Empowering Communities: Chicago Experts Share Strategies to Combat Climate Change Together

Chicago is buzzing this week as it hosts The Aspen Institute’s Climate Conference for the first time.

Greg Gershuny, who heads the energy and environment program at The Aspen Institute, highlights the importance of this gathering: “This is about bringing people together from across sectors. We could talk about this for 80 straight days and still not run out of topics.” He believes the discussions here could drive real change, not just locally but nationwide.

The conference kicked off with a brand-new report that explores how communities can come together to tackle climate change by reducing emissions. This report, titled “Changing the Game: Community-based strategies and climate mitigation,” was created by the Redstone Strategy Group for the MacArthur Foundation and others.

Jorgen Thomsen, director of climate solutions at the MacArthur Foundation, emphasizes that community-based strategies—like developing renewable energy and enacting local legislation—can make a significant impact on emissions. With recent federal rollbacks affecting regulations and funding, Thomsen points out that philanthropy can fill the gap. Notably, for every dollar spent on mitigation, we can reduce a metric ton of carbon dioxide by 2030. That’s comparable to the weight of about 400 bricks.

“This investment in communities can yield a significant return,” Thomsen explains. He also notes projects from states like California, Ohio, and New York to illustrate their findings.

In nearby Gary, Indiana, a CBS News Chicago investigation uncovered concerning levels of industrial pollution affecting residents’ health, potentially linking it to cancer. Thomsen acknowledges this situation, saying, “That’s the dynamic we’ve been looking at in other projects.” Gary’s case will be part of ongoing research efforts.

As climate talks ramp up nationwide, the dialogue in Chicago offers a glimpse into what effective community action can achieve. Whether it’s legislation, renewable energy, or simply active engagement, the potential for positive change seems brighter than ever.

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