We asked Ken how he DOES it all. Here's what he said...I am pleased that my community has active people promoting environmental conservation causes. I attend Green Drinks regularly and am encouraged by the enthusiasm for green initiatives in our local community. I am also a scout leader and church leader in Jefferson Park and influence when I can in that community. Our scout troop has a strong bond with the Audubon Society (esp. in Dixon, IL) and in cub scout meetings, I promote nature-friendly activities such as composting, home-made bird feeders, home energy conservation, recycling, etc. My old scoutmaster donated $2 million to Audubon Society to buy property in Dixon, IL for a Russ Gremel Wildlife Sanctuary; our scout troop frequently does Eagle service projects improving the property. I was a chemistry teacher for 22 years and taught a chemistry curriculum called “ChemCom” in which environmental concerns (water, atmosphere, resource conservation and disposal, nutrition, radioactivity, petroleum usage) are primary; chemistry topics are introduced as needed to address problems. I vote for national candidates with environmental issues in mind but get discouraged trying to influence the global trajectory. I settle for local involvement and role-modeling. I installed one set of solar panels on my house roof in 2009 and installed a second set on my garage in 2019. I’ve hosted several times for the Illinois Solar Tour. I have an electric car (Chevy Bolt) and my wife has a minivan that is a plug-in hybrid. We do not use gasoline locally but occasionally burn gas on longer trips with the minivan. I have 9 rain barrels that I use to store rain water for my vegetable garden. In conversations with friends, scouts, and neighbors, I encourage conservation behaviors but I find that proselytizing leads to resistance. After retirement, I had a little money to invest. I’ve invested in 2 wind energy stocks, 4 fuel cell stocks, 2 solar energy stocks and 3 EV charging-station stocks. I think the future of clean energy is fuel cells. Hydrogen is combined with oxygen releasing electrons. The electrons can be used for electrical energy; FCEVs have an electric motor (more efficient than gas motors). All that’s produced is water and zero pollutants. Fueling a car with hydrogen takes 3-4 minutes. Hydrogen can be generated in off-peak hours using wind energy or solar energy. Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda make FCEVs but they are not available in the US and the hydrogen fueling infrastructure is scarce. I’m not much of a social influencer or activist so I am content to enact my own environmentally-friendly initiatives and support local community efforts. My impact on the planet is small but I have faith that each generation rises to address environmental problems and each individual can do their part.
1 Comment
We asked John Shea, Park Ridge Park District Executive Director, about Oakton Park's recent solar project. Here's what we learned.The solar installation at Oakton Sports Complex reflects how our community can bring sustainability into everyday spaces where people gather, play, and connect. As the Park Ridge Park District continues to invest in modern facilities, we also look for opportunities to make responsible choices that support the long-term health of our community and environment. Oakton is one of the District’s most energy-intensive facilities, serving thousands of residents each year through athletics, recreation, and community programs, so incorporating solar energy was a meaningful way to reduce the building’s environmental impact. The solar array includes more than 1,000 panels and is expected to generate approximately 684.7 megawatt hours of clean energy annually. By producing a significant portion of the facility’s electricity on site, the system helps reduce carbon emissions while also lowering long-term operating costs. Projects like this demonstrate local communities can take practical, measurable steps toward sustainability while continuing to provide high-quality spaces and services for residents.  This project was made possible through the dedication and collaboration of many people. I am grateful to Lauren Blackburn, April Armer, Brent Dolan, and Terry Wolf for their time, expertise, and commitment in helping bring the project to completion.
I would also like to thank the Park Ridge Park District Board of Commissioners for their continued support and vision in prioritizing sustainability initiatives like this one. Investments like this help ensure that Park Ridge remains a community where we truly love where we live/(work), today and for generations to come. |
Park Ridge:Take a look at what your neighbors are doing for Park Ridge sustainability! Archives
March 2026
|
