Since Mayor Richard M. Daley declared his intention to make Chicago the greenest city in the world and lured then-director of the Cleveland Green Building Coalition Sadhu Johnston to spearhead efforts, the green initiatives are flourishing in Chicago.

Johnston now heads the Department of the Environment and oversees a staff working on projects to improve the economy, environment and quality of life. In July, Johnston, appearing on The Weather Channel, proclaimed that another goal is to reduce the city's overall temperature by one degree.

Following are just a few of the innovative projects under Chicago's green city initiative:

Green Roof Grants Program
Up to twenty owners of residential and small commercial buildings can get a $5,000 grant to help with the planning and installation of a green roof. Green roofs reduce storm water runoff, lower temperatures and reduce energy costs. Chicago now has 380,000 sq ft. of green roofs, according to Mayor Daley. More.

Green Building
The city renovated its Green Tech Campus to the highest (Platinum) LEED or green building rating. Its Green Homes for Chicago is a pilot project to test whether green building practices and technologies could be integrated affordably in residences, and the Green Bungalow Initiative, is a project to determine if the green building benefits of improved indoor air quality, energy savings and resource conservation could be achieved in bungalows.

Stormwater management guide
Best practices for developers, residents, and other community members on methods to protect water resources, i.e. natural drainage practices and landscaping, allowing downspouts to be disconnected to water lawns and gardens, and permeable pavement. Read the guide.

Solar Thermal
Chicago lured a company from Florida that manufactures solar thermal panels. The city, through a solar thermal partnership, has seen 450 solar panels installed—providing domestic heat and hot water to small businesses and affordable housing, and used to heat swimming pools.