As the push to save our public transit system continues in the state Capitol, the push for clean energy will be playing out on Chicago’s lakefront on September 21.
That’s when Third Act Illinois and 350 Chicago are hosting a Solar Fest at Montrose Beach to celebrate the strides that clean energy has made in its fight against the fossil fuels industry.
It’s all a part of Sun Day, the first-ever nationwide day of action calling for the large-scale deployment of clean energy that is affordable, reliable, and ready to go.
Chicago’s Sun Day Solar Fest, near Montrose Beach from noon to 4 p.m., will include live demonstrations, valuable resources, dynamic speakers, live music, spontaneous flashmob dances, sing-alongs, a puppet parade, an electric vehicle show, and more.
Joining Third Act and 350 Chicago in supporting the event are more than 30 other organizations — including the Active Transportation Alliance — representing environmental and transportation action and justice, residential and community solar groups, as well as major universities and cultural institutions.
A CHANCE TO RISE UP FOR A SUN-POWERED PLANET
Timed to coincide with the fall equinox, Sun Day comes as the clean energy transition approaches a tipping point. Solar power is now the cheapest form of energy on the planet, clean energy jobs are growing rapidly, and communities across the country are experiencing the benefits of cleaner air and lower energy costs.
But powerful fossil fuel interests are working overtime to preserve the status quo. And the federal government has greatly reduced programs and incentives for solar, wind, and other renewable energy investments.
Bill McKibben, noted environmentalist, author, and a founder of Third Act and 350.org, reminds us that Americans have long thought of solar and wind as “alternative” energy, “the Whole Foods of energy: nice but pricey.” He says it’s time to think of it as “the Costco of energy: cheap, on the shelf, and available in bulk, ready to go.”
THE SUN CAN POWER THE WORLD, YOU CAN POWER A MOVEMENT
- Solar power is affordable. It’s the cheapest way to power your home or business – most systems pay for themselves within a few years and can bring energy bills down.
- Global solar capacity has grown more than tenfold in the past decade. It’s now the fastest growing energy source in the world.
- The clean energy sector now employs millions of workers in the United States, creating sustainable jobs and economic growth in communities everywhere.
- A solar system can provide your home with cheap and clean energy for decades. While traditional power grids fail during storms and emergencies, solar panels and the batteries they charge keep the lights on when you need them most.
- Communities that get most of their power from solar energy report fewer asthma attacks, clearer skies, and quieter neighborhoods – clean energy improves lives in ways you can actually feel.
- Installing solar roof panels is one of the best things you can do for your family’s health and future – they produce no air pollution or greenhouse gases during operation, improve local air quality, and reduce your carbon footprint.
So walk, run, bike, or CTA your way to the Sun Day Solar Fest on Sunday, September 21, at Montrose Beach near the dog park.
There you can take actionable steps toward supporting clean, sun-powered energy in your community. To RSVP or get more information, go to Sun Day Solar Fest.
This post was co-authored by Jean Bryan and Elliot Rossen. Bryan serves on the Outreach and Communications Committee of Third Act Illinois. Rossen serves on the Active Transportation Alliance Board of Directors and serves as a Coordinating Council Member with Third Act Illinois.