Locals looking to take positive steps toward fighting climate change can attend a “Bringing Clean Energy Home to Oak Park” forum next week.
The Oak Park Climate Action Network and Illinois Public Interest Research Group are co-hosting the event at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Community Recreation Center at 229 Madison St.
The forum will feature state and local political leader speeches, will demonstrate clean energy solutions and will promote OPCAN’s free climate coaching program. In this program, volunteers from OPCAN are helping Oak Parkers access necessary resources and technical support to make their properties more climate friendly. OPCAN recently asked the village to help bolster its communication, education and outreach efforts for this program.
Village President Vicki Scaman is expected to welcome attendees to the forum. Scaman, along with other local officials and some high school students, attended the 2024 United Nations climate change conference, or COP29 in November.
“We have to remain positive in our advocacy,” Scaman told Wednesday Journal.
Attendees at the forum will learn about how recent policies are affecting the transition to clean energy and see how neighbors have benefitted from clean energy home upgrades, according to OPCAN member Pam Tate.
Energy Matters, a local energy efficiency and HVAC specialist, will also demonstrate how a heat pump works at the event. And OPCAN climate coaches will be in attendance to offer free consultations.
The event is free to attend.