When Climate Ambition Exceeds Results

With its ambitious plans to slash carbon dioxide emissions through fuel and building efficiency, green roofs, new tree-lined avenues and the like, Chicago has been seen as a model among cities for tackling climate change. But a Chicago Tribune investigation shows that the results from that commitment have been slow to reveal themselves. By no means the final verdict, the report shows how difficult can be to change course, and how it takes time to see results from initiatives. With many top climate scientists in general agreement that the world has about a decade to take serious action on climate change, Chicago's experience is instructive for this reason more than any other: It's smart to start sooner rather than later, according to a story in the June 18 Chicago Tribune.