City of Chicago, Department of Environment

The Chicago Department of Environment's mission is to protect human health and the environment, improve the urban quality of life, and promote economic development.  Visit their website to learn about a multitude of programs and services offered by the City. 

Chicago Center for Green Technologies
If you have never visited Chicago's Center for Green Technologies, schedule time to take a tour.  Chicago Green Tech is only the third building in the United States to be designed according to the LEED rating system using the highest standards of green technology available. It is the only one of the three that is a renovation of an existing building and the only one accessible by public transportation. CCGT also offers free seminars for the public 2-3 times per week. CCGT's Green Building Resource Center also has a small library that includes green product samples. The library open to visitors whenever CCGT is open.

Center for Neighborhood Technology

CNT promotes the development of more livable and sustainable communities. Since 1978, the Center for Neighborhood Technology has worked to show urban communities locally and all across the country how to develop more sustainably. With smarts, creativity and innovation, and before the term sustainable development was even widely used, CNT has been demonstrating its unique brand of sustainable development: development that is good for the economy and the environment; makes better use of existing resources and community assets; and improves the health of natural systems and the wealth of people—today and in the future.

U.S. Green Building Council
USGBC is a community of leaders working to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated.  Check out their website to learn about LEED ratings, workshops, local chapters of USGBC and much more. 

Great Lakes Pollution Prevention Round Table
GLRPPR is a professional organization dedicated to promoting information exchange and networking to Pollution Prevention professionals in the Great Lakes regions of the United States and Canada. Their website has a wealth of information about pollution prevention resources, projects and events.   

EnergyStar
You've seen the EnergyStar logo on all kinds of products from computers to refrigerators. But did you know that you can get a tax deduction just for using those products? Check out the EnergyStar website to learn how to save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.

US Environmental Protection Agency

The US EPA administers many different environmental program.  Learn how to protect the environment during the winter , how to help with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts or visit their kid-friendly website to teach your children about sustainability.

Green Drinks

Interested in a career in sustainability?  Chicago Green Drinks hosts a number of movie nights, networking events, panel discussions and more.   

Rocky Mountain Institute
RMI describes itself as a "think and do tank."  They show businesses, communities, individuals, and governments how to create more wealth and employment, protect and enhance natural and human capital, increase profit and competitive advantage, and enjoy many other benefits—largely by doing what they do far more efficiently. 

The Natural Step

Since 1988, The Natural Step has worked to accelerate global sustainability by guiding companies, communities and governments onto an ecologically, socially and economically sustainable path. More than 70 people in twelve countries work with an international network of sustainability experts, scientists, universities, and businesses to create solutions, innovative models and tools that will lead the transition to a sustainable future.

Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes

The Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes are global indexes tracking the financial performance of the leading sustainability-driven companies worldwide. They provide asset managers with reliable and objective benchmarks to manage sustainability portfolios.