Mainers from every corner of the state are stepping up to the climate challenge. Practical, creative and trailblazing teachers, bus drivers, students, communities, recent graduates and professional athletes alike are taking action to get ahead of the climate curve. Read their stories.
With rising energy costs, new technology, emissions concerns, and accessible home energy rebates for Mainers, homeowners have a lot to sift through when considering a switch to electrified home heating, hot water, or air conditioning. Rozanna Patane says a sizable gap often exists between a homeowner’s initial interest and taking those first steps. “I think it’s information overload. They don’t know who to turn to, and they don’t know who to trust,” she said.
Read more of Energy Coaches in York Help Homeowners Become More Efficient: Rozanna Patane
Chris Morin was one of the first participants in the E-Bike Partnership pilot project jointly run by the Maine Department of Transportation and the Maine Department of Labor. In partnership with the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, Eastern Maine Development Corporation, and the Bangor Area Recovery Network, the pilot provided Chris with an e-bike, helmet, toolkit, safety vest, and training in November of 2023. He’s been logging hours and miles on his e-bike ever since.
Read more of Getting Back to Work with an Electric Bike: Chris Morin
Marcel Ntagora is a community engagement coordinator at the Greater Portland Council of Governments.
“We bring people who face transportation barriers to the decision-making table,” he said. “By elevating the voices of people in underrepresented communities, we’re making transportation more equitable and accessible for all users. The people in the program are regular transit users and have different challenges. The program allows them to speak directly to decision-makers about their challenges and offer ideas about improving public transportation for everyone.”
Read more of Engaging Transit Users in Public Transportation: Marcel Ntagora
After graduating from Lesley University in 2017 with a degree in environmental science, Jamie Snook, now 29, decided she needed a hands-on job that didn’t feel limiting.
“I didn’t want anyone telling me that I needed to create differently,” she said. “It reminded me that life can be a little bit more grounded in the landscape we’re surrounded by.”
Read more of A Hands-On Approach to Climate Action: Jamie Snook
Lucy Robinson a senior at Colby College, is studying environmental policy and history and conducting research among Maine college students about experiencing climate anxiety, a leading topic from the recent report on climate effects in Maine by the Maine Climate Council's Scientific and Technical Subcommittee. Read the full report or its executive summary.
Read more of Climate Q&A: Lucy Robinson on researching climate anxiety among Maine college students