About Citizens’ Greener Evanston
Our Mission and Vision
Citizens’ Greener Evanston (CGE) works to make Evanston a more environmentally just, sustainable, and resilient community. Our vision is to have Evanston recognized as one of the most environmentally sustainable cities in the country. In 2021 we began an ambitious strategic planning process with the goal of creating a community with a culture of bold climate action and environmental justice leading to a healthy, just, sustainable, and livable planet for all.
Who We Are
CGE volunteers collaborate with the City, local businesses, the faith community, residents and others to make Evanston a more sustainable community – environmentally, economically, and socially – and to address climate change by dramatically reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We are a 501 (c)(3) organization with more than 2,700 members. Please see below for a list of current board members.
CGE was formed in 2008 by volunteers who worked with the City on its first climate action plan. Since then, we have played a lead role in securing voter approval of the Community Choice Aggregation referendum in March 2012 and in encouraging the City Council to contract for 100 percent renewable electricity for aggregation participants. We have continued to work with the City’s Sustainable Programs Coordinator to develop and achieve subsequent climate action goals and are helping Evanston implement its 2018 Climate Action Plan.
Our Programs
CGE’s programs focus on critical areas that will help the City achieve its climate goals: renewable energy, transportation, natural habitat, food, environmental justice, water, climate change, and waste. Please visit our program pages via the list on the right sidebar, or you can see a summary of their objectives here.
CGE Board of Directors
(Including board members with roles on the CGE Executive Committee)
Karen Bireta
Sara Diggs
Joel Freeman
Jerry Herst
Ken Kastman
Chuck Heisinger, Treasurer
Peter Laundy
Lauren Marquez Viso, Vice President
Barbara Miller
Jean Saunders
Leslie Shad, Secretary
Chuck Wasserburg
