Chicago is the largest city in the Midwest, making it the third most populous city in the United States. (Source: Wikipedia) In 2010, there are approximately more than 2.8 million people living in this city. This partly reinforces the fact that fifty percent of the world's population, now at 7 billion, live in cities today. Scientists reveal that we are now in the Age of the Anthropocene, where human activities on the ecosphere create significant impact. Population in the next decades is projected to rise putting an increased risk on our natural ecosystems.
This was the theme of the Aspen Environment Forum, to which any city or suburb around the globe, can relate. It was organized by National Geographic and The Aspen Institute.
As a local Chicago architect, I participated in the Forum after being selected by National Geographic and The Aspen Institute as 2010 Aspen Environment Forum Scholar. The opportunity allowed me to "engage with a congregation of some of the world's most prominent thinkers and leaders in the energy and environment fields: policy makers, scholars, journalists, business leaders, academics, activists, artists, and social entrepreneurs".
My sincerest gratitude goes out to these people who have supported a project we're doing to help spread the Environmental message from the Forum to those living in rural communities, living in poverty, and our brothers and sisters in Third World countries:
OfficePort CHI: Michael Edmondson, Co-founder
Kingspan Insulated Panels: Jaclyn Halliwell - Marketing Coordinator
Better World Club: Mitch Rofsky - President/CEO
Environmental Systems Design, Inc: J. Mark Andersen, Assoc. AIA - VP Information Technology
Miki Honda
Mika Kondo
Eiko Hamada
Wertel Enterprises, LLC: Scott Wertel, P.E.
John Soter
Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy: Andrew Rosen - Adjunct Faculty, Animation & Visual Effects
Rhonda Robinett
Rob Belzer
Ramona Lewis
Julie Knorr, LEED AP
Organic Food Club: Ed Kugler
Hernan M Hormillosa, LMSW - Psychotherapist/ Photographer NYC
Eric Damon Walters
Participation in the Forum was the first step. Now it's time to spread the message and ideas discussed, to help turn them to relevant action. For those in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries, we are continuing the discussion in our Facebook Page. Join us today.
Filed under: AEC, Architecture and Planning, Design, Environment, Events
Tags: Architect, architecture, Aspen Environment Forum, Better World Club, Chicago, Environmental Systems Design, Kevin Costner, Kingspan Insulated Panels, leed, Lira Luis, Office Port CHI, Tribeca Flashpoint Academy, Wertel Enterprises
