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See where Baumhart Center faculty and staff, as well as Baumhart Scholars and their mentors, have been featured in the media.

Chicago’s Builders Vision invests in climate solutions for energy, agriculture and our oceans
March 13, 2024

Chicago’s Builders Vision invests in climate solutions for energy, agriculture and our oceans

Local heir to the Walmart fortune, Lukas Walton, founded Builders Vision to address environmental challenges.

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Can Chicago’s power grid handle a move from natural gas to electric in homes?
February 1, 2024

Can Chicago’s power grid handle a move from natural gas to electric in homes?

An ordinance introduced in City Council in January would ban gas hookups in most new buildings in Chicago.

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How your investments can benefit the environment
January 18, 2024

How your investments can benefit the environment

Whether you’re investing in a retirement plan, mutual funds or other financial instruments, there are ways to keep the environment in mind.

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Jalonne White-Newsome is the White House’s first environmental justice officer
January 4, 2024

Jalonne White-Newsome is the White House’s first environmental justice officer

This position is part of the Biden administration’s work to prioritize environmental justice in addition to meeting climate goals.

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Illinois scientists are fighting invasive fish with AI and unmanned kayaks
December 7, 2023

Illinois scientists are fighting invasive fish with AI and unmanned kayaks

Invasive species like bighead carp are damaging wetlands and fisheries in Illinois, but a high-tech innovation could solve the problem.

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Chicago’s efforts to remove lead service lines get a boost
November 9, 2023

Chicago’s efforts to remove lead service lines get a boost

The EPA granted Chicago a $336 million loan to remove lead service lines.

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Moving from eco-distress to resilience
October 26, 2023

Moving from eco-distress to resilience

Therapists are pushing the mental health field to become more climate aware.

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More people blaming climate change for extreme weather events, new poll shows
September 28, 2023

More people blaming climate change for extreme weather events, new poll shows

Planet Earth experienced the hottest summer on record in 2023. Featuring Baumhart Center director, Karen Weigert.

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Prime Minister of the Bahamas on efforts to slow climate change
September 12, 2023

Prime Minister of the Bahamas on efforts to slow climate change

The UN warns that countries have an ever-narrowing window of time to lower emissions. Featuring Baumhart Center director Karen Weigert.

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Prime Minister Davis says 'thank you' to Chicago
September 11, 2023

Prime Minister Davis says 'thank you' to Chicago

Bahamas Prime Minister Philip E. Davis spent two days visiting Chicago, which included a spirited roundtable at Loyola University advocating for more action on climate change.

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Baumhart Director Karen Weigert appointed to the Board of the Clean Energy Jobs and Justice Fund
September 1, 2023

Baumhart Director Karen Weigert appointed to the Board of the Clean Energy Jobs and Justice Fund

The nonprofit fund prioritizes the provision of capital, such as low-interest and zero-interest loans, for renewable energy projects to Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and businesses serving low-income, environmental justice, and Black and Brown communities.

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How clean workforce hubs could train new workers, meet climate goals
August 31, 2023

How clean workforce hubs could train new workers, meet climate goals

Governor Pritzker has allocated $34 million to start 13 clean workforce hubs throughout Illinois. Featuring director Karen Weigert.

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Youth climate activists scored a major win in Montana. Could Illinois be next?
August 17, 2023

Youth climate activists scored a major win in Montana. Could Illinois be next?

A Montana judge ruled in favor of young people’s constitutional right to a ‘healthful environment.’ Featuring director Karen Weigert.

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Meet the citizen scientists mapping Chicago’s heat inequities
August 3, 2023

Meet the citizen scientists mapping Chicago’s heat inequities

Hundreds of Chicagoans registered to volunteer their time to measure temperatures and humidity. Featuring director Karen Weigert.

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What needs to happen to protect the air we breathe?
July 20, 2023

What needs to happen to protect the air we breathe?

Experts share tips for what can be done to reduce air pollution and the health issues that it can cause. Featuring director Karen Weigert.

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Chicago’s cottonwood problem: What’s up with the fluffy stuff?
June 7, 2023

Chicago’s cottonwood problem: What’s up with the fluffy stuff?

Cottonwood trees are going through a “mast seeding” event. Featuring director Karen Weigert.

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The EPA’s proposed regulations could clean up the nation’s power grid
May 25, 2023

The EPA’s proposed regulations could clean up the nation’s power grid

The agency says the new proposed standards could curb carbon dioxide emissions by more than 600 million metric tons through 2042. Featuring director Karen Weigert.

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How will the Johnson administration tackle environmental justice and climate issues?
May 11, 2023

How will the Johnson administration tackle environmental justice and climate issues?

Featuring director Karen Weigert.

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How laundry is polluting in the world’s oceans and lakes
April 27, 2023

How laundry is polluting in the world’s oceans and lakes

Clothes and bedding are responsible for an estimated 35% of the microplastic pollution in oceans across the globe. Featuring director Karen Weigert.

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Our love of new clothes is harming the planet. Here’s how we can change that.
April 13, 2023

Our love of new clothes is harming the planet. Here’s how we can change that.

People are buying more clothes than ever before but are wearing them for half the time. Featuring director Karen Weigert.

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Bison and prescribed burns are critical to health of tall grass prairie
March 30, 2023

Bison and prescribed burns are critical to health of tall grass prairie

Bison are the largest land mammal in North America, and their grazing patterns help insects, birds and small mammals thrive. Featuring director Karen Weigert.

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Chicago leads in global conservation efforts
March 16, 2023

Chicago leads in global conservation efforts

Two institutions in the Chicago area have been named Centers for Species Survival by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Featuring director Karen Weigert.

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How a carbon-eating microbe can fight climate change
March 2, 2023

How a carbon-eating microbe can fight climate change

Sustainably made products are often more expensive than their commodity counterparts. But LanzaTech is hoping to make those products more accessible with their special microbe technology. Featuring Director Karen Weigert.

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What would happen if Chicago leaders brought back the Department of Environment?
February 16, 2023

What would happen if Chicago leaders brought back the Department of Environment?

The department was disbanded under the Emanuel administration in 2012. Most mayoral candidates are in favor of reviving it. Featuring Director Karen Weigert.

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Why are people fighting over stoves?
January 19, 2023

Why are people fighting over stoves?

About 38% of homes in the U.S. have gas stoves. Featuring Director Karen Weigert.

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Climate stories to watch in 2023
January 5, 2023

Climate stories to watch in 2023

A look at what are likely to be the biggest stories of the year related to sustainability and the environment. Featuring Director Karen Weigert.

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Tips and info about heat pumps and their green benefits
December 15, 2022

Tips and info about heat pumps and their green benefits

They can help consumers save money as well as reduce our reliance on natural gas, which has environmental benefits. Featuring director Karen Weigert.

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Meet the people behind Bronzeville’s Omni Ecosystems
November 17, 2022

Meet the people behind Bronzeville’s Omni Ecosystems

Dig deeper into efforts to cultivate living landscapes in manmade environments like the roofs of buildings across the city, and why reconnecting with nature is so important. Featuring Director Karen Weigert.

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She's taking on the Procter & Gambles of the world
December 5, 2022

She's taking on the Procter & Gambles of the world

Crain's Chicago Business featured Baumhart Scholar faculty member Kate Jakubas and her planet-friendly chemical solutions she's been manufacturing in her small plant on the Near West Side since 2015.

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How one of the nation’s first microgrids powers IIT in Bronzeville
November 17, 2022

How one of the nation’s first microgrids powers IIT in Bronzeville

The Illinois Institute of Technology is practicing what it preaches with a state-of-the-art microgrid that powers and protects the campus. Featuring Director Karen Weigert.

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Seeking environmental justice on Chicago’s South Side
November 17, 2022

Seeking environmental justice on Chicago’s South Side

Some neighborhoods on the South Side have long had pollution from heavy industries operating nearby. Reset takes stock of the problem. Featuring Director Karen Weigert.

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Will rich countries help poor countries? Takeaways from COP27 climate conference
November 10, 2022

Will rich countries help poor countries? Takeaways from COP27 climate conference

As greenhouse emissions rise, world leaders are holding their annual meeting to create a plan to slow global warming and climate change. Featuring Director Karen Weigert.

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What if every Chicagoan could get their produce from a local urban farm?
October 27, 2022

What if every Chicagoan could get their produce from a local urban farm?

Advocates say more urban farms and community gardens would help Chicago become less reliant on produce from faraway places. Featuring Director Karen Weigert.

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How Illinois farmers are fighting climate change
October 13, 2022

How Illinois farmers are fighting climate change

Farmers in Illinois are adopting strategies like no-till, crop cover, and installing constructed wetlands to reduce carbon emissions and water pollution. Featuring Director Karen Weigert.

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Chicago makes it easier for some homes to ditch gas, switch to electric
September 29, 2022

Chicago makes it easier for some homes to ditch gas, switch to electric

Homes and small businesses are responsible for 29% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Featuring Baumhart director Karen Weigert.

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Do you know what’s in your drinking water?
September 15, 2022

Do you know what’s in your drinking water?

Recent studies find that PFAS, a type of forever chemicals, are everywhere, but how do you reduce your exposure? Featuring Baumhart director Karen Weigert.

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Flooding in Chicago basements is a common and systemic problem
September 2, 2022

Flooding in Chicago basements is a common and systemic problem

Some residents say they experience flooding throughout the spring and summer.

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Chicago Plan Commission approves renovation of old warehouse into solar-powered apartments
September 15, 2022

Chicago Plan Commission approves renovation of old warehouse into solar-powered apartments

Director Karen Weigert speaks to the Chicago Tribune about a plan to renovate a vacant warehouse building in the Armour Square neighborhood on the South Side into dozens of solar-powered apartments.

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Looking for your dream job? You might already be building it.
August 29, 2022

Looking for your dream job? You might already be building it.

Director Karen Weigert talks to GreenBiz about finding a career in the field of sustainability.

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Crain's Chicago: People on the Move
August 15, 2022

Crain's Chicago: People on the Move

Crain's Chicago Business featured director Karen Weigert in their section, People on the Move.

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There’s a historic climate deal in the Senate. But is it enough?
August 4, 2022

There’s a historic climate deal in the Senate. But is it enough?

After backing out of several previous climate bills, Sen. Joe Manchin from West Virginia agreed to a compromise. Featuring Director Karen Weigert.

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What’s behind record-setting temperatures across the globe?
July 21, 2022

What’s behind record-setting temperatures across the globe?

A devastating heat wave is rolling through Europe, leading to fires and deaths linked to extreme temperatures. Featuring Director Karen Weigert.

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Merging profit and purpose for climate change
July 21, 2022

Merging profit and purpose for climate change

Director Karen Weigert talks to Reuters' Sustainable Switch newsletter about the extraordinary heat waves in the U.S. and Europe.

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What to know before buying an electric vehicle in Illinois
July 7, 2022

What to know before buying an electric vehicle in Illinois

As of July 1, Illinois residents are now eligible to apply for a rebate for purchasing a new or used electric vehicle or motorcycle. Featuring Director Karen Weigert.

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Clarity, Climate and Principles: Aligning Social and Economic Value Through Finance
July 6, 2022

Clarity, Climate and Principles: Aligning Social and Economic Value Through Finance

Professor Swasti Gupta-Mukherjee, who won the 2021 Aspen Institute Ideas Worth Teaching Award, was recently featured in the institute’s newsletter. Her course, “Finance for A Sustainable World,” was developed for the Baumhart Scholars MBA Program.

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The Supreme Court could change the EPA’s ability to regulate power plant emissions
June 23, 2022

The Supreme Court could change the EPA’s ability to regulate power plant emissions

The Supreme Court will soon rule on a case that could create roadblocks in the fight against climate change. Featuring Director Karen Weigert.

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Could Growing Green Businesses Mean Growing Environmental Solutions?
June 22, 2022

Could Growing Green Businesses Mean Growing Environmental Solutions?

"Growing the Funding for Nature," a virtual power chat in our 2022 Leading for Good conference, was profiled by Better.

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Sustainability is a business opportunity
June 13, 2022

Sustainability is a business opportunity

Karen Weigert, director of the Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility, discusses how to reframe sustainability as a business opportunity.

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Taking on carbon emissions in the workplace
June 9, 2022

Taking on carbon emissions in the workplace

From building retrofitting to certifying products as carbon neutral, advocates are working on many strategies to eliminate carbon emissions. Featuring Baumhart Director Karen Weigert.

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Cook County Desirable Destination Amid Climate Change Study Says
June 8, 2022

Cook County Desirable Destination Amid Climate Change Study Says

Karen Weigert, director of the Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility, discussed what Chicago must consider related to climate change.

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Bronzeville company is bringing green roofs, ‘living walls’ to Chicago
May 26, 2022

Bronzeville company is bringing green roofs, ‘living walls’ to Chicago

Omni Ecosystems is using cost-effective ways to create more sustainable green spaces in the city. Featuring Baumhart Director Karen Weigert.

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Chicago entrepreneurs help kick off Leading for Good conference at Loyola
May 17, 2022

Chicago entrepreneurs help kick off Leading for Good conference at Loyola

This year’s conference features a number of virtual power chats and in-person events for executives and rising leaders.

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Thirty years of river stewardship has changed public perception of Chicago’s waterway
May 12, 2022

Thirty years of river stewardship has changed public perception of Chicago’s waterway

The Chicago River was once so polluted with waste from the city’s meatpacking industry that parts of the river earned the name “Bubbly Creek.” Featuring Director Karen Weigert.

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Roundtable on Business and Sustainability
May 23, 2022

Roundtable on Business and Sustainability

Leaders are increasingly facing expectations to deliver financial value with societal and environmental impact for all their stakeholders. To make that happen, they’ll need to strengthen their sustainability DNA.

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Trees, wetlands play key role in mitigating climate change
April 28, 2022

Trees, wetlands play key role in mitigating climate change

Experts say agriculture and the development of homes, shops and roads has led to the decline of wetlands and large-diameter trees. Featuring Director Karen Weigert.

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How you can address the global biodiversity crisis from here in Chicago
April 14, 2022

How you can address the global biodiversity crisis from here in Chicago

As natural areas decline across the world, small patches of nature in highly developed areas play an outsized role in climate adaptation. Featuring Director Karen Weigert.

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Sanctions on Russian oil and gas are an opportunity to switch to renewable energy
March 17, 2022

Sanctions on Russian oil and gas are an opportunity to switch to renewable energy

Will world leaders take the opportunity? Karen Weigert, director of the Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility, talks with Reset about the sustainability implications of sanctions on Russia.

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One Earth Film Festival hopes environmental films will move you to action
March 3, 2022

One Earth Film Festival hopes environmental films will move you to action

Karen Weigert, director of the Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility, is the sustainability contributor for WBEZ's Reset show. Listen to her first appearance on the show as the Baumhart Center director.

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Women-led Chicago firm is pouring millions into climate-tech startups
February 15, 2024

Women-led Chicago firm is pouring millions into climate-tech startups

Buoyant Ventures is investing $76 million in what it calls “digital solutions to climate change.” Reset checks in with its co-founder.

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Where you bank can (indirectly) lead to climate change
February 29, 2024

Where you bank can (indirectly) lead to climate change

Banks can use the money in your accounts to lend to carbon-intensive industries. But there are ways to say “no.”

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