If you talk to political leaders the answer is yes, if you talk to scientists, no. And both would be right.

Glasgow reminds me of a time when I was asked to chair the Governor’s Council on Solid Waste. Forty people from the trash hauling, landfill, and incinerator industry showed up for the meetings. Each was there to defend their interests, not to create new policy. Similarly, the largest delegation in Glasgow was comprised of oil and gas people—over 500 of them. With such a strong oil and gas presence, the fact that any progress was made is a miracle.

And there [… continue reading]

In a pivotal meeting, heads of state and ministers from 197 countries will meet in Glasgow the first two weeks in November to begin implementing the Paris Climate Agreement. The goal of the meeting is to secure commitments from each country on how they will achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius or less. This will be the 26^th meeting of the Council of Parties, or COP26.

Little progress has been made at the past 25 global climate summits. Parties haven’t been able to come to agreement on major issues like establishing a carbon [… continue reading]

There’s nothing straightforward about Maine’s Question 1, which challenges the electric utility corridor being built in western Maine. For starters, a yes vote means you don’t support the corridor and a no vote means you do.

Then there’s the odd combination of supporters on each side. On the yes (shut down the corridor) side is the Sierra Club, Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) and NextEra, the world’s largest utility company. NextEra doesn’t want hydro to compete with nuclear and oil fired energy plants they own in the region. Environmental groups are concerned about the impact of a clear-cut through the [… continue reading]

Did you know that in 48 of our 50 states, people have no legal right to clean air, clean water or a healthy environment? State and local governments can enact policies and permits without considering the air you breathe or the water you drink. This is how chemical plants in Louisiana’s “Cancer Alley” were built adjacent to neighborhoods and schools. It is how the New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) electric corridor can cut through Maine towns who object.

Thirteen states are now working to establish citizen rights to clean air, clean water and a healthy environment by adding these rights [… continue reading]

I was at a table selling books at the Patagonia store recently, when I met a young woman who cared deeply about the environment. “I have young children, I’m a farm manager responsible for horses, goats, gardens, and a swimming pool; and I also work here at the Patagonia store”.  She wished she could be an advocate for the environment, “But I just don’t have the time“, she said.  Many people share her dilemma.

But you can have an impact with very little time. Consider that it takes just five phone calls or letters to your city, town council or state [… continue reading]

Does the idea of testifying before a Legislative committee make you sweat? Until I started doing it for a living, that’s how I felt! I started my career in marketing, creating grand opening sweepstakes for a supermarket chain. I’d arrange to give away a car when we opened a new store. I always knew I wanted to be in communications, and advertising and marketing seemed an obvious path.

But unexpected things happened, as they always do. The supermarket chain “downsized” in the early 1990s slump, and I was left with no job and few prospects.

I ended up taking a marketing job [… continue reading]

Hello Friends,

I was looking out to sea the other day from Wolfe Neck Farm in Freeport, ME. The sun danced on the waves creating sparkles as far as my eyes could see. The islands in the bay appeared crisp and blue–a beautiful shade of dark blue– not the usual soft gray-blue I am used to seeing. With joy I realized the vivid colors were the effect of reduced emissions, due to the economic shutdown. The Corona Virus has allowed us to physically experience reduced emissions—with clearer views and fresh smelling air that is a joy to breathe!

My greatest hope is [… continue reading]

Misinformation. Disinformation. Incomplete Information. Our world has become so complex it’s sometimes hard to discern fact from opinion.

A recent headline in the Working Waterfront said: “Media is Responsible for “eco anxiety”: There is no scientific consensus on climate change“.

The latter statement–”There is no scientific consensus on climate change”– is written as if it were fact. It’s not. It’s the opinion of a guest editorial writer. And it’s based on his misunderstanding of “scientific consensus”. The writer apparently believes that scientists come together and decide on a political point of view, creating a political [… continue reading]