Chicagoland is more than just a place to live — it’s a vibrant region that blends the energy of city life with the charm of suburban living. From the serene paths of the Morton Arboretum to iconic landmarks such as Millennium Park, it offers a perfect mix of urban excitement and suburban tranquility.
Sadly, we are facing significant threats. Rising temperatures, heavier rainfall and fluctuating Lake Michigan water levels disrupt outdoor activities, erode shorelines and damage infrastructure, making the effects of climate change impossible to ignore.
Political campaigns often center the economy as a major issue swaying voters, but in today’s political arena, the climate crisis deserves equal attention. With the presidential election approaching, voters must recognize that climate change isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s also a pressing economic threat.
Financial impacts rapidly escalate as extreme weather events grow more frequent and costly. Flooding and heat waves in Illinois devastate local businesses, agriculture and tourism. Last year, the U.S. endured a record number of billion-dollar weather events, with disasters occurring every two weeks on average, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Consequently, insurance companies are raising premiums and withdrawing coverage in some areas, jeopardizing housing affordability.
Despite these clear signs, climate change remains a sidelined issue in political discourse. As Nov. 5 nears, Illinois voters must urge elected officials to acknowledge the direct connection between climate solutions and economic stability. Failing to address this causes only greater ecological and financial crises for future generations.
A recent study conducted by the global consulting firm ICF predicts that today’s children will face a financial burden of up to $1 million each, stemming from rising living costs and reduced earnings linked to climate inaction. These costs will compound the longer we delay action, straining household budgets as food prices rise and extreme weather devastates farmland.
People across the political spectrum care deeply about the future of their loved ones. If climate change continues to spiral out of control, we risk leaving them a world of irreparable environmental and economic destruction.
We must advocate for a Chicagoland where our children and grandchildren can flourish, free from the dangers of climate change. This election serves as a crucial reminder to demand action and hold leaders accountable for prioritizing climate solutions — not only for the planet’s survival but also for a prosperous economic future.
— Ava Cohen, Elmhurst
Climate change a harsh reality
Coastal North Carolinians may have long been aware of the danger from storms fueled by climate change, but those living in the mountain city of Asheville may not have been expecting what they got from a hurricane that made landfall more than 500 miles away. Helene’s unprecedented destruction came from what scientists call “rapid intensification,” resulting from Gulf of Mexico waters hotter than they’ve ever been. Hot water is the fuel that pumps energy into hurricanes, turning them into monsters like Helene.
We’ve known for more than 40 years that excess heat buildup in the atmosphere is caused by increased carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels. Much of that excess heat ends up in the oceans, and the result is depressingly predictable: tropical cyclones that can exceed anything our infrastructure was built to withstand.
Our hearts are breaking to see the suffering of the victims. But what about the cost? Some may complain that it is hard-hearted to discuss money when people’s lives have been destroyed. Others may object to raising a “political issue” like global warming while entire communities have been wiped out.
Meanwhile, political reporters tell us that voters’ top priority in election season is the economy, with climate change residing far down the list. That should tell us something about how the public fails to make the connection between climate and the economy.
Climate change is draining our collective pocketbooks with soaring insurance losses in states hit by storms, floods and wildfires. It’s destroying our infrastructure, which must be rebuilt from tax dollars or government borrowing. It’s raising our health care costs due to pollution and the trauma suffered by victims of these unnatural disasters. The global impact of climate change even affects migration, with desperate people leaving their homelands because they can no longer grow the crops they need to survive.
Climate change cannot be dismissed as a “political issue,” no matter how persistently some politicians try to make it one. It’s a harsh reality that we need to face without equivocation and shrugs. We can stop it in its tracks if we can persuade our political leaders that we truly care about it. But it’s also incumbent on our news media to help the public understand the truth, not contribute to their uncertainty and confusion.
— Rick Knight, Brookfield
Preparedness for rainfall
We need to review our rivers and flood plan. Climate change is real. There has to be a master plan of river dredging and levee system where flood waters could be diverted from cities, crucial bridges and infrastructure.
— Ray and Alena Gust, Deer Park
Forest preserve referendum
DuPage County is blessed with a rich tapestry of forest preserves that encompass more than 25,000 acres. These public lands enrich our quality of life and provide outdoor recreation areas for citizens to relax, unplug, and enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of nature.
On Nov. 5, voters will be asked to support forest preserves in DuPage County. The Forest Preserve District is asking for a small levy increase to preserve more land, maintain and restore existing forest preserves, add recreational amenities such as trails and improve public access. Since the pandemic, attendance at many forest preserves has nearly doubled as people continue to discover the many benefits forest preserves provide to our lives and our communities.
With approval from the voters, the Forest Preserve District would be better able to improve air and water quality, purchase land, restore and create more wildlife habitat, improve flood control, expand public safety, and create more places where children can enjoy the wonders of nature. With land prices skyrocketing and the amount of natural land dwindling, we must act now to preserve our last remaining open spaces for our children and our grandchildren before they are lost to development.
The cost for the average homeowner in DuPage County would be approximately $3 to $4 per month. The Forest Preserve District is less than 2% of our taxes. If this referendum passes, the amount would still be less than 2%. That’s a small price to pay to keep our forest preserves green and healthy and our air and water clean for present and future generations.
The Conservation Foundation asks that voters support our DuPage Forest preserves on Nov. 5 with a “yes” vote.
— Brook McDonald, president and CEO, The Conservation Foundation, Naperville
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