Sustainability Developments
What Individuals are Doing
Locally to Be More Sustainable
A recent survey of 98 RPS205 Freshmen found that 88% are convinced that changing weather patterns are a serious issue. 72% are concerned or very concerned about the impact of climate change. The survey, conducted during the RPS205 Career Academy Expo, was sponsored and administered as a partnership between Sustain Rockford and Forest City Sustainability. This result aligns well with a 2021 Stanford study 1 that found that “about three-quarters of young people felt that the ‘future is frightening’”. Interestingly, the Rockford study revealed that two-thirds of the students expressed optimism that global climate change will be managed in their lifetimes (hopeful or very hopeful). The full study can be accessed on our Resources page by clicking HERE.
What Businesses are Doing
Locally to Be More Sustainable
Trajectory Energy Partners and Summit Ridge Energy broke ground on 8/27/2024 for a 35-acre community solar farm which is expected to be completed in June 2025. The solar farm will consist of 20,000 solar panels producing 6.2 megawatts of electricity for business and residential ‘subscribers.’ OSF HealthCare is the anchor subscriber for Rock Cut Solar. The project is expected to cost $10 million and will take advantage of the robust solar incentives offered in Illinois as a result of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) which was passed in 2021. About 60% of the labor for the project will be locally sourced and the projects developers will make a number of cash grants to Rockford area organizations such as Rockford Habitat for Humanity ($100,000).
Trajectory Energy Partners contracted with Sustain Rockford to assist with this project by convening several meetings with nonprofits in northwest Rockford for the purpose of exploring ways in which Rock Cut Solar could leverage other sustainability projects and efforts in northwest Rockford. Community solar is a way for businesses, organizations and residents to ‘get solar’ without having it on their own roof or property.
What Organizations are Doing
Locally to Be More Sustainable
Cycle on 2nd 2024 was a huge success, drawing hundreds of people on bikes for this open-streets-style event. First held in 2018 and occurring annually on the second Sunday in September, Cycle on 2nd closes southbound North 2nd Street from Auburn to State to motorized vehicles and opens it for bikes! One of the best parts of CO2 is seeing families ride together, enjoying one of the most scenic views of Rockford’s riverfront in the warm company of so many fellow riders.
The event is coordinated by I Bike Rockford, a volunteer-led group that works to build community among cyclists and advocate for better active transportation options so that more people can say “I Bike Rockford!” for fun, recreation, and transportation. When people ride bikes – both recreationally, to work and to run errands – they are helping to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions which will help mitigate climate change.
