Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced Cook County and the Forest Preserves of Cook County are stepping up the fight against climate change. Resolutions (Cook County Board and Forest Preserves of Cook County) introduced this week set the ambitious goal of making all County government buildings and other operations carbon neutral by the year 2050 by drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Meeting the 100 percent renewable energy goal will likely include an installation of solar panels at County facilities, purchasing renewable energy from off-site installations and subscribing to community solar projects. President Preckwinkle has requested a comprehensive plan to meet the 100 percent goal within a year. According to the National Climate Assessment released last November, Cook County could suffer serious consequences from climate change:

• Up to two months of days with high temperatures over 100°F, causing more than 2,000 heat-related deaths each year;

• More concentrated heavy rain and snow storm events that cause street and basement flooding;

• An increase of up to 120 percent in combined sewer overflows into Lake Michigan by 2100 caused by increased storm events;

• Greater risk of toxic algae blooms in Lake Michigan, which poison water supply and make beaches unusable, leading to public health risks;

• Increased heat and erosion from flood events, stressing natural areas and endangering species in the County’s Forest Preserves.

The County has already installed solar panels at the Bridgeview Courthouse which are, in part, used to power electric vehicle charging stations. The County is also purchasing Renewable Energy Credits equal to 20 percent of its electricity bills.