Oak Park Climate Action Network has partnered with the Village of Oak Park to provide climate coaching to community members interested in going green.
OPCAN is a volunteer group of Oak Park residents, according to its website, that is working to eliminate local contributions to the climate crisis and advocates for the goals of Climate Ready Oak Park. Some of the goals of Climate Ready Oak Park include decreasing community greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030 and reaching net zero emissions by 2050.
Most of Oak Park’s greenhouse gas emissions come from heating and cooling homes and buildings, according to village officials.
“Reducing those emissions not only benefits the environment, it also makes our homes and workplaces healthier and more comfortable, while lowering energy costs,” according to village officials.
In this free coaching program, peer experts from OPCAN can help Oak Parkers get access to the necessary resources and technical support to make their properties more climate friendly, according to the village website. Residents can request a coach online.
The coaches are not meant to be a substitute for full-time paid labor, but rather an advisory stepping stone to receive recommendations on how to make a property or home climate friendly.
Adjustments might include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, installing insulation or heat pumps, looking into solar systems or purchasing an electric vehicle instead of a gas-powered car, according to the village.
The OPCAN website has resources available for residents including information on decarbonizing their homes or transportation, electrification, energy efficiency and renewable energy access.