Statement by Brownie Carson, NRCM executive director
Today the Natural Resources Council of Maine is launching a public education campaign to ensure that Maine does our part to address the threat of global warming.
With the involvement of people from all walks of life, we are bringing attention to the warning signs already upon us which indicate that Maine’s environment, public health, and way of life are at risk.
We’re also bringing attention to the winning solutions that can help solve the problem of global warming – while also saving money, reducing air pollution, helping to protect our health, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
Today we are releasing a new report: Global Warming in Maine: Warning Signs, Winning Solutions, and three radio ads which started airing this morning on radio stations statewide.
For those who have seen the movie Day After Tomorrow, the changes we’re describing in Maine may seem small. But they are very real, and they are happening now.
There is broad consensus in the scientific community that global warming is occurring, and that it is largely the result of human activities. Through the burning of fossil fuels in our cars, power plants, factories and homes, we are creating a blanket of pollution that is trapping heat around the Earth. Signs of global warming are emerging in Maine and across the globe, and people, businesses, and nations are responding.
The U.S. Government, regrettably, has failed to show the leadership needed to help protect our planet from the threat of global warming, which is why it is especially important for the states to show the way. Maine has a chance to be a leader, by working to reduce global warming pollution from our vehicles, businesses and homes. Increased energy efficiency, increased renewable energy, and tighter controls on air pollution all are necessary.
The threat of global warming presents us with the question:
What Kind of Maine Will We Pass On To Our Children?
Our message today is that we need to rally to the cause of passing on to future generations a Maine much like the one we have the privilege of enjoying today. We need to adopt policy measures and changes in energy use that implement winning solutions. The individuals featured in our publication and radio ads are not actors; they are real Maine people. We ask Maine people to hear their warnings. We urge Maine policymakers to respond to their calls for action. And we ask that everyone joins us to make sure that Maine does our part to protect our natural heritage.
