A Renewal of Environmental Action
From Spring 2008 Maine Environment
We live in exciting times. By all indications, we are witnessing a new wave of environmental awareness. People of all ages are expressing concerns about the health of our environment. Better still, a higher number of them are taking action to promote a more sustainable world. For NRCM staff members, this action is not only heartening, it is truly inspiring.
At levels that I have not seen since the early 1970s, people want to know what they can do to reduce their environmental impacts and how to become involved in environmental policy. They want to know how to buy renewable energy, clean cars, toxic-free products, and energy-efficient appliances. They want to influence environmental policy. Above all, they want to make a difference.
Here at NRCM, in the past six months alone, we have had one example after another of people participating in record numbers on environmental issues of our day. Let me share just a few examples.
- In December and January, hundreds of citizens turned out for hearings in Greenville, Augusta and Portland to speak out against in defense of Moosehead Lake. People from every corner of Maine asked the Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) to scale back or deny Plum Creek’s massive development.
- At a recent press conference, I stood beside a pile of more than 2,000 hand-written letters submitted to LURC in opposition to Plum Creek’s proposed 2300-unit Moosehead Lake development. This is very likely the largest number of letters ever received by LURC on a project. These letters are amazing – heartfelt, passionate, persuasive.
- NRCM’s annual Citizen Action Day this year had the highest turn out in years, with an overflow crowd of people age 10 to 83 coming to Augusta from across the state to meet with their elected officials about environmental legislation.
- A huge crowd of mothers and children, senior citizens, public health advocates and Maine citizens rallied at the State House in early March in support of legislation to curb toxic chemicals in children’s products.
- In early April, more than 500 people attended the energy efficiency conference hosted by Governor Baldacci and cosponsored by NRCM. Participants traveled from all corners of the state—from businesses, schools, municipalities, and non-profit organizations—to learn how to cut energy costs, to increase energy security, and to help protect our environment.
Some of what we are seeing may be part of a larger phenomenon of civic engagement, reflected in the presidential campaigns. But there is more to it than that. I believe the reality of our energy and environmental predicament is finally setting in, and people are rising to the challenge.
There is growing realization that the use of coal, oil, and natural gas is making us vulnerable on several fronts. The reality of climate change is now indisputable and leading scientists are telling us that time is running out for us to be able to cut carbon emissions enough to protect the world we want our children to inherit. Consumers are fed up with toxic chemicals in our products. And a great mobilization is afoot to protect places in the natural world, including right here in Maine, before they are severely damaged or lost forever.
The challenges before us are enormous, but momentum is building for change. Big changes, little changes, they all add up. Thank you – for the changes you have made in your own life and, through your support for NRCM, for the changes you help this organization to make for protection of the Maine we love.
—Brownie Carson, Executive Director
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