Take the Pledge
We all know how important it is to do our part for the environment, but did you know how easy it could be? We're asking every Chicago resident in 2007 to commit to the five simple actions below. You'll see that even the smallest action, if taken up collectively, can amount to big change. Join us in helping Chicago become the most environmentally friendly city in the nation and take the 2007 Environmental Pledge. This page presented in cooperation with the City of Chicago Department of Environment.
ENERGY
- I PLEDGE to replace 4 lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lightbulbs.
- I CAN eliminate 1800 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over the life of the bulbs.
- TOGETHER, all Chicagoans can prevent 2,558,262 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, which is the equivalent of removing 81,164 cars from the road.
Water
- I PLEDGE to turn off the tap when brushing my teeth.
- I CAN save 4 gallons of water a day.
- TOGETHER, all Chicagoans can save enough water to fill 33,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Air
- I PLEDGE to replace at least one car trip a month with walking, bicycling, or public transit.
- I CAN decrease carbon dioxide emissions by 1,000 pounds.
- TOGETHER, all Chicagoans can decrease emissions by 1.89 billion tons—the equivalent of 12 round trips to the sun.
Land
- I PLEDGE to plant or care for a city tree by watering, mulching, and removing litter.
- I CAN help to capture 3.6 pounds of carbon dioxide per year from the atmosphere.
- TOGETHER, all Chicagoans can help capture more than 10 million pounds of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of 515,000 gallons of gasoline.
Waste
- I PLEDGE to replace plastic shopping bags with reusable shopping bags.
- I CAN eliminate 208 bags per year.
- TOGETHER, all Chicagoans can eliminate 601 million bags and save 4,508 tons of waste from going to a landfill.
Want to do more to help make Chicago the most environmentally-friendly city in the nation? Click here for ideas.