Maine’s transportation system is largely focused on moving cars quickly from point A to point B. But this focus risks missing the point entirely—and serves to create congestion, cost, and carbon pollution. If we are to meet the challenge of the climate crisis, Maine needs to deliver healthier, more affordable and accessible transportation options Read More
climate change
Salvation or Obsession: The Future of Skiing in Maine
As winter storm warnings flashed across our phones and televisions last week, my friend Ellis and I were hatching plans to get to the mountains for what we knew would be a truly stellar ski day. Faith in my snow tires and an acute case of powder fever put winter driving considerations on the back Read More
Support of LD 1902, Resolve, To Establish a Pilot Program To Encourage Climate Education in Maine Public Schools
Senator Rafferty, Representative Brennan, distinguished members of the Committe on Education and Cultural Affairs. My name is Josh Caldwell. I am the Climate and Clean Energy Outreach Coordinator at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I am testifying today in support of LD 1902: A Resolve, To Establish a Pilot Program To Encourage Climate Education Read More
January 31, 2022: Zoom In: “The Last Winter” with Porter Fox
NRCM hosted author Porter Fox as he discussed his new book, The Last Winter: The Scientists, Adventurers, Journeymen, and Mavericks Trying to Save the World. In this deeply researched, beautifully written, and adventure-filled book, journalist Porter Fox travels along the edge of the Northern Hemisphere’s snow line to track the scope of the drastic decline Read More
Creature Feature: Snowshoe Hare
Snowshoe Hare Scientific name: Lepus americanus Cool fact: Except in very southernmost Maine, where they overlap with the cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hares are the only wild “rabbit” species in the state. Somewhere right now, in the dense spruce-fir forest of northern Maine, a wild cat is stalking a white hare. The cat, a lynx, is Read More
Community Solar—What’s the Deal?
Have you received multiple offers to sign up for solar and save money on your electric bill? Do you wonder if these offers are legitimate? Where’s the catch? How do these work? People are asking these questions, so I did a little research. Here’s what I found out. There are two ways to engage in community Read More
Exploring Community Trails, Big and Small, in Maine
With new funding streams coming in and plans progressing to improve our walking and biking paths, we have a lot to be hopeful for in Maine. In the coming years there will be myriad opportunities to engage at the local, state, and federal levels to advocate for community trails. Such an investment would be not Read More
Putting Our Plug-in Hybrid to the Test: Pandemic Road-tripping
In August of 2021, my husband and I decided to accept an invitation to an in-person wedding of a dear friend in southeastern Michigan, about 900 miles away from our home in Lewiston. Seeing friends and embarking on a road trip, one of our favorite ways to vacation, seemed the perfect antidote to our COVID Read More
Offshore Wind Holds Great Promise for Maine
The United States has made great strides over the past several years in developing and deploying the clean energy we need to help address the climate crisis. But one area that still holds a great deal of unfulfilled promise for our country – and especially for Maine – is offshore wind, particularly deep offshore wind that might be located 25 or 50 miles from shore. The Gulf of Maine Read More