With the world’s sixth-largest freshwater lake at our fingertips, Chicago’s cup runneth over with bragging rights. Climate migration is predicted for the Second City, with hordes of people from out west tapping into our water privilege: our Great, and fragile, Lake. But currently, in Middle America, there’s a city running out of water. No, it’s […]
Category: Environment
Filters are not just for Instagram
Chicagoans inspired to reduce possible contamination in their home drinking water can find NSF-certified filters at chain stores like Home Depot, Target, Lowes, or Amazon, as well as local home goods and hardware stores. Consumers may find it easiest to use faucet mounts and pitchers, which are listed below. Other options, such as under-sink water […]
Is there lead in there?
Chicago has long been known to have an issue with lead contamination, though many residents may be unaware. In 2011 and 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Illinois conducted a study on field sampling protocols for lead in drinking water. The agency concluded that existing sampling protocols underestimated lead corrosion and levels in drinking […]
The Worst Case
Gwynne Dyer finds the world’s armies preparing for eco-disaster and the ensuing anarchy.
Closer Than Matewan
Jeff Biggers explores the devastation coal has wrought on southern Illinois—and his own family.
Field & Street: The Reader’s Nature and Environment Archive
A selection of our reporting on the natural world
The Best With What You’ve Got
“Urban homesteader” Erik Knutzen on sustainability for city dwellers