The Chicago Sustainability Series

The WATER Dialogue | S02E02

WATER, a Chicago Sustainability Series Season II Dialogue held on July 24th, 2020 with Dean Alonistiotis, Chief of Staff forMWRD Commissioner Kimberly Neely du Buclet [https://www.facebook.com/KIM4MWRD/?__cft__[0]=AZWTkEPfZii58TPnnb4Z2J0UIQgF8OKEjCFTmkXs7X8q5WPxBep179iyg130w8V99qxhAXD1sTLbOg7h1f3pLBO0O1FjbDPfXLXvTJ_of3TVqYWRuWTDATrggHbiWUzsXYM-gKMXtVePhf0l20EhEy8njdepdM_8YP8bvCLGBhYxPm34smmP1ENGo3TqIC9iaK5zPQI20Btetnair-KhQGQ_&__tn__=kK-R]of Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago [https://www.facebook.com/MetropolitanWaterReclamationDistrict/?__cft__[0]=AZWTkEPfZii58TPnnb4Z2J0UIQgF8OKEjCFTmkXs7X8q5WPxBep179iyg130w8V99qxhAXD1sTLbOg7h1f3pLBO0O1FjbDPfXLXvTJ_of3TVqYWRuWTDATrggHbiWUzsXYM-gKMXtVePhf0l20EhEy8njdepdM_8YP8bvCLGBhYxPm34smmP1ENGo3TqIC9iaK5zPQI20Btetnair-KhQGQ_&__tn__=kK-R] We discussed the intersections of water, racial and socioeconomic equity, essential workers, the impacts and pioneering research around the COVID-19 pandemic, and more. This Dialogue was conducted over Zoom, in recognition of the importance of safety and social distancing in the pandemic. Learn more about The Chicago Sustainability Series at SustainTheChi.com [https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FSustainTheChi.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3iHalazX217_la856mZD3gweuZ7Aw8C8O4IwyYnYMdlQzFGrwD1pT05-4&h=AT3yc7tvRhrXj5a8lNreM1ZiQenE0zZ5on5kFmCIDfug9t-EQQyUHLDdUz_iTjGwz9xK6Mq_YmWxHOPeY3OBhzp3YwhJ5YGTjEDC7iwr8FYFObtVt4JHCaMRqBMiJNo_dIacE-9eudLTK-mdLEOJ9V8&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT2gj9APnv37aJueb20IOuBa9REQB-s_uIaZjSf3SOha__s2YDAJhQprLCfErEIpd1JNEo5ImC7Gjhu1Uu_B_YqV5Irwn41DMyNwcOycI6xEzHsjJFMySDVozxJ5ppy45USOD-ZKaMBMekBNtW5_Pw_GSLmW7S3x74sgDqNw1d3ZKUUy6QBAp4HZ5MLs6Jpg1n8Kz-F83b7VV-_FQp9rjaHwAg9ifgT-waBaHg], and more about Commissioner du Buclet at https://mwrd.org/kimberly-neely-du-buclet [https://mwrd.org/kimberly-neely-du-buclet?fbclid=IwAR350Dr8KoUEbQx1VwtClD3V2NMnXljWaWSxk1E9Smlx5tae-E7W3SuLUQA] and more about MWRDGC at https://mwrd.org/ [https://mwrd.org/?fbclid=IwAR0olKc5x4RfZPcisuP3b-1S_2Z4Cai8flNKBqGV-vK_xHyfYFkN-7lsbLA].

The FOOD Dialogue | S02E01

FOOD, a Chicago Sustainability Series Season II Dialogue held on June 26th, 2020 with Thomas Jonas, Co-Founder + CEO of Nature's Fynd. Nature's Fynd is an innovative Chicago-based firm innovating the food space with products harvested from the Fy microbe protein, originally sourced from Yellowstone National Park geysers. The Fy protein requires 99% less land, and 87% less water than traditional beef production to become a range of foods from breakfast to dinner, with 9 essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.  *This Dialogue was conducted over Zoom, in recognition of the importance of safety and social distancing in the pandemic. * In their own words,  "Everything we do at Nature’s Fynd is driven by curiosity. It’s what led us to explore the springs of Yellowstone’s ancient volcano for NASA-supported research on extreme ecosystems. [https://www.naturesfynd.com] That’s how we discovered a remarkable, protein-rich microorganism.Using the microorganism, we developed a breakthrough fermentation technology to create Fy (“fai”), a highly nutritious source of animal-free protein with all 9 essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and fiber." [https://www.naturesfynd.com] *Thomas discussed how he came to the alternative protein space, the range of their products (diary, meat substitutes, dessert, and more), the poetry of developing a new protein that uses a fraction of the resources of standard protein production in the same space as Chicago's Union Stock Yards, the challenges and opportunities of the pandemic, their funding journey, and what is next. * *Learn more about The Chicago Sustainability Series at SustainTheChi.com [sustainthechi.com/], and more about Nature's Fynd at https://www.naturesfynd.com/ [https://www.naturesfynd.com/]. *

POLICY Dialogue Preview • Joyce Coffee (Climate Resilience Consulting)

A preview of POLICY, a Chicago Sustainability Series Dialogue with Joyce Coffee (President, Climate Resilience Consulting), held on March 30th, 2017 in support of The People's Climate March (via Food+Water Watch - Midwest) at Civis Analytics. Featuring a panel discussion with Joyce Coffee (President, Climate Resilience Consulting), Ashley Munson (Policy Coordinator, Illinois Environmental Council), and Deborah Stone (Cook County Chief Sustainability Officer, Director of Cook County Department of Environmental Control). In partnership with Assembly Required, we produced intersectional environmental justice posters and signs that we utilized at the 2017 People's Climate March in Chicago. In keeping with our ongoing partnership with Healthy Soil Compost + Nature's Little Recyclers, all food and food waste was composted. Learn more about The Chicago Sustainability Series at SustainTheChi.com.

POLICY Dialogue Preview • Deborah Stone (Cook County Dept. of Environmental Control)

"...which gives me tremendous hope for the region." - Deborah Stone (Director + Chief Sustainability Officer, Cook County Department of Environmental Control) • A preview of POLICY, a Chicago Sustainability Series Dialogue with Deborah Stone (Cook County Chief Sustainability Officer, Director of Cook County Department of Environmental Control), held on March 30th, 2017 in support of The People's Climate March (via Food+Water Watch - Midwest) at Civis Analytics. Featuring a panel discussion with Deborah Stone (Cook County Chief Sustainability Officer, Director of Cook County Department of Environmental Control), Joyce Coffee (President, Climate Resilience Consulting), and Ashley Munson (Policy Coordinator, Illinois Environmental Council). In partnership with Assembly Required, we produced intersectional environmental justice posters and signs that we utilized at the 2017 People's Climate March in Chicago. In keeping with our ongoing partnership with Healthy Soil Compost + Nature's Little Recyclers, all food and food waste was composted. Learn more about The Chicago Sustainability Series at SustainTheChi.com.

POLICY Dialogue Preview • Ashley Munson (Illinois Environmental Council)

"... we ultimately vote these people into office." - Ashley Munson (Policy Coordinator, Illinois Environmental Council) • A preview of POLICY, a Chicago Sustainability Series Dialogue with Ashley Munson (Policy Coordinator, Illinois Environmental Council), held on March 30th, 2017 in support of The People's Climate March (via Food+Water Watch - Midwest) at Civis Analytics. Featuring a panel discussion with Ashley Munson (Policy Coordinator, Illinois Environmental Council), Deborah Stone (Cook County Chief Sustainability Officer, Director of Cook County Department of Environmental Control), and Joyce Coffee (President, Climate Resilience Consulting). In partnership with Assembly Required, we produced intersectional environmental justice posters and signs that we utilized at the 2017 People's Climate March in Chicago. In keeping with our ongoing partnership with Healthy Soil Compost + Nature's Little Recyclers, all food and food waste was composted. Learn more about The Chicago Sustainability Series at SustainTheChi.com.