists said.
To combat erosion and provide habitat for wildlife, the Illinois Beach State Park Shoreline Stabilization Project includes building 22 breakwater structures along 2.2 miles of shoreline to help protect the beach, providing natural habitat for wildlife.
The doughnut maker will partner with Oreo on an eclipse-themed product. Delta and Southwest airlines are offering flights in the path of totality, and a special MoonPie will be on shelves.
The historical limestone revetment, or seawall, at Promontory Point “is structurally sound,” but officials have said for years the structure has been failing and should be replaced.
An estimated 100,000 to 200,000 people are expected to descend on southern Illinois, where the eclipse’s path of totality will pass early Monday afternoon. Southern Illinois University is holding a four-day party.
A nearly nine-hour hearing of City Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy was a preview of a fight to come over Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed ordinance to end connections of carbon-dioxide producing natural gas.
Gardening pros say warm winters have led to early spring blooms in the Chicago area. Delicate flowers should be kept warm if temps linger below 20 degrees.
Jackson Park’s cherry blossom trees did not reach full bloom last year. Plant experts say weather is a determining factor.
As part of the “Flight of Butterflies” initiative, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum will install 6-foot butterfly sculptures in city parks in July.
One of the twisters was reported just west of Manteno, and the other north of Herscher, both around 2 p.m. Tuesday. No damage was reported.
Chicago has been designated the nation’s most dangerous city for migrating birds. City officials can change that before the Department of Planning and Development’s preliminary proposed construction guidelines are released on April 15.
The glasses will be available at all Warby Parker locations while supplies last starting Monday until the day of the eclipse April 8.
Women make up just 10% of those in careers such as green infrastructure and clean and renewable energy, a leader from Openlands writes.
Archer Courts, 2242 S. Princeton Ave., will soon get a new hot water system, ventilation system and rooftop solar panels through a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Doctors say looking at the April 8 eclipse without approved solar glasses — which are many times darker than sunglasses — can lead to retinal burns and can result in blind spots and permanent vision loss.
The city of Chicago has worked for years on building design standards that prevent fatal crashes of migratory birds. Making those standards optional for builders is a problem, bird lovers say.
Seldovia, the Shedd’s latest otter, was saved by the Alaska SeaLife Center last October near the city of Seldovia.
Damage includes downed light pole, Cook County power outage amid recorded winds of 74 mph, the National Weather Service said.