CHICAGO'S COOL GLOBES: HOT IDEAS FOR A COOLER PLANET

An art event that compares to Chicago's " Cows on Parade " in 1999 has opened along the lakefront with more than 120 five-foot globes created by celebrated artists and school children as well.

While viewing the globes I discovered quite a few had to do with gardens :

PLANT A GARDEN

There are 2,000 seed packets enveloping this globe as it rises like a flower from a terra cotta style pot filled with live plants. " Gardens absorb carbon dioxide, reduce the amount of energy from the sun that is retained by paved surfances and slows rainwater flow into storm-sewer systems. They also actively tend the earth and tune in to its changes. "

PLANT A TREE

" Every person needs 10 trees every day to absorb carbon dioxide. "

WATER EFFICIENCY

This globe was created by fellow artist and neighbor Ginny Sykes. She states that " the globe symbolizes water temperatures with various colored Mosaic tiles, the darker being cooler, the lighter being warmer. Arrows signify wind currents and faucets, humans ability to regulate water consumption. The warming of the globe is shown by a fiery danger element creeping from the antarctic. "

Not only is the exhibit delightful, it's very educational as well and it seems that the public is thrilled with it . I hope to be able to see many of the globes this summer.