“Chicago Climate Jeopardy” Directions: Click on one of the numbered hyperlinks on the next slide. The hyperlink will take you to the question slide. Then, move to the next slide (by clicking or with the arrow key) to see the answer. Click on “return” at the bottom right of the answer slide to go back to the main game screen.

Terms Greenhouse Gases What’s Coming? Making a Difference Preparing What You Can Do

This is the term for day-to-day conditions of the atmosphere (e.g., temperature, precipitation, and cloud cover).

Weather return

This phrase describes a long-term and persistent shift in the average weather of a location, considering factors like temperature change, wind circulation, and humidity.

Climate Change Learn more: return

The term for when buildings and pavement absorb heat, often causing cities to be warmer than the surrounding region.

Urban Heat Island Effect Temperature differences can be as much as 5°F between cities and surrounding rural areas. Green roofs and reflective (white) surfaces help prevent this problem. return

Greenhouse gases are commonly measured in “million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent,” abbreviated as this.

MMTCO 2 e return

This is the most abundant greenhouse gas emitted by humans.

Carbon Dioxide Carbon dioxide makes up almost 92% of Chicago’s greenhouse gas emissions. return Chicago Greenhouse Gas Emissions: An Inventory, Forecast, and Mitigation Analysis for Chicago and the Metropolitan Region by Center for Neighborhood Technology, 2008 – p.21

Burning these to create electricity and power cars emits carbon dioxide.

Fossil Fuels Examples include coal, oil, and natural gas. Chicago has 2 coal- fired power plants, Crawford (at the right) and Fisk that emit a combined 5 MMTCO 2 per year. return

In Chicago in 2000, 70% of our emissions came from these.

Buildings return Heating and cooling buildings and all of the electricity we use inside of them count under this category.

This greenhouse gas blocks UV-B radiation from the sun, but is also a major component of smog, hence the saying, “Good up high, bad down low.”

Ozone return climatechicago.fieldmuseum.org: Climate Change in the Windy City and the World

Chicago may experience a change in when and how much of this we receive, resulting in wetter winters and springs and longer periods of dryness in the summer.

Rain return

Also the name of a Dairy Queen treat, this extreme weather event stranded Lake Shore Drive commuters in February 2011.

Blizzard return

If we take no action on climate change, it is thought that Illinois’ temperature and precipitation will be most like this state’s by 2100.

Texas return climatechicago.fieldmuseum.org: Climate Change in the Windy City and the World

This vine native to Asia that climbs over trees and kills other plants by heavy shading may become a problem in Chicago due to a changing climate.

Kudzu return Climate change is causing plant hardiness zones to shift northward (see below). New plants (like kudzu) might be able to survive in our changing climate.

This is the name for the plan created by the City of Chicago to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2020.

Chicago Climate Action Plan This plan was launched in 2008 and serves as the roadmap for Chicago’s environmental activities. (It’s also where most of the facts for this game came from!) return

In the Chicago Climate Action Plan, actions are divided into five strategies, including: Transportation, Clean and Renewable Energy, Reduced Waste and Industrial Pollution, Adaptation, and this.

Energy Efficient Buildings return

These gardens on top of buildings provide building insulation, soak up stormwater, reduce the surrounding air temperature, and add greenery to the city.

Green Roofs Chicago has more than 4 million square feet of green roofs. That’s more than every other city in the United States combined. return Chicago’s City Hall Green Roof

A field of these in Pullman, a southside community of Chicago, produces enough electricity from the sun’s energy to power 2,000 homes.

Solar Panels 32,292 panels located at 1201 W. 120 th Street return

While shading houses and streets, these also soak up stormwater and capture carbon.

Trees There’s even a City plan all about trees. Check it out! return

The city is creating cooling centers at local parks and hospitals to help people stay safe during these periods of extreme weather.

Heat Waves You can find a cooling center near you at: return

Expanding sewer capacity, using native plants, and reducing our water usage are all actions to prevent these disasters that result from heavy rainfall.

Floods return Underwater Car: July 16, 2010, West Chicago

Chicago has built 158 green alleys, making use of this kind of pavement that allows water to slowly trickle into the ground.

Permeable Pavement return The same alley, before and after! Learn more in the Chicago Green Alley Handbook.

This term refers to the process of sealing your home and making it more energy efficient in winter.

Weatherization Since 2009, C3 volunteers have helped nearly 20,000 residents weatherize their homes! return

In 2011, the Department of Transportation added 39 miles of lanes for this form of active transportation.

Bicycling Side note: Did you know that as of January 2012 C3 is a part of the Chicago Department of Transportation? Go team! return

You can get rebates through the Sustainable Backyard Program to help you buy native plants, trees, and these water collectors to help you manage stormwater at home.

Rain Barrels The Sustainable Backyard Program also provides rebates for electric lawnmowers and compost bins. return

This City of Chicago program trains volunteers throughout Chicago who then take action on climate change issues in their communities.

Chicago Conservation Corps return C3 supports afterschool conservation clubs in 80 schools and nearly 400 adult volunteers throughout the city.