January Newsletter - Read up on our plans for the new year!

Updated: Mar 27

Hello EEC friends, community members, and environmental stewards!

We are excited to continue working with you all in 2026 through various campaigns, projects, partners, events, and stewardship days.

In our last meeting, we discussed how we can change the format of our monthly meetings to better suit the needs of the people and initiatives we are working with, as well as updates and potential improvements to each initiative.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

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Meeting Highlights

Many campaigns saw a lot of success in 2025, and we look forward to continuing to expand community involvement.
In the new year, our monthly meetings will be less structured and more of a workspace and opportunity to discuss what people are working on.
We are exploring new opportunities around green infrastructure, community engagement, youth programming, and collaboration with the 48th ward.

2025 State Climate Updates

Check out the past year's environmental policy progress in each state through 2025 State Climate Updates: Our Full List of Enacted Policies and Trends. This chronological list of enacted policies and trends examines emissions, clean energy, transit, and more.

Community Connections

Climate Change and the Air We Breathe Seminar

In Loyola's February 2026 SES seminar, Ping Jing, PhD, will discuss how climate change influences air quality through changing weather patterns and atmospheric processes. As a case study, the seminar will explore the impact of wildfire smoke on ozone and public health in Chicago communities.

Wednesday, February 18, 2026
3:30 p.m.- 4 p.m.: Refreshments in the SES atrium
4 p.m.-5 p.m.: Presentation in SES room 111

Climate Trace Comprehensive Emissions Insight

Climate Trace provides data on global emissions, pollution plumes, and emissions reductions from mapping power plants, factories and other industrial facilities via satellites.

See Estimate Emission Reductions to find specific climate actions for your city, county, state, and beyond. Potential pathways for decarbonization are ranked by easiest and most cost-effective and provides which sources of the emissions are most actionable with any given solution–see how this tool compares to your communities Priority Climate Action Plans!

Mapping Coastal Change in Illinois

Geologists at the Illinois State Geological Survey created a new interactive map that shows how the Illinois shoreline shifts over time. Explore how our scientists are mapping erosion, restoration efforts, and shifting coastal conditions at Illinois Beach State Park here.