Cool Globe

In late January, 2008, an art exhibit began a one-year tour of several Illinois school districts when it set down at Mundelein High School. Named "Solar Earth," the 5-ft. diameter, 500-lb. globe is a call to communities to think about how they treat the planet today impacts generations to come. Legat Architects, Inc., designed the globe as part of the "Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet" outdoor art exhibit that ran along Chicago's lakefront in the summer of 2007. The public art project inspired viewers to take action against global warming. Patrick Brosnan, president and CEO of Legat, says, "We hope the globe will encourage districts, communities, and organizations to unite in creating a more eco-friendly approach to everything they do." "Solar Earth" uses light and dark orange to depict levels of energy use throughout the world. Photovoltaic (PV) panels mounted on the globe collect solar energy, which is stored in a battery. At night, the stored energy powers lights that represent energy use among major cities.