Chicago’s Windy City

On a random day in March, the sun shone, and the sky was bright and blue, unlike the blank nothing of the winter air. The 75-degree weather came from nowhere, and the brisk cold of Chicago was somehow dissipated.

People around the city went from being bundled up in winter coats, to being hat and gloveless, with only long sleeves on. Winter jackets were nowhere to be seen, and it felt like an early spring.

While we might be accustomed to Chicago’s unpredictable weather, there’s more to these sudden shifts than meets the eye. As we head into spring and prepare for upcoming activities with the children at HOPES Sites, such as the much-anticipated zoo trip in May, we’re reminded that these erratic weather patterns are linked to much larger, global shifts.

Understanding Global Warming and Its Effects on Weather

After this shift in weather, we found ourselves back indoors, and wondering how we could explain this phenomena of weather to the children. Why in Chicago can it one day go from bright sun and warm air to frigid cold? 

What we noticed was, when the weather decided to be nice out, people seemed more excited than anything. Suddenly, a day later, everything seemed to change. It was back to being cold outside and the excuse was, “It’s just Illinois weather.”

Despite Illinois’ janky weather patterns, the reason might be a little deeper than you think. The Earth’s weather patterns in general should cause a fright for everyone. This roller coaster of temperatures is just a sign that global warming is directly affecting every person, everything, and every area as I type this blog.

Our Role in Educating and Inspiring Change

As we prepare for Earth Day on April 22nd, it’s essential to remember that awareness and education are key to combating climate change. At HOPES Sites, we’re focused on educating the next generation about the importance of protecting the planet. In recent weeks, the children have participated in activities designed to teach them about sustainability and environmentalism.

One of the highlights was the creation of grass seed chia pets, an interactive way for the kids to learn about gardening and the life cycle of plants. These activities not only introduce them to the joy of nurturing life but also provide a hands-on understanding of how our environment works. Alongside these projects, we’ve read books that explain the environmental crisis in an age-appropriate way, ensuring that even young children can grasp the urgency of protecting our planet.

At HOPES, we believe that every small effort—whether it’s reducing waste, conserving water, or planting a tree—adds up. By teaching kids about the environment and showing them how they can take action, we’re empowering them to make positive changes that will benefit our planet for years to come.
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As we celebrate Earth Day, let’s remember that while the challenges of climate change are vast, the solutions are within our reach. Together, we can help raise awareness, educate the next generation, and take small but meaningful steps toward creating a more sustainable world.