SESSION 1 Climate Inaction & DisinformationSESSION 2 Maine Won’t WaitSESSION 3 What’s on your Dinner Plate?SESSION 4 Do Something!SESSION 5 Subtraction is ActionSESSION 6 Building Resilience in Challenging TimesGeneral ResourcesOrganizations
The Fallacy of Our Carbon Footprint
by Emma Pattee, in YES Magazine
This article is a big picture overview of corporate actions to shift responsibility for climate change from themselves to individual consumers as a way to prevent the systemic changes that are needed.
by Jeff Masters, in Yale Climate Connections
This review of Michael Mann’s excellent book, The New Climate War, provides a good summary of the book, detailing the tactics used by industry to delay action on climate change while identifying reasons for hope.
by Union of Concerned Scientists
This bingo game was developed for use while fossil fuel industry executives were testifying before Congress about their past efforts to ‘inform’ the public about climate change.
DeSmog’s website contains extensive research and information about PR disinformation designed to cloud the science and solutions to climate change. Has info about individuals and organizations.
Additional Resources
- Fossil Fuel Industry Deception — Historical and Ongoing Holding Climate Polluters Accountable – recording of a 1 hour webinar
- The New Climate War is a book by Michael Mann in which a renowned climate scientist shows how fossil fuel companies have waged a thirty-year campaign to deflect blame and responsibility and delay action on climate change, and offers a battle plan for how we can save the planet.
- Union of Concerned Scientists on the role of Fossil Fuel companies in preventing action to reduce climate change – nice, brief overview of how fossil fuel companies have knowingly deceived the public about the climate science and policy, for decades.
- America Misled– by George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication – an excellent short report exposing the fossil fuel industry’s longtime understanding of the truth of climate change and providing examples of its misinformation campaign designed to influence public perceptions and delay national action.
- The View From Here: We need big government to fight climate change – by Greg Kesich – an opinion piece in Portland Press Herald explaining the history of corporate misinformation, starting with the 1970’s Keep America Beautiful campaign (funded by the beverage industry to combat environmental regulation and bottle bill laws) and continuing with fossil fuel industry efforts to delay action on climate change.
- Worrying about Your Carbon Footprint Is Exactly What Big Oil Wants You to Do – Auden Schendler in the New York Times – sustainability director’s opinion piece describing how corporate actions to reach carbon neutrality sound good, but don’t advance the systemic change we need.
- The View From Here: New England oil dealers try ‘concern trolling’ – Greg Kesich in Portland Press Herald – Opinion piece providing example of how recent actions by oil dealers are contributing to disinformation.
Maine Won’t Wait
January 13, 2022 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
by Maine Climate Council
The Maine Climate Council is responsible for implementing Maine’s Climate Action Plan – Maine Won’t Wait – completed in Dec 2020. This is a link to their website. This is a link to the actual report.
The Climate Crisis is Raging, but We Are Not Powerless
by Margaret Renkl
This article explores just some of the many things you can do to address climate change, including supporting key organizations that conserve land, provide reliable information, enforce environmental laws, and more.
Got Climate Doom? Here’s What You Can Do to Actually Make a Difference
by Genevieve Guenther and David Wallance-Wells
This is a podcast in which a climate activist discusses which personal actions matter and which don’t, and author David Wallace-Wells argues that while individual behavior is a good start, large-scale political action is a necessity (requiring intense individual political pressure that can’t be ignored).
Additional Resources
- Conserving Land to Save Our Future – Marina Shauffler, The Maine Monitor – an article explaining how the global goal of protecting 30% of the world’s lands and ocean by 2030 might look in Maine and what benefits it would bring.
- 2021 Legislation Supporting Maine’s Climate Action Plan (Maine Won’t Wait) – Marina Shauffler, The Maine Monitor – article gives a nice picture of what implementation of Maine’s climate action plan looks like.
- Climate Change in Maine – Maine Climate Council – a simple website with clear information about how Maine’s climate has changed and what the most tangible impacts are to date.
- Maine Won’t Wait: A Four-Year Plan for Climate Action – Maine Climate Council – Nice chart showing what implementation of Maine’s climate plan looks like over the next four years.
- Community Resilience Partnership: State Grant Program for Maine Communities – State grant program for communities trying to reduce carbon emissions, transition to clean energy, and become more resilient to climate change effects (extreme weather, flooding, rising sea levels, public health impacts, etc)
- Equity Subcommittee’s Draft Recommendations – Equity Subcommittee of the Maine Climate Council – If you’re new to the concept of climate justice, reading these recommendations clarifies how prioritizing vulnerable populations when implementing programs to address climate change can alleviate inequality across the state.
- Transportation Working Group’s Recommendations – Transportation Working Group of the Maine Climate Council – The four-page Executive Summary gives a concise picture of the Working Group’s plan to reduce greenhouse gases contributed by the transportation sector in Maine.
What’s on Your Dinner Plate?
January 20, 2022 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Soil as Carbon Storehouse: New Weapon in Climate Fight?
By Judith Schwartz (Yale Environment 360)
Article on carbon lost in soil through industrial agriculture and the potential carbon sequestration from regenerative practices on farms and gardens.
Website on Cyclical Food System Innovations
by Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Brief overview of what regenerative agriculture is and how it helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
by Graime Sait
This 19 minute TEDx talk by physician and soil scientist Graime Sait explains the key role healthy soil plays in carbon sequestration.
The Future of Agriculture Combined With Renewable Energy Finds Success at Jack’s Solar Garden
by National Renewable Energy Laboratory
This article is about a Colorado farm that is producing energy and food (agrovoltaics),with areas underneath elevated solar panels providing cropland, pollinator habitat, ecosystem services, and pasture grass for grazing.
by Michael Dennett
This section of their website contains nice, brief descriptions of how their animals are raised.
by George Mitchell – Center for Sustainable Solutions
This is an overview of Mitchell Center’s project to reduce food waste and keep organic material out of landfills in Maine.
Additional Resources
- Comparison of regenerative grazing vs. conventionally produced beef – Quantis – powerpoint summarizing results of an analysis of the carbon footprint of a regenerative grazing operation compared to conventionally produced beef in the U.S., finding that regenerative grazing sequesters a significant amount of carbon.
- Explanation of the Carbon Cycle – UCAR Center for Science Education – explanation of how carbon moves around our planet (carbon cycle) and how human activities are affecting this cycle.
- The Natural Farmer – Dr. Christine Jones – summary of research comparing conventionally managed pasture (continuous grazing and fertilization) with actively managed pasture to enhance plant growth, showing much greater carbon sequestration in actively managed pasture.
- The Natural Farmer – various authors – collection of articles on innovative farming techniques aimed at high quality food and carbon sequestration.
Do Something!
January 27, 2022 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Financial and technical assistance Mainers looking to enhance their energy efficiency
by Efficiency Maine
Efficiency Maine administers programs to improve the efficiency of energy use and reduce greenhouse gases in Maine. Its website has lots of information about energy efficiency, materials, rebate programs, and more.
Example of low cost weatherization program
by Window Dressers
Window Dressers is a nonprofit organization that makes affordable, indoor window inserts that can increase comfort and reduce energy bills.
What You Can Do: Making Changes that Matter
by Count Us In
The group Count Us In lists the 16 most impactful actions individuals can take to address climate change. Check ’em out!
Additional Resources
- The Case for Electric School Buses – Transfinder – list of beneficial reasons for quiet, emissions-free electric school buses
- The Next Solar Frontier – Marina Shauffler (Maine Monitor) – Article explaining community solar and identifying some of the questions that have arisen as many companies vie for customers of their community solar projects.
- Community Solar – Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) – Page on the OPA site that has information and a short video explaining community solar and recommended questions to ask of potential providers.
- How to find a climate friendly refrigerators – Phil McKenna in Inside Climate News – Learn which refrigerants are far more potent greenhouse gases and how to avoid them when buying a refrigerator.
- Solar Energy Resources for Consumers – Department of Energy – This website has good information about the basics of solar energy, including community solar, a homeowner’s guide to adding solar, federal tax credits, and more.
- Got Climate Doom? Here’s What You Can Do to Actually Make a Difference – The Argument – This is a New York Times Podcast in which a climate activist discusses which personal actions matter and which don’t, and author David Wallace-Wells argues that while individual behavior is a good start, large-scale political action is a necessity (requiring intense individual political pressure that can’t be ignored).
- Example of municipal action on climate – Town of Falmouth, ME – Powerpoint overview of the history of Falmouth’s action on climate and its recent move to undertake a vulnerability assessment and inventory greenhouse gas emissions in the town.
Subtraction is Action
February 3, 2022 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
by Leidy Klotz
This book is about how human instinct is to solve problems by adding more, while often the simplest solution is less, and in the case of climate change, less consumption of global resources is a key tool.
How to Economize Your Climate Actions
by Sarah Lazarovic, YES! Magazine
This is an article to help you consider how the simplest, most efficient action can get the job done, and how the “Buyerarchy of needs” can help you consume less: 1) Use what you have, 2) Borrow, 3) Swap, 4) Thrift, 5) Make, 6) Buy.
Maine passes nation’s first EPR bill for packaging
by Megan Smalley, Recycling Today
This is an article: “With this new law, Maine residents will save millions of dollars and finally be on a path to a stable recycling system. It will also provide producers with the financial incentive to make more sustainable packaging.”
Additional Resources
- How can city dwellers help with climate change? Buy less stuff. – Alejandra Borunda – National Geographic article: While density has some environmental benefits, overall cities have a big impact on the planet. There’s a lot we can do to reduce that impact.
- How plastics contribute to climate change – Brooke Bauman – Globally, about 40% of plastics are used as packaging, most of which is for a single use. Learn more about the impact of packaging on the climate from this article in Yale Climate Connections.
Building Resilience in Challenging Times
February 17, 2022 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
by Dr. Anne Hallward with Safe Space Radio
This podcast explores the impact of climate change on mental health, and what we can do to deal with it.
A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World
by Katherine Hayhoe
In this short video, Hayhoe (called “one of the nation’s most effective communicators on climate change” by The New York Times) discusses how to talk about climate change.
Tips and Strategies for Coping and Getting Engaged
by Safe Space Radio
Tips on coping with climate anxiety and how to get started on taking action. (Spoiler alert: Find ways that play to your interests and strengths!)
Additional Resources
- Got Climate Doom? Here’s What You Can Do to Actually Make a Difference – The Argument – This is a New York Times Podcast in which a climate activist discusses which personal actions matter and which don’t, and author David Wallace-Wells argues that while individual behavior is a good start, large-scale political action is a necessity (requiring intense individual political pressure that can’t be ignored).
- How to Manage Climate Panic – Sara Lazarovic in YES magazine – One person’s take that taking action on climate is a productive alternative to panicking.
- Grant program for communities working to respond to climate change – State of Maine – This website has information about competitive state grants for communities seeking to plan for climate change.
Webinar about how to talk to people about climate change
by Katharine Hayhoe, Chief Scientist for The Nature Conservancy
Katharine Hayhoe is a climate scientist with a PhD in atmospheric science. She is astonishingly good at speaking about climate change in ways that don’t leave you feeling that there’s no hope. Watch any of her talks – it’s worth it!
Yale Climate Connections (podcast)
by Yale School of the Environment
Podcast featuring 2-min episodes on everything featuring everything from how to talk to children about climate change to positive stories about climate solutions.
Article explaining all the words you need to know to understand and talk about climate change.
Website derived from the 2017 book Drawdown by Paul Hawken, a leading climate scientist, providing detailed information about the relative impact of proposed climate solutions.
Climate Change & Conservation E-news
by Judy Anderson
Excellent twice-monthly e-news sharing innovative solutions that land trusts and conservation organizations are undertaking to address climate change.
Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (website)
by Yale School of the Environment
Website featuring scientific research on public climate change knowledge, attitudes, policy preferences, and behavior, and the underlying psychological, cultural, and political factors that influence them.
Climate Action establishes and builds partnerships between business, government and public bodies to accelerate international sustainable development and advance the ‘green economy’. Website is a good source of info about green technology and solutions.
New England is Warming Faster than Rest of Planet, New Study Finds
by David Abel in Boston Globe
Article highlighting recent study analyzing temperature data from New England over the past 100 years. The accelerated warming trends poses a host of risks to the region.
En-ROADS Introduction for Bill McKibben and The New Yorker
by En-roads and Climate Interactive
Video shows how to evaluate the effectiveness of various policies in reducing temperature rise with focus on the 1.5 or 2 degrees as goal
National organization with 7 local chapters in Maine, including one in Brunswick. Nonpartisan, advocates for a carbon fee/dividend at national and world levels. Provides good information on climate issues and climate justice/equity.
Maine organization that has a major focus on climate issues, among other environmental causes.
National Resources Council of Maine
Maine organization that has a major program on Climate and Clean Energy.
National Organization that provides excellent information and citizen action on climate change, and democratic values.
National organization mobilizing youth action on Climate Change – Maine has local groups at Bowdoin, Bates, Farmington, Colby, and Orono.
National organization whose primary goal is reducing GHG emissions.
