News release BIDDEFORD, Maine — On November 18, 2016, the University of New England (UNE) hosted a climate change solutions conference featuring Senator Angus King as the keynote speaker. The conference, “Climate Change Solutions: Maine Leadership from Policy to Education,” was co-sponsored by UNE, Natural Resources Council of Maine and Citizens’ Climate Lobby. UNE President Danielle Read More
climate
Diminishing Options and the Climate Endgame
by Stephen Mulkey, PhD for the Natural Resources Council of Maine One of the strongest hurricanes on record, Ivan, was photographed on September 11, 2004 from an altitude of about 230 miles by NASA Astronaut Edward M. (Mike) Fincke. At the time, Ivan was in the western Caribbean Sea and reported to have winds of Read More
Rules of Engagement for the Environmental Century
by Stephen Mulkey, PhD Avoiding catastrophic climate change will be the organizing principle for humanity for the next 30 years. – Joe Romm, Founder of Climate Progress, 2016 The International Geological Congress is poised to officially designate the present as part of a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene. I call the 21st century simply The Read More
The Value of Carbon Capture and Sequestration as an Ecosystem Service
by Stephen Mulkey for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. “Carbon dioxide is natural. It is not harmful. It is part of Earth’s lifecycle.” Representative Michele Bachmann (R-Minnesota) speaking in the House on Earth Day 2009 “Essentially these communities of organisms are our life support system.” Hal Mooney, Achilles Professor of Environmental Biology, Stanford University, Read More
The Integrity of Ecosystems
by Stephen Mulkey for the Natural Resources Council of Maine “An essential paradox of wilderness conservation is that we seek to preserve what must change.” Steward Pickett and P.S. White 1985 “We must focus our attention on the rates at which changes occur, understanding that certain changes are natural, desirable, and acceptable, while others are not.” Read More
Rep. Pingree Joins Vital Effort to Combat Food Waste, Climate Damage
Her legislation recognizes the world can throw away less, feed more and have a big impact on the planet. by John Mandyck, chief sustainability officer for United Technologies Corp., parent company of Pratt & Whitney in North Berwick Portland Press Herald op-ed FARMINGTON, Conn. — In a historic moment for the planet, more than 190 Read More
Report: Climate Change Threatens America’s Cherished Outdoor Experience
Stressful Weather Conditions Exacerbate Pests and Threaten Health in Maine News release by the Natural Resources Council of Maine and the National Wildlife Federation Augusta, MAINE, May 27, 2015 – Climate change is creating favorable conditions for many bothersome pests, including ticks, and is increasing their numbers and expanding their ranges, according to a report Read More
How Climate Change Could Affect Maine’s Ski Industry
by Marnie MacLean WCSH-6 TV news story BRIDGTON, Maine (NECN) — This is the kind of winter where you may have heard some people ask “what global warming?” We’ve certainly had a lot of snow and cold days but scientists are still pointing to an overall picture that shows the planet is warming. Today in Read More
Federal Court Strikes Down EPA’s Biomass Pollution Loophole
EcoWatch news story On Friday, a key federal court ruling confirmed that Clean Air Act limits on carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution apply to industrial facilities that burn biomass, including tree-burning power plants. The court vacated an exemption that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had carved out for “biogenic carbon dioxide.” The decision, by a Read More